Great morning in church. Paul Benger spoke an excellent message about 'turning up the heat'.
You're not hot and you're not cold (Jesus)
God doesn't want to tell us what we're not...but to turn up the heat in our lives!
God is alive and his church is alive!
We want to be passionate but we want to be powerful as well.
Some things that help us keep the heat up...
1. Live surrendered
Matthew 6:31-34
Do Jesus in the first person not through someone else
We surrender our lives to him. We worship him...surrendered.
It's not difficult to serve when we're surrendered
We're serving him...not the organisation.
We need a revelation of Jesus Christ for our lives
When we surrender God adds to our life
Surrender turns the heat up, worry turns the heat down
Matthew 6:34 (MSG)
2. Live 'others' oriented
Matthew 20:26-28
Serving is something we are...not something we do
We are not cynical about our leadership we desire to serve
There is a joy that is added to our lives when we serve others
3. Live purposefully
Live your life on purpose. As for me and my household...we will serve the Lord
Make decisions in your life to put his kingdom first
Proverbs 16:9
God has got steps for you...your life is not random
Psalm 37:23
'Why' isn't an issue when we live purposefully...
How are we going to move forward?
4. Choose forgiveness as a lifestyle
Forgiveness turns the heat up. Unforgiveness turns the heat down!
Luke 17:1-4
Our actions can cause others to stumble but our reactions can cause us to stumble.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Hope
Great morning…great message! Jeannie Benger spoke on the importance of having hope in our lives.
Proverbs 13:12
Live a life of hope with and anticipation and expectation
The forward view of the righteous...we look forward to!
As a church we will always look forward to the future
There is always a battle against your dreams and hopes
There is an enemy that wants to remove your hope
God is a God of hope and he wants to cement this hope in your life
Your heart condition is important for the well being of your life
Hebrews 6:19
Keep your life under control with the anchor of hope. The God of hope wants to fill your life with it!
Hope deferred is unrelenting disappointment...despair comes, and we become desperate. Don't let hope slide!
We can become reckless without hope. Our heart becomes sick.
Hopelessness is a close cousin of the impossible
That's the bad news!
Now the good news...
Luke 1:37
Romans 5:5
Hope doesn't disappoint us.
Abraham was at that point of hopelessness. Yet he served the God of the impossible.
Romans 4:18...he believed! Against all hope...he put his trust in God and in his hope.
We serve a God of hope...even where things seem impossible. With God all things are possible!
Even trouble that we face can become a doorway of hope
God wants to turn these situations around
Romans 5:1-3
in the Kingdom of God rather than go down because of trouble...we can go through trouble!
God is building our character when we go through trouble
God is building hope into your life...even patience!!
Today we hate to wait! Let God build something strong and lasting in your life.
Keys to hope that brings life to our dreams...
1. Your Focus
We always put our hope or focus on someone
Your focus is critical
Proverbs 24:14 (MSG)
Get Godly wisdom in your life. The right focus in your life.
Focus on Jesus.
2. Your surroundings
God's house should always be a house of hope
We can have a hope in God by serving him now...not just looking to a future eternity.
Hope for now! That's what God wants to give us today!
Spread hope wherever you go...
Surround yourselves with good friends! Who cheer you on!
3. Faith
Faith and hope are inseparable partners
Hebrews 11:1
We can get hold of God's promises today...that give us hope for now and the future!
Proverbs 13:12
Live a life of hope with and anticipation and expectation
The forward view of the righteous...we look forward to!
As a church we will always look forward to the future
There is always a battle against your dreams and hopes
There is an enemy that wants to remove your hope
God is a God of hope and he wants to cement this hope in your life
Your heart condition is important for the well being of your life
Hebrews 6:19
Keep your life under control with the anchor of hope. The God of hope wants to fill your life with it!
Hope deferred is unrelenting disappointment...despair comes, and we become desperate. Don't let hope slide!
We can become reckless without hope. Our heart becomes sick.
Hopelessness is a close cousin of the impossible
That's the bad news!
Now the good news...
Luke 1:37
Romans 5:5
Hope doesn't disappoint us.
Abraham was at that point of hopelessness. Yet he served the God of the impossible.
Romans 4:18...he believed! Against all hope...he put his trust in God and in his hope.
We serve a God of hope...even where things seem impossible. With God all things are possible!
Even trouble that we face can become a doorway of hope
God wants to turn these situations around
Romans 5:1-3
in the Kingdom of God rather than go down because of trouble...we can go through trouble!
God is building our character when we go through trouble
God is building hope into your life...even patience!!
Today we hate to wait! Let God build something strong and lasting in your life.
Keys to hope that brings life to our dreams...
1. Your Focus
We always put our hope or focus on someone
Your focus is critical
Proverbs 24:14 (MSG)
Get Godly wisdom in your life. The right focus in your life.
Focus on Jesus.
2. Your surroundings
God's house should always be a house of hope
We can have a hope in God by serving him now...not just looking to a future eternity.
Hope for now! That's what God wants to give us today!
Spread hope wherever you go...
Surround yourselves with good friends! Who cheer you on!
3. Faith
Faith and hope are inseparable partners
Hebrews 11:1
We can get hold of God's promises today...that give us hope for now and the future!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Rhythm - Prayer/Breathe
Loved Paul Benger's message this morning on the Rhythm of Prayer
Matthew 6:5-15
The rhythm of Prayer...beating through our life
Often people pray when they are in trouble but stop when things are ok
We need to find a good pace of prayer in our lives
Not just the big stuff but God is interested in the small stuff too. Prayer should be like breath...important to our lives
We can talk to God like he's a machine...menu choices!
God is person who wants to know us
Matthew 6:5-9 (MSG)
This is your Father who you are dealing with
You get a person not a number!
It's not about tips and techniques when praying to God
It's not mystical! It's not vain repetition...not a chant/mantra
It's much simpler than that...it's revelatory....it's life changing, world changing
It's relational, we don't have to follow routine and procedures when we approach God in prayer.
It's breath, relational and simpler than you think...prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
Its simple, powerful and effective
Not about religion and tradition
Our Father...relationship not religion, God is our father...we can't get away from that truth. He wants the best for us!
He loves us and loves being our father. A person that we can know today.
In Heaven...God reigns in this environment called heaven. We're believing that heaven touches earth when we pray and when we praise. When the church gathers...heaven is in this place! Your will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Let your kingdom come and let your will be done!
What is heaven like...look at Jesus. He brings life and hope and healing. "may his name be honoured" Jesus
Give us today our daily bread...what's important to you is important to God. He is interested in every part of your life.
Be thankful for every little thing...not just the big stuff!
It's not either or...it's both and! Believe God for daily bread.
Deliver us from the evil one...there are things in life that can be harmful, but God is our protector our strong tower. He is making our obstacles stepping stones. He grows us when trouble comes our way. Make our enemies our footstools...as we step up to another level!
Believe that...This is just another stepping stone!
Hebrews 11:6
Matthew 6:5-15
The rhythm of Prayer...beating through our life
Often people pray when they are in trouble but stop when things are ok
We need to find a good pace of prayer in our lives
Not just the big stuff but God is interested in the small stuff too. Prayer should be like breath...important to our lives
We can talk to God like he's a machine...menu choices!
God is person who wants to know us
Matthew 6:5-9 (MSG)
This is your Father who you are dealing with
You get a person not a number!
It's not about tips and techniques when praying to God
It's not mystical! It's not vain repetition...not a chant/mantra
It's much simpler than that...it's revelatory....it's life changing, world changing
It's relational, we don't have to follow routine and procedures when we approach God in prayer.
It's breath, relational and simpler than you think...prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
Its simple, powerful and effective
Not about religion and tradition
Our Father...relationship not religion, God is our father...we can't get away from that truth. He wants the best for us!
He loves us and loves being our father. A person that we can know today.
In Heaven...God reigns in this environment called heaven. We're believing that heaven touches earth when we pray and when we praise. When the church gathers...heaven is in this place! Your will being done on earth as it is in heaven. Let your kingdom come and let your will be done!
What is heaven like...look at Jesus. He brings life and hope and healing. "may his name be honoured" Jesus
Give us today our daily bread...what's important to you is important to God. He is interested in every part of your life.
Be thankful for every little thing...not just the big stuff!
It's not either or...it's both and! Believe God for daily bread.
Deliver us from the evil one...there are things in life that can be harmful, but God is our protector our strong tower. He is making our obstacles stepping stones. He grows us when trouble comes our way. Make our enemies our footstools...as we step up to another level!
Believe that...This is just another stepping stone!
Hebrews 11:6
Monday, October 11, 2010
Rhythm
Great day at CLC yesterday. Two excellent messages morning and evening on the subject of Rhythm...
Rhythm//listen//word
God is a God of rhythm...a God of order, Days seasons weeks rests...a rhythm of life
Matthew 13:9...are you listening? Are you really listening?
There is a rhythm to listening to God...to his word
2 Timothy 1:13
There is a pattern to what you're listening to...Keep the pattern of sound words flooding your life. We need the rhythm of grace in our lives.
There is a noise around us...”you've just got to have this or do this”.
Don't let that effect the rhythm of sound words in your life. Don't let those things effect your pace...your steps
Psalm 119:105…Are you listening?
Get some promises in your life that God has given you...The wrong noises can effect your rhythm.
We need the samba of salvation…Not the military marching sound of legalism
Rhythm of Gods word brings us confidence
Psalm 1:1-3
Change the record! Get God's voice in your life!
They that do are planted fruitful and prosperous...the end game!
Are you listening? Are you really listening? God is good and he does good! He loves you and is for you! Let that word take the pace of your life...!
God's word...
1) Hear it
2) Write it down, record it
3) Meditate on it
4) Pray about it
5) Trust it...trust God
6) Live it
Rhythm//rest//grace
We need the Rhythm of Rest (Grace) in our lives
Hebrews 4
When we ‘rest’ we are living with trust and an attitude of faith for God. Rest in our lives is important for our spiritual, physical and emotional being.
Isaiah 30:15 – This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it!
Rest in the gospel of Jesus Christ…our rest is a rest based upon the completion of Christ’s work of redemption. We rest from striving to please God in our own strength, and rely upon the work which He has done (at the Cross) and which He continues to do for us.
Ephesians 2:4-6
We learn to move forward in our faith when we first learn to REST. We can approach the throne of Grace Today!
GRACE…is where it all begins.
Key to finding REST is not non-activity but being able to approach the Throne of Grace with confidence and without fear…to receive all that we need for life!
At the Throne of Grace we find THREE things…
1) It’s where we find our Salvation
Our salvation is established in GRACE. It’s not what I’ve done and therefore I deserve it. It’s what Jesus has done and therefore I receive salvation by faith - It’s a free gift!
“Christianity begins not with a big DO but with a big DONE” (Watchman Nee)
(MSG) Romans 4:4-5 - If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift!
Ephesians 2:8-9
Saved by grace and grace alone! Our identity as Christians is based on GRACE.
So often we accept that we are saved by GRACE alone…but what about life after that? We can find ourselves out of step…out of kilter…unbalanced. As we become restless, striving, trying to please God with our works!
2) It’s where we find our purpose and calling
Paul…
1 Corinthians 15:10 ‘But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them— yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me’
Paul’s acknowledgment of his short-comings and his reliance on the grace of God…resting in God’s ability…that energised him!
We need a true revelation of God’s Grace. People are mobilised when they have this understanding of His grace. Where it’s not about my performance, or about what I can do or what other people think of me. ‘It’s because I am a son of God!
Our Calling is Established in Grace
3) It’s where we find strength
Philippians 4:11-13 (Amp)
His suffiency is what matters.
We want to do our very best from a position of GRACE…resting in the truth that with Christ in me…I can do all things! Your Grace is sufficient…it’s all we need!
Rhythm//listen//word
God is a God of rhythm...a God of order, Days seasons weeks rests...a rhythm of life
Matthew 13:9...are you listening? Are you really listening?
There is a rhythm to listening to God...to his word
2 Timothy 1:13
There is a pattern to what you're listening to...Keep the pattern of sound words flooding your life. We need the rhythm of grace in our lives.
There is a noise around us...”you've just got to have this or do this”.
Don't let that effect the rhythm of sound words in your life. Don't let those things effect your pace...your steps
Psalm 119:105…Are you listening?
Get some promises in your life that God has given you...The wrong noises can effect your rhythm.
We need the samba of salvation…Not the military marching sound of legalism
Rhythm of Gods word brings us confidence
Psalm 1:1-3
Change the record! Get God's voice in your life!
They that do are planted fruitful and prosperous...the end game!
Are you listening? Are you really listening? God is good and he does good! He loves you and is for you! Let that word take the pace of your life...!
God's word...
1) Hear it
2) Write it down, record it
3) Meditate on it
4) Pray about it
5) Trust it...trust God
6) Live it
Rhythm//rest//grace
We need the Rhythm of Rest (Grace) in our lives
Hebrews 4
When we ‘rest’ we are living with trust and an attitude of faith for God. Rest in our lives is important for our spiritual, physical and emotional being.
Isaiah 30:15 – This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it!
Rest in the gospel of Jesus Christ…our rest is a rest based upon the completion of Christ’s work of redemption. We rest from striving to please God in our own strength, and rely upon the work which He has done (at the Cross) and which He continues to do for us.
Ephesians 2:4-6
We learn to move forward in our faith when we first learn to REST. We can approach the throne of Grace Today!
GRACE…is where it all begins.
Key to finding REST is not non-activity but being able to approach the Throne of Grace with confidence and without fear…to receive all that we need for life!
At the Throne of Grace we find THREE things…
1) It’s where we find our Salvation
Our salvation is established in GRACE. It’s not what I’ve done and therefore I deserve it. It’s what Jesus has done and therefore I receive salvation by faith - It’s a free gift!
“Christianity begins not with a big DO but with a big DONE” (Watchman Nee)
(MSG) Romans 4:4-5 - If you're a hard worker and do a good job, you deserve your pay; we don't call your wages a gift. But if you see that the job is too big for you, that it's something only God can do, and you trust him to do it—you could never do it for yourself no matter how hard and long you worked—well, that trusting-him-to-do-it is what gets you set right with God, by God. Sheer gift!
Ephesians 2:8-9
Saved by grace and grace alone! Our identity as Christians is based on GRACE.
So often we accept that we are saved by GRACE alone…but what about life after that? We can find ourselves out of step…out of kilter…unbalanced. As we become restless, striving, trying to please God with our works!
2) It’s where we find our purpose and calling
Paul…
1 Corinthians 15:10 ‘But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them— yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me’
Paul’s acknowledgment of his short-comings and his reliance on the grace of God…resting in God’s ability…that energised him!
We need a true revelation of God’s Grace. People are mobilised when they have this understanding of His grace. Where it’s not about my performance, or about what I can do or what other people think of me. ‘It’s because I am a son of God!
Our Calling is Established in Grace
3) It’s where we find strength
Philippians 4:11-13 (Amp)
His suffiency is what matters.
We want to do our very best from a position of GRACE…resting in the truth that with Christ in me…I can do all things! Your Grace is sufficient…it’s all we need!
Monday, October 04, 2010
Building a House for God
A great day in God’s House yesterday! It was our Rise & Build Weekend and Paul Benger shared an excellent message on “Building a House for God”
Our vision...To build a world class church…To reach more people...to establish our own premises. Preparing ourselves for the future. We go from strength to strength even when we face the odd setback.
1 Chronicles 22
David's desire was to build a house worthy of an awesome God. God said no...but your son Solomon will build it. This did not stop David having a heart for God's house and preparing for the future.
Jesus is building his church...that's our passion too. Today is all about building Gods house!
Ephesians 1:23 (the Message)
God has only got one plan...plan A. To build his church and to use the church to reach people. There is no plan B!
We are carrying God's presence as go into our world. It would be a worst place if you weren't there. God speaks through you and me.
95% of people in our borough do not know Christ. That is why Jesus is building his church in our area. We would love to change the number from 95 to ?
There is a solution ... The church! He needs a devoted people who's heart is to rise and build and reach out!
3 things from 1 Chronicles 22...
David had a heart for the house (22:6-10; 19)
David encourages the people...to devote your heart and soul to build the house. God can give us a heart for his house...a supernatural heart and love for his house.
Jesus loves the church and he wants you to love it too. To make his name famous in our world!
Building the house of God is multi-generational (22:5)
Young and inexperience is needed as well the opposite! We run side by side, we don't pass on and then do nothing. We're working together to build a magnificent house
By wisdom a house is built
1 Chronicles 22:17-19
In Rise & Build we're not just bringing our finances....we're bringing our wisdom and skill
Building a house for God requires many gifts (22:14-16)
David's gift was giving...incredibly generous! But there were also workmen, craftsmen, masons, carpenters needed.
Sacrificial giving of the many not just the few. We bring our gifts into the house of God.
You are builder of the house of God!
Our vision...To build a world class church…To reach more people...to establish our own premises. Preparing ourselves for the future. We go from strength to strength even when we face the odd setback.
1 Chronicles 22
David's desire was to build a house worthy of an awesome God. God said no...but your son Solomon will build it. This did not stop David having a heart for God's house and preparing for the future.
Jesus is building his church...that's our passion too. Today is all about building Gods house!
Ephesians 1:23 (the Message)
God has only got one plan...plan A. To build his church and to use the church to reach people. There is no plan B!
We are carrying God's presence as go into our world. It would be a worst place if you weren't there. God speaks through you and me.
95% of people in our borough do not know Christ. That is why Jesus is building his church in our area. We would love to change the number from 95 to ?
There is a solution ... The church! He needs a devoted people who's heart is to rise and build and reach out!
3 things from 1 Chronicles 22...
David had a heart for the house (22:6-10; 19)
David encourages the people...to devote your heart and soul to build the house. God can give us a heart for his house...a supernatural heart and love for his house.
Jesus loves the church and he wants you to love it too. To make his name famous in our world!
Building the house of God is multi-generational (22:5)
Young and inexperience is needed as well the opposite! We run side by side, we don't pass on and then do nothing. We're working together to build a magnificent house
By wisdom a house is built
1 Chronicles 22:17-19
In Rise & Build we're not just bringing our finances....we're bringing our wisdom and skill
Building a house for God requires many gifts (22:14-16)
David's gift was giving...incredibly generous! But there were also workmen, craftsmen, masons, carpenters needed.
Sacrificial giving of the many not just the few. We bring our gifts into the house of God.
You are builder of the house of God!
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