September 8, 2013 - Sunday Sermon Review
1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked
Who are we as a church?
1) We are Evangelicals - To be a Christian is a choice of our will. It is a personal decision to choose God. Humanity has been separated from God through sin. Sin separates us from God. When we come to God in repentance and faith, our sin has been placed upon Jesus. Jesus died on the cross in order to make redemption for us possible.
Sins ( the wrong that we do ) traps and enslaves. Jesus sets us free from all these things.
The choice to follow Jesus is a choice we make daily. The consequences of our choices echo throughout eternity.
God has placed the freedom of the will within humanity. We have the freedom to choose good or evil. God will never remove the freedom of choice from humanity.
Repent and believe the gospel. When our heart moves toward God and we choose to believe and accept Jesus as our Savior, we become saved. Nothing can ever separate us from our Savior. We choose Jesus for our whole life, we continue to keep choosing Him.
Bible reading and prayer are central to the Christian life.
2) We are Mennonites - The word "love" defines Mennonites. We are consumed by Jesus. We are fixated on living under God's love. As Mennonites we believe in non-violence. We are to love our enemies. We are not anti-war but we are pro love. We believe in separation of church and state. We believe that the government cannot dictate what we do in church. We live under God's love. Love is practical.
3) We are a Missions church - As Christians we believe that each one of us has been called and sent out - commanded by God to bring God's message of salvation to the ends of the world. All of us have been called to missions. Each of us can be effective through prayer. We need to be a people of prayer.
Be active in sharing your faith. Be active in sharing what the Lord has done in your life!
picture
searchwarp.com
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sunday. Show all posts
Monday, 9 September 2013
Saturday, 30 March 2013
Christ is Risen!! Resurrection Day! - Easter Week in Pictures ( Series )
Sunday - Christ Arose!!!
And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him.
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
 |
| Christ Arose!! ( picture from 3d-pictures.feedio.net ) |
 |
| Christ Arose - The tomb is empty! ( picture from holytrinity.blogspot.com ) |
And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?
And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great.
And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted.
And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.
And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.
And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not.
After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.
And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Monday, 18 March 2013
Sickness and Suffering - Why?
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Sunday, March 17, 2013
This is a sermon review from my home church that I attend regularly. This year for our Lent season we are doing a series on grief and suffering. We are learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in difficult situations. The topic this Sunday was Sickness - what to say to a friend who is suffering.
Our speaker was Mike. He is a Chaplain at one of the larger hospitals in my area.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Here is some of what Chaplain Mike said:
What do you say when someone has just received bad news from the doctor? How do you speak to a person who is suffering?
We all experience pain. In some ways pain is a good thing. If you bump your toe you experience pain. If you get near a hot stove, the thought of pain from a burn will keep you from touching the hot stove.
Suffering involves pain, also emotional pain - pain of a life cut short.
There are heartaches that no level of medication can cover.
The longer the period of suffering lasts, the heavier it becomes, the harder it is to hold up under it.
Comfort
- comfort comes from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3 describes our Heavenly Father as the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles. It is a promise. God wants to comfort you and He will comfort you.
What is comfort?
To comfort someone is to encourage them with compassion. It is urgent and life changing.
The comfort we have experienced in our own trials is meant to be used to comfort others in their situations.
Many times, when we are in a time of suffering we just want it to be over. But we need to give it time to allow God to work in us.
Three Reasons why God allows Suffering
1) It gives us the capacity to enter into other people's suffering.
* your suffering is not just for you
* don't waste what you are going through
* use it as a ministry tool when possible
2) We can learn to rely on God
* 2 Corinthians 1: 8-9 ... that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
* the suffering is so bad we want out but we need to rely on God
* suffering makes the lesson stick
* suffering makes us realize how much we need God ALWAYS
3) It helps us to learn to give thanks in everything
* we learn to know the Hand that feeds us and takes care of us
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Way to Comfort people
Key - to say very little
1) be present - just be there even if it is uncomfortable or awkward
* don't be afraid when nothing is being said
* don't be afraid if it is awkward
2) listen -
* by listening you validate the suffering person's feelings
* just sit, allow them to talk and just listen
* you will hear them say things like: money has not fulfilled life's dream, generosity is important, family is important, wish spent more time with loved ones, etc
3) Pray - ask the person if you can pray with them
* we serve a loving God who cares for us
What suffering have you experienced?
It was not meant to be wasted.
You have been ordained to comfort others.
If you are suffering, tell someone, reach out to others and allow them to comfort you.
Use your own suffering to help and comfort others.
We will all face suffering.
Develop a strong faith in Jesus now. Develop a strong relationship with Jesus now!
Next Sunday Pastor Ben will answer questions that have come in over the last couple of weeks.
Thought for the week: Christians keep the faith.... but not from others!
Sunday, March 17, 2013
This is a sermon review from my home church that I attend regularly. This year for our Lent season we are doing a series on grief and suffering. We are learning how to be the hands and feet of Jesus in difficult situations. The topic this Sunday was Sickness - what to say to a friend who is suffering.
Our speaker was Mike. He is a Chaplain at one of the larger hospitals in my area.
2 Corinthians 1: 3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
Here is some of what Chaplain Mike said:
What do you say when someone has just received bad news from the doctor? How do you speak to a person who is suffering?
We all experience pain. In some ways pain is a good thing. If you bump your toe you experience pain. If you get near a hot stove, the thought of pain from a burn will keep you from touching the hot stove.
Suffering involves pain, also emotional pain - pain of a life cut short.
There are heartaches that no level of medication can cover.
The longer the period of suffering lasts, the heavier it becomes, the harder it is to hold up under it.
Comfort
- comfort comes from God.
2 Corinthians 1:3 describes our Heavenly Father as the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all of our troubles. It is a promise. God wants to comfort you and He will comfort you.
What is comfort?
To comfort someone is to encourage them with compassion. It is urgent and life changing.
The comfort we have experienced in our own trials is meant to be used to comfort others in their situations.
Many times, when we are in a time of suffering we just want it to be over. But we need to give it time to allow God to work in us.
Three Reasons why God allows Suffering
1) It gives us the capacity to enter into other people's suffering.
* your suffering is not just for you
* don't waste what you are going through
* use it as a ministry tool when possible
2) We can learn to rely on God
* 2 Corinthians 1: 8-9 ... that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:
* the suffering is so bad we want out but we need to rely on God
* suffering makes the lesson stick
* suffering makes us realize how much we need God ALWAYS
3) It helps us to learn to give thanks in everything
* we learn to know the Hand that feeds us and takes care of us
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Way to Comfort people
Key - to say very little
1) be present - just be there even if it is uncomfortable or awkward
* don't be afraid when nothing is being said
* don't be afraid if it is awkward
2) listen -
* by listening you validate the suffering person's feelings
* just sit, allow them to talk and just listen
* you will hear them say things like: money has not fulfilled life's dream, generosity is important, family is important, wish spent more time with loved ones, etc
3) Pray - ask the person if you can pray with them
* we serve a loving God who cares for us
What suffering have you experienced?
It was not meant to be wasted.
You have been ordained to comfort others.
If you are suffering, tell someone, reach out to others and allow them to comfort you.
Use your own suffering to help and comfort others.
We will all face suffering.
Develop a strong faith in Jesus now. Develop a strong relationship with Jesus now!
Next Sunday Pastor Ben will answer questions that have come in over the last couple of weeks.
Thought for the week: Christians keep the faith.... but not from others!
Monday, 18 February 2013
Anger ... ( Greg Laurie )
Ephesians 4 26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.
Normally on a Sunday, I like to write a sermon review from my home church. But this weekend has been a stormy one here where I live so I was not able to get to church. I listened to an online sermon by Greg Laurie and I thought I would share some thoughts from his message.
Greg Laurie began by asking the question - What makes you angry? We all have our boiling point. What is yours? It might be another person's cellphone that gets on your nerves. The cellphone being set to the loudest ring and he or she does not answer till like the 5th ring. Or it may be when you travel, and on the airplane you find yourself seated behind a person who reclines back in his seat and you are left to stare at his greasy scalp the rest of the flight.
We all have things that irritate us. We also are aware that anger can cause illness and heart attacks.
Greg Laurie stated that the angrier we become the more stupid our actions become. Never try to write an email while you are angry. There is no retrieving it once you have clicked the send button.
In the Bible we learn there is also a righteous anger. This is the kind of anger that Jesus demonstrated when he cleansed the temple in Luke 19:45-46 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
Normally on a Sunday, I like to write a sermon review from my home church. But this weekend has been a stormy one here where I live so I was not able to get to church. I listened to an online sermon by Greg Laurie and I thought I would share some thoughts from his message.
Greg Laurie began by asking the question - What makes you angry? We all have our boiling point. What is yours? It might be another person's cellphone that gets on your nerves. The cellphone being set to the loudest ring and he or she does not answer till like the 5th ring. Or it may be when you travel, and on the airplane you find yourself seated behind a person who reclines back in his seat and you are left to stare at his greasy scalp the rest of the flight.
We all have things that irritate us. We also are aware that anger can cause illness and heart attacks.
Greg Laurie stated that the angrier we become the more stupid our actions become. Never try to write an email while you are angry. There is no retrieving it once you have clicked the send button.
In the Bible we learn there is also a righteous anger. This is the kind of anger that Jesus demonstrated when he cleansed the temple in Luke 19:45-46 And he went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold therein, and them that bought;
Saying unto them, It is written, My house is the house of prayer: but ye have made it a den of thieves.
This was not an uncontrollable outburst of anger. Jesus was showing his authority here and was putting a stop to the evil of those who were buying and selling there in the temple.
We learn in the Bible that Jesus is meek but meekness is not weakness.
Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Meekness is not weakness but it is power under constraint, under control.
eg, is a horse under control.
In the Easter story, Jesus allowed himself to be captured and nailed to the cross. We know that Jesus is the great I AM so no chain or nail could really hold him. He stayed there on the cross of his own free will to save you and I. Jesus did not defend himself but allowed these things to happen for our salvation.
God is angry when people stand in the way of others coming to know Him.
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Each of us who are Christians are a witness for the Savior - What kind of a witness are you?
Be a bridge to bring others to Jesus and not a barrier.
Just as Jesus cleansed the temple, so he also brings about change in our lives when we come to him for salvation. He cleans house. We are the house in which his Spirit comes to dwell.
Sin doesn't belong in our lives. We need to be constantly confessing our sin to Jesus - sin that we commit and sin of omission.
1 John 1:5-10 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Monday, 5 November 2012
Prayer and Sharing Sunday Sermon Review
Sunday Sermon Review - November 4, 2012
(from my home church I attend regularly)
Psalm 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me
Our service at church today did not follow the usual format. It was a time dedicated to prayer and sharing rather than to preaching.
The service began with singing several songs, one was "Jesus Messiah -Lord of All."
There was a testimony time from some people of our congregation who are heading out on short term mission trips to Bolivia and also to Zambia. We prayed for them and their work there.
This was followed by a short video discussing the persecution of Christians in countries abroad - many heart breaking stories of Christians who are suffering for their faith and for sharing the good news of the gospel.
Singing followed - "All for Jesus, all I am and ever hope to be..."
Time of Sharing and Prayer
Prayer requests from our congregation -
* for those suffering from mental illness
* our elderly people
* marriages
* the church in Tigertown, Texas
* a brother-in-law
* that we know God better and grow deeper in relationship with Him
* a couple who is moving
* friends
* those suffering from drug addictions
* those with a new baby
* a father
We pray for these prayer needs.
Communion was served
- we remember the price that Jesus paid on our behalf
- as believers we share in communion with our brothers and sisters around the world.
1 Corinthians 11: 23- 29
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
(from my home church I attend regularly)
Psalm 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me
Our service at church today did not follow the usual format. It was a time dedicated to prayer and sharing rather than to preaching.
The service began with singing several songs, one was "Jesus Messiah -Lord of All."
There was a testimony time from some people of our congregation who are heading out on short term mission trips to Bolivia and also to Zambia. We prayed for them and their work there.
This was followed by a short video discussing the persecution of Christians in countries abroad - many heart breaking stories of Christians who are suffering for their faith and for sharing the good news of the gospel.
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church: Nov. 4th (or 11th), 2012
They are stripped of their rights. Their neighbors threaten them with violence and death. Their homes are razed. Their families beat them. And their governments want to slaughter them.
They are our brothers and sisters around the world, boldly believing and proclaiming Christ in places where the penalty for doing so is often death.
Please check out thevideo at the following link - www.gfa.org/persecuted We prayed for Christians who are suffering in this way and thank the Lord for the peace we have here in Canada.They are our brothers and sisters around the world, boldly believing and proclaiming Christ in places where the penalty for doing so is often death.
Singing followed - "All for Jesus, all I am and ever hope to be..."
Time of Sharing and Prayer
Prayer requests from our congregation -
* for those suffering from mental illness
* our elderly people
* marriages
* the church in Tigertown, Texas
* a brother-in-law
* that we know God better and grow deeper in relationship with Him
* a couple who is moving
* friends
* those suffering from drug addictions
* those with a new baby
* a father
We pray for these prayer needs.
Communion was served
- we remember the price that Jesus paid on our behalf
- as believers we share in communion with our brothers and sisters around the world.
1 Corinthians 11: 23- 29
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Monday, 27 August 2012
Why Go to Church on Sunday??
Sunday Sermon Review, August 26, 2012
A sermon review from my home church that I attend regulary
Psalm 149:1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
This was the final service in the series on "Worship"
The service began with singing of several songs, which included "Lead Me to the Cross", "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus", and "In Christ Alone".
This was followed by a children's story where the children were asked the question - "Why do you always go to church?" Some of the answers were - to worship the Lord, to sing with other people, and to learn new things from the preacher's message.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Pastor Ben came up to preach and he continued with the same question - Here is some of what he said.
Why Come to Church on Sunday?
Do we need to worship with others? and if so Why?
Worship is - our response to God for who He is and what He has done for us
While worhipping God alone is a very important part of the Christian life, worshipping together with others is a different experience. Pastor Ben compared worshipping corporately to being at a sports event or concert and how the atmosphere in such a place is an experience much different than watching a sports event on TV or listening to the same music on your ipod.
Worship changes our lives.
Jeremiah 2:5 Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
What we worship is what we become, It shapes the core of our being
Worshipping together as a congregation allows us to worship together as united in Christ
- someone who has cancer and knows the time is short here
- we can kneel before the Holy God together
- we can take part in communion
Worship is not just about "me and Jesus"
Our world is individualistic
Our world view shapes our thinking
Deuteronomy 16:11 says And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
Jews and Gentiles must worship God together - not separate
In the book of Revelation, we see community in worship before God
Our relationship with God and others is tied together
Worship is about pledging allegiance to God publicly - make God first in our life,
We pledge allegiance to God as King
Pastor Ben drew similarities to the ceremony of becoming a Canadian citizen - it is done publicly and it is a time of rejoicing.
So also worship is public
Pastor Ben quoted the words from the song Lead Me to the Cross as a recommitment to Christ and a pledging of allegiance to the Lord.
The closing song was "I am Free"
Here are the words to the song Lead me to the Cross:
Lead Me to the Cross
(by Hillsong United)
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart
A sermon review from my home church that I attend regulary
Psalm 149:1 Praise ye the Lord. Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
This was the final service in the series on "Worship"
The service began with singing of several songs, which included "Lead Me to the Cross", "Nothing but the Blood of Jesus", and "In Christ Alone".
This was followed by a children's story where the children were asked the question - "Why do you always go to church?" Some of the answers were - to worship the Lord, to sing with other people, and to learn new things from the preacher's message.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Pastor Ben came up to preach and he continued with the same question - Here is some of what he said.
Why Come to Church on Sunday?
Do we need to worship with others? and if so Why?
Worship is - our response to God for who He is and what He has done for us
While worhipping God alone is a very important part of the Christian life, worshipping together with others is a different experience. Pastor Ben compared worshipping corporately to being at a sports event or concert and how the atmosphere in such a place is an experience much different than watching a sports event on TV or listening to the same music on your ipod.
Worship changes our lives.
Jeremiah 2:5 Thus saith the Lord, What iniquity have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?
What we worship is what we become, It shapes the core of our being
Worshipping together as a congregation allows us to worship together as united in Christ
- someone who has cancer and knows the time is short here
- we can kneel before the Holy God together
- we can take part in communion
Worship is not just about "me and Jesus"
Our world is individualistic
Our world view shapes our thinking
Deuteronomy 16:11 says And thou shalt rejoice before the Lord thy God, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which the Lord thy God hath chosen to place his name there.
Jews and Gentiles must worship God together - not separate
In the book of Revelation, we see community in worship before God
Our relationship with God and others is tied together
Worship is about pledging allegiance to God publicly - make God first in our life,
We pledge allegiance to God as King
Pastor Ben drew similarities to the ceremony of becoming a Canadian citizen - it is done publicly and it is a time of rejoicing.
So also worship is public
Pastor Ben quoted the words from the song Lead Me to the Cross as a recommitment to Christ and a pledging of allegiance to the Lord.
The closing song was "I am Free"
Here are the words to the song Lead me to the Cross:
Lead Me to the Cross
(by Hillsong United)
Savior I come
Quiet my soul remember
Redemptions hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom
Everything I once held dear
I count it all as lost
Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out
Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You
Lead me, lead me to the cross
You were as I
Tempted and trialed
You are
The word became flesh
Bore my sin and death
Now you're risen
To your heart
To your heart
Lead me to your heart
Lead me to your heart
Monday, 6 August 2012
Worship in Marriage - Sunday Sermon
Sunday Sermon Review - August 5, 2012
Topic - Worship in Marriage
Marriage is like a pair of shears oft times working in opposite directions, but punishing anyone that comes between them.” - Sydney Smith
Topic - Worship in Marriage
This was followed by the reading of Ephesians 5:15-32.
Pastor Ben came up to preach on " Marriage as Worship".
He reminded us of the theme of the series that Worship is our Response to Who God is and what God has done for us. We need to place God as first and highest importance in our lives.
Marriage as an Act of Worship
Pastor Ben also referred to Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
Marriage is a covenant before God and witnesses to be faithful till death parts.
Just as it takes a village to raise a child, married people need support and blessing from their children, parents and others.
In order to worship God in marriage we need to realize that God is the one who gives us significance. As individuals we are loved and accepted by God. We need to be rooted in God in order to be successful in marriage.
Getting Practical in Honoring Marriage
Your spouse should be your "Best Friend"!
Take time regularly and often to maintain friendship with your spouse.
Don't let anyone drive a wedge between you and your spouse.
If a couple has been apart due to work or other circumstance, encourage them to spend time together just with each other and don't invite them over to spend time with you when in reality they need to spend time with each other.
Children - Give your parents time and space to spend quality time together. Pastor Ben suggested older children babysit their younger siblings ( for free!) in order to give their Mom and Dad time to get apart by themselves for a few hours.
Parents and Parents-in-law - don't interfere in the marriage of your grown children
Be a blessing to your children's marriage
Make sure you do not slander your child's spouse
You no longer have authority over your married children
You can encourage them but they must rely on each other (on their own spouse) - not on you as parents
To Married People
Become God-centered
Let the reponse you are to your spouse reflect who you are in Christ.
Selfishness and self-centeredness are the core root of problems in marriage
We are to give up ourselves for our spouse and put his/her needs above our own
Our spouse cannot fulfill the longings of our heart that only God ia able to truely fill.
Your spouse has married a sinner.
Let your response to your spouse be a response to God rather than basing it on what your spouse has or has not done for you.
Be a living sacrifice for your spouse.
Love as God loves - base your love on how God loves.
Romans 12:1 says I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Note - next Sunday will be Worship in your Family
Ephesians 5: 22-28
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Monday, 23 July 2012
Sermon Review Worship Part 2 ( Work )
Sunday Sermon Review July 22, 2012 - Worship in Work
Before I write this post, I want to point out that I do not agree 100% with the Pastor's take in that your work is worship. While I do firmly believe that a Christian must allow Christ to be Lord and Master in every area of life ( includes family, finances, health, work, recreation, etc - everything) that is not the same as worship. Worship is much more than that. We adore our Savior for all that He is and that He has done in us. As a follower of Christ we strive to allow Christ to influence and direct each decision and choice that we make.
The worship leader began by reminding us that nature never stops worshipping God. He mentioned the birds, frogs etc. He prayed for God to reveal Himself to us, to open our eyes to see God at work all around us in our world. He read from Psalm 62: 1-8
This was followed by a presentation by a Canadian Foodgrains Bank representative.
This was followed by a few songs including "In Christ Alone".
The preacher today was one of the Pastors at our church - Pastor Frank
He began by repeating the definition of worship from last Sunday. Worship is our response to what God has done for us and that it is more than Sunday morning worship.
He quoted Romans 12:1 from the NIV and the Message but I will post it from KJV - Romans 12:1 says I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service
How Can We Worship God in Work?
Some view work as a curse and believe that no one should have to work. But the Biblical perspective of work is clear from Genesis where God gave the task of taking care of the creatures and the world to Adam and to the rest of us. God invented work and He expects people to work.
Ephesians 4:28 says Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth
Our Culture Bases Career on Earning Potential
Is your career choice based on selfish motives?
Ignore the obsession of the paycheck
God honoring work does not need to involve the church - Pastor Frank mentioned homemakers and seniors who volunteer
How can we Worship God in Work
With the attitude of serving others
Phillipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Our motive should be on serving others and helping the needy.
Consider the needs of your boss, clients and collegues and show appreciation
Put the interests of family ahead of your own
By doing so we are worhipping God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Speech
Worship at work is guarding your speech at coffee and lunchtime
Phillipians 2:14 says Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Remind yourself to stop complaining, to thank God and to pray when you are frustrated
When you are angry, Talk to God rather than counting to 10
How we behave at work determines the joy others around us will find in their work.
God's Blessing will pass from us to others
That ended the message on Worship in Work by Pastor Frank.
Next Sunday the church service is again cancelled at our church. The following Sunday the topic will be Worship in your Marriage.
Before I write this post, I want to point out that I do not agree 100% with the Pastor's take in that your work is worship. While I do firmly believe that a Christian must allow Christ to be Lord and Master in every area of life ( includes family, finances, health, work, recreation, etc - everything) that is not the same as worship. Worship is much more than that. We adore our Savior for all that He is and that He has done in us. As a follower of Christ we strive to allow Christ to influence and direct each decision and choice that we make.
The worship leader began by reminding us that nature never stops worshipping God. He mentioned the birds, frogs etc. He prayed for God to reveal Himself to us, to open our eyes to see God at work all around us in our world. He read from Psalm 62: 1-8
This was followed by a presentation by a Canadian Foodgrains Bank representative.
This was followed by a few songs including "In Christ Alone".
The preacher today was one of the Pastors at our church - Pastor Frank
He began by repeating the definition of worship from last Sunday. Worship is our response to what God has done for us and that it is more than Sunday morning worship.
He quoted Romans 12:1 from the NIV and the Message but I will post it from KJV - Romans 12:1 says I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service
How Can We Worship God in Work?
Some view work as a curse and believe that no one should have to work. But the Biblical perspective of work is clear from Genesis where God gave the task of taking care of the creatures and the world to Adam and to the rest of us. God invented work and He expects people to work.
Ephesians 4:28 says Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth
Our Culture Bases Career on Earning Potential
Is your career choice based on selfish motives?
Ignore the obsession of the paycheck
God honoring work does not need to involve the church - Pastor Frank mentioned homemakers and seniors who volunteer
How can we Worship God in Work
With the attitude of serving others
Phillipians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Our motive should be on serving others and helping the needy.
Consider the needs of your boss, clients and collegues and show appreciation
Put the interests of family ahead of your own
By doing so we are worhipping God.
Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Speech
Worship at work is guarding your speech at coffee and lunchtime
Phillipians 2:14 says Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Remind yourself to stop complaining, to thank God and to pray when you are frustrated
When you are angry, Talk to God rather than counting to 10
How we behave at work determines the joy others around us will find in their work.
God's Blessing will pass from us to others
That ended the message on Worship in Work by Pastor Frank.
Next Sunday the church service is again cancelled at our church. The following Sunday the topic will be Worship in your Marriage.
Monday, 16 July 2012
Sunday Sermon Review - Worship Part 1
Sunday Sermon Review July 15, 2012 - Worship in Our Everday
Today our church began a summer series on Worship. The series will continue throughout the summer months.
The service always begins with singing. Among other newer songs, an old favorite was also sung. That is the song "I'll Fly Away".
The worship leader continued the thoughts of the lines of the song "I'll Fly Away" and he reminded us that we will all leave this earth either by death or fly to meet Jesus in the air when He returns to earth. He reminded us to be clearminded, self-controlled, to pray and study our Bibles as we wait for the Lord.
It was so good to hear the worship leader exhort the congregation like this and to then to pray earnestly for the Lord's protection and guidance and giving thanks to the Lord for his goodness to us. The worship leader continued as he reminded us that we gather in church to worship and not to be entertained by the various aspects of the service. So often people are so focused on the earthly and material things of life, I thought this exhortation from the worship leader was like a breath of fresh air.
The Service continued with the reading of Psalm 63: 1-8 which is posted at the bottom of the post.
Our Intern Pastor brought the message entitled "Worshiping God Everday".
Here is some of what he said.
Worship means to show honor and to respect, to glorify.
To Glorify is to make something glorious, to praise, and to admire.
Everyone worships something - Either God or something in this world
Misguided worship includes worshipping money, sex, another person or one self
What is True Worship?
God desires our worship all to Himself, Him alone
Worship is our response ( personal, and corporate) to God for who He is and for what He has done. Our response is worship in action.
Worship is not entertainment or a spectator sport.
Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Psalm 81:9 - There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
Matthew 4:10 - Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
God created all things, all of us, the entire universe
He is awesome in power and majesty
Isaiah 55: 8-9 says For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God loves us and desires a relationship with us. He sent His only begotten Son in flesh and blood to live among us, and to die on the cross to save us to eternal salvation.
God is Holy
We are wicked without Christ.
He is the only One worthy of our worship
Romans 11:36 - For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen
We Worship God with a Pure Heart
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Worship affects our everyday life, in our choices, our relationships and in our actions.
We cannot separate our spiritual life from our everyday life
Challenge to Congregation:
View your life as worship to God, Lift up your entire life to God everyday as a response to Him.
Repent of the things in your life that do not please the Lord.
Psalm 63: 1-8
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Today our church began a summer series on Worship. The series will continue throughout the summer months.
The service always begins with singing. Among other newer songs, an old favorite was also sung. That is the song "I'll Fly Away".
The worship leader continued the thoughts of the lines of the song "I'll Fly Away" and he reminded us that we will all leave this earth either by death or fly to meet Jesus in the air when He returns to earth. He reminded us to be clearminded, self-controlled, to pray and study our Bibles as we wait for the Lord.
It was so good to hear the worship leader exhort the congregation like this and to then to pray earnestly for the Lord's protection and guidance and giving thanks to the Lord for his goodness to us. The worship leader continued as he reminded us that we gather in church to worship and not to be entertained by the various aspects of the service. So often people are so focused on the earthly and material things of life, I thought this exhortation from the worship leader was like a breath of fresh air.
The Service continued with the reading of Psalm 63: 1-8 which is posted at the bottom of the post.
Our Intern Pastor brought the message entitled "Worshiping God Everday".
Here is some of what he said.
Worship means to show honor and to respect, to glorify.
To Glorify is to make something glorious, to praise, and to admire.
Everyone worships something - Either God or something in this world
Misguided worship includes worshipping money, sex, another person or one self
What is True Worship?
God desires our worship all to Himself, Him alone
Worship is our response ( personal, and corporate) to God for who He is and for what He has done. Our response is worship in action.
Worship is not entertainment or a spectator sport.
Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Psalm 81:9 - There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
Matthew 4:10 - Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
God created all things, all of us, the entire universe
He is awesome in power and majesty
Isaiah 55: 8-9 says For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God loves us and desires a relationship with us. He sent His only begotten Son in flesh and blood to live among us, and to die on the cross to save us to eternal salvation.
God is Holy
We are wicked without Christ.
He is the only One worthy of our worship
Romans 11:36 - For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen
We Worship God with a Pure Heart
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Worship affects our everyday life, in our choices, our relationships and in our actions.
We cannot separate our spiritual life from our everyday life
Challenge to Congregation:
View your life as worship to God, Lift up your entire life to God everyday as a response to Him.
Repent of the things in your life that do not please the Lord.
Psalm 63: 1-8
O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
2 To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
3 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
6 When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
8 My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
Friday, 13 July 2012
The Ten Commandments - Ours Today!
The Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses are the basic instructions for living found in the Bible. We are not saved by keeping them. We are saved through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross where He died in our place. But the Ten Commandments are still very important because they clearly and simply show us what God expects from a person who says that he belongs to the LORD. I would like to go through the commands and see what we can learn for our everyday lives. The Lord Jesus says in Mark 12: 29-31 : And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
So Jesus says we are to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. As we look at the Ten Commandments we will see these exact two points over and over again within every one of the Commandments:
So what are the Ten Commandments and where are they found in the Bible. They are written for us in Exodus 20.
![]()
Commandment 1
There is only One God - There is no other
Exodus 20: 2-3 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me
Commandment 2
Worship only God - God requires our complete devotion and loyalty that is 100%. We cannot be divided in our loyalty. We cannot love both God and the world at the same time.
Exodus 20: 4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Commandment 3
Keep God's Name holy and with honor. If we are claiming the Name of Christ and say that we are Christians and we still live in sinful lifestyles, we are not giving the Name of the LORD the honor that He deserves nor are we keeping it holy. Also we are not to use the Name of the LORD as a swear word to just to express surprise or horror. We are to honor the Name of the LORD keeping it only for Him.
Exodus 20: 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain
Commandment 4
Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Since the Lord Jesus Christ rose on the first day of the week, that is on Sunday, we now have Sunday as our Sabbath Day. It is a day to rest, and to focus on our Lord with more intensity, to be with our family, and to refrain from doing unnecessary work. We are not to work nor are we to have others working in our businesses on a Sunday. Things that are needed like preparing food or providing medical help or other physical supports for people must obviously continue to be done even in our Sabbath.
Exodus 20: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Commandment 5
Honor your parents - your Father and Mother Children show honor and respect to parents by obeying them, doing what the parent asks, and not talking back or lying etc. As adults we still need to honor and respect our parents which then looks more like a solid friendship with our parents and we take care of them as they become elderly.
Exodus 20: 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Commandment 6
Never kill another person. This includes things such as abortion and euthanasia or mercy killing. God is the giver of all life and only He is the One allowed to end a life. God does not allow murder.
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
Commandment 7
Do not commit adultery - This is a big one in our day and age. Christians are not obeying Christ in this matter. Men and women while being married are getting involved with another person, affairs and sex outside of marriage. Pornography and lust are also included in this commandment. God will judge those who take part in sexual immorality.
Exodus 20: 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Commandment 8
Do not steal - this speaks very clearly. We are not to take what belongs to another person. This even includes stuff that no one will ever notice such as pens or paper in the office.
Exodus 20: 15 Thou shalt not steal.
Commandment 9
Do not tell lies. Lies are used to cover up. The Lord says that everything will be revealed. There is nothing hidden that will stay hidden no matter how much lying is done to cover it up.
Exodus 20: 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Commandment 10
Do not want or desire anything belongs to another person. This includes many different things - job, possessions, house, car, money, fields, a woman, or a man,
God gives us all that we need and we are contented with His goodness to us.
Exodus 20 : 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
So we can clearly see that if we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will have fulfilled all of the Ten Commandments of God. If we are living with the love of Christ in our hearts we will not be lying to people or about others, we will not be living in immorality, or taking what belongs to others, we will not be killing other people. So we can see that God's way is truely the right and only way to live a good life.
God has given us these instructions in the Bible in order to help us to live a good life. God's Word helps us to have a more enjoyable and fullfilling life.
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
So Jesus says we are to love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength and we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. As we look at the Ten Commandments we will see these exact two points over and over again within every one of the Commandments:
So what are the Ten Commandments and where are they found in the Bible. They are written for us in Exodus 20.
.jpg)
Commandment 1
There is only One God - There is no other
Exodus 20: 2-3 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me
Commandment 2
Worship only God - God requires our complete devotion and loyalty that is 100%. We cannot be divided in our loyalty. We cannot love both God and the world at the same time.
Exodus 20: 4-6 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Commandment 3
Keep God's Name holy and with honor. If we are claiming the Name of Christ and say that we are Christians and we still live in sinful lifestyles, we are not giving the Name of the LORD the honor that He deserves nor are we keeping it holy. Also we are not to use the Name of the LORD as a swear word to just to express surprise or horror. We are to honor the Name of the LORD keeping it only for Him.
Exodus 20: 7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain
Commandment 4
Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Since the Lord Jesus Christ rose on the first day of the week, that is on Sunday, we now have Sunday as our Sabbath Day. It is a day to rest, and to focus on our Lord with more intensity, to be with our family, and to refrain from doing unnecessary work. We are not to work nor are we to have others working in our businesses on a Sunday. Things that are needed like preparing food or providing medical help or other physical supports for people must obviously continue to be done even in our Sabbath.
Exodus 20: Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:
For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
Commandment 5
Honor your parents - your Father and Mother Children show honor and respect to parents by obeying them, doing what the parent asks, and not talking back or lying etc. As adults we still need to honor and respect our parents which then looks more like a solid friendship with our parents and we take care of them as they become elderly.
Exodus 20: 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Commandment 6
Never kill another person. This includes things such as abortion and euthanasia or mercy killing. God is the giver of all life and only He is the One allowed to end a life. God does not allow murder.
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
Commandment 7
Do not commit adultery - This is a big one in our day and age. Christians are not obeying Christ in this matter. Men and women while being married are getting involved with another person, affairs and sex outside of marriage. Pornography and lust are also included in this commandment. God will judge those who take part in sexual immorality.
Exodus 20: 14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Commandment 8
Do not steal - this speaks very clearly. We are not to take what belongs to another person. This even includes stuff that no one will ever notice such as pens or paper in the office.
Exodus 20: 15 Thou shalt not steal.
Commandment 9
Do not tell lies. Lies are used to cover up. The Lord says that everything will be revealed. There is nothing hidden that will stay hidden no matter how much lying is done to cover it up.
Exodus 20: 16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Commandment 10
Do not want or desire anything belongs to another person. This includes many different things - job, possessions, house, car, money, fields, a woman, or a man,
God gives us all that we need and we are contented with His goodness to us.
Exodus 20 : 17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.
So we can clearly see that if we love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will have fulfilled all of the Ten Commandments of God. If we are living with the love of Christ in our hearts we will not be lying to people or about others, we will not be living in immorality, or taking what belongs to others, we will not be killing other people. So we can see that God's way is truely the right and only way to live a good life.
God has given us these instructions in the Bible in order to help us to live a good life. God's Word helps us to have a more enjoyable and fullfilling life.
Sunday, 8 July 2012
Sunday Sermon Review - Paul's final words to Timothy!
Sunday Sermon Review July 8, 2012
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Normally I write a sermon review from my home church that I attend regularly. Today the service at our church was cancelled so I am not able to write my usual post. But I listened to an online sermon by Chuck Swindoll so I will share some of what was taught there. It was really quite insightful and provided a good look into the last days of the Apostle Paul.
In his sermon, Chuck Swindoll was reviewing the book of 2 Timothy.
He started out by discussing the fact that the final words of a person are often his best words. When a person knows that he or she has only a short time left on this earth, you want to leave some words of advice and encouragement for your loved ones. It is at a time like this, that we find ourselves listening more closely to the person in his dying day as he or she shares wisdom about life and encouraging us in our futures.
As Chuck Swindoll was speaking about this I was reminded of my own Dad who did this very thing with our family the last Christmas that he had with us. I have written a blog post on this entitled "Dad's Final Message to the family". You will find it in my archives posted on May 16, 2012. I share my Dad's final message to our family which he gave us about 7 months before his passing. I encourage everyone to read it also.
Chuck Swindoll encouraged us to listen to the aged among us and also suggested that we personally write words of encouragement to leave behind for our loved ones, that when we have passed on they will have a word from us.
Here in 2 Timothy, we see Paul confined to a prison in Rome. It was a dark underground dungeon and Paul knew he had no escape out of there other than death. He knew death was imminent. He is lonely and cold in this dark dungeon. So Paul the Apostle while chained up in this dungeon writes as it were his last will and testament to Timothy.
Paul is in his mid 60's while Timothy is younger in his mid life years. Timothy is in Ephesus and Paul is writing from Rome to Timothy to encourage him in his life of ministry and to give advice to him.
Paul's Three Reasons for Writing to Timothy:
1)To Equip Timothy for a Tough Task - to take up the baton and run with it
2) To Stir Up His Friend - Timothy was young, prone to sickness, and had an introvertish character
3) Wrap up Personal Matters before his Death - he felt the urgency to do this
The Structure of the Book of 2 Timothy - There are 4 commands:
Chapter 1
Guard the treasure that is the gospel message - Chapter 1:14 - That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Chapter 2
Be prepared to suffer hardships - Chapter 2:3 - Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3
Continue in the things you learned. The good old fashioned gospel message. Chapter 3:14 -But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Chapter 4
Preach the Word - Chapter 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Concluding Wrap-up
Communicate the Gospel
Suffer for the Gospel
Guard the Gospel Message
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth
Normally I write a sermon review from my home church that I attend regularly. Today the service at our church was cancelled so I am not able to write my usual post. But I listened to an online sermon by Chuck Swindoll so I will share some of what was taught there. It was really quite insightful and provided a good look into the last days of the Apostle Paul.
In his sermon, Chuck Swindoll was reviewing the book of 2 Timothy.
He started out by discussing the fact that the final words of a person are often his best words. When a person knows that he or she has only a short time left on this earth, you want to leave some words of advice and encouragement for your loved ones. It is at a time like this, that we find ourselves listening more closely to the person in his dying day as he or she shares wisdom about life and encouraging us in our futures.
As Chuck Swindoll was speaking about this I was reminded of my own Dad who did this very thing with our family the last Christmas that he had with us. I have written a blog post on this entitled "Dad's Final Message to the family". You will find it in my archives posted on May 16, 2012. I share my Dad's final message to our family which he gave us about 7 months before his passing. I encourage everyone to read it also.
Chuck Swindoll encouraged us to listen to the aged among us and also suggested that we personally write words of encouragement to leave behind for our loved ones, that when we have passed on they will have a word from us.
Here in 2 Timothy, we see Paul confined to a prison in Rome. It was a dark underground dungeon and Paul knew he had no escape out of there other than death. He knew death was imminent. He is lonely and cold in this dark dungeon. So Paul the Apostle while chained up in this dungeon writes as it were his last will and testament to Timothy.
Paul is in his mid 60's while Timothy is younger in his mid life years. Timothy is in Ephesus and Paul is writing from Rome to Timothy to encourage him in his life of ministry and to give advice to him.
Paul's Three Reasons for Writing to Timothy:
1)To Equip Timothy for a Tough Task - to take up the baton and run with it
2) To Stir Up His Friend - Timothy was young, prone to sickness, and had an introvertish character
3) Wrap up Personal Matters before his Death - he felt the urgency to do this
The Structure of the Book of 2 Timothy - There are 4 commands:
Chapter 1
Guard the treasure that is the gospel message - Chapter 1:14 - That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Chapter 2
Be prepared to suffer hardships - Chapter 2:3 - Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Chapter 3
Continue in the things you learned. The good old fashioned gospel message. Chapter 3:14 -But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
Chapter 4
Preach the Word - Chapter 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Concluding Wrap-up
Communicate the Gospel
Suffer for the Gospel
Guard the Gospel Message
Sunday, 1 July 2012
Sunday Sermon Review - Building relationship with God..
Sunday Sermon Review July 1, 2012
(from my home church that I attend regularly)
Psalm 146:1-2 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
The service began with the worship leader reading from Psalm 145 and some congregational singing including the song " Blessed be Your Name" and "Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine".
Psalm 145:17-19 says
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
We had a guest speaker today by the name of Niko Engbrecht. He is an immigrant from Germany, come to Canada. Mr Engbrecht believes God is calling him to preaching so our church gave him a chance to explore that gift. Today was the first time in his life that he preached.
Mr Niko Engbrecht began by saying when he was in school in Germany, he was required to study the English language and at that time he hadn't felt it was important or that he would ever use the English language. But now he could see that it was a tool God was using to prepare him for life in Canada. He said he had said in years gone by that he would never preach or teach but now suggested it is wise to never say never because you don't know what God has planned for you ahead.
Mr Engbrecht chose 1 Timothy 4:13 for his text: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
He said he prefers the KJV as it is the more accurate translation when compared with the Greek. The NIV translates the word exhortation as preaching whereas the KJV uses the word exhortation.
Who is Timothy?
His father was a Greek, mother was Jewish, he grew up with the Scriptures and was a student of Paul.
Three Tools to build Relationship with God
1) Give attendance to Reading: - We are not reading our Bibles enough. The Old Testament commanded to give 10% as a tithe, and the New Testament teaches to give our everything to God. Mr Engbrecht suggested if we have an average of 112 waking hours per week- are we willing to give God 10% of those hours for praying, reading Scriptures and service. That would be at least 11 hours per week.
Let us not be lukewarm in our relationship with Christ as the church in Laodicea.
Revelation 3:14-16
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Jesus doesn't want lukewarm. He wants cold or hot. Jesus left the glory of Heaven to die for us, the least we can do is to give Jesus top priority in our lives.
Read and study the Bible seriously everyday. Meet and socialize with God!
2) Give attendance to Exhortation:
As Christians, we represent Christ on this earth. If we involve ourselves in unChristlike behavior ( in speech, dress, lifestyle etc.) , we are misrepresenting Christ and the Bible.
So we need to exhort one another to live righteously. If we see fellow Christians living in sin and we do not warn them, we stand accountable to God as partakers of their actions. We need to give warning to the wicked, with Bible back-up to what we are saying. And we also accept exhortation from fellow believers.
1 Peter 3:10-11: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
3) Give attendance to Doctrine:
Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Tell the good news to as many as you can wherever you are! We are to know the Scriptures and always be ready to give a word of testimony.
Satan likes to blind us. When we recognize our sin we need to repent. What is repentance?
Realize you have sinned.
Jesus died on the cross, shed his blood for your sin.
Change from within your heart, and do not repeat the sin.
Mr Niko Engbrecht ended the service with an altar call to salvation saying that we know we will all die. None of us know when we will die or if we even have a week left. God is not willing that anyone perish but that all come to repentance.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
The service ended with congregational singing - "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms"
(from my home church that I attend regularly)
Psalm 146:1-2 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul. While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.
The service began with the worship leader reading from Psalm 145 and some congregational singing including the song " Blessed be Your Name" and "Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine".
Psalm 145:17-19 says
The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.
We had a guest speaker today by the name of Niko Engbrecht. He is an immigrant from Germany, come to Canada. Mr Engbrecht believes God is calling him to preaching so our church gave him a chance to explore that gift. Today was the first time in his life that he preached.
Mr Niko Engbrecht began by saying when he was in school in Germany, he was required to study the English language and at that time he hadn't felt it was important or that he would ever use the English language. But now he could see that it was a tool God was using to prepare him for life in Canada. He said he had said in years gone by that he would never preach or teach but now suggested it is wise to never say never because you don't know what God has planned for you ahead.
Mr Engbrecht chose 1 Timothy 4:13 for his text: Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
He said he prefers the KJV as it is the more accurate translation when compared with the Greek. The NIV translates the word exhortation as preaching whereas the KJV uses the word exhortation.
Who is Timothy?
His father was a Greek, mother was Jewish, he grew up with the Scriptures and was a student of Paul.
Three Tools to build Relationship with God
1) Give attendance to Reading: - We are not reading our Bibles enough. The Old Testament commanded to give 10% as a tithe, and the New Testament teaches to give our everything to God. Mr Engbrecht suggested if we have an average of 112 waking hours per week- are we willing to give God 10% of those hours for praying, reading Scriptures and service. That would be at least 11 hours per week.
Let us not be lukewarm in our relationship with Christ as the church in Laodicea.
Revelation 3:14-16
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Jesus doesn't want lukewarm. He wants cold or hot. Jesus left the glory of Heaven to die for us, the least we can do is to give Jesus top priority in our lives.
Read and study the Bible seriously everyday. Meet and socialize with God!
2) Give attendance to Exhortation:
As Christians, we represent Christ on this earth. If we involve ourselves in unChristlike behavior ( in speech, dress, lifestyle etc.) , we are misrepresenting Christ and the Bible.
So we need to exhort one another to live righteously. If we see fellow Christians living in sin and we do not warn them, we stand accountable to God as partakers of their actions. We need to give warning to the wicked, with Bible back-up to what we are saying. And we also accept exhortation from fellow believers.
1 Peter 3:10-11: For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
3) Give attendance to Doctrine:
Mark 16:15 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Tell the good news to as many as you can wherever you are! We are to know the Scriptures and always be ready to give a word of testimony.
Satan likes to blind us. When we recognize our sin we need to repent. What is repentance?
Realize you have sinned.
Jesus died on the cross, shed his blood for your sin.
Change from within your heart, and do not repeat the sin.
Mr Niko Engbrecht ended the service with an altar call to salvation saying that we know we will all die. None of us know when we will die or if we even have a week left. God is not willing that anyone perish but that all come to repentance.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
The service ended with congregational singing - "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms"
Sunday, 24 June 2012
Sunday Sermon Review "Good Samaritan"
June 24, 2012 - Sunday Sermon Review "Good Samaritan"
(from my home church that I attend regularly)
Today we had a guest speaker at our church. His name was John Chalkis, the director of 'Seeds of Hope'. Seeds of Hope is a ministry to Orphans in Africa. You can check out their website at www.seedsofhopecm.com
The service began with singing and the reading of Scripture from Psalm 139
Verses 23 and 24 reads: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting
John Chalkis chose to speak on the topic of the "Good Samaritan". Please take the time to read Luke 10:25-36 which I have posted entirely at the end of this post.
Mr Chalkis gave an update of the projects in Zambia that Seeds of Hope is involved with. He informed us that they have 120 children in the orphanages. The children receive 3 meals a day as well as medical care. Many of the children are HIV positive but with treatment can expect to live a good life. He shared that many parents have died due to the HIV infections and now Seeds of Hope is also helping to feed the grandmothers who are now left to take care of the children.
Mr Chalkis shared the testimony of a young man named Tyson Chalkis who had come through the Seeds of Hope ministry program and is now working to give back to the needy. Mr Chalkis encouraged us to participate in child sponsorship with an organization of our choosing so orphans and poor children can be taken care of and also hear the gospel.
He then went on to ask "In the story of the good Samaritan, who are you?" Who would you be? - the priest, the Levite or the Samaritan who then helps the man who has been beaten by thieves??
Mr Chalkis told the story of a group of seminary students who were required to preach a sermon on the story of the good Samaritan. The Professor gave each student a 20 minute time alotment to speak. Each student got a grade of 0% in the assignment. Why? As a test to his students the professor had a friend dress up as a beggar and posted him just outside the church. Not one of the students gave the "beggar" any help whatsoever and that is why each one failed the preaching test. Though they could speak about the topic, none of them actually did anything they were saying.
The speaker continued on with the topic of missed opportunities. Mr Chalkis shared a story from his own life where he had not immediately taken care of a "beggar" as he should have, but had done many other things that seemed more important to him in his day. He challenged us to look for opportunities that God may be placing in our path each day where we could help someone. We need to be listening to hear God speak and be willing to walk in His way! God is to be #1 in our lives.
One of the Pastors of our church continued the service with the serving of Communion. We celebrate Jesus death and resurrection and remember Him until He comes again. The night of His betrayal, Jesus took part in the Passover meal and instituted the new covenant that though faith in Him we can be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The Bread of Communion was passed out first, which was followed by the wine ( I believe our church uses grape juice).
Text
Luke 10:25-36
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
(from my home church that I attend regularly)
Today we had a guest speaker at our church. His name was John Chalkis, the director of 'Seeds of Hope'. Seeds of Hope is a ministry to Orphans in Africa. You can check out their website at www.seedsofhopecm.com
The service began with singing and the reading of Scripture from Psalm 139
Verses 23 and 24 reads: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting
John Chalkis chose to speak on the topic of the "Good Samaritan". Please take the time to read Luke 10:25-36 which I have posted entirely at the end of this post.
Mr Chalkis gave an update of the projects in Zambia that Seeds of Hope is involved with. He informed us that they have 120 children in the orphanages. The children receive 3 meals a day as well as medical care. Many of the children are HIV positive but with treatment can expect to live a good life. He shared that many parents have died due to the HIV infections and now Seeds of Hope is also helping to feed the grandmothers who are now left to take care of the children.
Mr Chalkis shared the testimony of a young man named Tyson Chalkis who had come through the Seeds of Hope ministry program and is now working to give back to the needy. Mr Chalkis encouraged us to participate in child sponsorship with an organization of our choosing so orphans and poor children can be taken care of and also hear the gospel.
He then went on to ask "In the story of the good Samaritan, who are you?" Who would you be? - the priest, the Levite or the Samaritan who then helps the man who has been beaten by thieves??
Mr Chalkis told the story of a group of seminary students who were required to preach a sermon on the story of the good Samaritan. The Professor gave each student a 20 minute time alotment to speak. Each student got a grade of 0% in the assignment. Why? As a test to his students the professor had a friend dress up as a beggar and posted him just outside the church. Not one of the students gave the "beggar" any help whatsoever and that is why each one failed the preaching test. Though they could speak about the topic, none of them actually did anything they were saying.
The speaker continued on with the topic of missed opportunities. Mr Chalkis shared a story from his own life where he had not immediately taken care of a "beggar" as he should have, but had done many other things that seemed more important to him in his day. He challenged us to look for opportunities that God may be placing in our path each day where we could help someone. We need to be listening to hear God speak and be willing to walk in His way! God is to be #1 in our lives.
One of the Pastors of our church continued the service with the serving of Communion. We celebrate Jesus death and resurrection and remember Him until He comes again. The night of His betrayal, Jesus took part in the Passover meal and instituted the new covenant that though faith in Him we can be saved. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.
The Bread of Communion was passed out first, which was followed by the wine ( I believe our church uses grape juice).
Text
Luke 10:25-36
25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Sunday Sermon "First Place in Everything" - Money...
Sunday Sermon Review June 17th, 2012 - "First Place in Everything" - Money...
The preacher at our church today was the Lead Pastor of our church.
Today is Father's Day. Church started with singing "This Train is bound for Glory and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
The MC of the service reminded us that God is the perfect Father and that we should look to Him for direction. This was followed by Scripture reading from 1 Peter 1.
Verse 7 says: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
There was a children's feature where all the children were called up to the front for a talk about Father's Day. The children were shown a wrench which reminds us how Dads fix things around the house, a baseball glove to show that Dads often play sports with their children, money to indicate that Dads provide food and clothes for the family and finally a toy car to represent that Dads drive kids to various places. The children were reminded to thank their Dad for taking care of them and to thank God who takes care of us all.
The preacher came up to speak and wished all Fathers a happy day. He read Colossians 1:15-23 (which I have posted entirely below) focusing in on verse 18: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
He said that in the NRSV the ending of verse 18 reads - so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
When we become disciples of Jesus, He requires that He become first place in our everything. It is part of the Christians's journey to bring everything under His control.
The preacher choose to focus on God wanting to have first place in our money, finances and possesions. He gave 4 principles about money.
1) Money is not evil - It is not wicked or dirty even to have a lot of it. In the Old Testament God often used wealth to bless people richly. He refered to Abraham , Isaac and Jacob.
Warning - Money is only one of the ways that God chooses to bless people. Money is not the marker or measuring stick of God's blessing in our lives.
Sometimes people will think that because we are poor, that we are not receiving blessing from God. This is not true. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:20 that God blesses the poor. - And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
The Measuring Stick or Primary Signs of Gods Blessing in your life is if the fruits of the Spirit are present in your life. He read from Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
2) Caretakers or Stewards: Money and posessions do not belong to us. God owns all things - He simply entrusts things to us and into our care. Our culture would have us think we need to own more things.
God entrusts us with money and possesions so that we will use them to :
A) Glorify God
B) to Extend the Kingdom and not to use them on our own desires and wants.
3) Become Wise in Handling Finances
Proverbs is a book of wisdom which teaches us to seek wisdom and to work, to work hard in order to provide for our families and others around us, not to attain the latest gadget or item of fashion. He suggested reading a few good books on finances and to check out the Crown Financial website as well as the Mennonite Foundation website.
We need to become a GENEROUS PEOPLE. - He read 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
God loves a cheerful giver. We need to look beyond our own needs and become generous towards others. Jesus calls the church to go into all the earth. The preacher asked the question - How do I give more?? and still provide for my family. He said to hold money and finances loosely.
4) Money can Become an Idol. -- it can take the place of God in our lives.
Matthew 6 : 24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
You can not serve God and Money. Money has the ability to take the place of God in our lives. God gives us meaning in our lives, value, significance and security. If we are not careful money will try to provide meaning, value , significance and security in our lives.
The preacher mentioned a book he was reading by Timothy Keller where Keller says that as a Pastor, he has had many people come to him confessing various sins but no one ever came confessing greed and yet greed is a core issue.
We need to repent:
1) Confess that we may be caught in greed. The Holy Spirit will reveal this.
2) Choose to place Jesus 1st in our finances by becoming more wise and more generous.
3) Decide to serve God , not money
Let Jesus have first place in everything!
Thought for the week - " Never blame any day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, worst days give you a lesson."
Colossians 1:15-23
The preacher at our church today was the Lead Pastor of our church.
Today is Father's Day. Church started with singing "This Train is bound for Glory and "Swing Low Sweet Chariot.
The MC of the service reminded us that God is the perfect Father and that we should look to Him for direction. This was followed by Scripture reading from 1 Peter 1.
Verse 7 says: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
There was a children's feature where all the children were called up to the front for a talk about Father's Day. The children were shown a wrench which reminds us how Dads fix things around the house, a baseball glove to show that Dads often play sports with their children, money to indicate that Dads provide food and clothes for the family and finally a toy car to represent that Dads drive kids to various places. The children were reminded to thank their Dad for taking care of them and to thank God who takes care of us all.
The preacher came up to speak and wished all Fathers a happy day. He read Colossians 1:15-23 (which I have posted entirely below) focusing in on verse 18: And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
He said that in the NRSV the ending of verse 18 reads - so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.
When we become disciples of Jesus, He requires that He become first place in our everything. It is part of the Christians's journey to bring everything under His control.
The preacher choose to focus on God wanting to have first place in our money, finances and possesions. He gave 4 principles about money.
1) Money is not evil - It is not wicked or dirty even to have a lot of it. In the Old Testament God often used wealth to bless people richly. He refered to Abraham , Isaac and Jacob.
Warning - Money is only one of the ways that God chooses to bless people. Money is not the marker or measuring stick of God's blessing in our lives.
Sometimes people will think that because we are poor, that we are not receiving blessing from God. This is not true. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:20 that God blesses the poor. - And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
The Measuring Stick or Primary Signs of Gods Blessing in your life is if the fruits of the Spirit are present in your life. He read from Galatians 5:22-23 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
2) Caretakers or Stewards: Money and posessions do not belong to us. God owns all things - He simply entrusts things to us and into our care. Our culture would have us think we need to own more things.
God entrusts us with money and possesions so that we will use them to :
A) Glorify God
B) to Extend the Kingdom and not to use them on our own desires and wants.
3) Become Wise in Handling Finances
Proverbs is a book of wisdom which teaches us to seek wisdom and to work, to work hard in order to provide for our families and others around us, not to attain the latest gadget or item of fashion. He suggested reading a few good books on finances and to check out the Crown Financial website as well as the Mennonite Foundation website.
We need to become a GENEROUS PEOPLE. - He read 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
God loves a cheerful giver. We need to look beyond our own needs and become generous towards others. Jesus calls the church to go into all the earth. The preacher asked the question - How do I give more?? and still provide for my family. He said to hold money and finances loosely.
4) Money can Become an Idol. -- it can take the place of God in our lives.
Matthew 6 : 24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
You can not serve God and Money. Money has the ability to take the place of God in our lives. God gives us meaning in our lives, value, significance and security. If we are not careful money will try to provide meaning, value , significance and security in our lives.
The preacher mentioned a book he was reading by Timothy Keller where Keller says that as a Pastor, he has had many people come to him confessing various sins but no one ever came confessing greed and yet greed is a core issue.
We need to repent:
1) Confess that we may be caught in greed. The Holy Spirit will reveal this.
2) Choose to place Jesus 1st in our finances by becoming more wise and more generous.
3) Decide to serve God , not money
Let Jesus have first place in everything!
Thought for the week - " Never blame any day in your life. Good days give you happiness, bad days give you experience, worst days give you a lesson."
Colossians 1:15-23
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)