Great time in church today, Paul Benger completed an excellent two part series on faith with ‘A People of the Word’. (Podcast available)
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
Faith is the only currency of Heaven. With heaven we only trade with ‘faith’. Faith is believing what God has said and living from that place where God is for us and wants us to do well.
Ever found yourself arguing with the ‘Sat-Nav’? Thinking you know a better way.
Sometimes we can find ourselves arguing with God believing we know the way to go, the way to live our lives. God knows best! It is a foolish thing to do...to switch off God in our lives.
Proverbs 14:12 – There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death
God is not a killjoy. He knows the end from the beginning. Isaiah 46:10 – I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
Trust God that he knows best for your life. Don’t live in the James Brown zone, it must be all right because ‘I feel good’. God wants to lead us and direct our paths away from destruction.
Psalm 119:105 – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path
His word will lead us to the best life, the best experiences.
4 requirements for being a people of God’s word...
1) Allow God’s word to speak the loudest
We need to decide who is going to have the loudest voice in our lives. Whoever is speaking the loudest is going to direct us.
Psalm 119:11 – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you
We are hearing all kinds of messages, many voices in the media. They are becoming louder and clearer. Some good, some not so good. Let God’s word be the loudest voice in our lives.
2) Know that God has your best interests in mind
God is always for us, wanting to lift our lives. Jeremiah 29:11 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
3) Know that God’s word will produce fruit
In an ‘instant minded world’ it is important for us to understand the sowing and reaping principle.
Isaiah 55:10-11 – As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
When we act upon God’s word after hearing it, receiving it and believing it, we will produce fruit. Sometimes we also need to take a stand, not to give up, to be belligerent, defiant, obstreperous!
4) Trust that God knows best
On our journey in life let God show us the right direction to go...He knows best!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Power of God's Word
Paul Benger began a two part series this morning on ‘faith’...the Power of God’s Word. (Podcasts now available)
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
So many people have misconceptions about God, but...
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17
Faith is believing what God has said. We hear God’s word, we receive God’s word, we believe God’s word and we do it!
Four things concerning the ‘power of God’s word’...
God’s Word is Creative
New things are born when God speaks. God will speak into your life and create new things.
2 Peter 3:5 – long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water
“One word from God can change your life forever”
God’s word creates vision. He causes us to see into our future and believe the things we have only dreamed of.
Character is created when we hear the word of God. Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
God’s Word Sustains
His word will help you keep going when nothing seems to be happening.
Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
God’s Word Saves Us
We need to learn to trust God...or we may find ourselves trusting other things or other people.
James 1:21-22 - Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
His word is wisdom for life. He gives us a great life!
Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful
God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy
Take a stand against the negative words that God has not spoken.
Ephesians 6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
His word is our weapon when we ‘know’ what God has said. ‘I know that He loves me!’
How do I hear the Word of God?
- Jesus – the clearest expression of what God has said. Jesus is God’s ‘word’ to us.
- Read scripture
- Meditate on scripture
- Keep turning up – eventually we will get it! Stay around people of faith, be in church.
- Keep an open heart and humble spirit
Without faith it is impossible to please God - Hebrews 11:6
So many people have misconceptions about God, but...
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God - Romans 10:17
Faith is believing what God has said. We hear God’s word, we receive God’s word, we believe God’s word and we do it!
Four things concerning the ‘power of God’s word’...
God’s Word is Creative
New things are born when God speaks. God will speak into your life and create new things.
2 Peter 3:5 – long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water
“One word from God can change your life forever”
God’s word creates vision. He causes us to see into our future and believe the things we have only dreamed of.
Character is created when we hear the word of God. Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God
God’s Word Sustains
His word will help you keep going when nothing seems to be happening.
Hebrews 1:3 - The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
God’s Word Saves Us
We need to learn to trust God...or we may find ourselves trusting other things or other people.
James 1:21-22 - Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
His word is wisdom for life. He gives us a great life!
Joshua 1:8 - Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful
God’s Word is our weapon against the enemy
Take a stand against the negative words that God has not spoken.
Ephesians 6:17 – Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
His word is our weapon when we ‘know’ what God has said. ‘I know that He loves me!’
How do I hear the Word of God?
- Jesus – the clearest expression of what God has said. Jesus is God’s ‘word’ to us.
- Read scripture
- Meditate on scripture
- Keep turning up – eventually we will get it! Stay around people of faith, be in church.
- Keep an open heart and humble spirit
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Fulfilling Our Destiny
Great time in church today. Simon Wood shared another encouraging message concerning God’s plan for our lives.
We were reminded last week about laying hold of our dreams again. ‘We are ordinary people with extraordinary plans!’ God has a ‘big plan’ for all of us.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Think big! ‘They say your eyes are bigger than your stomach…they ought to be! Your ability to see your future should be greater than your ability to accomplish it.’ (Dave Gilpin, Hope City Church, Sheffield)
Think bigger, aim higher. We are born for a purpose, for a destiny. Let God guide you, let him determine your steps and lead you into a great future. Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps
Submit your plans to him. Let his wisdom guide us. Use Godly wisdom. This will build us up and build the House up. His wisdom takes us down Godly paths.
Proverbs 2
Live by his word. Don’t live by other words, the kind of words that may have been spoken over our lives in the past…negative, discouraging, destructive criticism.
God wants the very best for us. Matthew 7:11 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
God doesn’t want us weighed down with a heavy rock! He’s got good things for us to empower our lives.
Treasure God’s word. Our ‘treasure map’ is God’s word. It reveals truth and directs us towards great things.
Lean towards His word. Wherever you lean you will fall towards. If you lean towards the negative that is where you will fall. If we lean towards God and His word we will find truth and strength. Be careful what you listen to. Meditate on good things.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things
Sometimes we need selective deafness (not just the husbands!)
Rate what you hear. Don’t rate things too high, that should be much lower on our scale. The reverse of that is to make sure that the important things we hear are not low down on our scale when they should be at the top.
We were reminded last week about laying hold of our dreams again. ‘We are ordinary people with extraordinary plans!’ God has a ‘big plan’ for all of us.
Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us
Think big! ‘They say your eyes are bigger than your stomach…they ought to be! Your ability to see your future should be greater than your ability to accomplish it.’ (Dave Gilpin, Hope City Church, Sheffield)
Think bigger, aim higher. We are born for a purpose, for a destiny. Let God guide you, let him determine your steps and lead you into a great future. Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps
Submit your plans to him. Let his wisdom guide us. Use Godly wisdom. This will build us up and build the House up. His wisdom takes us down Godly paths.
Proverbs 2
Live by his word. Don’t live by other words, the kind of words that may have been spoken over our lives in the past…negative, discouraging, destructive criticism.
God wants the very best for us. Matthew 7:11 Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
God doesn’t want us weighed down with a heavy rock! He’s got good things for us to empower our lives.
Treasure God’s word. Our ‘treasure map’ is God’s word. It reveals truth and directs us towards great things.
Lean towards His word. Wherever you lean you will fall towards. If you lean towards the negative that is where you will fall. If we lean towards God and His word we will find truth and strength. Be careful what you listen to. Meditate on good things.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable— if anything is excellent or praiseworthy— think about such things
Sometimes we need selective deafness (not just the husbands!)
Rate what you hear. Don’t rate things too high, that should be much lower on our scale. The reverse of that is to make sure that the important things we hear are not low down on our scale when they should be at the top.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Dreams
Jeannie Benger spoke an inspiring message this morning in church concerning our God given dreams.
‘Never let your dream become a whisper’ (Gladiator)
God wants us to have big dreams and to see those dreams become reality...and it is God who gives us those dreams and desires.
Dreamers change things – things don’t change them.
Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart
Desire is not passive...it doesn’t wait for things to happen. It gets us rolling our sleeves up and getting things done, not just allowing others to do all the work.
If we expect nothing, nothing is what we will get. We may even find ourselves just doing what is necessary – ‘just enough’ people. God doesn’t want us to be like that.
Acts 2:17 – 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams’
We all have dreams. God wants us to have ‘God dreams’, where the reality of those dreams becomes our focus.
Let us have a willing heart, choosing to follow him...to let God lead us into seeing our dreams come to pass. Pursue Him and the ‘cause’ he has given you.
A dream will often require patience, where ‘anticipation’ begins to grow inside of us.
As our dreams mature so do we.
God’s timing is perfect. Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
He prepares the way...always working behind the scenes even when we don’t always realise this.
Look and see what God is doing. He has given us a great ‘destiny’. Destiny = the predetermined events of a persons life. Destiny is positive, and you have an active role to play.
God wants you to look at where you are today and to also see the future.
Be sensitive – listen for God, listen for the ‘now’ word. Let him speak to you – through the influence of others, preaching, word – but also let him speak to you directly.
He has great plans for each of us and for us as a church. Let us not be passive though, faith requires action from all of us.
Be willing to dream...to dream God dreams and to see things happen. Looking beyond where we are today.
‘Never let your dream become a whisper’ (Gladiator)
God wants us to have big dreams and to see those dreams become reality...and it is God who gives us those dreams and desires.
Dreamers change things – things don’t change them.
Psalm 37:4 – Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart
Desire is not passive...it doesn’t wait for things to happen. It gets us rolling our sleeves up and getting things done, not just allowing others to do all the work.
If we expect nothing, nothing is what we will get. We may even find ourselves just doing what is necessary – ‘just enough’ people. God doesn’t want us to be like that.
Acts 2:17 – 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams’
We all have dreams. God wants us to have ‘God dreams’, where the reality of those dreams becomes our focus.
Let us have a willing heart, choosing to follow him...to let God lead us into seeing our dreams come to pass. Pursue Him and the ‘cause’ he has given you.
A dream will often require patience, where ‘anticipation’ begins to grow inside of us.
As our dreams mature so do we.
God’s timing is perfect. Proverbs 16:3 - Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
He prepares the way...always working behind the scenes even when we don’t always realise this.
Look and see what God is doing. He has given us a great ‘destiny’. Destiny = the predetermined events of a persons life. Destiny is positive, and you have an active role to play.
God wants you to look at where you are today and to also see the future.
Be sensitive – listen for God, listen for the ‘now’ word. Let him speak to you – through the influence of others, preaching, word – but also let him speak to you directly.
He has great plans for each of us and for us as a church. Let us not be passive though, faith requires action from all of us.
Be willing to dream...to dream God dreams and to see things happen. Looking beyond where we are today.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Connect
Excellent time in church this morning. Paul Benger brought a great message about ‘connecting’ as we approach our new season for our Connect Groups in church.
God gives us connections in our lives that guide us…guiding lights. We can also have the wrong guiding lights in our lives. If we don’t have the right connections in life we don’t have the power we need.
Ezekiel 37:1-10
Verse 5 - This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
In a world of greater connection through advancement in communication technology’ (email, text etc) incredibly there is much disconnection in our world. The need to connect is essential in our world. We were created for interaction.
Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble
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.
The more ONE we become the more BREATH we will receive.
Purpose of Connection
1) 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. Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Three important factors of fellowship...
Accept people
Don’t just tolerate people. Even though we are all different God is still building us together. Romans 15:7 – So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified
Put people at ease
Choose your words wisely.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 - So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
Put faith in people’s hearts
Inject courage, don’t suck it out of people i.e. discourage.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
2) Fruitfulness
Ephesians 2:20-22 - Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
We only become fruitful when we have the right connections. 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.
3) Faith
The overriding attitude and spirit within our Church and 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.
4) Fuel
Our Connect groups have the ‘F’ plan where we see: Fun, Fellowship, Food and Fuel. Fuel is where we see the input of God’s word into our lives. We need the right kind of ‘fuel’ feeding us, stirring us and driving us forward in God.
God gives us connections in our lives that guide us…guiding lights. We can also have the wrong guiding lights in our lives. If we don’t have the right connections in life we don’t have the power we need.
Ezekiel 37:1-10
Verse 5 - This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
In a world of greater connection through advancement in communication technology’ (email, text etc) incredibly there is much disconnection in our world. The need to connect is essential in our world. We were created for interaction.
Proverbs 13:20 - Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble
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.
The more ONE we become the more BREATH we will receive.
Purpose of Connection
1) 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. Matthew 18:20 - For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.
Three important factors of fellowship...
Accept people
Don’t just tolerate people. Even though we are all different God is still building us together. Romans 15:7 – So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you; then God will be glorified
Put people at ease
Choose your words wisely.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 - So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
Put faith in people’s hearts
Inject courage, don’t suck it out of people i.e. discourage.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 - So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.
2) Fruitfulness
Ephesians 2:20-22 - Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
We only become fruitful when we have the right connections. 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.
3) Faith
The overriding attitude and spirit within our Church and 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.
4) Fuel
Our Connect groups have the ‘F’ plan where we see: Fun, Fellowship, Food and Fuel. Fuel is where we see the input of God’s word into our lives. We need the right kind of ‘fuel’ feeding us, stirring us and driving us forward in God.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Keep Moving Forward
Paul Benger brought an important message for us this morning in church as he shared his heart concerning momentum and the need to ‘keep moving forward’.
Exodus 14:5-25
The children of Israel had momentum as they fled from Egypt (Egypt means a place of containment) We have some momentum at the moment in church. Momentum is the church’s best friend. Sometimes we don’t always see what God is doing when we are busy doing the day to day stuff. But He is fulfilling his promises.
(Vs 13-15) - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!
Don’t be afraid, God will fight for us. Even when we are publicly strong, like Moses privately we can be in anguish. God is saying ‘get up and keep on moving!’
There could be things in our lives that we are praying about but God is saying ‘Get moving’.
Two types of miracles...Wilderness miracles – supernatural, manna from heaven, God breaks in and does incredible things. Out of seemingly nowhere food comes, clothing, finances etc. But then there are also Promised Land miracles – they had to plant the seeds, produce the crops for themselves. In their obedience to God they made things happen.
Both are miracles, don’t despise one at the expense of the other. God uses our creativity, our energies and talents to get his will done.
Deuteronomy 8
Tips on how to keep moving forward...
1) Don’t say it was better back then
(Vs 11-12) and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
What a mentality! When momentum came at the first hurdle they began to complain. They allowed their past to cloud the present, and to hold them back. Egypt was like the bungee elastic, trying to snap them back when they began to push forward.
We should thank God for our history, where He has bought us from, but we need to be bungee free! ‘It was great back then, but the best is yet to come!’
2) Use what you have in your hand
(Vs 15-16) – Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground
Too many Christians say, ‘one day, in time God will give me a gift’. But by waiting for that ‘one day’ they never do anything. Use what God has given you today. ‘What you have is what you have!’ Find out what is in your hand and use it. Be fruitful now, follow Jesus now.
3) Keep your focus upon God and not the problem or the enemy
(Vs 13-14) - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Our tendency is to hit the panic button. God will take care of the enemy.
(Vs 25) - He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”
We need to keep our focus on God. The church loses momentum if the focus becomes the problem or the enemy.
4) Prophesy the future
Talk up the future. Be bold before the people and before God. Keep speaking about the future, what we are about to see happen, in our lives and in the life of the church. Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue can bring death or life
‘Keep Moving Forward’
Exodus 14:5-25
The children of Israel had momentum as they fled from Egypt (Egypt means a place of containment) We have some momentum at the moment in church. Momentum is the church’s best friend. Sometimes we don’t always see what God is doing when we are busy doing the day to day stuff. But He is fulfilling his promises.
(Vs 13-15) - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!
Don’t be afraid, God will fight for us. Even when we are publicly strong, like Moses privately we can be in anguish. God is saying ‘get up and keep on moving!’
There could be things in our lives that we are praying about but God is saying ‘Get moving’.
Two types of miracles...Wilderness miracles – supernatural, manna from heaven, God breaks in and does incredible things. Out of seemingly nowhere food comes, clothing, finances etc. But then there are also Promised Land miracles – they had to plant the seeds, produce the crops for themselves. In their obedience to God they made things happen.
Both are miracles, don’t despise one at the expense of the other. God uses our creativity, our energies and talents to get his will done.
Deuteronomy 8
Tips on how to keep moving forward...
1) Don’t say it was better back then
(Vs 11-12) and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”
What a mentality! When momentum came at the first hurdle they began to complain. They allowed their past to cloud the present, and to hold them back. Egypt was like the bungee elastic, trying to snap them back when they began to push forward.
We should thank God for our history, where He has bought us from, but we need to be bungee free! ‘It was great back then, but the best is yet to come!’
2) Use what you have in your hand
(Vs 15-16) – Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground
Too many Christians say, ‘one day, in time God will give me a gift’. But by waiting for that ‘one day’ they never do anything. Use what God has given you today. ‘What you have is what you have!’ Find out what is in your hand and use it. Be fruitful now, follow Jesus now.
3) Keep your focus upon God and not the problem or the enemy
(Vs 13-14) - But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Our tendency is to hit the panic button. God will take care of the enemy.
(Vs 25) - He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”
We need to keep our focus on God. The church loses momentum if the focus becomes the problem or the enemy.
4) Prophesy the future
Talk up the future. Be bold before the people and before God. Keep speaking about the future, what we are about to see happen, in our lives and in the life of the church. Proverbs 18:21 - The tongue can bring death or life
‘Keep Moving Forward’
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Retro: Back to Basics IV
Paul Benger completed our series this morning in Church. An excellent message on the fact that we have been ‘sent to tell others’
Luke 14:15-24
From this passage, what is God telling us?
He wants people to enjoy what he has prepared for them
In the midst of a fallen world God has prepared a feast, a banquet. For the people in your street...it’s called the Kingdom of God, the touch of heaven.
He wants a ‘full house’
We need to get this into our thinking, God wants a full house. He is calling people home.
What does God want us to do?
Compel them to come
Urge them to come.
Find a ‘Yes’
Jesus taught his disciples, ‘go into every town’ and find a ‘yes’.
Fish
Matthew 4:18-20 – As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him
Followers fish.
At the bookends of Jesus’ ministry...’I will make you fishers of men’ and ‘Go into all the world…’
Lessons from fishing...
Fishermen go where the fish are
Remember to find a ‘yes’!
Fishermen are eternal optimists
Don’t be put off when you have prayed for people and they have not yet become a Christian.
Fishermen are not patient but they are persistent
Keep casting...God says I’ll catch, you keep on casting.
Fishermen know the value of different baits
Take every different opportunity to tell others.
Fishermen love to tell stories
What stories can we tell the people in our world about what God has done and is doing in our lives.
Serious fishermen use guides
Let the Holy Spirit guide you.
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
What is our Goal? To be fishers of men...not catchers - let God do that.
1 Corinthians 3:5-8 - (5) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe— as the Lord has assigned to each his task (6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (7) So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (8) The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.
How can “I” do that? ‘I’m shy’.
1) Pray – ask God to help you, lead and guide you.
2) Tell your story – that’s your ‘cast’
3) Show the love of God for other people, tell them that God loves them, include them.
4) Show the love of God for one another – ‘so that the world will know’
John 13:34-35 – A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another
Luke 14:15-24
From this passage, what is God telling us?
He wants people to enjoy what he has prepared for them
In the midst of a fallen world God has prepared a feast, a banquet. For the people in your street...it’s called the Kingdom of God, the touch of heaven.
He wants a ‘full house’
We need to get this into our thinking, God wants a full house. He is calling people home.
What does God want us to do?
Compel them to come
Urge them to come.
Find a ‘Yes’
Jesus taught his disciples, ‘go into every town’ and find a ‘yes’.
Fish
Matthew 4:18-20 – As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him
Followers fish.
At the bookends of Jesus’ ministry...’I will make you fishers of men’ and ‘Go into all the world…’
Lessons from fishing...
Fishermen go where the fish are
Remember to find a ‘yes’!
Fishermen are eternal optimists
Don’t be put off when you have prayed for people and they have not yet become a Christian.
Fishermen are not patient but they are persistent
Keep casting...God says I’ll catch, you keep on casting.
Fishermen know the value of different baits
Take every different opportunity to tell others.
Fishermen love to tell stories
What stories can we tell the people in our world about what God has done and is doing in our lives.
Serious fishermen use guides
Let the Holy Spirit guide you.
Acts 1:8 – But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
What is our Goal? To be fishers of men...not catchers - let God do that.
1 Corinthians 3:5-8 - (5) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe— as the Lord has assigned to each his task (6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (7) So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. (8) The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labour.
How can “I” do that? ‘I’m shy’.
1) Pray – ask God to help you, lead and guide you.
2) Tell your story – that’s your ‘cast’
3) Show the love of God for other people, tell them that God loves them, include them.
4) Show the love of God for one another – ‘so that the world will know’
John 13:34-35 – A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Retro: Back to Basics III
I continued our current series in church this morning with the theme of being made in God’s image.
God Made Us
The most basic and urgent questions of life are who am I? And why am I here?
Some people spend a lifetime trying to "find themselves". But the answer to these questions is found right at the beginning of the Bible.
Genesis 1:26-30
God made men and women with a uniqueness that was not present in the other things He created. Only men and women were created in God's image. Only human beings have this special honour and privilege.
The universe we live in is beyond our comprehension - BUT the God who made the stars and everything else in the universe also made us. In the midst of this overwhelming universe God made us in a way that sets us apart from everything else He created. We may feel insignificant but we are very significant indeed!
We were created with ‘free will’, the freedom to choose. Not robots or clones!
Freedom is scary, because the potential for a human being to do great good or great evil is so tremendous. Freedom is complicated, and it’s messy. It leaves all kinds of unanswered questions that centre on questions like, who are we? Who created us and why?
Psalm 139:14 - I praise you because I am ‘fearfully’ and ‘wonderfully’ made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
“Fearfully” and “Wonderfully” gets at the idea that each of us is capable of wonderful acts of courage and love, as well as frightening acts of selfishness and violence.
God’s imprint is upon us. The worth of each and every person, who has lived, is living now or will ever live have been established from the beginning! This imprint of God, furthermore, binds us together, because, above all else, we share God’s image in common.
God Redeems Us
Apostle Paul makes the charge that all mankind is under the curse of sin. He has clearly shown that the entire human race is guilty. Each one of us has blown it.
Romans 3:10-12 - (10) As it is written: There is no-one righteous, not even one; (11) there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. (12) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Paul summarises this again in verse 23 (Romans 10) by saying, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
This word which Paul uses here means, "to miss the mark." We miss the glory of God. We were created in his image and intended to display his glory, and we missed!
God has redeemed us. He bought us out of captivity - and it cost him immeasurably: the price was the life of his Son.
Lost but now found...because of Christ...nothing that we could do on our own.
1 Peter 2:9-10 – (9) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (10) Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come
God Restores Us
Saved for a purpose. What are we becoming? Who we were meant to be, as God intended!
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 – (16) But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (17) For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (18) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
(Vs18 - NKJ) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Made for a Purpose – we have a ‘destiny’!
Many people are trying to be someone they aren’t – destiny and calling are all about God and you and who God has created you to be.
Destiny is all about the plans God has for you, it involves the gifts He has given you, your talents, skills and abilities both natural and spiritual – Calling is all about your willingness and worthiness to obey, to explore and develop that call.
Many feel the pressure of the world around them to be some thing they are not. People driven by insecurity, inferiority and the pressure of friends to be some thing, join a tribe, be part of a group.
John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Meeting and knowing Jesus frees us to become what we were created to be and find the plans of God The question therefore comes to us - are we willing to heed the call of God upon our lives?
Concerning “Destiny”
You’ve got one!
Jeremiah 29:11-12, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has a plan for you – He has a plan to give you hope, to prosper you not to harm you – he has a future for you!
Your birth was no accident, no random event! Psalms 139:13-14 - “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
You are the right person at the right time designed with God’s purpose in mind!
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
You were created in Christ Jesus to do good works and these works God has prepared in advance for you to do.
God Made Us
The most basic and urgent questions of life are who am I? And why am I here?
Some people spend a lifetime trying to "find themselves". But the answer to these questions is found right at the beginning of the Bible.
Genesis 1:26-30
God made men and women with a uniqueness that was not present in the other things He created. Only men and women were created in God's image. Only human beings have this special honour and privilege.
The universe we live in is beyond our comprehension - BUT the God who made the stars and everything else in the universe also made us. In the midst of this overwhelming universe God made us in a way that sets us apart from everything else He created. We may feel insignificant but we are very significant indeed!
We were created with ‘free will’, the freedom to choose. Not robots or clones!
Freedom is scary, because the potential for a human being to do great good or great evil is so tremendous. Freedom is complicated, and it’s messy. It leaves all kinds of unanswered questions that centre on questions like, who are we? Who created us and why?
Psalm 139:14 - I praise you because I am ‘fearfully’ and ‘wonderfully’ made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
“Fearfully” and “Wonderfully” gets at the idea that each of us is capable of wonderful acts of courage and love, as well as frightening acts of selfishness and violence.
God’s imprint is upon us. The worth of each and every person, who has lived, is living now or will ever live have been established from the beginning! This imprint of God, furthermore, binds us together, because, above all else, we share God’s image in common.
God Redeems Us
Apostle Paul makes the charge that all mankind is under the curse of sin. He has clearly shown that the entire human race is guilty. Each one of us has blown it.
Romans 3:10-12 - (10) As it is written: There is no-one righteous, not even one; (11) there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. (12) All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Paul summarises this again in verse 23 (Romans 10) by saying, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
This word which Paul uses here means, "to miss the mark." We miss the glory of God. We were created in his image and intended to display his glory, and we missed!
God has redeemed us. He bought us out of captivity - and it cost him immeasurably: the price was the life of his Son.
Lost but now found...because of Christ...nothing that we could do on our own.
1 Peter 2:9-10 – (9) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. (10) Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come
God Restores Us
Saved for a purpose. What are we becoming? Who we were meant to be, as God intended!
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 – (16) But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. (17) For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (18) So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
(Vs18 - NKJ) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Made for a Purpose – we have a ‘destiny’!
Many people are trying to be someone they aren’t – destiny and calling are all about God and you and who God has created you to be.
Destiny is all about the plans God has for you, it involves the gifts He has given you, your talents, skills and abilities both natural and spiritual – Calling is all about your willingness and worthiness to obey, to explore and develop that call.
Many feel the pressure of the world around them to be some thing they are not. People driven by insecurity, inferiority and the pressure of friends to be some thing, join a tribe, be part of a group.
John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Meeting and knowing Jesus frees us to become what we were created to be and find the plans of God The question therefore comes to us - are we willing to heed the call of God upon our lives?
Concerning “Destiny”
You’ve got one!
Jeremiah 29:11-12, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has a plan for you – He has a plan to give you hope, to prosper you not to harm you – he has a future for you!
Your birth was no accident, no random event! Psalms 139:13-14 - “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
You are the right person at the right time designed with God’s purpose in mind!
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
You were created in Christ Jesus to do good works and these works God has prepared in advance for you to do.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Retro: Back to Basics II
Mark Wilkins continued this excellent series yesterday in church on the subject of the fact that we are ‘Built for Community’.
We are made in God’s image, and God is relational...the Trinity. We were created for a need for ‘one another’
Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for the man to be alone
This is not just for marriage...we need many people in our lives, connected together. This is in-built inside of us...it has been put there by God – that need for relationship.
Matthew 22:37-39 – Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
Spend time with people invest in your relationships. To have ‘fellowship in Christ’ means that we need to take down the walls that we have built up around ourselves and to be together.
Ephesians 2:19-22 – (19) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (21) In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (22) And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit
It better for us, more prosperous, to be together and not alone. We find strength in community as we stand together.
Why do we need fellowship/community?
- It allows perspective – we cannot always see clearly when we are on our own, being together brings fresh insight and wisdom.
- It allows protection – in Luke 15, Jesus talked about the lost sheep. One sheep on its own is vulnerable, which is why the shepherd went after it. The other 99 were left on their own because they remained protected in their togetherness.
- It enables growth (Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another)
Fellowship also means that we are not just looking to our own dreams and desires, but we are looking to and helping other people reach theirs as well. We are committed to community.
Romans 12:4-6 - Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith.
God’s plan for us is to be together and to work together. We all have our part to play.
Church is not a place where we all come with the same gifts and abilities, but we are all different people being joined together by God.
What are the characteristics of our church community? We are a community of...
- Faith, hope and love
- Encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up)
- Grace, humility and gentleness
- Generosity
- Honour
- Diversity – we are unique, created by God. Different likes and interests. Our common denominator is Jesus Christ, we are all ‘one’ in Him.
We are made in God’s image, and God is relational...the Trinity. We were created for a need for ‘one another’
Genesis 2:18 - It is not good for the man to be alone
This is not just for marriage...we need many people in our lives, connected together. This is in-built inside of us...it has been put there by God – that need for relationship.
Matthew 22:37-39 – Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'
Spend time with people invest in your relationships. To have ‘fellowship in Christ’ means that we need to take down the walls that we have built up around ourselves and to be together.
Ephesians 2:19-22 – (19) Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God's people and members of God's household, (20) built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (21) In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (22) And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit
It better for us, more prosperous, to be together and not alone. We find strength in community as we stand together.
Why do we need fellowship/community?
- It allows perspective – we cannot always see clearly when we are on our own, being together brings fresh insight and wisdom.
- It allows protection – in Luke 15, Jesus talked about the lost sheep. One sheep on its own is vulnerable, which is why the shepherd went after it. The other 99 were left on their own because they remained protected in their togetherness.
- It enables growth (Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another)
Fellowship also means that we are not just looking to our own dreams and desires, but we are looking to and helping other people reach theirs as well. We are committed to community.
Romans 12:4-6 - Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith.
God’s plan for us is to be together and to work together. We all have our part to play.
Church is not a place where we all come with the same gifts and abilities, but we are all different people being joined together by God.
What are the characteristics of our church community? We are a community of...
- Faith, hope and love
- Encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up)
- Grace, humility and gentleness
- Generosity
- Honour
- Diversity – we are unique, created by God. Different likes and interests. Our common denominator is Jesus Christ, we are all ‘one’ in Him.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Retro: Back to Basics
Paul Benger began our new series this morning in Church. A great message on the fact that we were ‘Made for Worship’
Matthew 22:34-40
My first purpose in life is to worship God. We’ve all been made for worship. We all worship something. What is our first and primary focus? We all have one. Above all else what/whom will we follow? (Career, car, home, sport, a team, people, personalities, wealth, health, our bodies, family)
Let us make God the centre of our focus. What we worship will eventually come out of us.
Throughout the Bible so often God says to his people, ‘do not worship other gods’. He isn’t panicked by us not worshipping Him, but He says to us ‘do not worship this, do not worship that’, because He loves us and He only wants the very best for us. Worshipping other things, having something else as the primary focus of our lives is damaging. What we are worshipping is what we are becoming.
Why worship in church is important
We worship in the house of God to experience Heaven on earth, Heaven’s atmosphere.
Psalm 34:3 - O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together
Let us make God big in our lives and in the life of our church. Have Heaven’s culture in the house.
Acts 2:46 - Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts
The early church saw so much happening as they grew and spread rapidly, this was because they lived in Heaven’s atmosphere.
We’re here to bring heaven to earth in a world where so often we see ‘hell on earth’
The more of the Heaven atmosphere we breathe in the more we become like Him. Let us meet together as often as we can.
Three things that worship is...
1) Worship is focusing my attention on God
It is my response to God’s love.
Romans 12:2 (The Message) Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you
2) Worship is expressing my affection to God
God takes risks. His greatest risk was loving us, because He doesn’t force us to love him back. He has given us freewill, the freedom to choose.
God wants a relationship with us. He isn’t passive in His relationship with us. But remember he uses 4 words - Love, will, me, you. It’s not ‘you will love me’, but ‘will you love me?’
3) Worship is using my abilities for God
We can all serve God in some way.
Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men
Romans 12:1 (The Message) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him
Let us make it our goal to please Him.
Matthew 22:34-40
My first purpose in life is to worship God. We’ve all been made for worship. We all worship something. What is our first and primary focus? We all have one. Above all else what/whom will we follow? (Career, car, home, sport, a team, people, personalities, wealth, health, our bodies, family)
Let us make God the centre of our focus. What we worship will eventually come out of us.
Throughout the Bible so often God says to his people, ‘do not worship other gods’. He isn’t panicked by us not worshipping Him, but He says to us ‘do not worship this, do not worship that’, because He loves us and He only wants the very best for us. Worshipping other things, having something else as the primary focus of our lives is damaging. What we are worshipping is what we are becoming.
Why worship in church is important
We worship in the house of God to experience Heaven on earth, Heaven’s atmosphere.
Psalm 34:3 - O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together
Let us make God big in our lives and in the life of our church. Have Heaven’s culture in the house.
Acts 2:46 - Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts
The early church saw so much happening as they grew and spread rapidly, this was because they lived in Heaven’s atmosphere.
We’re here to bring heaven to earth in a world where so often we see ‘hell on earth’
The more of the Heaven atmosphere we breathe in the more we become like Him. Let us meet together as often as we can.
Three things that worship is...
1) Worship is focusing my attention on God
It is my response to God’s love.
Romans 12:2 (The Message) Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you
2) Worship is expressing my affection to God
God takes risks. His greatest risk was loving us, because He doesn’t force us to love him back. He has given us freewill, the freedom to choose.
God wants a relationship with us. He isn’t passive in His relationship with us. But remember he uses 4 words - Love, will, me, you. It’s not ‘you will love me’, but ‘will you love me?’
3) Worship is using my abilities for God
We can all serve God in some way.
Colossians 3:23 - Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men
Romans 12:1 (The Message) So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him
Let us make it our goal to please Him.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Change
Jeannie Benger spoke a great message in church this morning on the subject of ‘change’.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 – What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun
We should always be looking to change, to grow. It’s the way that we embrace change that causes us to grow. Never be happy with status quo. Be constantly moving forward. Expect change...expect good things.
Principles of Change…
People can change (but you can’t change them)
Change happens from within, from the inside out. As we allow God to change us it portrays in everything that we do.
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life
Focus on changing yourself and pray for others.
Change is a process
Occasionally change happens suddenly, but most of the time it does not happen like that. It is a journey. You don’t always get it right first time. It’s ok to fail, to learn from our mistakes. Let our attitude be expectant...that we can do it! Live with that anticipation of what God can do!
Fear is inevitable
As we experience new things we experience fear. So often we have to ‘do it afraid’.
To trust God...to step out. When afraid keep moving forward. Fear is an emotion that can keep us from our dreams…if we allow it to. Don’t let fear rob you. The promises of God...Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
Small steps will get you to the finish line
Consider the dreams that God has given you, the desire that you have for your life. Take little steps towards your dreams. We may have to change our thinking on this.
Position yourself in a place where people encourage you
Get yourself in that ‘grandstand’ place. Where people are encouraging you, ‘you can do it!’ Here in God’s house is a grandstand place. We want the very best for you and encourage you in attaining your dreams and desires in God! Go for it!
‘Constant change is here to stay’
Ecclesiastes 1:9 – What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun
We should always be looking to change, to grow. It’s the way that we embrace change that causes us to grow. Never be happy with status quo. Be constantly moving forward. Expect change...expect good things.
Principles of Change…
People can change (but you can’t change them)
Change happens from within, from the inside out. As we allow God to change us it portrays in everything that we do.
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life
Focus on changing yourself and pray for others.
Change is a process
Occasionally change happens suddenly, but most of the time it does not happen like that. It is a journey. You don’t always get it right first time. It’s ok to fail, to learn from our mistakes. Let our attitude be expectant...that we can do it! Live with that anticipation of what God can do!
Fear is inevitable
As we experience new things we experience fear. So often we have to ‘do it afraid’.
To trust God...to step out. When afraid keep moving forward. Fear is an emotion that can keep us from our dreams…if we allow it to. Don’t let fear rob you. The promises of God...Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future
Small steps will get you to the finish line
Consider the dreams that God has given you, the desire that you have for your life. Take little steps towards your dreams. We may have to change our thinking on this.
Position yourself in a place where people encourage you
Get yourself in that ‘grandstand’ place. Where people are encouraging you, ‘you can do it!’ Here in God’s house is a grandstand place. We want the very best for you and encourage you in attaining your dreams and desires in God! Go for it!
‘Constant change is here to stay’
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Impossible is Nothing
Spoke today in church on FAITH.
Impossible is just big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.
IMPOSSIBLE is NOTHING!
New York American Marketing Association “From big sports to small sports, from great athletes to everyday athletes, from the past to the present, from personal records to human records, the campaign shows that Adidas believes every athlete can reach their own ‘impossible.’ It dares athletes to be dissatisfied with the status quo. It challenges athletes to dream about what they would like to achieve; to believe in their souls that their dreams, no matter how ‘impossible’ can be achieved.”
Adidas have hit upon a thought found in the Bible – that the word “impossible” means nothing to God, and should mean nothing to the Christian.
With God All Things Are Possible - Mark 10:27
This is a message of faith. What Faith thinks like, sounds like and looks like!
What Faith “Thinks” Like
What does God say about you, about us? What does God say about your situation?
Ultimately, it does not matter how our minds have been programmed in the past - we can change our future by re-programming it according to the Word of God.
Romans 12:2 – 'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’
This verse does not exhort us to be transformed by the removal of our minds, but by the renewing of our minds.
Guard your hearts/minds by thinking about the right kind of things:
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or admirable think about such things.
What Faith “Sounds” Like
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Three kinds of language we should never use
The Language of Loss or Lack
This is the sort of talk that magnifies cost over gain. It is the sort of language that constantly describes your world in terms of what you’ve lost or lack.
The Language of Blindness
This is the sort of talk that describes things as they naturally are rather than as God has shown us that they will be.
The Language of Common People
This sort of talk belongs to the lowest common denominator. It is always critical, always coarse and always confining (seeking to keep everyone down)
Four Steps we must take to maintaining “wholesome” talk
(Step 1) Take Responsibility for What You Say
This is all part of “Renewing your mind”…what are we thinking. What’s coming into our world? It our thought processes. What comes in eventually comes out!
(Step 2) Practice Using Words that Build and Make Your World Strong
With God...I can. I will. God can do it. Trust Him.
(Step 3) Always Speak to Impart Grace and Favour
The “sound of faith”...sounds great to those around you! When I hear it…it stirs my heart, lifts my spirit, changes my thinking. Makes me more bold, gives me confidence.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life - Proverbs 10:11
(Step 4) Ask God, on a Regular Basis, to give you His Power in this Area
What Faith “Looks” Like
Matthew 17:20 - “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 21:21-22 - “Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Book of James talks about our faith being connected to “works/action”.
James 2:17– “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
We think...we speak...we do!
The ‘look’ of faith – 4 points to consider about faith
Faith is positive by its definition and has strong elements of optimism attached to it. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
How does faith affect us? When we live by faith we discover that faith is up-beat, buoyant, cheerful and hopeful. Faith is sure and certain yet persistent and at times unrelenting.
Faith chooses your friends and determines your partners. Faith is the element, the substance that helps you to always give a good report.
This is the kind of faith that changes our thinking, chooses our words, moulds our attitudes and shapes our life!
This is the kind of faith that perseveres, never gives up and fights to the end and refuses to say die.
That believes, with God, Impossible is nothing!
Faith is a substance, its lives in our hearts. Faith is objective, definable and can be quantified – the bible says you can have faith, you can have little faith, much faith and great faith – it is a substance that grows like a mustard seed planted, it develops like a muscle through use.
Faith is not reliant upon what is seen – the Bible says 2 Corinthians 5:7 - “We live by faith, not by sight.”
Faith embodies action; faith requires exploits, faith demands an extraordinary challenge. Faith is often very bold, audacious, and defies logic (Impossible is nothing).
I want my life to be full of God’s faith
The kind of faith that ‘thinks’, God thoughts
The kind of faith that emits the sound of heaven
The kind of faith that “looks like this”...that whatever measure I have will characterise all that God is...all that God is doing in me, my family, my church.
That causes me to rise up and believe that “with God all things are possible”. In fact impossible is nothing!
Impossible is just big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary.
IMPOSSIBLE is NOTHING!
New York American Marketing Association “From big sports to small sports, from great athletes to everyday athletes, from the past to the present, from personal records to human records, the campaign shows that Adidas believes every athlete can reach their own ‘impossible.’ It dares athletes to be dissatisfied with the status quo. It challenges athletes to dream about what they would like to achieve; to believe in their souls that their dreams, no matter how ‘impossible’ can be achieved.”
Adidas have hit upon a thought found in the Bible – that the word “impossible” means nothing to God, and should mean nothing to the Christian.
With God All Things Are Possible - Mark 10:27
This is a message of faith. What Faith thinks like, sounds like and looks like!
What Faith “Thinks” Like
What does God say about you, about us? What does God say about your situation?
Ultimately, it does not matter how our minds have been programmed in the past - we can change our future by re-programming it according to the Word of God.
Romans 12:2 – 'And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.’
This verse does not exhort us to be transformed by the removal of our minds, but by the renewing of our minds.
Guard your hearts/minds by thinking about the right kind of things:
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or admirable think about such things.
What Faith “Sounds” Like
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Three kinds of language we should never use
The Language of Loss or Lack
This is the sort of talk that magnifies cost over gain. It is the sort of language that constantly describes your world in terms of what you’ve lost or lack.
The Language of Blindness
This is the sort of talk that describes things as they naturally are rather than as God has shown us that they will be.
The Language of Common People
This sort of talk belongs to the lowest common denominator. It is always critical, always coarse and always confining (seeking to keep everyone down)
Four Steps we must take to maintaining “wholesome” talk
(Step 1) Take Responsibility for What You Say
This is all part of “Renewing your mind”…what are we thinking. What’s coming into our world? It our thought processes. What comes in eventually comes out!
(Step 2) Practice Using Words that Build and Make Your World Strong
With God...I can. I will. God can do it. Trust Him.
(Step 3) Always Speak to Impart Grace and Favour
The “sound of faith”...sounds great to those around you! When I hear it…it stirs my heart, lifts my spirit, changes my thinking. Makes me more bold, gives me confidence.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life - Proverbs 10:11
(Step 4) Ask God, on a Regular Basis, to give you His Power in this Area
What Faith “Looks” Like
Matthew 17:20 - “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 21:21-22 - “Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig-tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
Book of James talks about our faith being connected to “works/action”.
James 2:17– “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
We think...we speak...we do!
The ‘look’ of faith – 4 points to consider about faith
Faith is positive by its definition and has strong elements of optimism attached to it. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
How does faith affect us? When we live by faith we discover that faith is up-beat, buoyant, cheerful and hopeful. Faith is sure and certain yet persistent and at times unrelenting.
Faith chooses your friends and determines your partners. Faith is the element, the substance that helps you to always give a good report.
This is the kind of faith that changes our thinking, chooses our words, moulds our attitudes and shapes our life!
This is the kind of faith that perseveres, never gives up and fights to the end and refuses to say die.
That believes, with God, Impossible is nothing!
Faith is a substance, its lives in our hearts. Faith is objective, definable and can be quantified – the bible says you can have faith, you can have little faith, much faith and great faith – it is a substance that grows like a mustard seed planted, it develops like a muscle through use.
Faith is not reliant upon what is seen – the Bible says 2 Corinthians 5:7 - “We live by faith, not by sight.”
Faith embodies action; faith requires exploits, faith demands an extraordinary challenge. Faith is often very bold, audacious, and defies logic (Impossible is nothing).
I want my life to be full of God’s faith
The kind of faith that ‘thinks’, God thoughts
The kind of faith that emits the sound of heaven
The kind of faith that “looks like this”...that whatever measure I have will characterise all that God is...all that God is doing in me, my family, my church.
That causes me to rise up and believe that “with God all things are possible”. In fact impossible is nothing!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Shame Off You
This morning in church we heard a message from Paul Benger that strikes at the heart of everyone. That so often shame and condemnation keeps us down and yet the good news that Jesus brings gives us hope, a new life and elevates our lives to a place that so often we think we don’t deserve.
God wants us to be free. Free from shame, guilt and condemnation. Our focus is on the following account in John’s Gospel about the adulterous woman…
John 7:53-8:11
John’s Gospel, chapter 1, in particular the first 18 verses gives us an incredible picture of who Jesus is, but not only that it informs us of our standing in Christ…of who we are because of all he has done.
The rest of the Gospel of John, his accounts of Jesus etc, goes on to support these first 18 verses.
...the law came through Moses, but Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
In our story today John is focusing on this truth, that grace and truth come through Jesus Christ.
Religious people like to make people feel SMALL. Jesus’ people like to make people feel BIG. As a church we want to lift people, make them feel big and significant…to know and experience the grace of God.
He that is without ‘sin’ cast the first stone. Sin = ’missing the mark’, when Jesus said this they knew he was saying that they all miss the mark. Jesus offered the woman grace and forgiveness.
Whatever your past is today you can know complete forgiveness. So often we hear this truth but find it hard to accept it and believe it for ourselves.
You can ‘hit the mark’ for your life.
You have been made holy (right) in God’s sight through Jesus Christ.
You have the same access as anyone else to all that God has for you.
You may have failed but you can still have a great future.
‘Shame’ is a main cause of low self-esteem. When we are free from shame we find confidence and boldness.
Shame often stays a lot longer than it should. We can even learn to live with it. We need to know there is freedom from shame. Conviction will bring you closer to God; shame and condemnation will draw us away from God.
Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
4 important truths we need to know
Through Jesus’ grace and truth...
1) We don’t get what we deserve we get what God has provided
Don’t focus on the sin, focus on the provision.
2) God’s opinion of you is not based on what people think. He sees us from his own unique perspective
Hebrews 8:12 - For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more
God forgets our sin!
3) God doesn’t condemn us He wants to clear our conscience
Jesus lifted the pressure of the woman’s soul. Set her free.
4) God doesn’t abandon us He stays in relationship with us
‘Even if I make my bed in hell...You are there’
Jesus stood by this woman.
If we take a snapshot of your life today...this isn’t it! It’s not the final picture. God has more for you...you’ve not reached your best yet.
Stay in an atmosphere of faith, hope and love.
God wants us to be free. Free from shame, guilt and condemnation. Our focus is on the following account in John’s Gospel about the adulterous woman…
John 7:53-8:11
John’s Gospel, chapter 1, in particular the first 18 verses gives us an incredible picture of who Jesus is, but not only that it informs us of our standing in Christ…of who we are because of all he has done.
The rest of the Gospel of John, his accounts of Jesus etc, goes on to support these first 18 verses.
...the law came through Moses, but Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
In our story today John is focusing on this truth, that grace and truth come through Jesus Christ.
Religious people like to make people feel SMALL. Jesus’ people like to make people feel BIG. As a church we want to lift people, make them feel big and significant…to know and experience the grace of God.
He that is without ‘sin’ cast the first stone. Sin = ’missing the mark’, when Jesus said this they knew he was saying that they all miss the mark. Jesus offered the woman grace and forgiveness.
Whatever your past is today you can know complete forgiveness. So often we hear this truth but find it hard to accept it and believe it for ourselves.
You can ‘hit the mark’ for your life.
You have been made holy (right) in God’s sight through Jesus Christ.
You have the same access as anyone else to all that God has for you.
You may have failed but you can still have a great future.
‘Shame’ is a main cause of low self-esteem. When we are free from shame we find confidence and boldness.
Shame often stays a lot longer than it should. We can even learn to live with it. We need to know there is freedom from shame. Conviction will bring you closer to God; shame and condemnation will draw us away from God.
Romans 8:1 – Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
4 important truths we need to know
Through Jesus’ grace and truth...
1) We don’t get what we deserve we get what God has provided
Don’t focus on the sin, focus on the provision.
2) God’s opinion of you is not based on what people think. He sees us from his own unique perspective
Hebrews 8:12 - For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more
God forgets our sin!
3) God doesn’t condemn us He wants to clear our conscience
Jesus lifted the pressure of the woman’s soul. Set her free.
4) God doesn’t abandon us He stays in relationship with us
‘Even if I make my bed in hell...You are there’
Jesus stood by this woman.
If we take a snapshot of your life today...this isn’t it! It’s not the final picture. God has more for you...you’ve not reached your best yet.
Stay in an atmosphere of faith, hope and love.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Missions
It was our Missions Sunday yesterday where we presented the church with our commitiment to missions giving over the next 12 months.
We were pleased to have David and Rosemary Playle with us who lead the Ground Level Network Overseas Missions team and who shared with us their heart and commitment to overseas work. This is one of a number of important areas we will be giving into over the coming year. Some of our other commitments:
Betel
Compassion (Where we currently sponsor 2 children)
City Hearts House (Sheffield)
Links International (in particular the ‘micro enterprise project’ where we will be sponsoring 5 families to set them up in business)
We were pleased to have David and Rosemary Playle with us who lead the Ground Level Network Overseas Missions team and who shared with us their heart and commitment to overseas work. This is one of a number of important areas we will be giving into over the coming year. Some of our other commitments:
Betel
Compassion (Where we currently sponsor 2 children)
City Hearts House (Sheffield)
Links International (in particular the ‘micro enterprise project’ where we will be sponsoring 5 families to set them up in business)
Monday, March 05, 2007
Choosing the Right Path
Simon Wood spoke yesterday in church. A great word of encouragement for the church and the journey we are on. We have a great future because we have the right foundations in place.
John 10:9-10 – Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
Make the right choices...enter through the right gate - Jesus.
Deuteronomy 30:9-19
(Vs 9) The Lord delights in being good to us...that is God’s heart.
(Vs 11-14) It’s simple...it’s not rocket science!
(Vs 19) God has given us the freedom to choose. Choose life! Jesus gave us the choice, two gates…wide and narrow.
We need to get God’s word into our lives, His wisdom. Proverbs 2 - Search for it. Gain it.
God sees the positive potential in all of us. His desire is for us to take the right path that He has set before us. A path of blessing, a life in all its fullness.
John 10:9-10 – Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. Wherever they go, they will find green pastures. The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.
Make the right choices...enter through the right gate - Jesus.
Deuteronomy 30:9-19
(Vs 9) The Lord delights in being good to us...that is God’s heart.
(Vs 11-14) It’s simple...it’s not rocket science!
(Vs 19) God has given us the freedom to choose. Choose life! Jesus gave us the choice, two gates…wide and narrow.
We need to get God’s word into our lives, His wisdom. Proverbs 2 - Search for it. Gain it.
God sees the positive potential in all of us. His desire is for us to take the right path that He has set before us. A path of blessing, a life in all its fullness.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Faithful to the End
Jane Lloyd (yes, my wonderful wife) brought a fabulous message in church this morning.
Psalm 18:25 - To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity
God is looking for certain characteristics from us as a people so that he can give us our ‘Promised Land’.
We will look at Caleb’s example from Numbers 13 and 14.
Numbers 13:25 – 14:9
5 characteristics that I believe were shown by Caleb that relate to our own lives and the life of our church:
1) A Good Report
Human nature very often has a tendency to dwell on negatives. When negative seeds are sown they have an amazing ability to infect others quite quickly.
The negative report of the 10 spies quickly affected many of the Israelites and turned them against the leaders Moses and Aaron – to the point where they plotted against them.
Speaking positively and giving a good report is a choice that we make – we have to train and discipline our thinking so that it falls into line with the choice that we make.
Romans 12:2 - Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect
God honoured Caleb’s good report because it united with God’s vision for the Israelite nation.
2) He had confidence in God
Caleb didn’t see the negatives in the situation, so when others said “we can’t”, Caleb said “we can!”
Stepping into a new environment can make us feel insecure.
When the other ten spies looked at Canaan it scared them because they’d become used to their environment. But they’d lost sight of the bigger picture – they’d forgotten that God was in control and their confidence should have been in his ability not theirs.
In times of insecurity let’s put our confidence in God because he is faithful.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 - But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit
3) He was full of faith
Numbers 14:9 – Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them
Caleb had no doubt in God’s ability to fulfil his promise to them. The difference between the spies was that the two were empowered by living faith, whereas the ten were consumed by irrational fear.
It is those who live by faith and who see their world through the eyes of faith that accomplish great things for God.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we live by faith and not by sight
4) He was loyal and served wholeheartedly
Numbers 14:24 – But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land
Despite what circumstances we find ourselves in, I believe God is looking for that loyal servant heart that does not waver and is steadfast.
It’s very easy to get excited about a new project but the challenge is – can we sustain that energy, can we faithfully serve God, even if that is to put the chairs out for the congregation week in week out? Are we doing things begrudgingly or out of a sense of duty or is our heart one that just wants to serve regardless of anything else?
5) He didn’t consider retiring
Joshua 14:10-11 – Now as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise – even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then
Caleb was reaching his ‘twilight years’ and yet his desire was still to serve God’s commands. I love that because it means that the church is relevant to all ages because while ever I have breath I can serve God, and I think that is an admirable attitude for anyone to have.
In conclusion then, “to the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.”
Let us be a people who follow the example of Caleb.
God has given us a great vision and I believe that he wants to see it fulfilled, so let’s remain a faithful people committed to him and committed to this house.
Psalm 18:25 - To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity
God is looking for certain characteristics from us as a people so that he can give us our ‘Promised Land’.
We will look at Caleb’s example from Numbers 13 and 14.
Numbers 13:25 – 14:9
5 characteristics that I believe were shown by Caleb that relate to our own lives and the life of our church:
1) A Good Report
Human nature very often has a tendency to dwell on negatives. When negative seeds are sown they have an amazing ability to infect others quite quickly.
The negative report of the 10 spies quickly affected many of the Israelites and turned them against the leaders Moses and Aaron – to the point where they plotted against them.
Speaking positively and giving a good report is a choice that we make – we have to train and discipline our thinking so that it falls into line with the choice that we make.
Romans 12:2 - Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect
God honoured Caleb’s good report because it united with God’s vision for the Israelite nation.
2) He had confidence in God
Caleb didn’t see the negatives in the situation, so when others said “we can’t”, Caleb said “we can!”
Stepping into a new environment can make us feel insecure.
When the other ten spies looked at Canaan it scared them because they’d become used to their environment. But they’d lost sight of the bigger picture – they’d forgotten that God was in control and their confidence should have been in his ability not theirs.
In times of insecurity let’s put our confidence in God because he is faithful.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 - But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit
3) He was full of faith
Numbers 14:9 – Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them
Caleb had no doubt in God’s ability to fulfil his promise to them. The difference between the spies was that the two were empowered by living faith, whereas the ten were consumed by irrational fear.
It is those who live by faith and who see their world through the eyes of faith that accomplish great things for God.
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we live by faith and not by sight
4) He was loyal and served wholeheartedly
Numbers 14:24 – But my servant Caleb has a different attitude than the others have. He has remained loyal to me, so I will bring him into the land he explored. His descendants will possess their full share of that land
Despite what circumstances we find ourselves in, I believe God is looking for that loyal servant heart that does not waver and is steadfast.
It’s very easy to get excited about a new project but the challenge is – can we sustain that energy, can we faithfully serve God, even if that is to put the chairs out for the congregation week in week out? Are we doing things begrudgingly or out of a sense of duty or is our heart one that just wants to serve regardless of anything else?
5) He didn’t consider retiring
Joshua 14:10-11 – Now as you can see, the Lord has kept me alive and well as he promised for all these forty-five years since Moses made this promise – even while Israel wandered in the wilderness. Today I am eighty-five years old. I am as strong now as I was when Moses sent me on that journey, and I can still travel and fight as well as I could then
Caleb was reaching his ‘twilight years’ and yet his desire was still to serve God’s commands. I love that because it means that the church is relevant to all ages because while ever I have breath I can serve God, and I think that is an admirable attitude for anyone to have.
In conclusion then, “to the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.”
Let us be a people who follow the example of Caleb.
God has given us a great vision and I believe that he wants to see it fulfilled, so let’s remain a faithful people committed to him and committed to this house.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Punctuality
If you're always early you're never late!
Time is more valuable than money
People pay money to save time
When we're late we steal time from others and ourselves
Tardiness is the tap-root of a host of character faults
My lateness says 'I don't care about you; I'm more important than you; you can wait for me; I'm disorganised; I'm undisciplined.'
It's not so much about time management but about managing ourselves
Love others. Be on time. Even early! From now on
Phil Pringle, Christian City Church Sydney
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Heaven's Culture
Loved this morning’s message in Church. Paul Benger spoke to us about having Heaven’s Culture in our lives and in the life of our church.
Matthew 6:9-13
‘Your Kingdom come Your will be done’ – Jesus was praying about getting Heaven’s culture into our culture.
What is culture? Thoughts, ideas, value system, customs of groups of people.
“Create a Heaven inspired culture” – in our lives in the life of the church. It needs to be in our life first before we can get it into the church.
Jesus came to bring Heaven to earth – a heaven inspired culture...the ideas, concepts, the mannerisms of Heaven.
Four aspects of Heavens’ Culture...
Heaven’s Culture is a Giving Culture
The culture of Heaven is a giving culture, John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We will see increase and growth in our lives. Rich in every way does not necessarily mean great wealth but the richness of having Christ living in me.
2 Corinthians 8:9 – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
God blesses us for the needs in our life. For me and my family; for my church and also so I can give to those in need.
2 Corinthians 9:11 – You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Heaven’s Culture is one of Peace
Some cultures thrive on arguments and debate. Heaven’s culture thrives on unity of purpose. Being at peace with one another.
Philippians 2:2 - then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose
Philippians 4:2 - I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord
Heaven’s Culture is a Culture of Honour
Honour one another, respect each other. Don’t rubbish one another, the Bible hates ‘gossip’.
Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves
Romans 13:7 – Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour
Give value to one another.
Heaven’s Culture is one of Celebration
One thing is clear when you read the Bible - God is into parties! He’s into celebrations. Heaven will be fun! Full of joy and celebration.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
Sacred = celebration – it’s not about being solemn or having ‘dirges’.
Matthew 6:9-13
‘Your Kingdom come Your will be done’ – Jesus was praying about getting Heaven’s culture into our culture.
What is culture? Thoughts, ideas, value system, customs of groups of people.
“Create a Heaven inspired culture” – in our lives in the life of the church. It needs to be in our life first before we can get it into the church.
Jesus came to bring Heaven to earth – a heaven inspired culture...the ideas, concepts, the mannerisms of Heaven.
Four aspects of Heavens’ Culture...
Heaven’s Culture is a Giving Culture
The culture of Heaven is a giving culture, John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
We will see increase and growth in our lives. Rich in every way does not necessarily mean great wealth but the richness of having Christ living in me.
2 Corinthians 8:9 – For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
God blesses us for the needs in our life. For me and my family; for my church and also so I can give to those in need.
2 Corinthians 9:11 – You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Heaven’s Culture is one of Peace
Some cultures thrive on arguments and debate. Heaven’s culture thrives on unity of purpose. Being at peace with one another.
Philippians 2:2 - then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose
Philippians 4:2 - I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord
Heaven’s Culture is a Culture of Honour
Honour one another, respect each other. Don’t rubbish one another, the Bible hates ‘gossip’.
Romans 12:10 - Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves
Romans 13:7 – Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honour, then honour
Give value to one another.
Heaven’s Culture is one of Celebration
One thing is clear when you read the Bible - God is into parties! He’s into celebrations. Heaven will be fun! Full of joy and celebration.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
Sacred = celebration – it’s not about being solemn or having ‘dirges’.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Changing the Future
We had a fantastic time in church this morning. As well as Paul bringing a great message on ‘Changing the Future’ we also had the privilege of dedicating the baby daughter of one of our couples in the church.
John 5:1-9
Some people look at the future with a ‘fantasy’ mindset. But their future fantasy has no connection with how they are living today. Others have a ‘fatalistic’ view of the future. A la Doris Day! ‘Que sera sera...whatever will be, will be!’ She got it wrong.
We are creative beings...we have been made that way. Made in the image of God, a creative God. We have been given the gifts and skills to raid our future...to change it! With God all things are possible.
We should approach our future with a biblical perspective. God is with us and in our future.
We can erect barriers that can prevent change to our future. We see examples of this in our passage today.
1) We look to other people and not to God (Vs 7)
The man had stopped looking to God and started looking to other people. We are in community and need one another, but our faith first and foremost is to God. He is our help and strength.
2) We think things are too far gone – that there is no hope for me (Vs 7)
‘It happens for others but never for me’. We need to understand that God loves us.
Timing might be different for us than for others.
3) We wait for ‘change' to fall from the sky
‘One day...our miracle will come’...fall from heaven! God builds things into our lives that bring change. Faith means action, get up and ‘do’.
4 steps to changing your future
1) Get and maintain a vision
(Vs 6) Jesus asked him, "Do you want to get well?" History can often blur or erode our vision. ‘I’ve been here for 38 years!’ Jesus was asking him whether or not he had vision. Habakkuk 2:2 - “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
Law of entropy...if we leave it, have no vision, it will eventually lead to decay.
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained
2) Know who stands beside you
The man had God (Jesus) standing beside him and he didn’t realise it! We can be like that. Waiting for it to happen and God is right beside us. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20)
Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ
God has placed His hand of blessing on our lives.
3) Have the courage to believe God’s Word
(Vs 8) Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.
God’s word is true. It often contradicts the facts. ‘Get up!’...’but I’m lame!’
It also contradicts religious traditions. Healing on the Sabbath!
God’s word involves action. James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead
4) Take responsibility for how you live your life and ‘Go forward’
‘Now you are well...now go and sin no more’ (John 5:14)
Now live as God intended you to live. Let us not make excuses. Let us have a ‘go forward spirit’, we want that in our lives and in the life of our church. Not a ‘go backward spirit!’
John 5:1-9
Some people look at the future with a ‘fantasy’ mindset. But their future fantasy has no connection with how they are living today. Others have a ‘fatalistic’ view of the future. A la Doris Day! ‘Que sera sera...whatever will be, will be!’ She got it wrong.
We are creative beings...we have been made that way. Made in the image of God, a creative God. We have been given the gifts and skills to raid our future...to change it! With God all things are possible.
We should approach our future with a biblical perspective. God is with us and in our future.
We can erect barriers that can prevent change to our future. We see examples of this in our passage today.
1) We look to other people and not to God (Vs 7)
The man had stopped looking to God and started looking to other people. We are in community and need one another, but our faith first and foremost is to God. He is our help and strength.
2) We think things are too far gone – that there is no hope for me (Vs 7)
‘It happens for others but never for me’. We need to understand that God loves us.
Timing might be different for us than for others.
3) We wait for ‘change' to fall from the sky
‘One day...our miracle will come’...fall from heaven! God builds things into our lives that bring change. Faith means action, get up and ‘do’.
4 steps to changing your future
1) Get and maintain a vision
(Vs 6) Jesus asked him, "Do you want to get well?" History can often blur or erode our vision. ‘I’ve been here for 38 years!’ Jesus was asking him whether or not he had vision. Habakkuk 2:2 - “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.
Law of entropy...if we leave it, have no vision, it will eventually lead to decay.
Proverbs 29:18 - Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained
2) Know who stands beside you
The man had God (Jesus) standing beside him and he didn’t realise it! We can be like that. Waiting for it to happen and God is right beside us. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20)
Ephesians 1:3 – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ
God has placed His hand of blessing on our lives.
3) Have the courage to believe God’s Word
(Vs 8) Then Jesus said to him, Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.
God’s word is true. It often contradicts the facts. ‘Get up!’...’but I’m lame!’
It also contradicts religious traditions. Healing on the Sabbath!
God’s word involves action. James 2:17 - In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead
4) Take responsibility for how you live your life and ‘Go forward’
‘Now you are well...now go and sin no more’ (John 5:14)
Now live as God intended you to live. Let us not make excuses. Let us have a ‘go forward spirit’, we want that in our lives and in the life of our church. Not a ‘go backward spirit!’
Monday, February 05, 2007
Virtuous Reality V
I finished off our series ‘Viruous Reality’ on the life of David in church yesterday. The title of the message being ‘David and Absalom – the Parent Trap’
2 Samuel 13-18
The story of David and Absalom is a story of betrayal at the most intimate levels between family and friends; espionage in high places; the curses of men; Civil War; Tactical battle plans...this message is like a movie and has it all.
Absalom, from the Hebrew meaning father of peace...but contrary to his name, Absalom was not a man of peace. His personal vanity and disloyalty to his father due to selfish ambition caused great strife and open warfare in the royal family.
Parenting = Leadership
4 things we can identlfy with David’s weakness in this area...concerning parenting/leadership:
1) Lead by Example
David’s bad traits were surely picked up by his children. Where did Amnon get that lustful eye? Where did Absalom get the notion that he could get his brother drunk and then have him killed? In a real sense our children mimic and model the values that we live.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (The Message) - Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. "Honour your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, "so you will live well and have a long life." Fathers don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
2) Spend precious time with your kids
Don’t neglect this. David did not spend time with his children and because he didn't spend time with them, he didn't know his children, he allowed so much to go off around him!
Take care of those precious moments now. Spend time with your children. Value time.
3) Discipline where necessary
David failed to discipline and it broke his heart. Failure to discipline will do this.
We often think of discipline as something negative. Discipline is not punishment. God disciplines His children out of love. We, in turn, must discipline our children in love. We can define discipline as setting boundaries that produce growth. This is another tough one because how often do we set the boundaries and then change them again?
4) Don’t worry if you mess-up!
David messed up...but he knew grace and mercy of God...he was able to make his peace with Absalom, even though Absalom rejected this.
We’re human...not perfect. Relationships aren’t perfect. God has stepped into our lives with grace and mercy. We need that in our relationships. Able to say sorry. Forgiveness. Our kids need that and we need that!
Something learned from my parents, and taken from our story today, the importance of...
Loyalty and faithfulness
In our society, more and more, leadership and authority is being eroded. Loyalty and faithfulness is damaged in the process.
2 Samuel 15 talks about Absalom’s plan to overthrow his Dad.
David had allowed Absalom to return to Jerusalem. Instead of repaying his father’s generosity in pardoning him, he began right away to steal the people’s hearts – pretending to champion their rights and promising to give them justice if he was given the power.
Absalom’s heart was still carrying the offence because of what had happened in the past, this eventually led to Absalom’s disloyalty. Undermined his Dad’s authority…to take over.
Even amongst all this disloyalty we see a supreme example of loyalty.
2 Samuel 15:21 - But Ittai replied to the king, As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.
Ittai was loyal to David when it looked to cost him something. True loyalty isn't demonstrated until it is likely to cost us to be loyal.
We learn a lot from Ittai's demonstration of loyalty.
Ittai did it when David was down
Ittai did it decisively
Ittai did it voluntarily
Ittai did it having newly come to David
Ittai did it publicly
Ittai did it knowing that the fate of David became his fate
Loyalty and faithfulness is a ‘character builder’
I believe God wants us to express ‘loyalty’ and faithfulness (the expression of loyalty) in all that we do. Our homes, work, church.
Ephesians 2:20-22 – (20) …built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (21) In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (22) And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
We’re a body - God is building us ‘together’.
“The joining that God makes is the joining of loyalty and not the joining of commonality" (Paul Benger from his book ‘12’)
Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. He is ever loyal, ever faithful, even when we are unfaithful.
Loyalty pays the price, it costs something. It confronts and stays firm. It is not always easy and might sometime lose us friendships. Defend the people we love. Loyalty brings strength, brings longevity, brings success and blessing.
Loyalty defends what is precious. Loyalty is attractive. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive
We show our loyalty through faithfulness.
Proverbs 3:3 - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 28:20 - A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (The very nature of God)
1 Peter 4:10 - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
2 Samuel 13-18
The story of David and Absalom is a story of betrayal at the most intimate levels between family and friends; espionage in high places; the curses of men; Civil War; Tactical battle plans...this message is like a movie and has it all.
Absalom, from the Hebrew meaning father of peace...but contrary to his name, Absalom was not a man of peace. His personal vanity and disloyalty to his father due to selfish ambition caused great strife and open warfare in the royal family.
Parenting = Leadership
4 things we can identlfy with David’s weakness in this area...concerning parenting/leadership:
1) Lead by Example
David’s bad traits were surely picked up by his children. Where did Amnon get that lustful eye? Where did Absalom get the notion that he could get his brother drunk and then have him killed? In a real sense our children mimic and model the values that we live.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (The Message) - Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. "Honour your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, "so you will live well and have a long life." Fathers don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.
2) Spend precious time with your kids
Don’t neglect this. David did not spend time with his children and because he didn't spend time with them, he didn't know his children, he allowed so much to go off around him!
Take care of those precious moments now. Spend time with your children. Value time.
3) Discipline where necessary
David failed to discipline and it broke his heart. Failure to discipline will do this.
We often think of discipline as something negative. Discipline is not punishment. God disciplines His children out of love. We, in turn, must discipline our children in love. We can define discipline as setting boundaries that produce growth. This is another tough one because how often do we set the boundaries and then change them again?
4) Don’t worry if you mess-up!
David messed up...but he knew grace and mercy of God...he was able to make his peace with Absalom, even though Absalom rejected this.
We’re human...not perfect. Relationships aren’t perfect. God has stepped into our lives with grace and mercy. We need that in our relationships. Able to say sorry. Forgiveness. Our kids need that and we need that!
Something learned from my parents, and taken from our story today, the importance of...
Loyalty and faithfulness
In our society, more and more, leadership and authority is being eroded. Loyalty and faithfulness is damaged in the process.
2 Samuel 15 talks about Absalom’s plan to overthrow his Dad.
David had allowed Absalom to return to Jerusalem. Instead of repaying his father’s generosity in pardoning him, he began right away to steal the people’s hearts – pretending to champion their rights and promising to give them justice if he was given the power.
Absalom’s heart was still carrying the offence because of what had happened in the past, this eventually led to Absalom’s disloyalty. Undermined his Dad’s authority…to take over.
Even amongst all this disloyalty we see a supreme example of loyalty.
2 Samuel 15:21 - But Ittai replied to the king, As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be.
Ittai was loyal to David when it looked to cost him something. True loyalty isn't demonstrated until it is likely to cost us to be loyal.
We learn a lot from Ittai's demonstration of loyalty.
Ittai did it when David was down
Ittai did it decisively
Ittai did it voluntarily
Ittai did it having newly come to David
Ittai did it publicly
Ittai did it knowing that the fate of David became his fate
Loyalty and faithfulness is a ‘character builder’
I believe God wants us to express ‘loyalty’ and faithfulness (the expression of loyalty) in all that we do. Our homes, work, church.
Ephesians 2:20-22 – (20) …built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (21) In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (22) And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
We’re a body - God is building us ‘together’.
“The joining that God makes is the joining of loyalty and not the joining of commonality" (Paul Benger from his book ‘12’)
Loyalty and faithfulness is the very essence of God’s character. He is ever loyal, ever faithful, even when we are unfaithful.
Loyalty pays the price, it costs something. It confronts and stays firm. It is not always easy and might sometime lose us friendships. Defend the people we love. Loyalty brings strength, brings longevity, brings success and blessing.
Loyalty defends what is precious. Loyalty is attractive. Proverbs 19:22 - Loyalty makes a person attractive
We show our loyalty through faithfulness.
Proverbs 3:3 - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 28:20 - A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself. (The very nature of God)
1 Peter 4:10 - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.
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