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.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
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 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.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
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
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
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