Mark Wilkins spoke an excellent message in church today.
‘A Black Swan is a large-impact hard-to-predict, and rare event beyond the realm of normal expectations’. Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Black swans were discovered in Australia before that it was assumed that all swans were white.
Jesus is the ultimate black swan – meeting him is our breakthrough moment. We can no longer look back at our past and use it to predict our future. We become a new creation.
Luke 5:1-11
Jesus wasn’t what the people of his time expected. They were used to looking in the past to determine their future. Jesus was a surprise to them.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength
Ephesians 3:20-21 – Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Our dreams can be weighed down by us looking in the past. We have to look to our future through the eyes of faith.
More thoughts about ‘black swans’…
They are not always bad news
Strategic friendships are vital
Jesus has a plan
Faith is all that is required
Grace is in plentiful supply
Jesus blows away all of Simon Peter’s past experience (logical induction!) because he sends back out to fish again. Peter knows there are no fish but Jesus proves him wrong.
Unexpected happenings can be good opportunities - not negative! A crisis can be a great opportunity for us to step up a level.
James and John were faithful friends to Peter. We need to seek out those faithful friends in our lives.
Jesus is the name above all names! His plan for us will not fail. We need to stay faithful even though change is taking place in our lives.
His grace is sufficient during bad times. He’s always there to love and forgive us. To lift us up and put us back on track.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Seeing the Kingdom of God
Another great message in church yesterday. Paul Benger spoke on seeing the Kingdom of God with child-like qualities.
Luke 18:15-17 – People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
‘Like a little child’ – to see the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God, where God’s will and rule is in our lives, in this place...the church.
Jesus teaching was hope-filled, revolutionary. He is intricately involved with our lives.
If we are not careful we can miss the Kingdom of God. Some reasons why…
Familiarity – we can get familiar with things. This can cause us to miss the things. Preachers, scripture, people, jobs etc. Things can become too routine. Can stop us seeing God’s Kingdom at work.
Cynicism – A British trait. When someone accomplishes something, rises to the top, we’re waiting for them to fall.
Grumpiness – having a grumpy, negative outlook on life can cause us to miss the Kingdom of God.
Conspiracy Theory – where everybody is out to get me. We can get focused on little pockets of thought. We forget that Jesus is alive, He is Lord. Christ will put all things under his feet.
Lack of trust, this can lead us to missing God’s Kingdom.
Our church...where God is present and anyone can flourish!
As we take on more child-like qualities we will see more of the Kingdom of God in our lives.
Four child-like qualities to have in our lives...
1) Wonder
We can lose this as we get older, that sense of wonder. ‘You can never have worship without wonder’ (Paul Newbury)
God was able to turn darkness to light...take a barren earth and fill it with life. What wonder! Do we find things wonderful? God knew me...even before I was conceived!
We need to find things wonderful again.
God is with us where ever we go! Wonderful?
His will is that none should perish. God, through his Son, made a way to lift the lives of all...wonderful?
Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Psalm 139:1-6 – O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in— behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Only God could do all of this – Wow!
2) Enthusiasm
The ability to get really, really excited! Some people find dreariness in everything.
Enthusiasm is from the Greek word, ‘En – Theos’ – in God, or inspired by God.
We miss God when we lose our enthusiasm for life. Enthusiastic people see more of the Kingdom of God.
3) Rest
Kids look amazing when they are asleep. Trusting in Dad and safe in his arms. Trust in God...stop worrying.
In the midst of chaos, connect with God, find that still moment. Know this, ‘God I know you’re planning good things for me!’
Psalm 131:2 – But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me
4) Trust
Psalm 37:3 – Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture
Believe that God is on the case...trust in Him.
Luke 18:15-17 – People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."
‘Like a little child’ – to see the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God, where God’s will and rule is in our lives, in this place...the church.
Jesus teaching was hope-filled, revolutionary. He is intricately involved with our lives.
If we are not careful we can miss the Kingdom of God. Some reasons why…
Familiarity – we can get familiar with things. This can cause us to miss the things. Preachers, scripture, people, jobs etc. Things can become too routine. Can stop us seeing God’s Kingdom at work.
Cynicism – A British trait. When someone accomplishes something, rises to the top, we’re waiting for them to fall.
Grumpiness – having a grumpy, negative outlook on life can cause us to miss the Kingdom of God.
Conspiracy Theory – where everybody is out to get me. We can get focused on little pockets of thought. We forget that Jesus is alive, He is Lord. Christ will put all things under his feet.
Lack of trust, this can lead us to missing God’s Kingdom.
Our church...where God is present and anyone can flourish!
As we take on more child-like qualities we will see more of the Kingdom of God in our lives.
Four child-like qualities to have in our lives...
1) Wonder
We can lose this as we get older, that sense of wonder. ‘You can never have worship without wonder’ (Paul Newbury)
God was able to turn darkness to light...take a barren earth and fill it with life. What wonder! Do we find things wonderful? God knew me...even before I was conceived!
We need to find things wonderful again.
God is with us where ever we go! Wonderful?
His will is that none should perish. God, through his Son, made a way to lift the lives of all...wonderful?
Psalm 139:14 – I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Psalm 139:1-6 – O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in— behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
Only God could do all of this – Wow!
2) Enthusiasm
The ability to get really, really excited! Some people find dreariness in everything.
Enthusiasm is from the Greek word, ‘En – Theos’ – in God, or inspired by God.
We miss God when we lose our enthusiasm for life. Enthusiastic people see more of the Kingdom of God.
3) Rest
Kids look amazing when they are asleep. Trusting in Dad and safe in his arms. Trust in God...stop worrying.
In the midst of chaos, connect with God, find that still moment. Know this, ‘God I know you’re planning good things for me!’
Psalm 131:2 – But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me
4) Trust
Psalm 37:3 – Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture
Believe that God is on the case...trust in Him.
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter
Great time in church yesterday. Paul Benger brought an excellent message about the healing of Jairus’ daughter.
Mark 5:21-43
In this story we get two for the price of one! We have the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and our main story, which is the healing of Jairus’ daughter.
There is a message hidden behind this story. The woman had suffered for 12 years and the daughter of Jairus was 12 when she died. 12 means covenant (12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles etc)
The woman represents the old covenant, dead religion – striving, struggling. Trying to be worthy. Finally she puts her faith in Jesus and is healed. We can never do anything to earn God’s favour; grace is poured out for all.
Ephesians 2:4-5 – But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved
Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ will live!
Romans 10:17 – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ
Look at this...Jesus took three people to see Jairus’ daughter, Peter, James and John. Peter – Rock/Stone/Tablets – the law, James – Jacob, meaning surplanter or superseded, John – meaning grace. The Law is Superseded by Grace. Not through our effort.
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ.
There are three things that help us to receive from God from this story...
Jesus puts away the mourning and the unbelief. ‘Little girl I say to you arise’. God’s word will penetrate anything that has no life…even death, our difficult situations that seem impenetrable. He will create life in death.
Jesus put away the unbelieving
Jairus came to Jesus in ‘faith’. Jesus told him to keep believing despite the situation he was facing. As a church we need to keep believing.
There are facts and there is truth. The fact was the girl was dead. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. He brought life where there was death.
We can face the facts in our lives and yet we can still grow in faith. Fact = the current economy squeeze. The truth = My God is my provider! He is my redeemer, he turns things around. He takes a ‘mess’ and redeems it and makes it a ‘message’!
Let us keep ourselves in a state of believing.
Jesus put away the mockers
They went from crying to laughing and scorning.
Don’t sit in the seat of the scornful. They’re always sat at the sides, full of cynicism – unfruitful. They don’t see many miracles.
Have a pure spirit - let Heaven invade our lives.
Believe in people...put away that mocking spirit. Become like little children, experience the wonder and amazement of God again.
Jesus put away the mournful
Our emotions can rob us of that state of believing. We can always see things from a bleak and negative viewpoint. Our glass is always half empty.
Our nature in Christ should say, ‘isn’t it great what God is doing!’
Know that the answer is in Jesus Christ. Focus on Him, his redeeming power, his healing power.
Mark 5:21-43
In this story we get two for the price of one! We have the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and our main story, which is the healing of Jairus’ daughter.
There is a message hidden behind this story. The woman had suffered for 12 years and the daughter of Jairus was 12 when she died. 12 means covenant (12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles etc)
The woman represents the old covenant, dead religion – striving, struggling. Trying to be worthy. Finally she puts her faith in Jesus and is healed. We can never do anything to earn God’s favour; grace is poured out for all.
Ephesians 2:4-5 – But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions— it is by grace you have been saved
Anyone who puts their faith in Jesus Christ will live!
Romans 10:17 – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ
Look at this...Jesus took three people to see Jairus’ daughter, Peter, James and John. Peter – Rock/Stone/Tablets – the law, James – Jacob, meaning surplanter or superseded, John – meaning grace. The Law is Superseded by Grace. Not through our effort.
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ.
There are three things that help us to receive from God from this story...
Jesus puts away the mourning and the unbelief. ‘Little girl I say to you arise’. God’s word will penetrate anything that has no life…even death, our difficult situations that seem impenetrable. He will create life in death.
Jesus put away the unbelieving
Jairus came to Jesus in ‘faith’. Jesus told him to keep believing despite the situation he was facing. As a church we need to keep believing.
There are facts and there is truth. The fact was the girl was dead. Jesus is the way the truth and the life. He brought life where there was death.
We can face the facts in our lives and yet we can still grow in faith. Fact = the current economy squeeze. The truth = My God is my provider! He is my redeemer, he turns things around. He takes a ‘mess’ and redeems it and makes it a ‘message’!
Let us keep ourselves in a state of believing.
Jesus put away the mockers
They went from crying to laughing and scorning.
Don’t sit in the seat of the scornful. They’re always sat at the sides, full of cynicism – unfruitful. They don’t see many miracles.
Have a pure spirit - let Heaven invade our lives.
Believe in people...put away that mocking spirit. Become like little children, experience the wonder and amazement of God again.
Jesus put away the mournful
Our emotions can rob us of that state of believing. We can always see things from a bleak and negative viewpoint. Our glass is always half empty.
Our nature in Christ should say, ‘isn’t it great what God is doing!’
Know that the answer is in Jesus Christ. Focus on Him, his redeeming power, his healing power.
Saturday, July 05, 2008
Following Life and all of His Friends
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Spoke in church this morning...A line from a recent Coldplay song from album Viva La Vida, Death and all of his friends - I don’t wanna follow death and all of his friends!
Today I want us to look at the kind life that Jesus is offering us.
Even before Jesus came to earth...God’s people were given the choice of the kind of life they could choose.
Deuteronomy 30:19 - This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
Don’t follow death and all of his friends!
Jesus said…
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!
What is the characteristic of a thief? He comes when we least suspect...when we are least prepared.
Their special mission is to rob you of God’s blessings in your life! The thief comes to destroy the peace, victory, confidence and success of a life lived in God’s abundance. These thieves are real and deadly to us!
FRIENDS OF DEATH…
Resentment – Bitterness
When we are offended or disappointed by others and allow the hurt to germinate in our hearts, bitterness and resentment will take root. Characterised by an unforgiving spirit. Generally negative, critical attitudes, bitterness and resentment are self-defeating. They will colour our thoughts and actions.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you
Revenge – settling of scores
“I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge”
Romans 12:19-21, Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Revenge is taking matters into our own hands – forgiveness is releasing other from our judgement into the hands of the living God.
Regret – ‘what if’, disappointment, disillusionment
Living in regret allows yesterday to control your today – the past dominates the present and cause you to fear the future.
“If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world.”
Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A result of regret and disillusionment is apathy or inertia. We feel trapped in a place of never seeming to be getting anywhere. Despondent, dejected...at times feeling useless and ineffective. The thief of Inertia!
Resentment, Revenge, Regret – they leave us stuck in a place we don’t want to be in. It’s time to ‘take them off’, get rid of them! To let God rescue us from those things! Make our escape!
Follow ‘Life’ and all of His friends! Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the LIFE’
Friends of LIFE
Repentance
Repentance is an incredible word. It’s a scary sounding word and it’s a misused word. Repentance is a powerful, transformational.
Mark 1:15 - Jesus said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus encourages us to turn away from the bad news...and turn to the good news, that God’s grace covers all our sin. True repentance is less about what you turn away from and more about what you turn to. It’s more about WHO you turn to!
Another friend of LIFE…
Today I want us to look at the kind life that Jesus is offering us.
Even before Jesus came to earth...God’s people were given the choice of the kind of life they could choose.
Deuteronomy 30:19 - This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live
Don’t follow death and all of his friends!
Jesus said…
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full!
What is the characteristic of a thief? He comes when we least suspect...when we are least prepared.
Their special mission is to rob you of God’s blessings in your life! The thief comes to destroy the peace, victory, confidence and success of a life lived in God’s abundance. These thieves are real and deadly to us!
FRIENDS OF DEATH…
Resentment – Bitterness
When we are offended or disappointed by others and allow the hurt to germinate in our hearts, bitterness and resentment will take root. Characterised by an unforgiving spirit. Generally negative, critical attitudes, bitterness and resentment are self-defeating. They will colour our thoughts and actions.
Ephesians 4:31-32 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you
Revenge – settling of scores
“I don't want a cycle of recycled revenge”
Romans 12:19-21, Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Revenge is taking matters into our own hands – forgiveness is releasing other from our judgement into the hands of the living God.
Regret – ‘what if’, disappointment, disillusionment
Living in regret allows yesterday to control your today – the past dominates the present and cause you to fear the future.
“If only. Those must be the two saddest words in the world.”
Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
A result of regret and disillusionment is apathy or inertia. We feel trapped in a place of never seeming to be getting anywhere. Despondent, dejected...at times feeling useless and ineffective. The thief of Inertia!
Resentment, Revenge, Regret – they leave us stuck in a place we don’t want to be in. It’s time to ‘take them off’, get rid of them! To let God rescue us from those things! Make our escape!
Follow ‘Life’ and all of His friends! Jesus said, ‘I am the way, the truth and the LIFE’
Friends of LIFE
Repentance
Repentance is an incredible word. It’s a scary sounding word and it’s a misused word. Repentance is a powerful, transformational.
Mark 1:15 - Jesus said, “The time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”
Jesus encourages us to turn away from the bad news...and turn to the good news, that God’s grace covers all our sin. True repentance is less about what you turn away from and more about what you turn to. It’s more about WHO you turn to!
Another friend of LIFE…
Renewal – change your thinking!
Romans 12:2 ‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’
Let us believe the Truth contained in God’s Word and to live in the victory of God’s promises. If I’m not careful I can allow myself to live according to who I think I am and yet it is so liberating to live according to who God says I am.
Guard your hearts and minds by thinking about the right kind of things:
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or admirable think about such things.
Another Friend of LIFE...
Rejoicing – power of praise!
Paul throughout his life emphasised the positive. He practised the praise principle. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
(1) Practice giving thanks in every circumstance for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
(2) Surround yourself with positive people
When you are surrounded by positive people you can turn obstacles into opportunities. Paul surrounded himself with a team of positive people.
Finally...
Those who follow Life and all of His friends...is a Life-Giver! Jesus the Life-Giver.
As we receive this abundance of life...be a friend to it and “Give it away!”
Our desire is to be a ‘life-giving church’
2 Corinthians 3:6 ‘He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life’
1 Corinthians 15:45 ‘So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
1 John 4:17 ‘As He is - so are we in this world’
Give life to those around you - set the tone for life! Let us follow Jesus, his example, follow his friends...of repentance, renewal and rejoicing. AND as he lifts our lives…let us lift the lives of others. Give LIFE to those around you.
Romans 12:2 ‘And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’
Let us believe the Truth contained in God’s Word and to live in the victory of God’s promises. If I’m not careful I can allow myself to live according to who I think I am and yet it is so liberating to live according to who God says I am.
Guard your hearts and minds by thinking about the right kind of things:
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or admirable think about such things.
Another Friend of LIFE...
Rejoicing – power of praise!
Paul throughout his life emphasised the positive. He practised the praise principle. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
(1) Practice giving thanks in every circumstance for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
(2) Surround yourself with positive people
When you are surrounded by positive people you can turn obstacles into opportunities. Paul surrounded himself with a team of positive people.
Finally...
Those who follow Life and all of His friends...is a Life-Giver! Jesus the Life-Giver.
As we receive this abundance of life...be a friend to it and “Give it away!”
Our desire is to be a ‘life-giving church’
2 Corinthians 3:6 ‘He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant-not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life’
1 Corinthians 15:45 ‘So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit.
1 John 4:17 ‘As He is - so are we in this world’
Give life to those around you - set the tone for life! Let us follow Jesus, his example, follow his friends...of repentance, renewal and rejoicing. AND as he lifts our lives…let us lift the lives of others. Give LIFE to those around you.
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