A great finish to our Series on self-control in church this morning. Paul Benger spoke on the subject of ‘refuelling’.
Living life without the Holy Spirit within us could be likened to trying to drive a car without an engine or without any fuel in the tank.
Growth and change is about submitting your life to God. We’re meant to change, not to get comfortable. We need to be constantly refuelled. Submitted to the work of the Holy Spirit.
John 3:5; 3:8 – Jesus answered, I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
You cannot become a Christian without the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Holy Spirit gives us the power and strength we need for life. As individuals and collectively as the church.
Acts 10:38 - God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
Jesus did his work in the power of the Holy Spirit. As New Testament Christians we too can live a life full of the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit. To have control of our lives we need to be refuelled!
1 Corinthians 3:16 – Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? The church is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. A community where God puts the life of His Spirit.
1 Corinthians 6:19 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. We are carriers of God’s Spirit into the world.
4 keys to living by the Holy Spirit...
Choose to live according to the life of the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:16 – So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Honouring, lifting, blessing others. Not living for self, mean spirited. Be students of what is good and godly in life.
Crucify the flesh
Galatians 5:24 – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Realise there are some places we are not meant to go, things we are not meant to do. Get the right kind of walls or protection in your life.
Know what the life of the Holy Spirit looks like
Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Have the fruits of the spirit in your life.
Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit
Galatians 5:25 – Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Be refuelled. To help you, give you strength, to do you good!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Addition to the Family
Here is our new addition to the Lloyd family.
Her name is Libby and she is 8 weeks old.
With a family consisting of mainly boys we felt it important (or at least Jane and Amy did) that we went for a girl.
Had it been a boy we would have named him Hurley. Can you guess what we love to watch on TV?
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Get a Grip III
I took the third session in our Series on self-control this morning. It was all about building walls, having the right boundaries or weapons of protection in our life.
Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control
Only the ‘truly free’ will live within boundaries because they know that those boundaries maintain the freedom they enjoy. Putting the right boundaries in place can ensure that what flows into your world is full of life and not death.
What looks like self-control is actually the result of letting someone else take control. Self-control, biblically speaking, means walking by the Spirit, under the Lordship of Christ. God is saying, ‘take control of you life by letting me be Lord of it!’ Follow me...my word, my teaching. Build your life on me.
In order to understand the fruit of the Spirit of self-control it’s helpful to describe what the absence of self-control looks like.
Proverbs 25:28 explains it clearly of the individual living out of control, ‘Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control’
The person who lacks self-restraint is like a city that has no effective defence. They are not able to resist those things that can destroy their lives and the lives of others.
1 Samuel 13:16-22
It’s all about people living life without the weapons to protect themselves. When we live life without having the right boundaries/weapons to protect ourselves this is like living a life where certain things are allowed to have a foothold in our life.
Look out for the ‘raiding parties’! All of us are subject to some extent to certain kinds of raiding parties - if we don’t have the appropriate weapons and defences when they come we might find ourselves in difficult situations, where instead of bringing life they come to rob and steal us of life. These raiding parties come into our life in order to try to move us to the wrong place.
We need to know how to deal with the raiding parties
We need to have our own blacksmiths – know how to build weapons. So that in conflict we are prepared.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Start to protect yourself from the Raiding Parties. Here it says, “put on” the full armour of God! There’s action involved…something we have to do. Doesn’t just happen because we are Christians.
The Belt of Truth
The truth that Paul is talking about is not from the opinions of our mind or what others might think. The truth that matters more than anything else is truth that comes from God.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Righteousness is the standing that we are given when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Jesus is the one who makes us right with God the Father. It is Jesus that gives us a right relationship with God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The Sandals of Peace
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Go where your salvation leads you. They won’t lead you to places where we’re not to meant go...but where we should go.
The peace that we have in Christ gives us a firm standing in any situation that life can throw at us.
The Shield of Faith
The Devil assaults us with fiery attacks.
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.
The sign of the Christian soldier is that we are to place our complete trust in God. It is our faith that becomes our shield from the fiery attacks of the Devil.
The Helmet of salvation
Thus the mind becomes one of the most vital areas to protect.
Romans 8:6 - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The mind is the source for every action and every attitude that is part of our lives.
The Sword of the Spirit
Purpose of the sword - The sword was used for both offence and defence.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Our sword is the word of God. The scriptures give us the ability to fight back against the schemes and the plans of the enemy, of any raiding party.
And the last verse encourages us to...
Pray in the Spirit
(18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Proverbs 25:28 – Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control
Only the ‘truly free’ will live within boundaries because they know that those boundaries maintain the freedom they enjoy. Putting the right boundaries in place can ensure that what flows into your world is full of life and not death.
What looks like self-control is actually the result of letting someone else take control. Self-control, biblically speaking, means walking by the Spirit, under the Lordship of Christ. God is saying, ‘take control of you life by letting me be Lord of it!’ Follow me...my word, my teaching. Build your life on me.
In order to understand the fruit of the Spirit of self-control it’s helpful to describe what the absence of self-control looks like.
Proverbs 25:28 explains it clearly of the individual living out of control, ‘Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control’
The person who lacks self-restraint is like a city that has no effective defence. They are not able to resist those things that can destroy their lives and the lives of others.
1 Samuel 13:16-22
It’s all about people living life without the weapons to protect themselves. When we live life without having the right boundaries/weapons to protect ourselves this is like living a life where certain things are allowed to have a foothold in our life.
Look out for the ‘raiding parties’! All of us are subject to some extent to certain kinds of raiding parties - if we don’t have the appropriate weapons and defences when they come we might find ourselves in difficult situations, where instead of bringing life they come to rob and steal us of life. These raiding parties come into our life in order to try to move us to the wrong place.
We need to know how to deal with the raiding parties
We need to have our own blacksmiths – know how to build weapons. So that in conflict we are prepared.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Start to protect yourself from the Raiding Parties. Here it says, “put on” the full armour of God! There’s action involved…something we have to do. Doesn’t just happen because we are Christians.
The Belt of Truth
The truth that Paul is talking about is not from the opinions of our mind or what others might think. The truth that matters more than anything else is truth that comes from God.
The Breastplate of Righteousness
Righteousness is the standing that we are given when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. Jesus is the one who makes us right with God the Father. It is Jesus that gives us a right relationship with God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 - God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
The Sandals of Peace
Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Go where your salvation leads you. They won’t lead you to places where we’re not to meant go...but where we should go.
The peace that we have in Christ gives us a firm standing in any situation that life can throw at us.
The Shield of Faith
The Devil assaults us with fiery attacks.
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.
The sign of the Christian soldier is that we are to place our complete trust in God. It is our faith that becomes our shield from the fiery attacks of the Devil.
The Helmet of salvation
Thus the mind becomes one of the most vital areas to protect.
Romans 8:6 - The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The mind is the source for every action and every attitude that is part of our lives.
The Sword of the Spirit
Purpose of the sword - The sword was used for both offence and defence.
Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Our sword is the word of God. The scriptures give us the ability to fight back against the schemes and the plans of the enemy, of any raiding party.
And the last verse encourages us to...
Pray in the Spirit
(18) And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Get a Grip II
Paul continued our series this morning on the subject of self-control. This week was all about ‘taking charge’ of our lives.
Galatians 5:16-23
Human nature easily gets out of control. Self-control is knowing when to stop. It is having the strength to reign ones self in, to set a course of action in your life and to stick to it. It is also the ability to make a mistake realise it’s a mistake and not do it again.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
We sometimes don’t feel we’ve got the strength to take control, but God helps us…He is our strength.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
We’re not just running for a temporary prize we’re running for an eternal reward. Get the strength needed to run well.
To take charge, to take control we need to…
Be Strong
Proverbs 24:5 - The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
Being strong is not just about the physical, our will, it’s about increasing our wisdom and gaining knowledge. This strengthens our core...the inner person.
Be Kingdom Minded
Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
The Kingdom of God is not a geographical place – it’s an a attitude, a spiritual place. Where we do the right thing (righteousness). What is the Kingdom thing to do? Where we stay calm not fretful (peace). Where we never underestimate the enemies attempt to stop us being happy (joy) – living with gratitude in our lives.
Be Prayerful
Talk to God, include him in every area of your life. Pray for all things...he loves to answer us.
John 16:4 – Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete
John 4:2 – You do not have, because you do not ask God
Be Faithful
Being full of faith and being consistent. God sees our faithfulness and he blesses and honours those who are faithful.
Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful man will be richly blessed
Faithfully being in God’s house – God blesses those who gather faithfully.
Be Courageous
James 2:20 - But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Being courageous is all about us taking ACTION. And taking control is sometimes going to need COURAGE. To pull back from bad habits is going to take courage.
Galatians 5:16-23
Human nature easily gets out of control. Self-control is knowing when to stop. It is having the strength to reign ones self in, to set a course of action in your life and to stick to it. It is also the ability to make a mistake realise it’s a mistake and not do it again.
Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
We sometimes don’t feel we’ve got the strength to take control, but God helps us…He is our strength.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
We’re not just running for a temporary prize we’re running for an eternal reward. Get the strength needed to run well.
To take charge, to take control we need to…
Be Strong
Proverbs 24:5 - The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
Being strong is not just about the physical, our will, it’s about increasing our wisdom and gaining knowledge. This strengthens our core...the inner person.
Be Kingdom Minded
Romans 14:17 – For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
The Kingdom of God is not a geographical place – it’s an a attitude, a spiritual place. Where we do the right thing (righteousness). What is the Kingdom thing to do? Where we stay calm not fretful (peace). Where we never underestimate the enemies attempt to stop us being happy (joy) – living with gratitude in our lives.
Be Prayerful
Talk to God, include him in every area of your life. Pray for all things...he loves to answer us.
John 16:4 – Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete
John 4:2 – You do not have, because you do not ask God
Be Faithful
Being full of faith and being consistent. God sees our faithfulness and he blesses and honours those who are faithful.
Proverbs 28:20 – A faithful man will be richly blessed
Faithfully being in God’s house – God blesses those who gather faithfully.
Be Courageous
James 2:20 - But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Being courageous is all about us taking ACTION. And taking control is sometimes going to need COURAGE. To pull back from bad habits is going to take courage.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Get a Grip I
We started our new series in church this morning entitled ‘Get a Grip’ on the subject of having self-control in our lives.
Galatians 5:16-23
Paul Benger kicked off with the first part, which was called ‘Bite the Bullet’ – we need to take charge of our lives, make the right choices. We cannot live our lives on auto-pilot, making excuses for our lack of self-control by saying...’I can’t help it, it’s just the way I am’
Many people live their lives out of control, with addictions etc. God’s intention for your life and my life is that we take charge of our actions – that some offence doesn’t cause us to lose control.
Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals”
You’re meant to rule over life, submitted to God. Your life should not be ruled by your emotions, or opinions or circumstances...but by YOU! Rule in your world the one that God has given you.
Let God’s Kingdom come into your world. His Kingdom has no geographical boundary but an attitude boundary. Your world is your home, your finances etc.
We want our church to be a life-giving church...and we chose to be like that. Not allowing bad/negative attitudes to reign.
The great news today is that the Gospel has restored our position of authority again. Even before the fall God gave man ‘choice’. Adam lost it! He lost our position of authority – Jesus restored it!
Bite the bullet – take control of your life, of your choices.
We need the Holy Spirit in our lives, we cannot do it all on our own. We work in partnership with God – submitted to Him.
We rule our world knowing that God is leading us
We rule our world knowing God’s wisdom
We rule our world knowing God’s purpose
We rule our world knowing the power of the Holy Spirit
The World want’s to make our choices for us…to choose our lifestyle – But we’re in charge.
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life
Our wellspring is the borders and parameters of our lives. Establish God’s boundaries through praying in the Spirit, by being thankful daily. The Holy Spirit’s power is available to everyone – the promise is for all.
Let us bite the bullet in our lives and take control.
Galatians 5:16-23
Paul Benger kicked off with the first part, which was called ‘Bite the Bullet’ – we need to take charge of our lives, make the right choices. We cannot live our lives on auto-pilot, making excuses for our lack of self-control by saying...’I can’t help it, it’s just the way I am’
Many people live their lives out of control, with addictions etc. God’s intention for your life and my life is that we take charge of our actions – that some offence doesn’t cause us to lose control.
Genesis 1:26 – Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life - the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals”
You’re meant to rule over life, submitted to God. Your life should not be ruled by your emotions, or opinions or circumstances...but by YOU! Rule in your world the one that God has given you.
Let God’s Kingdom come into your world. His Kingdom has no geographical boundary but an attitude boundary. Your world is your home, your finances etc.
We want our church to be a life-giving church...and we chose to be like that. Not allowing bad/negative attitudes to reign.
The great news today is that the Gospel has restored our position of authority again. Even before the fall God gave man ‘choice’. Adam lost it! He lost our position of authority – Jesus restored it!
Bite the bullet – take control of your life, of your choices.
We need the Holy Spirit in our lives, we cannot do it all on our own. We work in partnership with God – submitted to Him.
We rule our world knowing that God is leading us
We rule our world knowing God’s wisdom
We rule our world knowing God’s purpose
We rule our world knowing the power of the Holy Spirit
The World want’s to make our choices for us…to choose our lifestyle – But we’re in charge.
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life
Our wellspring is the borders and parameters of our lives. Establish God’s boundaries through praying in the Spirit, by being thankful daily. The Holy Spirit’s power is available to everyone – the promise is for all.
Let us bite the bullet in our lives and take control.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Living with Hope
Simon Wood spoke in church this morning on the importance of living with hope.
He shared how he had recently visited IKEA and that he quickly lost hope when trying to find something even though his wife remained hopeful – how true this is!
Hope enables us to put the highs and lows of life into perspective - rather than living in despair. Hope gives us the stamina and purpose for life.
As a church we need hope. A hopeful church has a hopeful message and the world needs to hear it. We have a great message to share.
Isaiah 40:30-31 – (30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
God has made us to be resistant, but without hope we give in quite easily. Hope is the building block of life...the anchor for our lives.
Hebrews 6:19-20 – (19) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (20) where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is our Hope, our anchor, guiding us - pulling us through the veil.
There is always a battle raging between hope and despair. How do we win the battle? We need to recognise the areas that give us hope and guard our hearts against the negative influences that only encourages despair.
Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life
Avoid the negative. Don’t go to a negative person if you are facing a particular problem. Look out for the “smell of despair”…look for the opposite, the “scent of hope” – the aroma of faith. Be with people of hope those who raise your faith level.
Spend time meditating on God’s word...this gives us hope.
Psalm 119:147-148 – I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
Trust in God - trust that his ways are best. God will always honour his word. Be patient and wait on God. (eg Abraham) Hebrews 6:15 – And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised
Let us be a church of hope, ready to give life to those around us – giving hope to our world.
He shared how he had recently visited IKEA and that he quickly lost hope when trying to find something even though his wife remained hopeful – how true this is!
Hope enables us to put the highs and lows of life into perspective - rather than living in despair. Hope gives us the stamina and purpose for life.
As a church we need hope. A hopeful church has a hopeful message and the world needs to hear it. We have a great message to share.
Isaiah 40:30-31 – (30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
God has made us to be resistant, but without hope we give in quite easily. Hope is the building block of life...the anchor for our lives.
Hebrews 6:19-20 – (19) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, (20) where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.
Jesus is our Hope, our anchor, guiding us - pulling us through the veil.
There is always a battle raging between hope and despair. How do we win the battle? We need to recognise the areas that give us hope and guard our hearts against the negative influences that only encourages despair.
Proverbs 13:12 - Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life
Avoid the negative. Don’t go to a negative person if you are facing a particular problem. Look out for the “smell of despair”…look for the opposite, the “scent of hope” – the aroma of faith. Be with people of hope those who raise your faith level.
Spend time meditating on God’s word...this gives us hope.
Psalm 119:147-148 – I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises.
Trust in God - trust that his ways are best. God will always honour his word. Be patient and wait on God. (eg Abraham) Hebrews 6:15 – And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised
Let us be a church of hope, ready to give life to those around us – giving hope to our world.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
The Ashes 2006-07
With just a couple of months to the opening Test, I know it probably seems a little early to be talking about the forthcoming Ashes tour of Australia but I’m sure the Aussies can’t wait to get their chance to put things right following last years demise.
Cricketing authorities in Australia have announced a new zero-tolerance policy towards racism in the stands. They have threatened offenders with lifetime bans from their grounds...but ‘pom bashing’ is ok(???)
Also in a nice little dig PCA chairman Martyn Ball, at the recent Professional Cricketers Association end of season gala, gave thanks for the meal with no reference to the Book of Common Prayer...
God bless the wine and food we eat
To retain the Ashes would be an amazing feat
England’s passion is second to none
So watch out Warnie here we come
Come on England!
Monday, September 25, 2006
Three in a Row
What a great victory! Not as tense as I'd anticipated but quite a comfortable win in the end. This also means for the first time ever three successive wins. Great stuff!
Not sure about those jackets by the way!
Praying for Keeps
Paul Benger spoke in church yesterday on the powerful topic of prayer.
Prayer is an integral part of our lives and the life of our church. Why do we pray?
God wants us to be a friend, to include him in every part of our world everyday. We pray to know his will for our lives, believing that he will guide us. Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done...’
We pray to make a difference.
We pray to change our attitude.
We pray because there is stuff to pray about!
As a church and as individuals we can have an incredible prayer life. It’s about talking to God - dialogue not monologue. We need to include God in building our lives.
7 steps to successful prayer (it’s not a science but an attitude!)
Desire – realising what we want God to do in our lives. Jesus asked ‘what do you want me to do?’ He was trying to find out what was at the heart of us.
Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. God plants his desires within us.
Decide – James 1:6-8 - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Make your minds up. Turn desire into decision. Sometimes we can fear decision making, because one decision can close all other paths (eg marriage) We sometimes don’t make decisions because we want God to guide us all of the time, when often he wants us to make that decision. We remain motionless – God wants us to get moving!
Ask – A simple thing to do. John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Asking is so important - but we often avoid it! Keep on asking...don’t give up.
Receive – Faith is a time rebel. Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Faith lives today in the good of tomorrow. Our circumstances seem like nothing has changed. Faith see things differently. Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Speak – We often have trouble talking about things. Our words are powerful. We frame our world by the words of our mouth. Our faith should match our prayers and our speaking should match our faith. Mark 11:23 - I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
See – Something happens when we pray. We begin to see! As a church when we pray we see things expanding, growth taking place. We see the kind of things we will need. We begin to see things not yet seen! (Hebrews 11:1)
Act – James 2:20 - You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? When we pray the result is ‘action’ that moves us towards our goal.
Prayer is an integral part of our lives and the life of our church. Why do we pray?
God wants us to be a friend, to include him in every part of our world everyday. We pray to know his will for our lives, believing that he will guide us. Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Your Kingdom come, Your will be done...’
We pray to make a difference.
We pray to change our attitude.
We pray because there is stuff to pray about!
As a church and as individuals we can have an incredible prayer life. It’s about talking to God - dialogue not monologue. We need to include God in building our lives.
7 steps to successful prayer (it’s not a science but an attitude!)
Desire – realising what we want God to do in our lives. Jesus asked ‘what do you want me to do?’ He was trying to find out what was at the heart of us.
Psalm 37:4 - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. God plants his desires within us.
Decide – James 1:6-8 - But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Make your minds up. Turn desire into decision. Sometimes we can fear decision making, because one decision can close all other paths (eg marriage) We sometimes don’t make decisions because we want God to guide us all of the time, when often he wants us to make that decision. We remain motionless – God wants us to get moving!
Ask – A simple thing to do. John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Asking is so important - but we often avoid it! Keep on asking...don’t give up.
Receive – Faith is a time rebel. Mark 11:24 - Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Faith lives today in the good of tomorrow. Our circumstances seem like nothing has changed. Faith see things differently. Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Speak – We often have trouble talking about things. Our words are powerful. We frame our world by the words of our mouth. Our faith should match our prayers and our speaking should match our faith. Mark 11:23 - I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
See – Something happens when we pray. We begin to see! As a church when we pray we see things expanding, growth taking place. We see the kind of things we will need. We begin to see things not yet seen! (Hebrews 11:1)
Act – James 2:20 - You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? When we pray the result is ‘action’ that moves us towards our goal.
Friday, September 22, 2006
The Ryder Cup
The Ryder Cup kicks off this morning from the K Club in Ireland.
This for me is one of the most nail biting sporting events in the calendar. We will be watching it with eager anticipation this weekend especially the final ‘singles’ day on Sunday, which is always a real rollercoaster.
Europe have dominated in recent years...let's hope that trend continues!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Connecting
Great time in church this morning. Paul Benger brought an encouraging message concerning the new season for our Connect Groups in church and spoke on the purposes of connecting.
Ezekiel 37:1-10
Connect groups are all about...
Connecting people to God
Connecting people to people
Connecting people to church
There is much disconnection in our world. Nation against nation. Breakdown in relationships, marriages etc.
The need to connect is essential in our world. We were created for interaction.
Concerning the ‘valley’ in Ezekiel 37, disconnection causes dryness. Sometimes we go through the valley experience – during these times we need to stay connected.
God’s mandate for us is to be connected. He is bringing us together again at this time. The bones are coming together, becoming strong again. God is shaping us into an army.
Genesis 2:18 – And the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him."
Hebrews 10:25 – And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
John 17:20-21 – (20) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Three Purposes of Connection
FELLOWSHIP
It’s about sharing life together. Fellowship is something that is happening all of the time. Fellowship happens around Christ. Fellowship is also with one another. We become one, we become connected.
Romans 15:7 – So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified
Ephesians 4:2-3 - (2) Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. (3) Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 - So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
Choose your words wisely!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Inject courage, don’t suck it out of people i.e. discourage.
FRUITFULNESS
The power of synergy, of coming together - this results in fruitfulness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – (24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
It is important that we are ‘assembled’ and not just gathered. The bones in Ezekiel 37 were first gathered but it was when they were assembled that they became fruitful and an army again! This is our destiny as we do life together.
FAITH
The overriding attitude and spirit within our Connect groups should be one of faith and hope. Not to have a false environment, something that is unreal. But a genuine place of recognising the needs of people, where comfort and strength comes in the form of faith and belief.
Our Connect groups will have that culture of faith and hope. A place where faith is injected into people.
Ezekiel 37:1-10
Connect groups are all about...
Connecting people to God
Connecting people to people
Connecting people to church
There is much disconnection in our world. Nation against nation. Breakdown in relationships, marriages etc.
The need to connect is essential in our world. We were created for interaction.
Concerning the ‘valley’ in Ezekiel 37, disconnection causes dryness. Sometimes we go through the valley experience – during these times we need to stay connected.
God’s mandate for us is to be connected. He is bringing us together again at this time. The bones are coming together, becoming strong again. God is shaping us into an army.
Genesis 2:18 – And the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a companion who will help him."
Hebrews 10:25 – And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near.
John 17:20-21 – (20) My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Three Purposes of Connection
FELLOWSHIP
It’s about sharing life together. Fellowship is something that is happening all of the time. Fellowship happens around Christ. Fellowship is also with one another. We become one, we become connected.
Romans 15:7 – So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified
Ephesians 4:2-3 - (2) Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. (3) Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 - So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
Choose your words wisely!
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
Inject courage, don’t suck it out of people i.e. discourage.
FRUITFULNESS
The power of synergy, of coming together - this results in fruitfulness.
Hebrews 10:24-25 – (24) And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
It is important that we are ‘assembled’ and not just gathered. The bones in Ezekiel 37 were first gathered but it was when they were assembled that they became fruitful and an army again! This is our destiny as we do life together.
FAITH
The overriding attitude and spirit within our Connect groups should be one of faith and hope. Not to have a false environment, something that is unreal. But a genuine place of recognising the needs of people, where comfort and strength comes in the form of faith and belief.
Our Connect groups will have that culture of faith and hope. A place where faith is injected into people.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Thankful and Praiseful
Spoke yesterday in church about two things to be ‘full’ of – THANKFUL and PRAISEFUL, the keys to a healthy life.
Psalm 100
Be Thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Complaining seems to come naturally to almost everybody, in fact this can be the strongest addiction to break. Therefore God’s command to be thankful could appear to be unreasonably tough. However, if we read the verse as:
“It is God’s will that you be in Christ; therefore you can be thankful that He will work it out for good”, than it is no longer unreasonable and we can be released from trying to thank God for the difficult things that life can bring.
We don’t have to be thankful for the awful things that happen, BUT we can be constantly thankful that our lives are ‘in Christ’.
You can be imprisoned by your own murmuring, but Paul and Silas were broken out of their prison cell by their thankfulness (Acts 16)
How Can I be Thankful?
Make up your mind to live your best life today
Refuse to walk through life dragging the weight of yesterday. Don’t live in a future fantasy,“One day when…”
Psalm 16:5-6 – (5) LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. (6) The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Love the ones you’re with
Friends are those who have journeyed with you. Love and honor those who are where God has put you. Disattisfied, grumpy, unthankful people often lose sight of the importance of good/loyal friendships.
Let the grace of gratitude be always on your lips
Be Praiseful
‘If I didn’t praise I would feel like I had a fire shut within me!’ (AW Tozer)
Praise is Powerful
Acts 16:23-26
Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles and enter into God’s presence and power.
God loves your praise of him; so much so, that He says He inhabits (dwells in) the praises of His people
Praise is a Lifestyle
It’s a devotion of life
“...I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalms 34:1)
Praise is a Sacrifice
...Something that we offer to God sacrificially, not just because we feel like it, but because we believe in Him and wish to please Him.
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Praise Sends the Enemy Running
Since praise manifests God’s presence, we also realise that praise pushes back the enemy, Satan.
2 Chron 20:20-24
Praise is about Music and much more
‘Why should the devil have all the good music?’ (Booth, SA)
2 Samuel 6 when the Bible comments on Michal, King David's wife, when she saw David dancing and rejoicing before the Lord - her heart was filled with contempt for him. And David's reply...Yes, I am willing to look even more foolish than this!
David loved God with a passion and zeal – his heart was for God and his house!
Psalm 40:3 - 'He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.’
David’s hearts desire was to worship God. He was effected in his spirit. It motivated him to song and frequently to dance. (He enjoyed God to the full). David was effected by everything around him as he wrote the psalms. In spite of his human frailties his heart’s desire was to praise.
Psalm 100
Be Thankful
1 Thessalonians 5:18 - “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Complaining seems to come naturally to almost everybody, in fact this can be the strongest addiction to break. Therefore God’s command to be thankful could appear to be unreasonably tough. However, if we read the verse as:
“It is God’s will that you be in Christ; therefore you can be thankful that He will work it out for good”, than it is no longer unreasonable and we can be released from trying to thank God for the difficult things that life can bring.
We don’t have to be thankful for the awful things that happen, BUT we can be constantly thankful that our lives are ‘in Christ’.
You can be imprisoned by your own murmuring, but Paul and Silas were broken out of their prison cell by their thankfulness (Acts 16)
How Can I be Thankful?
Make up your mind to live your best life today
Refuse to walk through life dragging the weight of yesterday. Don’t live in a future fantasy,“One day when…”
Psalm 16:5-6 – (5) LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. (6) The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
Love the ones you’re with
Friends are those who have journeyed with you. Love and honor those who are where God has put you. Disattisfied, grumpy, unthankful people often lose sight of the importance of good/loyal friendships.
Let the grace of gratitude be always on your lips
Be Praiseful
‘If I didn’t praise I would feel like I had a fire shut within me!’ (AW Tozer)
Praise is Powerful
Acts 16:23-26
Paul and Silas knew the secret of how to lift their hearts above their troubles and enter into God’s presence and power.
God loves your praise of him; so much so, that He says He inhabits (dwells in) the praises of His people
Praise is a Lifestyle
It’s a devotion of life
“...I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalms 34:1)
Praise is a Sacrifice
...Something that we offer to God sacrificially, not just because we feel like it, but because we believe in Him and wish to please Him.
Hebrews 13:15 - Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise-the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Praise Sends the Enemy Running
Since praise manifests God’s presence, we also realise that praise pushes back the enemy, Satan.
2 Chron 20:20-24
Praise is about Music and much more
‘Why should the devil have all the good music?’ (Booth, SA)
2 Samuel 6 when the Bible comments on Michal, King David's wife, when she saw David dancing and rejoicing before the Lord - her heart was filled with contempt for him. And David's reply...Yes, I am willing to look even more foolish than this!
David loved God with a passion and zeal – his heart was for God and his house!
Psalm 40:3 - 'He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.’
David’s hearts desire was to worship God. He was effected in his spirit. It motivated him to song and frequently to dance. (He enjoyed God to the full). David was effected by everything around him as he wrote the psalms. In spite of his human frailties his heart’s desire was to praise.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Thursday, August 17, 2006
...except Caleb
Speaking this Sunday in church on the attitude or spirit of Caleb.
In particular one of the points of principle that Caleb spoke of as part of his ‘positive report’ that he brought back from the Promised Land.
Caleb and Joshua, told the people, Numbers 14:8-9 - "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
Caleb looked at the challenges confronting Israel and declared: “They will be bread for us!”
If we look at the challenges we face in the right way, those challenges...
Instead of maiming us they can make us
Instead of destroying us they can develop us
Instead of finishing us they can feed us
Instead of limiting us they can lift us up to new levels
If there were ever a Bible character that displayed a right attitude or "different spirit" toward God and His Word, it was Caleb.
Numbers 14:24 – But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it!
Wholeheartedly!
Number 32:11-12 – (11) 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - (12) not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.'
In particular one of the points of principle that Caleb spoke of as part of his ‘positive report’ that he brought back from the Promised Land.
Caleb and Joshua, told the people, Numbers 14:8-9 - "If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, ‘a land which flows with milk and honey.’ Only do not rebel against the LORD, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread; their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us. Do not fear them.”
Caleb looked at the challenges confronting Israel and declared: “They will be bread for us!”
If we look at the challenges we face in the right way, those challenges...
Instead of maiming us they can make us
Instead of destroying us they can develop us
Instead of finishing us they can feed us
Instead of limiting us they can lift us up to new levels
If there were ever a Bible character that displayed a right attitude or "different spirit" toward God and His Word, it was Caleb.
Numbers 14:24 – But my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit and has followed me fully, I will bring into the land into which he went, and his descendants shall possess it!
Wholeheartedly!
Number 32:11-12 – (11) 'Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years old or more who came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - (12) not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun, for they followed the LORD wholeheartedly.'
Sunday, August 13, 2006
A New Day
Great message in church this morning from Paul Benger. He spoke on having a ‘new wineskin spirit’.
Matthew 9:14-17
God is into new things. We may have a fantastic day, an incredible experience...but God moves on. We should move on. Don’t set up camp there...get stuck in the past.
Psalm 33:3 – ‘Sing a new song’.
Behold I do a new thing...God doesn’t do the ‘old’.
He gives us a new life...you must be ‘born again’.
We can look forward to a ‘new heaven’ and a ‘new earth’.
God has made a ‘new covenant’ through Jesus Christ.
He sometime gives people a new name (many examples in the Bible)
Stop giving OLD names to things. Stop seeing yourself as ‘useless’, ‘weak’, ‘rubbish’ – but ‘blessed’, ‘strong’. Let the weak say I am strong; let the poor say I am rich.
You need a new wineskin, need to oil it – to keep it supple. Anointing, the Holy Spirit. Be filled.
A new wineskin - new spirit, new attitude. That believes God, stands on his promises. Have a ‘youthful spirit’ – nothing to do with age. We can be old and have a youthful spirit. We can be young and have an old, senile spirit.
Be youthful – have a good attitude of heart, we can remain supple.
Things that happen when we get old (so he has been told!)
(But remember it’s nothing to do with age – but spirit and attitude)
Deafness – naturally we start to lose our hearing. Spiritually we can stop hearing the call of God, the call of faith. Keep our ears open to what God is saying.
Slowness – we may slow down in the natural but never let it happen in your spirit, in your attitude. Keep your new wineskin spirit.
Blurred Vision – even at a young age we can let our focus for the future become blurred. Keep your vision clear.
Routines – we get into our routines of doing things. Don’t let your spirit get into silly routines. eg - Bitterness, unforgiveness.
Weakness – as we get older naturally. But not in the spirit – grow stronger. Keep alive in your spirit.
Security – we ensure we get all our ‘policies’ up to date. We don’t want to take any risks. In our spirit – never stop taking risks!
Small World – this can be where we live as we get old. Let us not live here spiritually. Determine to stay out of a ‘small world’ mentality.
Brittleness – as we get older we find it easier to get down but much harder to get back up again. Let us never let our spirits, our attitudes become inflexible. Let us lose our brittle, inflexible attitudes.
Memories – we tend to have memories instead of dreams. ‘We liked it back then’. It’s ‘nice’ to have memories...but keep on dreaming!
Great word!
Matthew 9:14-17
God is into new things. We may have a fantastic day, an incredible experience...but God moves on. We should move on. Don’t set up camp there...get stuck in the past.
Psalm 33:3 – ‘Sing a new song’.
Behold I do a new thing...God doesn’t do the ‘old’.
He gives us a new life...you must be ‘born again’.
We can look forward to a ‘new heaven’ and a ‘new earth’.
God has made a ‘new covenant’ through Jesus Christ.
He sometime gives people a new name (many examples in the Bible)
Stop giving OLD names to things. Stop seeing yourself as ‘useless’, ‘weak’, ‘rubbish’ – but ‘blessed’, ‘strong’. Let the weak say I am strong; let the poor say I am rich.
You need a new wineskin, need to oil it – to keep it supple. Anointing, the Holy Spirit. Be filled.
A new wineskin - new spirit, new attitude. That believes God, stands on his promises. Have a ‘youthful spirit’ – nothing to do with age. We can be old and have a youthful spirit. We can be young and have an old, senile spirit.
Be youthful – have a good attitude of heart, we can remain supple.
Things that happen when we get old (so he has been told!)
(But remember it’s nothing to do with age – but spirit and attitude)
Deafness – naturally we start to lose our hearing. Spiritually we can stop hearing the call of God, the call of faith. Keep our ears open to what God is saying.
Slowness – we may slow down in the natural but never let it happen in your spirit, in your attitude. Keep your new wineskin spirit.
Blurred Vision – even at a young age we can let our focus for the future become blurred. Keep your vision clear.
Routines – we get into our routines of doing things. Don’t let your spirit get into silly routines. eg - Bitterness, unforgiveness.
Weakness – as we get older naturally. But not in the spirit – grow stronger. Keep alive in your spirit.
Security – we ensure we get all our ‘policies’ up to date. We don’t want to take any risks. In our spirit – never stop taking risks!
Small World – this can be where we live as we get old. Let us not live here spiritually. Determine to stay out of a ‘small world’ mentality.
Brittleness – as we get older we find it easier to get down but much harder to get back up again. Let us never let our spirits, our attitudes become inflexible. Let us lose our brittle, inflexible attitudes.
Memories – we tend to have memories instead of dreams. ‘We liked it back then’. It’s ‘nice’ to have memories...but keep on dreaming!
Great word!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Yorkshire Day
Today is Yorkshire Day, when men and women from across this historic county gather to celebrate their...well, Yorkshireness - leaving outsiders baffled about why they have such a high opinion of themselves....read on
Monday, July 31, 2006
Floundering or Flourishing?
Jeannie Benger spoke in church yesterday on staying out of the ruts and maintaining a life that flourishes and thrives.
God wants more for your life – do you? He only has good things for you.
Psalm 92:12-14 – (12) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; (13) planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
Get the revelation, it’s the difference between flourishing or floundering! Our relationships, careers, finances, health will all flourish.
How do we keep ourselves from floundering? How do we flourish? 4 keys:
Key 1 – Stay planted
Be planted in God’s house. Psalm 1:3 - He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
We will prosper! Make sure your roots are secure, that they are planted correctly. We will bear fruit and thrive.
Key 2 – Stay connected to people
Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity
Have and make great connections. When you’re floundering don’t disconnect yourself. True friends help us through tough times.
Also be careful who you connect with. Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm
Connect with people who help us fulfil our destiny in God.
Key 3 – Stay focused on the result you want
Stay in faith. God will give you the confidence, even when all around is crumbling.
In the midst of persecution refuse to draw back. Trust in God and in His word. Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God.
Faith helps us overcome any floundering.
Key 4 – Stay positive
Keep a right attitude. Don’t get cynical or critical when others are doing well. Rejoice with them. Guard your attitude. A poor attitude will result in us floundering and not flourishing. Change your future by your response to the present situation.
God wants more for your life – do you? He only has good things for you.
Psalm 92:12-14 – (12) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; (13) planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. (14) They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.
Get the revelation, it’s the difference between flourishing or floundering! Our relationships, careers, finances, health will all flourish.
How do we keep ourselves from floundering? How do we flourish? 4 keys:
Key 1 – Stay planted
Be planted in God’s house. Psalm 1:3 - He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
We will prosper! Make sure your roots are secure, that they are planted correctly. We will bear fruit and thrive.
Key 2 – Stay connected to people
Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity
Have and make great connections. When you’re floundering don’t disconnect yourself. True friends help us through tough times.
Also be careful who you connect with. Proverbs 13:20 – He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm
Connect with people who help us fulfil our destiny in God.
Key 3 – Stay focused on the result you want
Stay in faith. God will give you the confidence, even when all around is crumbling.
In the midst of persecution refuse to draw back. Trust in God and in His word. Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God.
Faith helps us overcome any floundering.
Key 4 – Stay positive
Keep a right attitude. Don’t get cynical or critical when others are doing well. Rejoice with them. Guard your attitude. A poor attitude will result in us floundering and not flourishing. Change your future by your response to the present situation.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Lost in Translation
Paul Benger spoke yesterday in church on the subject of transformation by the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – (17) Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. (18) And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
God’s word is our mirror. How do we see ourselves? What we see can often get lost in translation.
All of us have the destiny of being transformed into the image of God’s son. It was determined, predestined.
It was always God’s plan to transform us right from the beginning of our lives.
So that through the church, Jesus Christ would rule/reign and influence every area of society. To permeate the world, not to be separated from it.
Jesus said he would build his church, and we are the instrument he has chosen to reach the world – this is something that often gets lost in translation. Some people think the church is just limping out, hanging on until Christ returns.
We are His body and we are to be like him, by being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Four attitudes that we need to adopt to be transformed by the Holy Spirit:
1) Openness and honesty before God
Be real. Not wanting to be somebody else. He wants you to be you. He calls us the way we are, and yes He transforms us. Think of the potter/clay analogy. God can take a lump of lifeless raw material and make it into something beautiful.
2) Look into the mirror of God’s Word
James 1:22-25 – (22) And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. (23) For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. (24) You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. (25) But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law--the law that sets you free--and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Don’t just hear – do! When you look into the mirror and see you need a shave – shave!
When we look into the mirror, human behaviour often results in us either ignoring and pretending everything is ok or beating ourselves up because we don’t like what we see.
What we should see is...
Christ and the image we are growing into and what God is making us like. That we live on the right side of the cross - no longer condemned.
We truly find out what God thinks of us. He sees us after the cross, not as ‘lost’ but as ‘found’.
Look at Ephesians 1 and 2 and right down what God sees us as.
3) Realise that transformation by the Holy Spirit is step by step
Change doesn’t happen in a day. God will change us one step at a time. That’s how God grows us.
4) Realise transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit
Change comes by the Holy Spirit of God. We chose to walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Set your minds on the things of the Spirit. Flick the switch.
God is the great transformer. He changes everything. Death to life, sickness to health, bitterness to faithfulness and so on!
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 – (17) Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom. (18) And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.
God’s word is our mirror. How do we see ourselves? What we see can often get lost in translation.
All of us have the destiny of being transformed into the image of God’s son. It was determined, predestined.
It was always God’s plan to transform us right from the beginning of our lives.
So that through the church, Jesus Christ would rule/reign and influence every area of society. To permeate the world, not to be separated from it.
Jesus said he would build his church, and we are the instrument he has chosen to reach the world – this is something that often gets lost in translation. Some people think the church is just limping out, hanging on until Christ returns.
We are His body and we are to be like him, by being transformed by the Holy Spirit.
Four attitudes that we need to adopt to be transformed by the Holy Spirit:
1) Openness and honesty before God
Be real. Not wanting to be somebody else. He wants you to be you. He calls us the way we are, and yes He transforms us. Think of the potter/clay analogy. God can take a lump of lifeless raw material and make it into something beautiful.
2) Look into the mirror of God’s Word
James 1:22-25 – (22) And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. (23) For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. (24) You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. (25) But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law--the law that sets you free--and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Don’t just hear – do! When you look into the mirror and see you need a shave – shave!
When we look into the mirror, human behaviour often results in us either ignoring and pretending everything is ok or beating ourselves up because we don’t like what we see.
What we should see is...
Christ and the image we are growing into and what God is making us like. That we live on the right side of the cross - no longer condemned.
We truly find out what God thinks of us. He sees us after the cross, not as ‘lost’ but as ‘found’.
Look at Ephesians 1 and 2 and right down what God sees us as.
3) Realise that transformation by the Holy Spirit is step by step
Change doesn’t happen in a day. God will change us one step at a time. That’s how God grows us.
4) Realise transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit
Change comes by the Holy Spirit of God. We chose to walk by the Spirit or by the flesh. Set your minds on the things of the Spirit. Flick the switch.
God is the great transformer. He changes everything. Death to life, sickness to health, bitterness to faithfulness and so on!
Monday, July 17, 2006
Even the Dogs...
A great time in church yesterday, Paul Benger shared a message entitled ‘Even the Dogs’ taken from Mark 7:24-30.
Jesus needed a rest - the woman needed a miracle. She was desperate for her daughter to be healed.
Jesus didn’t respond to her desperation but to her faith.
Jesus is interested in the detail of our lives – He is the answer to our needs and desires. The woman knew this – that things could get better. God can make things better. She believed it. The supernatural can happen.
4 important truths about her faith that apply to us today:
Her faith was persistent
She kept asking. She knew what she wanted and stayed with it. Match your faith to your desire. Stay with it! Don’t be vague – know what you want.
Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed
Her faith was bold
Jesus was not being PC here, about the Jew/Gentile relationship. The woman brushed aside his comments with the phrase, ‘Even the dogs…’ She was bold.
She was passionate and was not going to be knocked back. ‘God will give you the desires of your heart.’ He will even plant them in your heart – desires for the future.
Her desire made her bold; her desperation made her bold.
Her faith had great self-esteem
She had a right view of God and a right view of herself. She believed she deserved it. We deserve it!
She could have got angry, she could have got faithless. “God won’t do it for me”, “He’ll do it for them but not for me”
NO – “I believe God will do it for me!”
Know that God is for us that God is with us.
She Believed!
She wouldn’t pull out of the argument. She believed the Word. Belief is linked to receiving. Faith is about believing something for the future. “It’s going to happen”.
What you believe about your life has a greater impact than what others believe about your life.
Jesus needed a rest - the woman needed a miracle. She was desperate for her daughter to be healed.
Jesus didn’t respond to her desperation but to her faith.
Jesus is interested in the detail of our lives – He is the answer to our needs and desires. The woman knew this – that things could get better. God can make things better. She believed it. The supernatural can happen.
4 important truths about her faith that apply to us today:
Her faith was persistent
She kept asking. She knew what she wanted and stayed with it. Match your faith to your desire. Stay with it! Don’t be vague – know what you want.
Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and then your plans will succeed
Her faith was bold
Jesus was not being PC here, about the Jew/Gentile relationship. The woman brushed aside his comments with the phrase, ‘Even the dogs…’ She was bold.
She was passionate and was not going to be knocked back. ‘God will give you the desires of your heart.’ He will even plant them in your heart – desires for the future.
Her desire made her bold; her desperation made her bold.
Her faith had great self-esteem
She had a right view of God and a right view of herself. She believed she deserved it. We deserve it!
She could have got angry, she could have got faithless. “God won’t do it for me”, “He’ll do it for them but not for me”
NO – “I believe God will do it for me!”
Know that God is for us that God is with us.
She Believed!
She wouldn’t pull out of the argument. She believed the Word. Belief is linked to receiving. Faith is about believing something for the future. “It’s going to happen”.
What you believe about your life has a greater impact than what others believe about your life.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
The Scandal of Grace
Mark Wilkins spoke in church this morning on the Scandal of Grace. He used a scene from Godfather III where Don Corleone goes to Rome to negotiate a business deal with the Vatican. There in Rome he meets with Cardinal Lamberto, who asks if he would like to make his confession. At first Corleone refuses. He makes a little joke about how it would take too long. However, he wants the cardinal's help, and senses something redemptive in his presence. So Corleone begins his confession.
First he tells of his marital infidelities. Then he admits ordering the murder of his own brother. Overwhelmed by the burden of his guilt, he breaks down and starts to sob. Cardinal Lamberto pronounces the words of absolution, then says, "I know you don't believe this, but you have been redeemed."
Some may find this story scandalous, but, although only a story, this is probably what’s known as the ‘scandal of grace’.
Christ died so that ‘all’ may be redeemed, forgiven, know God’s mercy and grace.
We can know forgiveness from our past no matter who we are or what we’ve done. Some people find that hard to comprehend. In this world we’re hooked on the ‘scandal’ side of life.
As a church we’re going to see the scandalous…but where God’s grace needs to be lavished. We’ve received God’s grace and we need to pass it on...be ministers of grace.
Get ready to show scandalous grace...see people how God sees them.
“To build an outstanding church we need to show outstanding grace”.
God’s grace and forgiveness is for ALL that would ask and receive and a la the Godfather...surely ”it’s an offer we can’t refuse”.
First he tells of his marital infidelities. Then he admits ordering the murder of his own brother. Overwhelmed by the burden of his guilt, he breaks down and starts to sob. Cardinal Lamberto pronounces the words of absolution, then says, "I know you don't believe this, but you have been redeemed."
Some may find this story scandalous, but, although only a story, this is probably what’s known as the ‘scandal of grace’.
Christ died so that ‘all’ may be redeemed, forgiven, know God’s mercy and grace.
We can know forgiveness from our past no matter who we are or what we’ve done. Some people find that hard to comprehend. In this world we’re hooked on the ‘scandal’ side of life.
As a church we’re going to see the scandalous…but where God’s grace needs to be lavished. We’ve received God’s grace and we need to pass it on...be ministers of grace.
Get ready to show scandalous grace...see people how God sees them.
“To build an outstanding church we need to show outstanding grace”.
God’s grace and forgiveness is for ALL that would ask and receive and a la the Godfather...surely ”it’s an offer we can’t refuse”.
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