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
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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?
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?
Monday, September 07, 2009
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.
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.
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