Flourishing!

Great church this morning! Jeannie Benger spoke an excellent message about maintaining a life that flourishes and thrives.

God wants more for your life – do you? He only has good things for you.

Don’t let us get in a rut doing the same things over and over again. Let us not miss God opportunities!

Psalm 92:12-14 – (12) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; (13) planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.

God wants us to be planted in his house. Get the revelation, it’s the difference between flourishing or floundering! Our relationships, careers, finances, health will all flourish.

How do we keep ourselves from floundering? How do we flourish? 4 keys:

Key 1 – Stay planted

Be planted in God’s house. Psalm 1:3 - He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

We will prosper! Make sure your roots are secure, that they are planted correctly. We will bear fruit and thrive.

Key 2 – Stay connected to people

Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity

Have and make great connections. When you’re floundering don’t disconnect yourself. True friends help us through tough times.

Also be careful who you connect with. Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm

Connect with people who help us fulfil our destiny in God. Iron sharpens iron.

Key 3 – Stay focused on the result you want

Stay in faith. God will give you the confidence, even when all around is crumbling.

In the midst of persecution refuse to draw back. Trust in God and in His word. Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God.

Faith helps us overcome any floundering.

Key 4 – Stay positive

Keep a right attitude. Don’t get cynical or critical when others are doing well. Rejoice with them. Guard your attitude. A poor attitude will result in us floundering and not flourishing. Change your future by your response to the present situation.

To the Crib

Great message from Paul Benger at CLC this morning. As our Christmas production ‘There is a Light’ approaches we were given an introduction to the Crib…as the wise men made there way to the place of the birth of Jesus.

Matthew 2:1-23

The wise men were going to ‘the crib’ of the King of the Jews. What were they expecting to see…what were they looking for?

They first arrived at Herodium, to King Herod’s palace…his crib! This was an incredible crib, luxurious it had everything. The wise men were probably bemused that the star had not settled over this place, over Herodium. This was surely the place for a King to be born!

Herod was disturbed by their news that they were on their way to see a newborn King. The thought of another King would have troubled him greatly. He was a power obsessed King…who would murder to maintain that power.

Herod’s advisers told him of the prophetic scriptures that indeed the Christ would be born and in the town of Bethlehem.

Micah 5:2 – But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Because Herod was a control freak he lied to the wise men and told them to tell them where this King was so that he too could go an worship him.

This story is a tale of two kings. One king sought to destroy, one King came to give life.

Only one King rose from the grave and only one King is the Saviour of the world! His works still lives on today. Herod’s life is over.

Four important truths that we can learn from this story today…

1) God Guides – Follow Him

He loves us and guides our lives. He knows best…we should follow him.

2) God Protects – Trust Him

God’s purposes are always challenged. God makes provision for us…He protects us. He places things in our heart, dreams…gives us destiny! He will keep us safe.

3) God Knows – Hear Him

So often we are tempted to do the things God says don’t do. Let us listen to his word, his wisdom and follow his ways.

4) God Rules – Worship Him

Here is where the real power is…not in stuff, not in Herod’s crib ‘Herodium’. But being able to be born in a lowly crib in a stable…and even when being dead in a tomb…after 3 days walking out alive! Real power is God’s!

He rules…worship Him! Let our focus be on Him today.

Road and Crossroads

Great morning in church today. Simon Wood spoke an encouraging message concerning our journey with God and about the roads and crossroads we face.

We keep moving forward, the vision doesn’t change although the way we do things will change.

Crossroads…we will face them from time to time. We should still never lose sight of the promises of God and the dreams that he has given us.

New seasons will ask us to look at things in a different way. The destination of our journey still remains the same.

Isaiah 46:9-11 – Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please. From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfil my purpose. What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do.

God’s will and purposes remain the same. We might make mistakes along the way but his purposes will still be made known. He is always there for us…he lifts us…his plans don’t change for our lives.

He will bring us back on track when we veer off course…like a Father encouraging his children.

Sometimes we doubt which way to turn or to go. Whatever we face God will give us the wisdom for it…His word for our lives applied.

Proverbs 8:1-3 – Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gates leading into the city, at the entrances, she cries aloud

All along the way God guides us as we choose our paths.

Proverbs 4:4-7 – He taught me and said, "Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live. Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding

We need wisdom and courage to take that step forward.

Don’t make monuments out of our mistakes. We need to move on…God’s got something more for us!

Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go

Courage keeps us on the journey moving forward….whatever is thrown at us!

When we come to a junction….God gives us the ‘right of way’.

God wants to shape our lives. ‘Yet, O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand’

Let us be faithful even in the small things, the detail of our lives, as we travel along the way.

We also need support from those around us…to take us through. Friendship that strengthens us when we are feeling weak.

“Treat a man as he appears to be, and you make him worse. But treat a man as if he were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be”

Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another

We’re on this journey together…building lives together!

Ephesians 3:20 – 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

New Seasons

Great morning at CLC. Paul Benger shared an excellent message, the second part to the series all about Seasons…’New Seasons’.

There are new seasons for us to enter into…they are just around the corner for you and for us as a church.

New seasons can mean going to the next level. A new culture can create a new season.

Sometimes the ‘old me’ is not ready for a new season.

New Seasons challenge us because we can be unaware of their existence, we can be resistant to things changing and we can be ill prepared. There are new seasons ahead of us…the next 5 years will not look like the last 5. Prayers old and new will find fulfilment in the next 5 years, that alone means things will change!

Remember, new seasons are in God’s hand. Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven
And God prepares new seasons. Ephesians 2:10 – For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Are you expecting a new season in your life? If so what does it look like? How do we rate change…a new season? Do we say ‘bring it on!’ or are we afraid of change…worried about what that means for us.

Sometimes a new season can be our second choice world…not necessarily the world we had dreamed about.

Genesis 12:1-9

Abraham followed the promises of God. From theses verses we see four keys to entering a new season:

Awaken – He had to wake up to new possibilities

(Vs 1-3)

As a church we need to awaken to the new possibilities of what God wants to do…the adventures and even challenges that lay ahead for us.

A new season is a new day – with brand new opportunities and potential it requires an awakening from the semi-comatose state many people live their life in – drifting from day to day. God has huge things in his heart. What are the New Possibilities before you?

Arise – He had to get up – new positioning

(Vs 4)

We need to reposition ourselves…Don’t roll over and go back to sleep! Don’t hit SNOOZE on your new season!

New seasons require a commitment to learn new things and new ways of doing them.

Don't say I've all this stuff to deal with before I move on…healing happens along the way!

At the Gate beautiful in Acts 3…as Peter raised him up strength came to his ankles. And he went walking leaping, praising God. New Season requires a refusal to stay at the same level.

Attach – Join up – new personnel

(Vs 4-5) Abraham gathers the people before he moves on.

A new season requires connecting…joining up with new people.

God prepares people for us and prepares us for people…and uses those opportunities for his glory.

Advance – Go up – new pursuits

(Vs 6-9)

You’ve woken up, you’ve arisen, even joined up – now it’s time to actually do something! Abraham’s pursuit included: - Promise – To your descendants I will give this land (God can speak a new word…a new season feels like home)

Connect everything we do to Kingdom Purposes! Abraham died in faith…still expecting things to happen.

Let God inspire us to dream BIG and do great things in his name!

Keep going…90% of success is just showing up. Keep moving! It's time for action!

Navigating Seasons

'Church was sizzling this morning'. Paul Benger spoke a great message on Seasons...'Navigating Seasons'

Everyone faces seasons and seasons change. This can be due to a variety of things...Job, economy, relationships, leaders, children, grandchildren, breakthroughs, blessings, challenges, opposition.

“I love the winter…it’s my fourth favourite season!”

Doing Seasons Well?

Some people don’t do seasons well this is because they are:

Too connected to a season past – ‘It’s not like it used to be’.

Too connected to a season present - We can fall in love with the way they are…but people change, things change. Let love become a choice as well as a feeling.

Too connected to a season future – ‘One day’ it will happen. Let the life we live today become the ‘main stage’.

Enjoy the current season…whatever you are doing. ‘Don’t let a past season of memories create a new season of memories’.

Seasons are in God's Hands

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven

He is Lord over every season, even if he didn’t send it. He has given us power over it! Our God is not small, not puny…he is our ever present help in time of need, our shield and defender.

God will use the season for our benefit a season may exist for you but primarily it exists for God. Paul wrote this letter from Prison! He knew what he was talking about.

How to Navigate Seasons Well

Philippians 4:4-9 – Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 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. 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 praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Seasons require rejoicing

Many people fail to enjoy the season they are in because fail to rejoice. Remember: This is the Day the Lord has made we will rejoice and be glad in it

Seasons require Faith & Prayer

‘And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’. God wants you in Peace NOT IN PIECES

Seasons require Right Thinking

(The Message) Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.

Seasons require Good Practice

Good practice comes from watching others and hearing God’s word. Put into practice, this is the goal of perfecting…we don’t get it right first time, we don’t get it right every time…so practice. Keep working at it! Our habits are very important - they are like seeds that we are sowing into the ground.

Haggai - Timeless Prophet

So loved church this morning and what a great message from Mark Wilkins all about the prophet Haggai.

We don’t find very much written about Haggai in the Bible, just a handful of prophecies from him and a few words about him in the book of Ezra. Yet he was a significant prophet at the time of the Children of Israel’s return from exile in Babylon back to Jerusalem.

They returned to rebuild Jerusalem and in particular the temple, to return it to its former glory.

Haggai brought a number of significant messages to them at that time which also helps us today as we see the church being built.

29 August 520 BC

Haggai 1

Haggai first word from God to the people was that now was the time to rebuild the House of God. To put God first was the clear message. This was not a new message to them but an old message that they had forgotten.

“Seek first the Kingdom of God” (Jesus)

The people had been side-tracked. They had been sorting out their own homes first. But Haggai’s word was ‘the time was now’. To bring glory to Jerusalem and the temple. Glory = what we put first (our greatest treasure)

They had become indifferent to the glory of God. As the church today we are here to bring the glory of God…to demonstrate his glory. The people had become comfortable…putting their houses above God.

Never forget God in all that we do.

17 October 520 BC

Haggai 2:1-9

One month after the work had started the people began to slow down. They began to doubt what they were doing that they could never restore the temple to its former glory. They became discouraged…choosing to just remember the former glory rather than try and rebuild it.

We can often think that what we are doing is small and insignificant, far away from what we would love to achieve…we get discouraged.

Haggai’s message was to ‘take courage and work because God is with you’. We are working alongside God; we’re not doing anything that is menial or insignificant.

God has put incredible value on what we do! Don’t let enthusiasm wane. Remain passionate for the things of God and his calling upon our lives.

Haggai 2:6-9 - "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

The people were building more that they could see. “It will be greater”. They could only see small and paltry. God can do more than we can see!

Start doing something, it may seem small…and yet God’s glory will come and it will be great and significant!

12 March 515 BC

Ezra 6

Throughout Haggai’s messages to the people was this, ‘take courage – God is with you…see what God can see!’

The temple was finished!

Even though the people often became down and deflated…they were able to build and finish the temple. They put God first and that is the simple yet profound message for us today. Honour God first.

Seek first…
He is with you…
Take courage and work…

Unshakeable

Great morning in church today. Jane Lloyd spoke an excellent message on having an Unshakeable faith.

God’s kingdom is an unshakeable kingdom.

Hebrews 12:28 - Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakeable, let us be thankful and please God by worshipping him with holy fear and awe.

Jesus was unshakeable in his mission to save and redeem his people.

Hebrews 12:1-3

We are encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Christ, to run with endurance, to not give up. How can we achieve this? How did Jesus remain unshakeable when he faced so much hardship during his time on this earth – temptation, persecution, even death?

1) We need to understand our position in Christ

Ephesians 2:4-6 - But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Here is a paradox – we learn to move forward in our faith when we first learn to sit down. We sit or find rest when we allow ourselves, our whole being, our future dreams, our joys, our sorrows to be given over to God. To allow him to take control.

Jesus was secure in who he was and in the love of the Father, and if we are to have an unshakeable faith we too need to be secure in God’s love and in the grace that’s been given to us.

The truth is that we are forgiven – we can walk with our heads held high, we have received God’s mercy – nothing I DO can make me earn it, it is a free gift from God, I just need to SIT and receive it.

There were times when Jesus needed to sit at the feet of his Father to receive the grace to carry on.

Luke 22:41-43 - He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him.

2) We need to walk in the purposes of God

Ephesians 4:1-2 - Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

‘To Walk’ – Greek word ‘peripateo’ = to go here and there/to tread all around. Meaning as used here and in much of NT refers more to the daily conduct of a person’s life – that a person developed good habits, lived with purpose and had goals to work towards, and that they had the determination to reach those goals.

We need good habits, praying/reading word, renewing your mind, being thankful, showing mercy/kindness, being generous etc.

God gives us great purpose & we need to walk in his purposes.

Jesus walked in the purposes of his Father, secure in who he was and so clear about what he had to accomplish.

Ephesians 4:17-5:2

Ways in which we should walk:
- Walk in newness of life
- Walk according to the spirit
‘Be being filled’ – don’t run on fumes, run on fuel. Again it’s those sitting down times that we need to fill us up again. God needs us to be filled ready to be used.
- Walk in humility and with patience
- Walk in forgiveness
- Walk in love
- Walk as children of the Light
- Walk as wise men redeeming the time (5:15)

3) We need to stand firm in a place of victory

Ephesians 6:10-11 - A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all the strategies of the devil.

Sitting at the Father’s feet, receiving from him, having security in who we are and what Christ has done, walking in his light and love with purpose and perseverance, should bring us to this place of standing where we become unshakeable in our faith.

Stand = ‘hold your ground’. This implies that the territory is already ours – it’s already been won. Jesus won the victory at the cross.

Jesus waged offensive warfare against Satan to gain the victory at the cross, but we wage defensive warfare to consolidate that victory. We are already conquerors, in fact Romans 8 says that we are more than conquerors.

Romans 8:31-37

This is what makes us unshakeable – that we are able to stand before God in the light of Christ’s victory at the cross, and nothing can take that position away from us.

When we hit a low point there is a place that we can run to where we can receive mercy, strength, where hope can rise again. The temptation is to run away from God, to withdraw from being in God’s house because we feel vulnerable or that we’ve failed in some way.

Phil 4:6-7 - Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus overcame the enemy at the cross, God exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name. It is only in that name that a person can be saved. When we call upon that name we can be confident that heaven will hear us because of the authority that’s been given to it.

John 14:12-14 - I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

Building a City within the City II

We continued our Rise & Build 2009 series this morning in church. Paul Benger shared a great message from Nehemiah all about us taking up the sword and the trowel.

The church is the city within a city. We are here for the good of that city…to be a blessing.

Matthew 5:14 – "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden”

Proverbs 11:10 – When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices

Let your light shine…let it become visible. It has to be seen!

Nehemiah 4:11-23

Enemies like Sanballat and Tobiah came and ridiculed Nehemiah the people as they set about rebuilding the walls. They came to try and make them think ‘small’. We also have an enemy that wants to do that…to come and cause us to think about smallness. Wanting the church to just fade away…fade into irrelevance. For us not to shine and be that City of Hope.

Like them, God wants us to take up our sword and trowel. God has called us to build this way, to work and defend all that God has called us do. We’re building with God and building for God in this generation.

Opposition comes to us because what we are doing ’matters’. Challenge comes. We have an enemy that wants us to focus on smallness…to have a small vision. When the church is building the house of God nothing sends a shiver down the devil’s spine more than this.

Our vision is much more than a building…it’s a net of light across this area winning souls for Christ.

Throughout the rebuilding of the walls and later the temple opposition kept on rising against them.

Haggai 1:2-4 – This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the Lord’s house to be built.' " Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your panelled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"

The prophets had to stir the people up. They’d assumed the time had not yet come for the building…it’s for the next generation. Sense of lethargy. Lost their focus.

What is our focus? What are our priorities?

When we get involved with building God’s house he gets involved in building ours.

Now is the time to build it! Take up our sword and trowel. We need to build and protect and defend what God is building.

What has God called us to build in our lives? What do we need to defend?

Defend Your Spiritual Life
- Against apathy – the biggest killer (I can’t be bothered)
- False teaching – the weird and the wacky!
- Religion – hate religion, love God
- Isolation – even amongst Christian friends
- Attacks from the enemy

Defend Your Marriage
- From folly with wisdom
- Against bitterness
- From isolation and wrong relationships with friendship and intimacy

Defend Your Children
- From some people they’re not meant to hang out with…take responsibility
- Dangers - build some walls that protect them

Defend Your Business
- With Integrity
- With Accountability and honesty

Defend Your Ministry
- Against sin with humility and repentance
- False teaching/teachers
- Insufficient funds with tithing/generosity
- Against competing

We ‘defend’ because we are ‘building’!

Building a City within the City

We began our Rise & Build 2009 series this morning in church, which will run for the next two weeks. Paul Benger started us off with an excellent message on Nehemiah entitled ‘Building a City within the City’.

The vision for our Rise and Build is more important than the actual giving of money.

Matthew 5:14 – "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden”

Often churches and Christians have been associated with the ‘rural’. The Bible has the view of the church as a City. Where the culture and tone for life is set…where much is happening. The community of God’s people who are here for the good of others.

‘We are the City within our City’ – here for the good of our area. Today we are rising and building something that will last, something of permanence...here for generations to come.

The church…we are here to establish the culture of our city.

We are looking at Nehemiah this morning. He was one of the greatest leaders in the Bible…someone who set the tone and culture of the city.

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Nehemiah had received ‘old news’ about the city of Jerusalem and yet he began to view this with a ‘new perspective’.

God wants to give us a new perspective on ‘who we are’ for our city. We have a destiny unfulfilled.

On some of the things we know already our prayer is that we get a new perspective. The city of Jerusalem was meant to be a model city for the name of God…a place of blessing for the people. For us also, CLC is meant to be that place for our city.

We have to care about our church…because our well-being is important to the people of our city. They are looking to us.

Let us get this into our hearts, Jesus is building His church. We are here for the call to build with Him…to make it happen, to get things started!

It’s the heart of human beings…to make progress. God’s call for us is to be a people of progress.

Three things that happened to Nehemiah that is important for us today as we rise and build…

1) Nehemiah is clear about God’s will

(Verses 5-10) – God is a covenant keeping God, Nehemiah knew about this. God’s word to us, “I will build my church”. “You the light of the world…a City in a Hill” – don’t ever hide this! We want to set the tone in our city…set the culture.

2) Nehemiah contracts God’s Heart

(Verse 4) – God is saying ‘give me your heart for the lost…for your city, region and the world’.

3) Nehemiah calls on God’s help

(Verse 11) – God’s hand is upon us. He wants us to be people who are here for the city. Building a centre within the city…a place of hope, faith, restoration and healing.

Give me this Mountain

Great time at CLC yesterday both morning and evening. In the morning I spoke about Caleb..."Give me this Mountain".

Joshua 14:6-15

If there were ever a Bible character that displayed a right attitude or "different spirit" toward God and His Word, it was Caleb.

I believe for us today the time has come to declare, “Give us this Mountain, whatever your Mountain might be today.

By faith Caleb and Joshua stood on the promises of God. Their faith was bigger than the giants. And God was bigger than their faith. It's not the size of your faith that makes the difference, but the size of the God that we put our faith in”

Like the Israelites…we too are on a journey, we are not at the end of our destination. We've seen the faithfulness of God. His faithfulness has proved sufficient beyond measure. The test of our faith is to press on…keep going…to remain that “Unstoppable” force.

Today as we look at the life of Caleb I want us to look at three tests of our faith:

1) Faith focuses on Possibilities, the Potential, not the Problems

The task of the spies was not to spy out the problems. They were to first examine the potential, the possibilities, the abundance that the land had to offer.

God wanted these leaders to come back and ignite the hearts of the 12 tribes.
God wanted to use these leaders to encourage the people to take possession of the promised land.

Numbers 13:27-29

They forgot their mission. Their mission was to report on the possibilities, the potential - not the problems. Their report started out great but then they lost their focus. When it comes to matters of faith, too often we can shift our focus and lose sight of God.

"We can't attack these people; they are stronger than we are.' …"We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."

God's chosen people saw themselves as Grasshoppers.

Those with faith challenge and motivate and point to the possibilities, but those who have no faith criticize and focus on the problems

Our actions are not to be determined by the problems, but by faith that God will provide! Numbers 13:2 "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites." God had promised the land to them.

2) Faith relies on God's Abilities not our own abilities

Not only does FAITH focus on the possibilities instead of the problems, but FAITH focuses on God's abilities and not our own!

Ten of the spies measured the giants against themselves: we can't do it, they said. They are stronger than we are. We're like grasshoppers compared to them.

Caleb measured the giants, not against themselves, but against God.

PERSPECTIVE – View life from a different place (see things from Above and not from the ground up (grasshoppers)…BUT from the Mountain!)

The way we look at life determines everything we do in life. Where you look from…changes everything you see. If you look from a lowly and downcast position everything looks huge and hard to overcome.

Even average challenges appear like giants when we look from a grasshopper perspective.

How to see yourself…

- See yourself as complete in Christ.
- See yourself in heavenly places with Christ

Ephesians 2:4-6 – 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. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus

You’re sat in heavenly places! When we’re seated in heavenly realms it changes our view on things. Maybe it’s a view about you or your circumstances; a view about your ability or skill; your future. But when you’re sat in the right place, heavenly perspective, you see things differently…you change you view!

- See yourself helping others to lift their lives

Caleb and Joshua saw things from God’s perspective - To a great God those giants were small!

3) Faith Asks for the Mountain

Look what God says about Caleb in Numbers 14:24 "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it"

That's what I like about Caleb: he looks at life with the attitude “All things are possible” - one who sees himself walking into the future, not alone but leaning on the strong arm of his God.

Here is a man who had learned to trust in the promises of God and stake his whole future on them. "Give Me This Mountain" (14:12)

Let this be our cry today!

Miracles

Another great day at CLC today…Andy Marsh shared about ‘Miracles’ and the importance of ensuring that we don’t see the miracle and miss the Maker.

Luke 5:1-12

Why did Jesus stand on the boat when he spoke when he could have stood on the water!?

We need to make sure we see Jesus and not just the miracle. Everything about our faith on what we believe is based on miracles…creation, salvation. All miracles are based on God’s word.

A word of caution when it comes to miracles…

1) Some of us can look to a miracle to be the cure for all

We’re not going to avoid difficult times and discouragement but God will see us through. His timing for answers to our prayers is perfect. The miracles happen to glorify God.

2) Something to covet

3) Deceptive

Some miracles can be deceptive…the work of satan, 2 Thessalonians 2:9

4) Distraction

Let us not get so focused on the miracle that we are distracted from what is really important…the miracle maker.

The Purpose of the Miracle…

1) To glorify God

2) To restore – heal

3) To show who He is

4) To bless…he loves to bless his children (with the unexpected!)

5) To attract new believers

6) To confirm the Apostle’s teaching

7) To increase faith

Jesus didn’t stand on the water to speak his message…it would have been a distraction to the people listening.

He wants us to keep our focus on him and not the miracle. Peter began to sink as he walked on the water when his focus went away from Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

Keep our eyes on him and not on the problem.

Don’t go to God for a miracle…go for relationship and you can walk in His miraculous every day.

Psalm 91:1 – He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

You can’t have a relationship with the miracle. Ephesians 3:20 – 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

Don’t let our vision be too small. Don’t commute…stay connected. Don’t keep coming and going to God. Never be surprised with what God can do and what he does!

The Power of a Word

Great message from Paul Benger this morning in church. He spoke on the ‘Power of a Word’.

Isaiah 50:4 – The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught
Proverbs 10:21 – The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgement
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

Life takes us through seasons…but there is always a word from God in whatever season we find ourselves. God is always encouraging us.

Right words and wrong words can be spoken at appropriate and inappropriate times. Speak the right words, words that sustain the weary, words that bring hope and life.

As well as speaking the right words…hear the right words also. Jesus encourages those that have an ear let them hear!

Eat the fruit of good words. Fruit is seasonal…words at the right time is like choice fruit, feeding and nourishing. Wrong words at the wrong times are like bad fruits…out of season!

1) God’s Word

Isaiah 40:8 – The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever

God’s word stands forever. Every generation that has ever lived His word has impacted their lives. God’s word never changes.

Jesus spoke of the Kingdom of God. God’s word speaks to us about Jesus and His Kingdom. The culture and nature of Heaven…trusting, never fearful, whatever the season bringing hope and life.

When we read God’s word see it through the eyes of Jesus. The Bible only comes to life through the eyes of Jesus.

Don’t build our lives on the life of the cynical…the negative. Have God’s word frame world. What is the Kingdom thing to do?

2) Your Words

Listen to your words…speak to yourself. James 1:16 – If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless

Religious activity makes us more judgmental. Let our words and thoughts be life giving and gracious. Encouraging words…uplifting…positive people bringing a Biblical perspective.

Don’t speak negative words over your life. Whatever season you are in right speak God’s word over your life.

1 Samuel 30:6 – David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God

Get the fruit of good words in bad times.

3) Words of the Righteous

Proverbs 10:21 – The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgement

Hear the words of righteous people in your life. Not the words of the perfect, not the words of the ‘holy’ – the words of righteous people, testimonies…people who have been where you are right now.

Your words can feed many. Who can we feed this week…with the words of the righteous?

We want to hear the stories of people who’ve got up when they’ve been down and put their lives back in order. We don’t want to hear the cynical, negative person. We want to hear those who put faith into people’s hearts.

4) Words spoken by the Holy Spirit

The Bible is God’s word spoken to us through the Holy Spirit. Our words can also be inspired by the Holy Spirit. The words of the righteous can also be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

Romans 10:17 – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ

God speaks by the Holy Spirit. Prophesying, specific words (Rhema )…the words of Christ.

The Holy Spirit delivers God’s word into our lives.

John 16:13 – But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come

Go Large!

Great day at CLC yesterday. Patrick Musoke from Uganda ministered in the morning whilst in the evening Sue Jackson brought an excellent message about us ‘going large’ in the House of God!

We looked at the story of the little boy and his loaves and fishes.

We’re here to lift the lives of people to be a blessing to others!

John 6:1-14

A very familiar story which brings us a simple but profound message.
Jesus welcomed the people he had compassion for them, even when they were going for a rest and some ‘time out’.

God isn’t tired of you! He’s never too busy. Jesus wants us to be his hands and feet…to reach out to others.

God is relational and wants us to grow. Jesus used this opportunity in our story to increase the faith of his disciples, to bless the crowds and to glorify his Father.

He used a boy! And the boy was prepared. He had that child-like faith to hand over what he had to Jesus…for Jesus to do the miraculous!

It was his day! He didn’t know it that morning…that this could be the greatest day of his life!?

Today could be your day…not knowing what just might happen next!

Give thanks for what God has given us…and also give it away selflessly. Intentional actions…acts of kindness.

Significantly there were twelve baskets left over for the disciples. There is always enough…more than enough of God’s grace!

It was a ‘Go Large’ kind of day!

What we have might seem small and insignificant but with the right heart God will make it big and significant in somebody’s life somewhere!
When we give out there will always be enough.

Proverbs 11:25 – A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed

Keys to Going Large

1) God never asks us to give what we do not have, but also cannot use what we will not give

2) Give from the heart

3) Never be ashamed of the little you have to give

God is not ashamed. Psalm 23 – God prepares a banquet! He overwhelms and goes over and beyond.

Luke 6:38 – Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you

4) Problem or opportunity – you decide

Our perception is really important. Let us focus on what Jesus can do through us.

5) Position ourselves where the need is

Don’t shy away from the opportunities that arise.

6) Give it TODAY

While it is in your hand today let it go. There will be something else to give tomorrow.

7) ‘It had to be you’

That’s what God say about each of us. It is you and you alone that will make all the difference.

Honour

Sorry it's a bit late!

Great church on Sunday! In the morning Paul Benger shared an excellent message about us having a culture of ‘honour’.

Mark 6:1-6 – Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offence at him. Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour." He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.

One of the most shocking statements in the Bible…’He could not do any miracles’.
There was a distinct lack of honour for Jesus in this passage.

How we honour others has a massive impact on our lives. What we do for other God does for us.

To champion people is what we love to do at CLC. Our value is to lift the lives of people, helping them to find their destiny – their gifting and calling. We believe that people can live a higher life than what they are living today.

Honouring one another is part of the Kingdom culture (opposed to cynicism, gossiping and pulling down). It doesn’t just happen it is intentional.

Honour is not flattery or duplicity. It’s you and me learning to speak good things into people’s lives - and learning not to say anything if we haven’t got anything good to say!

Your life can feed the multitudes. People around us are hungry for righteousness.

6 things that hinder the culture of Honour…

1) Ignorance

‘He could not do any miracles’ – they just thought, ‘He’s just Mary’s son…’ He’s just not that important. Yet he was the Son of God!

We sometimes just don’t realise the influence we have on other people. Don’t get mixed up with humility and honour. Humility is knowing your place…Honour is giving somebody their place.

Some say the church is not necessary and yet taking the church out of the way would have a detrimental effect on life and society in general.

We bring God colours and God flavours into our world.

2) History

‘Isn’t he the carpenter’ – they knew his history.

Church people can be rarely honoured for the work they do. Even if historically we’ve not honoured people we can turn this around and begin to honour the lives of people. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Don’t leave honour to funerals!

3) Culture

‘Only in this town is a prophet without honour’.

Every culture clashes with the Kingdom culture. Jesus clashed with the Scribes and the Pharisees.

We’re about being the people of God. Doesn’t matter who you are or what your background is…we belong to Christ…the Kingdom of Heaven!

Be Kingdom people and have a culture of honour…celebrating the lives of people.

4) Equality

‘Jesus…who does he think he is’ – know better that us! We can have a shop-steward mentality. We’re all equal. We equal in the sight of God but we’re not all the same, we have different gifts and abilities.

Honour the gifts and callings on people’s lives.

5) Pride

‘And they took offence at him’

Proverbs 29:23 – A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honour

Pride will always stop us receiving. It will always look for the flaws in people.

Recognise and celebrate diversity.

6) Familiarity

“Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?"

Familiarity breeds contempt. Don’t use small measures when considering people.
The measure they used towards Jesus was too small…it restricted them.

Let us not be people who use too small a measure for Jesus. Big measures…big Jesus…big world!
What measure are we using? Has familiarity caused our measure to shrink?

Roy Todd

Great to be back into a new season at CLC…we had our great friend with us yesterday, Roy Todd, with some inspirational ministry. He spoke in the morning on the ministry of Elisha.

1 Kings 19:19-21 – So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was ploughing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Let me kiss my father and mother good-bye, he said, and then I will come with you. Go back, Elijah replied. What have I done to you? So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the ploughing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.

We looked first at the comparisons between Elisha and his mentor Elijah. That the fact they were very different people. Elijah the more extrovert and charismatic prophet whereas Elisha was much more introvert and the quietly spoken prophet.

God chooses and uses all kinds of people. There’s only ever going to be one you! We need to be relaxed about this. Don’t strive and try and be someone else…enjoy being you.

“You don’t have to make a lot of noise to have authority”.

Some observations from the call of God on Elisha…

God called Elisha - Elijah didn’t call Elisha…God called him. God is the source of your calling. Route your expectations in God and not other people. We are responsible for our own hearts…let’s make sure good things are entering our hearts and minds.

Be a worshipper at all times…whatever we’re going through today He is still King.
Whatever we do today do it with all our might. Be the best you can be in whatever job you are in right now.

Elisha’s response to his calling – Elisha ran after Elijah. There was excitement about his calling. Let us never lose our passion for our calling. Let it be rekindled…don’t stop running after the things of God…if we need to get up and run again let’s do it! Be wholehearted…never half-hearted.

Keep that sense of excitement and faith towards the call of God.

The call of God on his life required ‘sacrifice’ – sacrifice is not a popular word. If we’re going to do something significant it will require some sacrifice along the way.

There is a place for all of us on this journey…but is there something we need to give up?

Elisha ‘championed’ Elijah – let us champion other people. Let us not be envious or jealous of other people’s successes. Elisha championed Elijah, the moody old man of God.

Keep a good heart, a good attitude. Encourage others…putting other people’s successes before our own.

Mustard Seed Faith

Loved our morning service today. Jeannie Benger shared a great message on ‘mustard seed faith’.

Matthew 17:20 – He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you

Luke 17:6 – He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you
Jesus compared the Kingdom of Heaven to a mustard seed. The fact that such a small seed will grow into a very large and strong tree.

Jesus spoke the word of faith with such authority and encouraged his disciples to do likewise. He told them that the size of their faith didn’t matter but that they exercised that faith.

Imagine the size of a mustard seed at the side of a mountain. Remember that God will not place things out of our reach.

Mark 9:23 – 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Mark 10:27 – Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

How do we obtain that mustard seed sized faith?

Romans 12:3 – For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgement, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you

Get the word of God into our lives and apply it! Live, breath, speak, walk and act upon it…His word!

Remember, Hebrews 11:6 – And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him

Keep our eyes focused on God, 2 Corinthians 5:7 – We live by faith, not by sight
Have confidence, 1 John 5:14 – This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us

Faith is doing and requires actions. When we have faith we will speak, hear and do things differently.

Speaking

We will speak with confidence. Be confident in speaking out God’s promises. Believe we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. Speak words that encourage and build up. Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

Hearing

Place yourself in a position of hearing faith-filled words. Not around negative people but around positive faith-filled people.

Around people who believe that God can!

Doing

James 2:14-26

Faith not accompanied by action is dead. Faith can be seen by how we live our lives. Faith is pointless if we are not stirred into action.

Faith spurs us on to live different lives. A life of confidence that God ‘will do’. That God is in charge. He wants the best for each one of us…that draws people to us and to God.

Authenticity

Another amazing day in church yesterday, in the morning Paul Benger spoke an excellent message about living authentic lives.

Love God, love people, love life

1 Timothy 1:1-7 – (1) Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope, (2) To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. (3) As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer (4) nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work— which is by faith. (5) The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (6) Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. (7) They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

The church needs to be authentic – the ‘real deal’.

People love it when we live real and authentic lives….when the church is the real deal. Our God = authenticity.

The goal of this command is love…which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Love from a pure heart wants to see the best for people.

CLC needs to love people from:

1) A pure heart

People see God opportunities and God connections from a pure heart. They see other people’s victories and don’t get bitter even in the midst of difficulties. Incredible hope comes from a pure heart because it is easy to see God from this place.

Cynicism doesn’t see the good.

2) A good conscience

Nothing attacks authenticity more than a bad conscience. Our sins are forgiven as far as the East is from the West – we have a clean slate. There is enough of God’s grace for everyone, so we can all live with a clear conscience.

CLC want the best for one another.

3) A sincere faith

Be sincere – love God, love people, love life. Sincere love is compelling; insincere love is very uncompelling. Nothing breeds insincerity like dead religion. The church is built on sincerity.

Authenticity is not about perfection, it’s about reality. ‘Value’ is in its authenticity, not its perfection.

Here are 4 practical things that we can put into practice for authenticity:

1) Consistency

1 Timothy 1:3 (Stay)

Timothy was the best man to stay there in Ephesus. Anything that is to last needs consistency. Anything of great value that needs to be built needs consistency…we need to stay, and not always be on the run.

Ephesians 6 – Put on the armour and stand firm….Be steadfast!

Ecclesiastes 10:4 – stay at your post.

Consistency builds authenticity.

2) Certainty

1 Timothy 1:3-4 NKJ version: ‘Don’t let them teach another doctrine, build on things that are real, sound doctrine’. Don’t be mystical and magical.

Let’s build our lives on ‘certainty’ – the Gospel of Jesus Christ, not playing it safe but stepping out in faith from the right foundation.

3) Convictions

Live with conviction, not myths and fables (v.4). Don’t be pulled this way and that. Build your life on the conviction of the word of God.

Start with the conviction that we have found Jesus and live with that conviction. (Apostle Paul said ‘I am persuaded’).

In these times of recession and swine flu we don’t need to live from a place of fear, but a place of EUREKA! I’ve found it!!

4) Compassion

The goal of this command is LOVE.

We need to build mercy into our lives. We want the best for people, the real deal, authenticity. Let’s be passionate for people to see authenticity in the lives of people…the real deal.

Functional Saviour

Church was amazing over the weekend. In the morning Mark Wilkins brought us an excellent message entitled, ‘Functional Saviour’.

The idea for the message came from a book by Mark Driscoll called ‘Vintage Jesus’. In the book the author talks about the fact that there is a pervasive idea in the world that someone can come along and ‘save the day’ – eg Presidents/Prime Ministers, celebrities, music icons etc.

The truth is that we cannot save ourselves – only Jesus can.

Romans 11:36 – 12:1 - For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. And so dear brothers and sisters I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him

Everything was created to give glory and worship to God. What we worship is what we hold in a place of glory.

- Glory = importance, pre-eminence, our greatest treasure
- We worship what we hold in a place of glory
- Functionally what we hold in a place of glory is our Saviour

Romans 1:21-25 - Yes they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshipping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshipped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles….they traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served things God created instead of the Creator himself

The root of sin is the inversion of creation over our creator. This error means a good thing can become a god thing which ultimately then becomes a bad thing.

The ‘Functional Saviour’ lifts you from the mundane to the perfect life. E.g. Advertising campaigns (Carlsberg)

How do we identify the ‘Functional Saviours’ in our lives?

We have to ask ourselves a series of questions e.g.

What am I most afraid of?
What do I long for passionately?
Where do I run for comfort?
What do I complain about the most?
What angers me the most?
What makes me happiest?
What do I brag about?
What do I want to have more than anything else?
Who do I sacrifice the most for in my life?
If I could change one thing in my life what would it be?
What comfort do I treasure the most?

What is wrong with this or why do these Functional Saviours fall down?

Jesus is the only one who can save us. John 14:4-6; Acts 4:11; Romans 10:13

Jesus is the only one who can save us from sin. Romans 8:28 – in the midst of uncertainty only God is certain.

These Functional Saviours are second best. Their joy is fleeting and passing. Jesus gives us a deep down sense of purpose and future and when we put him first he promises to fill our lives with good things that satisfy.

Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling around with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered to us…..We are far too easily pleased - CS Lewis

Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well

Through everything we should still worship God and give him the glory. He promises us a long-term life full of joy and grace.

The Kingdom of God

Great morning in church today…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’

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 – Wonderful!

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

One Prayer IV

Great final message in our One Prayer series this morning in church. Andy Stanley spoke on the promise that in the midst of uncertainty God is still certain.

Mark 14:17-29

Was this not the darkest hour for the disciples? Yet in the midst of all that was happening God was still in control even when it looked liked all had deserted Jesus.

The perfect place to run to in times of uncertainty is the Bible…the word of God.

In the midst of uncertainty God is still certain. God is right there in the middle of everything that is happening.

Can you trust God when there appears to be no evidence of his activity in your life, in your culture, in your world? Our response to that question will determine our response to the uncertainty in our society today.

Even when the disciples were facing their darkest hours God was doing his greatest work at that exact moment in time.

The greatest things happen in the most difficult moments in time. Can we maintain our faith in those times?

Uncertain? God is still certain. He still has the whole world in his hands. There is a way to have peace even in the midst of a storm.

He has your entire world in his hands.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

One Prayer III

We heard a great message from Kevin Gerald yesterday morning in church. He spoke on ‘Fear not…God is’.

1 Kings 17:7-16

Elijah said to the woman ‘don’t be afraid’. (vs 13) This phrase is used again and again in the Bible.

There are ‘brooks’ drying up in our world today. Fear grips the world. Fear sabotages the progress you want to make. Economic collapse is not our greatest threat…but financial ‘fear’ is our greatest enemy.

Fear not…God is! God doesn’t change in poor economic times. Sometimes these are the best times for God to show up. There is the miracle provision that God wants to bring into our lives.

Are we acting as if ‘God is’ or as if ’God is not’? ‘God is to me who His word says He’ll be’

God is…

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble

Jehovah Shammah – God is present in my life! Ever-present!

Don’t look at life through the eyes of the media…your fear level will go up. Do a media fast! Look at life through the promises of God from His word.

God is my help! Lift up your eyes and put your confidence in God. Act as if God is present. He is right here right now!

Psalm 27:1-3 – The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

Jehovah Gibbor – God is strong in battle! When life is at its worst God is at his best. You are not alone when you go into battle…if you’re willing to go!

Get your heart anchored in this truth…act as if God is empowering you. Don’t act as if God is not…act as if God is! Don’t whine…praise! Don’t grumble…celebrate His goodness!

Lamentations 4:9 – Those killed by the sword are better off than those who die of famine

Better to die in battle than to starve! God is strong in battle…fear not!

Jehovah Jireh – God is our provider. This is God’s description of himself. This was how he introduced himself. When we grasp this truth fear is driven out. Shifts us from fear and into confidence.

Look at who God is in your life. God is present, God is strong in battle and He is your provider – he will sustain you. Focus your thoughts and prayers on these truths. Don’t go backward but move forward. Stand up, rise up and get confident. Fight the good fight of FAITH!

One Prayer II

Excellent message in church yesterday as we continued the One Prayer season. Paul Benger spoke about us being called to be God’s Apprentice.

God is saying to you – ‘You’re hired’.

God takes people of no experience and trains them into his apprentices. He has prepared a place for us right here, right now – we’re meant to be living here now for a great purpose.

Matthew 4:18-22 – As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him

Jesus gave people hope, purpose and life, and he’s still doing that today. His greatest focus during his ministry was making disciples because he understood the significance of that for building the kingdom.

John 14:12 – I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father

We, the church, have carried on that mission.

Disciple = Apprentice

I do – you watch; I do – you help; You do – I help; You do – I watch; We do – others watch.

Rabbis had disciples, so it was a common thing. Jesus, however, was completely different to normal Rabbis. Here are three of those differences:

1) It’s his call. Not everybody became a Rabbi’s apprentice. Those who did found a Rabbi to follow. But Jesus came to them.

Matthew 8:19-22 – Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." Another disciple said to him, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." But Jesus told him, "Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead."

The call to follow him now extends to all people – it isn’t limited to a few and the benefits apply to all.

2) It’s a call to follow. Jesus taught by example not through knowing the scriptures. The call expects an immediate response. The disciples had to decide there and then. Jesus looks for a no reservations response from us too.

What is Jesus going to ask of CLC in the next 12 months? Jesus looks for something in our hearts that says ‘YES’

Matt 5:1; Matt 8:23; Matt 9:19; Matt 13:36

3) It’s Lifelong. The Rabbi’s discipleship was a means to an end – the disciple usually became a Rabbi themselves.

For Jesus it was to become an apprentice for life. Matthew 23:10 – Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ

We are the followers all the days of our lives – we never stop learning.

It’s all about our spirit and attitude.

In conclusion, even though we don’t graduate, we serve others and make other disciples.

John 13:13-14; Matthew 28:19-20

One Prayer I

June kicked off in church with our One Prayer series. The theme of this year is “God is…”. We heard an excellent message from Craig Groeschel on ‘God is LOVE’.

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life

We often so easily accept that God loves the world and that God loves someone else…but what about ME?

2 questions we may ask ourselves…

1) Why would God love someone as bad as me?

Have you ever felt unworthy? There are many in the bible that have felt like this at times.

Job 42:5-6 – “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job)

1 Corinthians 15:9 – “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God” (Paul)

2) Why would God love someone so insignificant?

Ever felt like that? All these billions of people on the planet…why me?

There are others we read about in the Bible who have had those same feelings.

Exodus 3:11 – But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" (Moses)

1 Chronicles 29:14 – "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand” (David)

GOD IS LOVE

God doesn’t just LOVE…God is LOVE!

1 John 4:8-10 – Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

This helps us know and accept God’s love for us today. LOVE is not just what God does, but LOVE is what God is.

There is nothing we can do to earn more of God’s love or even lose his love. Because He is love! It’s who he is. His love covers our sin. Jesus shed his blood for you and me so that we might know God’s forgiveness from our sin.

1 Peter 4:8 – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins

Religion can often make us feel like we’re never good enough…it gets us trying to earn our salvation through works. It is because of his love, grace and mercy that we can know forgiveness and God’s salvation today.

Titus 3:4-5 – But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit

GOD’S LOVE MAKES YOU SIGNIFICANT

Jeremiah 31:3 – The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness

Luke 15 – talks about the lost coin, the prodigal son and the lost sheep. The fact that God’s loving-kindness draws us back to Christ. He pursues us!

Fill in the space below with your name today…this is so true for each and everyone of us. Whoever we are and whatever our background is or what has happened to us in the past.

‘For God so loved ................... that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life’ – John 3:16

We love because he first loved us.

The Book of James - The Prayer of Faith

We finished our series on the book of James this morning in church. I spoke on the ‘Prayer of Faith’.

The prayer of faith I believe changes our position, our posture, our countenance!

A powerful and effective prayer life is available for all of God’s people.

James 5:13-18

Why do we pray?

We pray to know his will for our lives, believing that he will guide us. Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done...’

We pray to make a difference
We pray to change our attitude
We pray because there is always something to pray about

If we want to see incredible things happening we’ve got to strengthen it…seal it with prayer. All the best organisation skills, talent, gifting…we need all of that…but that on it’s own is not going to see the kind of things we want to see…the things that God wants to do in you and through you.

The Kingdom of God is all about PRAYER! His Kingdom coming when we pray…watch it grow…watch the impact that is has!

The great thing about Elijah for us today was that he was someone just like you and me who prayed to God and God heard and answered him.

When do we pray?

Elijah knew the answer to this…at all times. Whatever situation he was in he would pray.

James 5:13 - Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises

James says when we’re in trouble BUT also when things ‘are going well’…there’s still things to pray about. Sometimes we forget that fact!

How do we pray?

James is encouraging us to not only pray on all occasions…but he also encourages our praying to take on a certain feel/power!

PRAY WITH EARNEST (FERVENTLY)

James 5:16 - The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results

We can’t stay polite in our praying! We get into it…engage our heart/passion…there’s a fervency a determination that something is about to happen!

God is saying…when you pray, give me your heart! (Love the Lord you God with all your mind, soul, strength…and HEART) – it’s impossible to do something with your heart and keep it hidden away! He’s looking for passionate people…who get excited about what they’re doing for God.

PRAY WITH FAITH

James 5:15-16 - And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much

James is saying, “Pray and believe God for an answer…he will answer you!” We all have faith - Some may say “I don’t have a lot of faith”…but you don’t need a lot! Mustard seed size!

Use it! It’s not whether we have faith or not it’s whether we are going to decide to use it!

Elijah knew that God was drawn to those who ASK. Jesus encouraged us to ASK…

Luke 11:9-10 - “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

Elijah prayed with his face between his knees…as if in childbirth. Expectant…he knew the answer from God was coming! He did that for 7 times…he did it once and nothing happened…he did it a second time…nothing! He realises that he’s not just to pray once…but keep it going. Until he sees the breakthrough and the heavens open and the rain comes.

Matthew 21:21-22 - Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

Through prayer and persistent determination…we can overcome and conquer any difficulty we face.

PRAY WITH CONFIDENCE

1 John 5:14-15 – And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for

Have confidence that GOD HEARS you! Even if we don’t get the answer we want or the answer is delayed…the promise is “He hears us”.

So we know when we pray, Your Kingdom Come Your Will be Done – we know God hears us and we can expect God to answer! Praying according to his will.

The Kingdom of Heaven advances through prayer. Would you believe that for this to happen the prayers needed are of a “violent nature”.

Matthew 11:12 - From the time of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of God has been forcefully advancing and the violent take hold of it.

Violent prayers are prayers of tenacity and persistence. An unwillingness to put up with situations and attitudes in our own lives and the lives of others will advance the Kingdom of God. Violent prayer means believing God will come through even when the opposite of what you’re believing for is hitting you right between the eyes. Violent prayer is refusing to accept the expected and expecting the unexpected. Violent prayer means OK is not OK. We’re going for great.

The Book of James – Words Matter

We heard an excellent message in church this morning as Paul Benger continued our series on the book of James. This week it was all about the fact that ‘Words Matter’.

James 3:1-12

‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me’. This old saying is simply not true. Our words are very powerful. We’ve all been hurt by words. Words matter.

Our lives can be ‘framed’ by the words spoken to us…words that have been said over and over again to us. ‘You’ll never make it’, ‘Useless’, ‘I’ve always done that’, because they’ve been told ‘they’ll always do that’. We’re framed by words.

God spoke words and the world was framed. We were created in His image because words were spoken. The words we speak therefore matter. James is teaching us this fact.

James 3:1-2 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check

We all stumble with our words.

James 4:11 – Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgement on it

People will sometimes judge, condemn, slander, gossip, start rumours about us. The best thing to do is not to retaliate out of anger. I believe we will reap the rewards of refusing that kind of spirit in our lives. Our words should build one another up and ourselves.

James 5:12 – Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned

We need integrity in our speech. ‘I’ll be there’ means ‘I’ll be there’! Let’s fulfil our words; follow through on what we say.

WORDS MATTER – God expects us to keep our words

James 3:1 – Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly

Prohibitions and promises are they fulfilled with our kids? It can sometime be hard to follow through on them.

Matthew 12:36-37 – But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Jesus knew how important our words were. Count the cost of our words…what we say, our promises. Negative words spoken can restrict our lives and hold us back, limiting us. Good positive words can free our lives.

Psalm 76:11 – Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfil them

WORDS MATTER – They set the course for our life

James tells that the tongue is like a rudder that sets the course of lives.

Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

If our words control our direction then we need to control our words. Our words can take us places we don’t want to go. Negative miserable places as opposed to positive joyful places. Where will our words take us?

James 3:4-5 – Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark

The tongue, such a little member and yet so powerful.

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen

What a great way to use our words…to build others and to build you!

The 7-Day Challenge – everyday for the next 7 days give encouragement to 7 different people. By text, email, phone, twitter – send encouraging words.

Words set the course for our lives. Words give life to us.

WORDS MATTER – They flow from our heart

Guard your heart.

Matthew 12:34 – You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks

Luke 6:45 – The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks

Let God change our hearts. The Christian life is all about change and growth…to follow Jesus Christ to be his disciples – his apprentice. We will always be his apprentices – growing and learning new things.

The Book of James - Faith Works

We continued our current series in church today based on the book of James. Paul Benger brought a great message entitled ‘Faith Works’.

James 2:14-26

You can read the statement ‘faith works’ as it achieves, it accomplishes or it gets the job done. Living a life of faith works, it produces results.

But also we can read it as ‘faith works’ – faith acts, it has accompanying action.

People desire the ‘real thing’ - some will even pay a lot to have it! James here is talking to us about being the ‘real thing’. God wants the real thing and not a poor imitation. ‘When faith is real it acts’.

People like Abraham and Rahab their actions proved that their faith was real. We also need to act on our faith.

The Bible is written to real people in real situations. James was talking to Christians whose faith had wavered encouraging them that faith has corresponding actions.

We can’t say ‘I believe God will do this’ and then stand back and do nothing. We have to get involved, put our faith and our actions into practice. Marry action with faith.

Faith Works – In Actions that Match our Words

Let our actions match our words. James 2:14 – What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?

Today when we say that God can do, do our actions reflect our belief?

Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit

Sometimes we just have to change our speech. Be positive, speak of the good things that God will do. Positive confession is important. Speak faith over our lives – it’s not ‘spin’…but speak of the positive future that God has for us. Prophecy it!

‘Our words need to have corresponding actions’. What are you believing God for? Trust him – it’s not all down to us!

Faith Works – in a Spirit of Generosity

James 2:15-16 – Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?

2 Corinthians 8:1-4 – And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints

Generosity is one of the great expressions of our faith. What can you do? Decide what you will give and have that spirit of generosity. Generosity is more than money – it is acts of kindness, it’s praise. Be specific in your praise as well.

Faith Works – Right Here Right Now!

James 2:18 – But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do

Hebrews 11:1-2 – Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for

I’m going to live in today in the light of tomorrow! We are people of the future living in today. Bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into today.

CLC – What does that mean for us? Structure today for the church of tomorrow! Build for tomorrow. Speak the language of largeness not smallness. Remove small from our vocabulary. Believe for leaders today for the church of tomorrow. For our future building, plan for it today!

The Book of James – Trials Can Make You Better

We began our brand new series in church today based on the book of James. Paul Benger brought an excellent message entitled ‘Trials Can Make You Better’.

James writes his book to believers encouraging us not to live the double-life. Don’t keep your true identity hidden by living the double-life.

James has been compared to the book of Proverbs – the Proverbs of the New Testament. It’s practical and shows us what the Christian life looks like.

This book was not written to a church but James was writing to individual Christians - he’s writing to you! He’s encouraging us that even in persecution don’t live the double-life.

James 1:1-8

James is telling us to ‘mind the gap’. Watch out for the gaps that can exist between the lives that we should live and the lives that we actually live.

Trials can make you better and make you stronger. ‘Make you circumstances your university’.

James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds

What a way to start a letter! There is a purpose…God is at work in this trial. He is going to bring goodness. We have evil present in this world and we have choices to make. It’s not a prefect world but we know that God is at work and will use any trial we face for good.

James 1:3-4 – because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything

What a vision God has for us! He wants to equip us for life now and the future. Even when we give up on ourselves…God doesn’t!

Perseverance is waiting patiently knowing that God will keep his word. It’s about us being tenacious, having stickability. ‘Success is doing the right thing long enough’.

When we are lacking God will use anything he can to give us what we need to do the work. Trials can make us better…not bitter.

Keys to trials making us better…

A Good Attitude is Required

James 1:2 – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds

Keep a right attitude. Don’t let negativity, cynicism, hurt – attitudes that grab hold of us and keep us down.

God will use the situations we face to develop things in our life. God is at work – stay positive.

Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

Wisdom is Required

James 1:5 – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him

Ask for God’s wisdom when we face trials. He knows more than us. Don’t choose our wisdom over God’s.

Faith is Required

James 1:6-8 – But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Believe that God has said and stand your ground. Faith isn’t feelings. Faith is believing that God is faithful…no matter what is happening around me.

Being double-minded is floating between the two thoughts - believing God and doubting God.

James offers us four bits of practical advice in allowing trials to make us better…

1) Don’t get angry

James 1:19-20 – My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires

2) Stay pure

James 1:21 – Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you

3) Be a doer of the word not just a listener

James 1:22-25 – Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

4) Bless others

James 1:27 – Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world