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!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
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…
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…
Sunday, November 01, 2009
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!
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!
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