In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.
-Isaiah 45:24-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Jesus Sent Them Out On Short-Term Missions
Andrew Mayne
28 November 2010
Luke 9:1-6: When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Reasons for mission
*The reason we are still called for mission is that God knew about viral long before You Tube was invented
*If you want something to be long term, we need to invest deeply into that
*Everyone goes through a first time and Jesus gets it
*He can do anything at its best. He could talk about God because He knows God so well, He is God
*Sharing of Jesus cannot just remain in Him so He takes the risk, we are the risk. So he send the 12.
John 14:12: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
*Prayer of God is filled with grace, unfailing love, and peace
*The peace they can find if they put their trust in Jesus
*Every time we take Jesus in our context, many people will get to know Jesus
*We will see greater things when we invest our lives to people
1. Mission is God's Plan
*The good news to save and seek the lost
*God uses ordinary people to take the challenge
2. Mission is not something we graduate from but its a commitment, a journey
3. Mission is about messy people who offers grace and mercy to messy people
*Most of us are messy people. We realize that God's love is sufficient
*Most of us stay within the comfort zone. Mission is about going out of our comfort zone to bring people to know Jesus
Tools Of Mission
*The power we have in mission is the message, not the props
*Jesus told them not to take anything and go preach because to take something can be a distraction
*Marketing asks us to get a crappy product and promote it in a way that is good and beneficial for you
*Jesus said "We don't need props, just the message"
*We as the church will never succeed if we try and grow bigger, broader and more impressive
*It will succeed when it shows more compassion, less discrimination, gives generously, loves more, forgives better, less exclusive and many more because that is the message of the kingdom, that is what God want us to do
*We should give our best
*Grace does not make sense when we feel we are suppose to pay back
*There should be the willingness of people to share and the willingness to open and hear the message
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
28 November 2010
Luke 9:1-6: When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: "Take nothing for the journey- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them." So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
Reasons for mission
*The reason we are still called for mission is that God knew about viral long before You Tube was invented
*If you want something to be long term, we need to invest deeply into that
*Everyone goes through a first time and Jesus gets it
*He can do anything at its best. He could talk about God because He knows God so well, He is God
*Sharing of Jesus cannot just remain in Him so He takes the risk, we are the risk. So he send the 12.
John 14:12: I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
*Prayer of God is filled with grace, unfailing love, and peace
*The peace they can find if they put their trust in Jesus
*Every time we take Jesus in our context, many people will get to know Jesus
*We will see greater things when we invest our lives to people
1. Mission is God's Plan
*The good news to save and seek the lost
*God uses ordinary people to take the challenge
2. Mission is not something we graduate from but its a commitment, a journey
3. Mission is about messy people who offers grace and mercy to messy people
*Most of us are messy people. We realize that God's love is sufficient
*Most of us stay within the comfort zone. Mission is about going out of our comfort zone to bring people to know Jesus
Tools Of Mission
*The power we have in mission is the message, not the props
*Jesus told them not to take anything and go preach because to take something can be a distraction
*Marketing asks us to get a crappy product and promote it in a way that is good and beneficial for you
*Jesus said "We don't need props, just the message"
*We as the church will never succeed if we try and grow bigger, broader and more impressive
*It will succeed when it shows more compassion, less discrimination, gives generously, loves more, forgives better, less exclusive and many more because that is the message of the kingdom, that is what God want us to do
*We should give our best
*Grace does not make sense when we feel we are suppose to pay back
*There should be the willingness of people to share and the willingness to open and hear the message
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Before You Could Open Your Mouth...
"Before they call I will answer;
while they are still speaking I will hear, " declares the LORD.
-Isaiah 65:24-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
while they are still speaking I will hear, " declares the LORD.
-Isaiah 65:24-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Refresh My Heart
"I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint," says the Lord.
-Jeremiah 31:25-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Jeremiah 31:25-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Afraid?
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid.
-Psalm 118:6-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Psalm 118:6-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Say with Confidence!
So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
-Hebrews 13:6-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Hebrews 13:6-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Its All Up To You
I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted, O Lord.
-Job 42:2-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
no plan of yours can be thwarted, O Lord.
-Job 42:2-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, November 22, 2010
Jesus Intentionally Did Life With Them
John Sweetman
21st November 2010
Question 1 : What was Jesus doing with his mates?
Question 2: What did he want to prove or what message did he want to pass?
Luke 5:27-32
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 6:1-5
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"
Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions. Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
1. Pick up ears of corn to eat
2. There is flexibility and change
Luke 7:11-17
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her, When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I saw to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
They were filled with awe and praised God."A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
1. He was wondering in Nain
2. Showing the power and magnitude of God
Luke 8:1-3
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
*Jesus did not invest in guys alone but women too
*Women were buying food but tagging along with Jesus as well
Luke 8:22-25
One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
1. Sail in the sea
2. Learning partly who Jesus is and the importance of faith
Luke 9:10-11
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
1. Encourage, spend time with his disciples
2. It is important to get away but when theres a need, we need to attend to it
Luke 9:18-22
One when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
"But what about you?" he asked, "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone, And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day raised to life."
1. Praying with his disciples
2. Explaining his purpose, the gospel which they will get later after Jesus is crucified
Jesus did life with his disciples
-spent time with them
-talked to them
-encouraged them
-believe in them
-discipled them
-showed them
-challenged them
-supported them
-helped them
What God did with His disciples was very usual- we spend time and groom each other
What makes doing life with others difficult?
-Spending time
-Teaching
-Encouraging
-Believing in
-Disciplining
-Showing
-Challenging
-Supporting
We have now live independent, private lives
The Big 3 Challenges
1. Privacy
*We are so busy doing things
*What did Jesus do when the Sun sets?
They hang out, sharing, talking with each other
2. Pressure
3. Face of change
*If we keep doing the same things, we will look to our elders (who are the most experienced)
*If we change and keep up with the workd, we will look to the youth who are always updated
*We do stuff, learn from them
Rapid pace of change
*If we don't do life together (individualism), does it really matter?
The Consequences
-Lack of accountability
*which can be dangerous
-Lack of character
*we learn character by sharing lives with people
-Lack of growth
*Spiritual
-Lack of security
*We have a lot of questions about ourselves.
*This proves that we need God but God is remote so we need someone to reassure us.
-Lack of understanding
-Lack of wisdom
-Lack of knowing grace
*We experience grace with those around us
*We need to be intentional to make friends and keep connected
The Call
-Find spiritual friends
*Honest and real to discuss
-Disciple
*We need to do share our lives with other people and teach other people
-Be Discipled
*People younger or older that has been into a deeper journey to advice and support
*To give a little bit of wisdom
*Find some deep spiritual to help us
The foundation was His message, doing in the lives of his disciples
*We need to invest our life with others
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
21st November 2010
Question 1 : What was Jesus doing with his mates?
Question 2: What did he want to prove or what message did he want to pass?
Luke 5:27-32
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?
Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
Luke 6:1-5
One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub them in their hands and eat the kernels. Some of the Pharisees asked, "Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?"
Jesus answered them, "Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions. Then Jesus said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
1. Pick up ears of corn to eat
2. There is flexibility and change
Luke 7:11-17
Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out--the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her, When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, "Don't cry."
Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I saw to you, get up!" The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
They were filled with awe and praised God."A great prophet has appeared among us," they said. "God has come to help his people." This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
1. He was wondering in Nain
2. Showing the power and magnitude of God
Luke 8:1-3
After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
*Jesus did not invest in guys alone but women too
*Women were buying food but tagging along with Jesus as well
Luke 8:22-25
One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out. As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!"
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."
1. Sail in the sea
2. Learning partly who Jesus is and the importance of faith
Luke 9:10-11
When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
1. Encourage, spend time with his disciples
2. It is important to get away but when theres a need, we need to attend to it
Luke 9:18-22
One when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
"But what about you?" he asked, "Who do you say I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone, And he said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day raised to life."
1. Praying with his disciples
2. Explaining his purpose, the gospel which they will get later after Jesus is crucified
Jesus did life with his disciples
-spent time with them
-talked to them
-encouraged them
-believe in them
-discipled them
-showed them
-challenged them
-supported them
-helped them
What God did with His disciples was very usual- we spend time and groom each other
What makes doing life with others difficult?
-Spending time
-Teaching
-Encouraging
-Believing in
-Disciplining
-Showing
-Challenging
-Supporting
We have now live independent, private lives
The Big 3 Challenges
1. Privacy
*We are so busy doing things
*What did Jesus do when the Sun sets?
They hang out, sharing, talking with each other
2. Pressure
3. Face of change
*If we keep doing the same things, we will look to our elders (who are the most experienced)
*If we change and keep up with the workd, we will look to the youth who are always updated
*We do stuff, learn from them
Rapid pace of change
*If we don't do life together (individualism), does it really matter?
The Consequences
-Lack of accountability
*which can be dangerous
-Lack of character
*we learn character by sharing lives with people
-Lack of growth
*Spiritual
-Lack of security
*We have a lot of questions about ourselves.
*This proves that we need God but God is remote so we need someone to reassure us.
-Lack of understanding
-Lack of wisdom
-Lack of knowing grace
*We experience grace with those around us
*We need to be intentional to make friends and keep connected
The Call
-Find spiritual friends
*Honest and real to discuss
-Disciple
*We need to do share our lives with other people and teach other people
-Be Discipled
*People younger or older that has been into a deeper journey to advice and support
*To give a little bit of wisdom
*Find some deep spiritual to help us
The foundation was His message, doing in the lives of his disciples
*We need to invest our life with others
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Where are the Leaders?
Ps Wilson
Hope Brisbane
21st November 2010
*Judges 6:11-17: The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
"But sir," Gideon replied, "If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, "Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel our of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
"But Lord, " Gideon said, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."
The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."
Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that is it really you talking to me.
*We need to know other cultures to connect with them
*We need leaders to step up and grow
*The key or solution is the church
*God was looking for a deliverer - Gideon
1. Challenge of the Survivor (v11)
*Why is Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress to keep him from the Midianites?
*Do we feel that sometimes we do things just to get through the day? That was Gideon.
*The last thing on our mind is to take on more leadership roles
*When everyone wants to survive, there will be no leaders
*If we do things the same way, nothing is going to change
*Nothing will be done if we just talk about it
Ways to help us rise up!
2. The Power of New Perspectives (v12-16)
*Our perspective is so important. The word of God changes our perspective
*If we don't believe, we don't claim
*Many Christians don't know the benefits of Christianity
*God wants us to understand what he really wants
*What we fail to believe is often what we fail to have
Our Perspective of God (v13,16)
*Luke 12:6-7: Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
*Matthew 9:36: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
*God speak to Gideon and change his perspective
Our Own Perspective (v14,16)
*Many lives are simply stuck in the land of survival simply because of a poor self image
*People often remain in poverty and disempowerment, not because they lack opportunities but because they lack the right perspective
*The word of God can help them gain a good perspective of themselves
*Judges 6:12: When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
3. The Effect of Divine Encounter (v16-17)
Fresh Purpose (v16)
*Something was happening to Gideon
*He did not say "not me" (to reject) but he said "wait"
*If we don't allow God's perspective to touch our perspective, there will be no change
*Gideon's perspective began to change
*Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
*God wants to reprogram our old stories which says we can't do certain things
Fresh Favour (v17)
*We think we can rise up because God is not there, but God is here
*We should rise up in all forms for our churches, communities and reach a legacy.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Hope Brisbane
21st November 2010
*Judges 6:11-17: The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
"But sir," Gideon replied, "If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our fathers told us about when they said, "Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?' But now the Lord has abandoned us and put us into the hand of Midian."
The Lord turned to him and said, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel our of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?"
"But Lord, " Gideon said, "how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family."
The Lord answered, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together."
Gideon replied, "If now I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that is it really you talking to me.
*We need to know other cultures to connect with them
*We need leaders to step up and grow
*The key or solution is the church
*God was looking for a deliverer - Gideon
1. Challenge of the Survivor (v11)
*Why is Gideon threshing wheat in the winepress to keep him from the Midianites?
*Do we feel that sometimes we do things just to get through the day? That was Gideon.
*The last thing on our mind is to take on more leadership roles
*When everyone wants to survive, there will be no leaders
*If we do things the same way, nothing is going to change
*Nothing will be done if we just talk about it
Ways to help us rise up!
2. The Power of New Perspectives (v12-16)
*Our perspective is so important. The word of God changes our perspective
*If we don't believe, we don't claim
*Many Christians don't know the benefits of Christianity
*God wants us to understand what he really wants
*What we fail to believe is often what we fail to have
Our Perspective of God (v13,16)
*Luke 12:6-7: Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
*Matthew 9:36: When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
*God speak to Gideon and change his perspective
Our Own Perspective (v14,16)
*Many lives are simply stuck in the land of survival simply because of a poor self image
*People often remain in poverty and disempowerment, not because they lack opportunities but because they lack the right perspective
*The word of God can help them gain a good perspective of themselves
*Judges 6:12: When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior."
3. The Effect of Divine Encounter (v16-17)
Fresh Purpose (v16)
*Something was happening to Gideon
*He did not say "not me" (to reject) but he said "wait"
*If we don't allow God's perspective to touch our perspective, there will be no change
*Gideon's perspective began to change
*Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
*God wants to reprogram our old stories which says we can't do certain things
Fresh Favour (v17)
*We think we can rise up because God is not there, but God is here
*We should rise up in all forms for our churches, communities and reach a legacy.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Commitment
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
-Proverbs 16:3-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-Proverbs 16:3-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Rejoice!
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
-Philippians 4:4-9-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Day and Night Watcher
The Lord watches over you--
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by nigt.
The Lord will keep you from all harm--
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
-Psalm 121:5-8-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by nigt.
The Lord will keep you from all harm--
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.
-Psalm 121:5-8-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, November 19, 2010
Jesus Taught Them To Spend Time With God
Sunday November 14
Dan Harding
*Christians think that prayer is very natural, but most of us has a time in our life where you read in the bible that prayer is very easy and directional and we can grow with God through prayer. But...it is not that easy
*Some of us hear directly from God and answered prayers
*Some of us will grow stronger in our relationship with God
*We think that prayer is easy but we have exams to study, kids filling your time, we are exhausted and busy!
*Praying and spending time with God just doesn't fit in our lives
*Most of us are just lazy
*If your struggling in fitting prayer in our everyday life, Jesus struggled more than any of us.
*He had to have a strategy to fit prayer into everyday life
*Luke 5:15: Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
*Luke 4:42: At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
*Luke 6:12: One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spend the night praying to God.
*Luke 21:37: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.
*Luke 22:39: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
*Luke 9:10: When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.
*Luke 9:18: Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
*You need to withdraw from everyday life because it is getting out of control
*Jesus taught the disciples that to connect with God in prayer, they needed to disconnect with everyday life
*Our connections with our everyday life was so different with the connections of God
*When your worrying about finances instead of praying to God
*When your worried about doing everything perfectly when we can rely on God
*When were so into church matters where we could rely on the God who started it
*When were so worried more about the sin where we have a God to forgive us
Some ideas- keys to disconnect from the world
1. Obey the Sabbath - have a day off -meditate the bible, sing songs, cruise into creations and praise God
2. Have a treat - a week, a day, a whole weekend to set aside to speak and listen to God
3. To buy time -when you have no time, buy some time o spend time, buy a coffee or meal and just pray
4. Change your schedule - you could wake up earlier, spend 5-15 minutes in God and prayer. Limit 5 minutes from exercise, develop habits after a fun, sleep
5. Have a journal
6. Written Prayers
* Luke 11: Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
*Do something that we could grow closer to God
*"The more you do it, the more you enjoy it!"
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Dan Harding
*Christians think that prayer is very natural, but most of us has a time in our life where you read in the bible that prayer is very easy and directional and we can grow with God through prayer. But...it is not that easy
*Some of us hear directly from God and answered prayers
*Some of us will grow stronger in our relationship with God
*We think that prayer is easy but we have exams to study, kids filling your time, we are exhausted and busy!
*Praying and spending time with God just doesn't fit in our lives
*Most of us are just lazy
*If your struggling in fitting prayer in our everyday life, Jesus struggled more than any of us.
*He had to have a strategy to fit prayer into everyday life
*Luke 5:15: Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
*Luke 4:42: At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them.
*Luke 6:12: One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spend the night praying to God.
*Luke 21:37: Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.
*Luke 22:39: Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.
*Luke 9:10: When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.
*Luke 9:18: Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
*You need to withdraw from everyday life because it is getting out of control
*Jesus taught the disciples that to connect with God in prayer, they needed to disconnect with everyday life
*Our connections with our everyday life was so different with the connections of God
*When your worrying about finances instead of praying to God
*When your worried about doing everything perfectly when we can rely on God
*When were so into church matters where we could rely on the God who started it
*When were so worried more about the sin where we have a God to forgive us
Some ideas- keys to disconnect from the world
1. Obey the Sabbath - have a day off -meditate the bible, sing songs, cruise into creations and praise God
2. Have a treat - a week, a day, a whole weekend to set aside to speak and listen to God
3. To buy time -when you have no time, buy some time o spend time, buy a coffee or meal and just pray
4. Change your schedule - you could wake up earlier, spend 5-15 minutes in God and prayer. Limit 5 minutes from exercise, develop habits after a fun, sleep
5. Have a journal
6. Written Prayers
* Luke 11: Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
*Do something that we could grow closer to God
*"The more you do it, the more you enjoy it!"
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Jesus Called Them to Step Up and Lead
Sunday 7th November 2010
John Sweetman
*Andrew & Peter, John & James are fisherman
*It was their livelihood and passion
*Luke 5:1-11: One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Genesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began o break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
*Some of us might have been Christians in a short time but we won't leave our family, jobs, passion to follow Jesus like them
*Matthew, Mark and Luke are very similar gospels
*John is different- he fills the gaps explaining before this event
*John 1:35- there were 2 disciples
*John 1:40-Andrew, Simon Peter's brother was one of the two
*John 1:42-he brought him to Jesus
*What is their call? Not only to be followers of Christ
*Luke 5:10-11: and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
*It would be a call of vocational leadership but it was a call to spiritual leadership, to become fishes of people.
Spiritual Leadership
1. leave vocation - vocation would hold them back of spiritual leadership
Isaiah 58 True Fasting
2. through vocation- might be difficult, might be in the politics, make a difference for God, teach in bible school, healing people by being a doctor.
*However, these are not spiritual leadership, just influencing role
*You work for money to fulfill your needs
*eg: Paul was a tent-maker so that he don't have to ask people for money
*When he pursues spiritual leadership, there won't be people subordinating him
*It is not what we have to do, do we apply for all of these?
1. What is the fish all about?
*He might follow Jesus after a bad day in catching fish but he did the opposite
*It might be a trick
*But the real reason might be in Peter's reaction
*He knew it was fabulous controlling the world so much that He says to go away but Jesus ask Peter to come and follow him
*The call is offered by grace
*When we are unable and have no ability to do it, thats where we got it
*Jesus doesn't want superstars or the best
*Jesus can't use them because they will do things for themselves instead of God.
Luke 5:10- What did he mean by that?
*God calls us to various vocations
*Our jobs are significant for God to use us
*"The Light shines best in the darkness"
*Some vocation might be in the family or to help build the kingdom of God
*The call to the disciples is people
2. The call is to people
*Jeremiah 3:15: Then I will ive you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
*The whole idea of sheperding is functional for God's work
*Sheep are dumb animals
*It is therefore not an easy job to handle sheep= people
2. What happens from here?
*It eventually becomes their story after 2 and a half years but what happens in between?
*All the time their learning, reflecting with Jesus
*They are called to spiritual leadership but before that, the call of training
3. The call involves training
*If we want to lead people, we must know the Bible
*It is a growing process
4. The call will cost
*They didn't know anything besides fishing but they end up as leaders of the church.
*If we have the feeling that we are calling to take spiritual responsibility
1. Talk to spiritual leaders
2. Keep praying- a focus
3. Looking for training and experiences- serve more (it is a grace call!:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
John Sweetman
*Andrew & Peter, John & James are fisherman
*It was their livelihood and passion
*Luke 5:1-11: One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Genesaret, with the people crowding around him and listening to the word of God, he saw at the water's edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch."
Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began o break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
*Some of us might have been Christians in a short time but we won't leave our family, jobs, passion to follow Jesus like them
*Matthew, Mark and Luke are very similar gospels
*John is different- he fills the gaps explaining before this event
*John 1:35- there were 2 disciples
*John 1:40-Andrew, Simon Peter's brother was one of the two
*John 1:42-he brought him to Jesus
*What is their call? Not only to be followers of Christ
*Luke 5:10-11: and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon's partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
*It would be a call of vocational leadership but it was a call to spiritual leadership, to become fishes of people.
Spiritual Leadership
1. leave vocation - vocation would hold them back of spiritual leadership
Isaiah 58 True Fasting
2. through vocation- might be difficult, might be in the politics, make a difference for God, teach in bible school, healing people by being a doctor.
*However, these are not spiritual leadership, just influencing role
*You work for money to fulfill your needs
*eg: Paul was a tent-maker so that he don't have to ask people for money
*When he pursues spiritual leadership, there won't be people subordinating him
*It is not what we have to do, do we apply for all of these?
1. What is the fish all about?
*He might follow Jesus after a bad day in catching fish but he did the opposite
*It might be a trick
*But the real reason might be in Peter's reaction
*He knew it was fabulous controlling the world so much that He says to go away but Jesus ask Peter to come and follow him
*The call is offered by grace
*When we are unable and have no ability to do it, thats where we got it
*Jesus doesn't want superstars or the best
*Jesus can't use them because they will do things for themselves instead of God.
Luke 5:10- What did he mean by that?
*God calls us to various vocations
*Our jobs are significant for God to use us
*"The Light shines best in the darkness"
*Some vocation might be in the family or to help build the kingdom of God
*The call to the disciples is people
2. The call is to people
*Jeremiah 3:15: Then I will ive you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
*The whole idea of sheperding is functional for God's work
*Sheep are dumb animals
*It is therefore not an easy job to handle sheep= people
2. What happens from here?
*It eventually becomes their story after 2 and a half years but what happens in between?
*All the time their learning, reflecting with Jesus
*They are called to spiritual leadership but before that, the call of training
3. The call involves training
*If we want to lead people, we must know the Bible
*It is a growing process
4. The call will cost
*They didn't know anything besides fishing but they end up as leaders of the church.
*If we have the feeling that we are calling to take spiritual responsibility
1. Talk to spiritual leaders
2. Keep praying- a focus
3. Looking for training and experiences- serve more (it is a grace call!:)
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Potter and The Clay
O Lord, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.
Isaiah 64:8
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Isaiah 64:8
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Free delivery!
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
Psalm 34:19
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Psalm 34:19
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Friday, November 5, 2010
Cast away
Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.
-Psalm 55:22-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
he will never let the righteous fall.
-Psalm 55:22-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Fly birdie fly
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:29-31-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
-Isaiah 40:29-31-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Double Trouble
Jesus replied, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
-John 16:33-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
-John 16:33-
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
Monday, November 1, 2010
Disciple: How Jesus Turned 12 Ordinary People Into Missionaries of God's Grace: Jesus Called Them To Forsake All
Sunday 31st October
A 5-week Journey Through The Gospel Of Luke
Mark Broadbent
*You can be very capable in one area and completely incapable in another
*We are very good in knowing Christianity
*Disciple: a follower of Christ
*People think that if we are a Christian means we go to church but actually Christian means follower of Christ, another word for disciple
*Luke 9:57-62:
The Cost of Following Jesus
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
Jesus replied, "No one who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
*Jesus is not looking for fans but followers
*He says "This is going to cost a lot" -"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
*Luke 14:25-34: Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciples. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
"Suppose one of you want to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish."
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
1. What about Grace?
*It is not because you are consistent, that your life was enough but that God gives a free gift
*This is what we believe in a church
*No hint to boast about the Gospel
*What we do cost nothing but God says it costs everything
*We are the ones being unworthy but in trusting God, you get the free gift of eternal life
*God's personal ambition is to transform us to be born again
*If you are the same always, this is not Christianity
*2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2. Can you lose your salvation? or get kicked out of heaven
*Luke 9:62: Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
*If you do not have faith to believe Jesus Christ died for you, you are not saved.
*You cant do enough sins to get kick out of heaven
*What saves you is faith, trusting completely in Jesus Christ
*2 Timothy 2:11-13:
Here is a trustworthy saying;
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
*Is it possible to disown Jesus when you are a Christian?
*If we disown Jesus, we are not Christians
*He lives in you, you are secure not because of your performance
*You cannot be a fan of Christ. This is an or or nothing deal. You either jump in or out of Jesus
*There is a huge difference between believing in the distance and trusting your life to Jesus
3. What does this mean for my family?
*Luke 9:59-60: He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
*Luke 14:25-26: Large crowd were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciples.
*It is alright to put God 1st and parents 2nd
*You might be torn pleasing our spouse of God
*But we worship God and thus, need to put God 1st
*The call is to put God in the center of the universe and please Him
*If your relationship is base on a promise, it will be secure
*Our relationship with God is base of God's promise
*We have a God who is committed to you for eternity
*This relationship will be the most rich filled with deep intimacy in times of trouble, peace, joy, love and filled with the life of Jesus Christ
*The purpose of live and joy is in Jesus Christ
*The invitation is will you forget yourself and take up the new life?
*You don't have to get your life sorted out, we would never get it sorted out but we should concentrate more on putting God 1st.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
A 5-week Journey Through The Gospel Of Luke
Mark Broadbent
*You can be very capable in one area and completely incapable in another
*We are very good in knowing Christianity
*Disciple: a follower of Christ
*People think that if we are a Christian means we go to church but actually Christian means follower of Christ, another word for disciple
*Luke 9:57-62:
The Cost of Following Jesus
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
He said to another man, "Follow me."
But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family."
Jesus replied, "No one who put his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
*Jesus is not looking for fans but followers
*He says "This is going to cost a lot" -"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."
*Luke 14:25-34: Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciples. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
"Suppose one of you want to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, "This fellow began to build and was not able to finish."
"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
1. What about Grace?
*It is not because you are consistent, that your life was enough but that God gives a free gift
*This is what we believe in a church
*No hint to boast about the Gospel
*What we do cost nothing but God says it costs everything
*We are the ones being unworthy but in trusting God, you get the free gift of eternal life
*God's personal ambition is to transform us to be born again
*If you are the same always, this is not Christianity
*2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2. Can you lose your salvation? or get kicked out of heaven
*Luke 9:62: Jesus replied, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
*If you do not have faith to believe Jesus Christ died for you, you are not saved.
*You cant do enough sins to get kick out of heaven
*What saves you is faith, trusting completely in Jesus Christ
*2 Timothy 2:11-13:
Here is a trustworthy saying;
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we disown him, he will also disown us;
If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
*Is it possible to disown Jesus when you are a Christian?
*If we disown Jesus, we are not Christians
*He lives in you, you are secure not because of your performance
*You cannot be a fan of Christ. This is an or or nothing deal. You either jump in or out of Jesus
*There is a huge difference between believing in the distance and trusting your life to Jesus
3. What does this mean for my family?
*Luke 9:59-60: He said to another man, "Follow me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."
*Luke 14:25-26: Large crowd were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters- yes, even his own life- he cannot be my disciples.
*It is alright to put God 1st and parents 2nd
*You might be torn pleasing our spouse of God
*But we worship God and thus, need to put God 1st
*The call is to put God in the center of the universe and please Him
*If your relationship is base on a promise, it will be secure
*Our relationship with God is base of God's promise
*We have a God who is committed to you for eternity
*This relationship will be the most rich filled with deep intimacy in times of trouble, peace, joy, love and filled with the life of Jesus Christ
*The purpose of live and joy is in Jesus Christ
*The invitation is will you forget yourself and take up the new life?
*You don't have to get your life sorted out, we would never get it sorted out but we should concentrate more on putting God 1st.
**Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path**
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