Yesterday Paul Benger brought the final chapter in our Dangerous Church series. He spoke a great message on ‘Prayer’.
Acts 2:42 – They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
People often come to prayer with the attitude; ‘we need to pray more’. But it’s not the amount of time we pray that’s important but the fact that we pray. The early church took every opportunity that came their way to pray.
I we are not careful we can become legalistic about prayer...it can become dutiful. Our whole life should be a life of prayer (pray without ceasing) – it is our interaction with God a relational thing that helps us to grow and to get to know him more. It should be a natural thing and not a religious thing.
When we interact with our wife or husband and kids we don’t schedule a specific time in our diary to do this!
We do have special times but our main avenue of prayer is our ongoing loving relationship with God.
Prayer is how bring about the will of God on the earth, Matthew 6:10 – Your Kingdom come your will be done on earth as it is in heaven
As God’s people we should know what God’s will is any situation...prayer brings that about. God answers our prayers. We pray all kinds of prayers – some get answered, some not as we had wanted, and some are yet to be answered.
The early church...
WHEN THEY PRAYED
At the ‘time’ of prayer – Acts 3:1 'One day Peter and John were going to the temple at the time of prayer, at 3 in the afternoon’.
There are times when we need to pray (as a church), to pray through a specific situation. We ought to give ourselves to those times.
They prayed when they faced persecution – Acts 7:59 ‘As they were stoning him, Stephen prayed’. Acts 12:5 ‘So Peter was kept in prison and the church was earnestly praying for him’.
How do we respond when bad news comes? The early church prayed at difficult times because they knew the importance of those times together. As a church we need to be able to come together in prayer in those moments. To be a resilient people, a people of faith trusting God. Where care for one another and carry one another’s burdens.
When they met new believers – Acts 8:15 ‘As they arrived they prayed for the new believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit’.
Alone – Acts 9:11 ‘Go to…ask for a man named Saul, for he is praying’.
When they encountered great need – Acts 9:40 ‘Turning towards the dead woman, Peter said ‘Tabitha get up’’.
Some times we can be overwhelmed by a great need – we should pray. A Dangerous Church and dangerous Christians PRAY.
HOW THEY PRAYED
Together – Acts 4:24 ‘When they heard this they raised their voices together’
Where two or more people...There is power when we pray together!
By laying their hands on people – Acts 6:6 ‘They presented them to the Apostles who prayed and laid hands on them’.
By speaking to the problem – Acts 9:40 ‘Turning towards the dead woman Peter said, Tabitha GET UP’
Earnestly – Acts 12:5 ‘Peter was kept in prison and the church was earnestly praying for him’.
They prayed with passion – they were desperate for Peter’s release. We need to have enthusiasm about God and about the church. We can impart enthusiasm to one another – it rubs off!
WHAT THEY PRAYED
For Boldness – Acts 4:29 ‘consider their threats and enable you servants to speak your word with great boldness'.
Not being rude...but there is virtue in being bold.
For Healing – Acts 4:30 ‘Stretch out your hands to heal and perform signs and wonders in the name of Jesus’.
For Leaders – Acts 6:6 'pray for labourers for the harvest field'.
For the in filling and empowering of the Holy Spirit – Acts 8:15 ‘they prayed for the new believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit’.
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY PRAYED
People were filled with the Holy Spirit
The church gained the boldness they asked for
People had visions
People got up
Supernatural healings, signs and wonders took place
Monday, April 28, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Dangerous Church IV
This morning Paul Benger spoke an excellent message on the Breaking of Bread as part of our Dangerous Church series.
Acts 2:42-47 – They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.
The breaking of bread...what’s so special about this meal? The early church broke bread from house to house this was an important part of their meal together.
‘Seal the deal with the meal’ - Jesus had told them to do this in remembrance of me.
Matthew 26:26-28 – While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus was commencing a brand new covenant – the breaking of bread was a covenant meal.
Jesus completed the work he came to do...all we need to do is to receive it as a covenant relationship with God. A covenant is not a contract but a promise from God to you, not a two-way contract but a one-way covenant from God to you.
Hebrews 8:10 – This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
In this covenant relationship between God and us we can know...
The Promise of the Spirit
All the requirements of the covenant are met by God, we just partake in the meal.
He keeps his promise…the promise of the Holy Spirit. We can know the Spirit of God inside of us all of the time…a life by the Spirit and not by the law or the letter. Empowered and led by the Holy Spirit. Everyday dynamic. A relationship where anything could happen! He is not just living with us but in us.
Hebrews 8:12 – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
God’s Pledge
God has cleansed us and made us whole, forgiven. Transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light!
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Our Application is by Faith
There are many “I wills” from God the question is “will I?” We need to believe it and let him have his will in our life. Believe all that he’s done for us. We can even believe the evidence before things become evident! Faith as expressed in Hebrews 11:1.
We’re called to live a life of faith. Abraham had to trust God when asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. God provided the sacrifice for Abraham. God has shown us the way through his only Son, Jesus Christ.
The breaking of bread...when we eat and drink in this way we are saying that this meal has sealed the deal!
We also are recognising that we have a covenant relationship with each other...we don’t break bread alone but together. One body, united...very powerful. Hebrews 8:10 – I will be their God and they will be my people.
We are here to...
Declare his glory – we have an opportunity where we live to declare his name, to make his name famous.
Establish his will – to pray ‘Your Kingdom come’. His will gets done through as we pray and bring in his will.
To be in fellowship and unity – Acts 2:1-2 “they were ALL together…one accord”
They devoted themselves...
There is more to you than you think! More that you can become and do in God.
John 1:12 – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
This is true now but it is also on going! God gives us the power but we do the ‘becoming’.
God wants to tell us through this meal that he has paid the price. He has done it all so that we might become all that he has purposed for us. This is the promise on your life!
Acts 2:42-47 – They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer…they broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people.
The breaking of bread...what’s so special about this meal? The early church broke bread from house to house this was an important part of their meal together.
‘Seal the deal with the meal’ - Jesus had told them to do this in remembrance of me.
Matthew 26:26-28 – While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus was commencing a brand new covenant – the breaking of bread was a covenant meal.
Jesus completed the work he came to do...all we need to do is to receive it as a covenant relationship with God. A covenant is not a contract but a promise from God to you, not a two-way contract but a one-way covenant from God to you.
Hebrews 8:10 – This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
In this covenant relationship between God and us we can know...
The Promise of the Spirit
All the requirements of the covenant are met by God, we just partake in the meal.
He keeps his promise…the promise of the Holy Spirit. We can know the Spirit of God inside of us all of the time…a life by the Spirit and not by the law or the letter. Empowered and led by the Holy Spirit. Everyday dynamic. A relationship where anything could happen! He is not just living with us but in us.
Hebrews 8:12 – For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
God’s Pledge
God has cleansed us and made us whole, forgiven. Transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light!
Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Our Application is by Faith
There are many “I wills” from God the question is “will I?” We need to believe it and let him have his will in our life. Believe all that he’s done for us. We can even believe the evidence before things become evident! Faith as expressed in Hebrews 11:1.
We’re called to live a life of faith. Abraham had to trust God when asked to sacrifice his son Isaac. God provided the sacrifice for Abraham. God has shown us the way through his only Son, Jesus Christ.
The breaking of bread...when we eat and drink in this way we are saying that this meal has sealed the deal!
We also are recognising that we have a covenant relationship with each other...we don’t break bread alone but together. One body, united...very powerful. Hebrews 8:10 – I will be their God and they will be my people.
We are here to...
Declare his glory – we have an opportunity where we live to declare his name, to make his name famous.
Establish his will – to pray ‘Your Kingdom come’. His will gets done through as we pray and bring in his will.
To be in fellowship and unity – Acts 2:1-2 “they were ALL together…one accord”
They devoted themselves...
There is more to you than you think! More that you can become and do in God.
John 1:12 – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
This is true now but it is also on going! God gives us the power but we do the ‘becoming’.
God wants to tell us through this meal that he has paid the price. He has done it all so that we might become all that he has purposed for us. This is the promise on your life!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Dangerous Church III
I spoke the third message in our Dangerous Church series on Sunday morning. It was on the subject of ‘fellowship’.
From the beginning the early church never played it safe – they never took it easy. They were dangerous! When it comes to doing church we’ll be tempted to play it safe - not rock the boat or be controversial. That’s not God’s desire for us nor is it how the New Testament Church began.
A Dangerous church requires dangerous Christ followers. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with Jesus.
How do we become a dangerous Christ follower? - One dangerous aspect of Church life is ‘fellowship’
Failure to thrive syndrome (FTT) – saw Romanian orphans on our TV Screens. Little physical contact with other humans and often died from a lack of human contact.
We need to understand that “failure to thrive syndrome” can happen in our lives spiritually...unable to grow in God. The key to avoiding this I believe is through fellowship.
Psalm 92:13 - planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish
All of us are called to play a role in fulfilling the vision/purpose of the church together. Each of us has a gift and a calling to be an effective part of that vision. It’s important to understand that when we get involved in serving we are not just serving in the house of God…we are serving one another.
I believe the greatest development of the nature of Christ in us, is through serving others. We throw away the self-centered lifestyle and lay down our lives for others. Jesus said that this is the key to discovering life.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Koinonia was used to describe a business partnership, a situation in which two or more people were committed to sharing in some common venture. To experience Koinonia meant participating in something intentionally and energetically. Koinonia meant to be a sharer, a companion, one who is a partaker, a participant in communion.
What can happen when we have true fellowship? Jesus said - “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
The effective Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. A Christian who lives a life away from other Christians will never grow without fellowship.
Fellowship is the basis for the power of God to be resident amongst us
Psalm 133
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.
Harmony is vital. Anointing falls on unity. The Holy Spirit fell on the disciples in the Upper Room once they were all in one accord in one place.
Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand”
Fellowship is the basis for achieving the great purposes of God
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up
God has called us together, not apart!
Jesus tells us that the entirety of all that God requires of us hangs on these two commands: Love God, love your neighbour.
How does the New Testament guide us into these healthy relationships?
First, understand that God’s ways are not our ways. What we feel we should do instinctively is very often going to be the exact opposite of what God would do! We think getting angry with a person will change them when it can just make everything worse. We think reminding people of their wrongs will make them better it can make them hate you. We want revenge - God says, ‘forgive’.
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’
The spirit we are to have towards each other is serving.
Galatians 5:13-14 - You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbour as yourself.
Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 - Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken
When we function like a team, like an army, we will achieve the greatest results.
Leviticus 26:8 - Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you.
From the beginning the early church never played it safe – they never took it easy. They were dangerous! When it comes to doing church we’ll be tempted to play it safe - not rock the boat or be controversial. That’s not God’s desire for us nor is it how the New Testament Church began.
A Dangerous church requires dangerous Christ followers. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with Jesus.
How do we become a dangerous Christ follower? - One dangerous aspect of Church life is ‘fellowship’
Failure to thrive syndrome (FTT) – saw Romanian orphans on our TV Screens. Little physical contact with other humans and often died from a lack of human contact.
We need to understand that “failure to thrive syndrome” can happen in our lives spiritually...unable to grow in God. The key to avoiding this I believe is through fellowship.
Psalm 92:13 - planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish
All of us are called to play a role in fulfilling the vision/purpose of the church together. Each of us has a gift and a calling to be an effective part of that vision. It’s important to understand that when we get involved in serving we are not just serving in the house of God…we are serving one another.
I believe the greatest development of the nature of Christ in us, is through serving others. We throw away the self-centered lifestyle and lay down our lives for others. Jesus said that this is the key to discovering life.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Koinonia was used to describe a business partnership, a situation in which two or more people were committed to sharing in some common venture. To experience Koinonia meant participating in something intentionally and energetically. Koinonia meant to be a sharer, a companion, one who is a partaker, a participant in communion.
What can happen when we have true fellowship? Jesus said - “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
The effective Christian life is not meant to be lived alone. A Christian who lives a life away from other Christians will never grow without fellowship.
Fellowship is the basis for the power of God to be resident amongst us
Psalm 133
How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along!
It’s like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard,
Flowing down Aaron’s beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes.
It’s like the dew on Mount Hermon flowing down the slopes of Zion.
Yes, that’s where God commands the blessing, ordains eternal life.
Harmony is vital. Anointing falls on unity. The Holy Spirit fell on the disciples in the Upper Room once they were all in one accord in one place.
Matthew 12:25 – “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand”
Fellowship is the basis for achieving the great purposes of God
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up
God has called us together, not apart!
Jesus tells us that the entirety of all that God requires of us hangs on these two commands: Love God, love your neighbour.
How does the New Testament guide us into these healthy relationships?
First, understand that God’s ways are not our ways. What we feel we should do instinctively is very often going to be the exact opposite of what God would do! We think getting angry with a person will change them when it can just make everything worse. We think reminding people of their wrongs will make them better it can make them hate you. We want revenge - God says, ‘forgive’.
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.’
The spirit we are to have towards each other is serving.
Galatians 5:13-14 - You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbour as yourself.
Ecclesiastes 4:11-12 - Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken
When we function like a team, like an army, we will achieve the greatest results.
Leviticus 26:8 - Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight; your enemies shall fall by the sword before you.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Dangerous Church II
Mark Wilkins continued our current series in church yesterday morning entitled ‘Dangerous Church’. He spoke an excellent message on the Apostles’ Teaching.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
What did the Apostles teach that made the church dangerous? Look back earlier in Acts 2:14-21.
1) That God has made Jesus Lord and Saviour of all. That in Jesus all the past prophesies are fulfilled. He alone saves.
2) That they were witnesses of Jesus of who he was and what he did. Acts 1:8; 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; 10:39; 10:41. We can also realise who Jesus is and what he has done for us. We can have a living relationship with him.
3) That Jesus is to be exalted as Lord and Christ.
4) That the work of the Holy Spirit continued after Jesus had gone into Heaven. The Holy Spirit empowered and emboldened them, to be able to stand up and proclaim the good news.
5) That they needed to find repentance and the forgiveness of sin, that they could be free and receive God’s grace....this was their constant message.
6) That Jesus still heals today! A message of restoration, that people could find wholeness.
7) That there were needs to be met and the needy should be cared for (i.e. Community Action) The Apostles put food programs in place for the widows. There was practical action taking place all of the time.
8) The message of GRACE encapsulated everything they said and did.
Why were their teachings dangerous?
It challenged the dominant worldview (Caesar is Lord...the view of their day)
It challenged the local authorities (High Priest appointed to keep the peace)
It challenged the established religious authorities
It challenged business and economy (slavery, silver-smiths making idols)
What does all of this mean for us today?
God’s kingdom challenges the worldview of today. There are still places in our world where people are not free. Poverty, disease and crime challenged the church back then and still does today.
We still fight an enemy today who wants to enslave people. “The local church is the hope of the world”.
All across the world the church is seeing the release of captives...individual hearts and lives becoming free as the church proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ. Not just proclaiming good news but by being good news as well.
The message continues to be dangerous, tackling the issues of the day.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
What did the Apostles teach that made the church dangerous? Look back earlier in Acts 2:14-21.
1) That God has made Jesus Lord and Saviour of all. That in Jesus all the past prophesies are fulfilled. He alone saves.
2) That they were witnesses of Jesus of who he was and what he did. Acts 1:8; 1:22; 2:32; 3:15; 4:33; 5:32; 10:39; 10:41. We can also realise who Jesus is and what he has done for us. We can have a living relationship with him.
3) That Jesus is to be exalted as Lord and Christ.
4) That the work of the Holy Spirit continued after Jesus had gone into Heaven. The Holy Spirit empowered and emboldened them, to be able to stand up and proclaim the good news.
5) That they needed to find repentance and the forgiveness of sin, that they could be free and receive God’s grace....this was their constant message.
6) That Jesus still heals today! A message of restoration, that people could find wholeness.
7) That there were needs to be met and the needy should be cared for (i.e. Community Action) The Apostles put food programs in place for the widows. There was practical action taking place all of the time.
8) The message of GRACE encapsulated everything they said and did.
Why were their teachings dangerous?
It challenged the dominant worldview (Caesar is Lord...the view of their day)
It challenged the local authorities (High Priest appointed to keep the peace)
It challenged the established religious authorities
It challenged business and economy (slavery, silver-smiths making idols)
What does all of this mean for us today?
God’s kingdom challenges the worldview of today. There are still places in our world where people are not free. Poverty, disease and crime challenged the church back then and still does today.
We still fight an enemy today who wants to enslave people. “The local church is the hope of the world”.
All across the world the church is seeing the release of captives...individual hearts and lives becoming free as the church proclaims the good news of Jesus Christ. Not just proclaiming good news but by being good news as well.
The message continues to be dangerous, tackling the issues of the day.
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