Myrtle House Podcast: Recent Episodes
Myrtle House
Myrtle House is a church community in the heart of Llanelli who seek to live by steady faith, be known by extravagant love and generous hope.
God has an amazing plan for your life and we would love to see you fulfil all He has for you.
We meet every Sunday at 10.30am.
Bill Chapman’s message centred on the theme of Waiting on God and the importance of being attuned to His presence and purpose. He began by sharing a personal thought: "Too many of my people see something that I am doing as unusual and they dismiss me and miss the angels." This highlighted how easily we overlook God's work when it doesn't align with our expectations.Bill urged the congregation to be open to the adventure God wants to take us on—experiencing His glory, grace, and power. He emphasised that pressing into unfamiliar and uncomfortable places, where only angels tread, requires us to step out of our comfort zones. This could be as simple as showing compassion, such as giving someone a hug. The key question posed was: Are we really listening to the Holy Spirit?Reflecting on Isaiah 40:27-31, Bill reminded us that God never tires and provides strength to those who wait upon Him. He challenged the church to consider what it means to truly "wait on God" and how often we are willing to do so. We often follow God’s preordained plans passively, but Bill called for an active response: "God, how can I serve? Use me."Through biblical stories, Bill illustrated the power of saying "yes" to God. Jacob’s journey, where he encountered angels and realised God's presence, shows how obedience can lead to divine encounters. Bill invited the church to imagine what Llanelli could look like if everyone who follows Christ took an adventurous step of faith, trusting God even in the unknown.Bill referenced other biblical stories to illustrate the importance of obedience:- Gideon had to trust God's plan by reducing his army and relying on trumpets and torches.- Joshua followed God’s unusual command to bring down the walls of Jericho by marching silently for six days.- Peter responded to Cornelius' vision from an angel, opening the door for the gospel to reach new places.The message ended with a call to action: We must learn to linger in God's presence, be faithful in prayer, scripture reading, and Sabbath observance, and ask God to use us in His transformative plans. Through trust and obedience, we can experience the adventure God has prepared for us.
In this sermon, Bill Chapman draws on his love of sailing to illustrate how Jesus is the "steady keel" in our lives, keeping us on course amidst life's challenges. Using sailing imagery, he explains that just as a boat needs both a sail and a keel to navigate, we too need the right balance in our spiritual lives. The sail represents our character and our direction, while the keel represents Jesus, who stabilises and grounds us.Without a keel, a sailboat is at the mercy of the wind, drifting wherever the wind blows it. Likewise, without the steady foundation of Jesus in our lives, we are prone to being tossed about by the pressures and circumstances we face. The keel, however, gives the boat stability and helps it move forward in the direction it is meant to go, no matter the strength of the wind or the height of the waves.Bill emphasizes that in life, we will face challenges, storms, and adversity, but if our "keel" is secure—anchored in Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit—we will remain on course. He uses Hebrews 2:1 (MSG), reminding us to hold firm to what we have learned so we don’t drift away.He also links the concept of the steady keel to the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the core of Christian faith. Just as a boat’s keel must be well-formed to endure the wind, our lives must be rooted in the truths of our faith—God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.Ultimately, Bill encourages us to understand what our keel is—our faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—and to rely on it in order to navigate through the pressures of life. No matter how difficult or overwhelming the journey becomes, trusting in God as our steady keel will ensure we remain on course, moving forward toward His purpose for us.
In this sermon, Martin O’Brien continued his teaching on the Sabbath, focusing on how we can practice it today. He emphasised that Sabbath-keeping can look different for everyone but remains vital for our spiritual and physical formation.Martin referenced Exodus 20:8-11 to highlight how Sabbath originated as one of the Ten Commandments, reminding us that God established this day of rest after creating the world. Over time, people drifted away from its purpose, turning Sabbath into a rigid law. In the New Testament, Jesus redeemed the Sabbath by restoring its intended rhythm and challenging the legalism that had surrounded it.How Do We Sabbath Today?As followers of Christ, we are called to follow His example and make Sabbath a priority. However, there isn’t a single right way to observe it. The Sabbath is meant to help us reset, rest, refocus, and reconnect with God. Here are some ways Martin suggested we can Sabbath:- Disconnect from social media, TV, and video games.- Avoid chores and housework.- Spend time with friends and enjoy a meal together.- Engage in relaxing activities like walking, reading, or playing games.- Spend time in prayer, reading the Bible, and worshipping God.- Embrace joy and fun, much like you would on Christmas Day.How to Sabbath: Prepare, Practice, Pray1. Prepare: Finish your work and chores ahead of your Sabbath so you can rest fully.2. Practice: Find a rhythm that suits your lifestyle and needs. Sabbath doesn’t have to be on a Sunday or a full day but should be a dedicated time to rest and focus on God.3. Pray: Reconnect with God intentionally. Be thankful and mindful of the purpose of the Sabbath.Martin reminded the church not to overplan their Sabbath. Take things slow, listen to the Holy Spirit, and be flexible when things don’t go smoothly. Embrace social connections as well, as sharing the Sabbath with others can bring joy and deepen your relationship with God.Sabbath as a Rhythm of LifeThe Sabbath is more than an obligation; it’s a rhythm that needs to be woven into our lives. It takes intentionality and effort but is crucial for our spiritual growth. Martin encouraged everyone to start finding their personal rhythm of Sabbath. When we make space for Sabbath, we will experience more energy, peace, and joy.Let’s embark on this journey together, embracing the beauty of Sabbath and making it a vital part of our walk with God.
In this sermon, Martin O’Brien explores the meaning, significance, and practice of the Sabbath, emphasising its roots in Scripture and its relevance for our lives today.1. What is Sabbath?Sabbath, derived from the Hebrew word "shabbat," means to rest or cease from labor. It was established by God after creation, as seen in Genesis 2:2-3, when God rested on the seventh day, modeling the rhythm of life He desires for humanity. It is a day set apart for rest, refreshment, and spiritual renewal, meant to bless both body and soul.2. The Sabbath in ScriptureThe Sabbath is first mentioned in Genesis but reappears with deeper significance in Exodus 16:23 and is included in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8-11). Initially, Sabbath was a natural rhythm in life, but over time, it became a religious law that people often rebelled against. The Sabbath was intended as a time of rest and focus on God, but it can become burdensome when reduced to mere legalism.3. Jesus’ Teaching on SabbathJesus redefined and restored the true meaning of the Sabbath, challenging the traditions that had turned it into a rigid observance. Through His healing on the Sabbath (Matthew 12:9-13, Luke 13:10-17), He demonstrated that the Sabbath is a day for doing good and meeting human needs. He declared that "The Sabbath was made to meet the needs of people, not people to meet the requirements of the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27).4. Why Do We Need Sabbath?- God's Example: God rested on the seventh day, establishing a divine pattern for us to follow.- Jesus' Example: Jesus practiced Sabbath, showing that it is part of a healthy, God-honoring life.- Physical Need: Our bodies need rest to be restored.- Spiritual Need: Sabbath allows us to find peace and joy by refocusing on God, as noted in Isaiah 58:13-14.Sabbath is more than a day off—it is a time to reconnect with God, restore energy, and reset our focus. It reminds us that our identity is in Christ, not in our work or achievements. By stopping to rest, we reaffirm our trust in God's provision and sovereignty.In conclusion, Sabbath is not about strict rules but about restoring the rhythm God intended for our lives. It brings peace, renewal, and joy as we step away from distractions and realign ourselves with God’s purposes.
This week, we concluded our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the final verses of Matthew 7, where Jesus makes a distinction between those who listen to His teachings and those who merely hear them. The key question was: Are you listening, or are you just hearing?“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.” Matthew 7:24-29 NLTKey Points:1. Listening vs. Hearing (Matthew 7:24-27): Jesus contrasts two kinds of people—those who listen to His teaching and follow it, and those who simply hear it without acting. Listening implies understanding, obeying, and applying what is heard, while hearing alone is superficial, like background noise. A wise person builds their life on the solid foundation of Christ’s teachings, while those who only hear but do not apply are like a house built on sand, vulnerable to collapse during life's storms.2. Love as the Foundation: Throughout scripture, Jesus emphasizes that love is the foundation of true discipleship. In John 13:34-35, we are commanded to love one another, and in Romans 13:8-10, Paul explains that loving our neighbour fulfils the requirements of God’s law. When we truly listen to Jesus' message, it becomes clear that love is the central call of the Christian life. - Faith Expressed Through Love: Galatians 5:5-6 reminds us that what matters most is faith expressed through love. This love must come from a pure heart, clear conscience, and genuine faith (1 Timothy 1:5).3. Being Faithful and Fruitful: Bill challenged us to ask ourselves: Are we faithful (full of faith) and fruitful (producing the fruits of the Spirit)? John 15:8 says that true disciples produce much fruit, bringing glory to God. Fruitfulness is the evidence of God’s work in our lives, and this fruit—like love, joy, and peace—often ripens as we act in obedience to His word.4. Desiring Spiritual Gifts: The ultimate goal of the gifts of the Spirit is to help us grow in love and display that love to others. Bill encouraged us to earnestly desire the most helpful gifts (1 Corinthians 12:31) as tools to manifest God’s grace and love in our lives. These gifts—whether administration, prophecy, healing, or encouragement—are given to build up the body of Christ and express love in practical ways.5. Active Listening Leads to Transformation: In Greek, the word for "to listen" implies heeding, obeying, and understanding. We are called to actively listen to God’s word, allowing it to transform us. This means taking in His teachings, applying them, and living with love, compassion, and selflessness. If we simply hear without acting, we miss out on the deeper work God desires to do in us.Conclusion:The Sermon on the Mount centers on love, compassion, and selflessness—core elements of Jesus’ teachings. We must not merely hear the word but truly listen and live it out. As we do, the gifts of the Spirit will manifest in our lives, and we will become fruitful, glorifying God. Remember, some fruit only ripens once it’s picked—so step out in faith, seek God’s gifts, and live out His love in the world.
In this week’s message, we continued our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Jesus' teaching about the importance of cultivating spiritual fruit, particularly in relation to the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11 NLTKey Points:1. The Tree and Its Fruit (Matthew 7:15-23): Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, and likewise, people are identified by their actions. Just as a good tree produces good fruit and a bad tree produces bad fruit, our lives will either produce lasting spiritual fruit or will be barren. True discipleship is marked not just by outward signs but by the fruit of godly character.2. Gifts vs. Fruit: Bill explained the distinction between gifts and fruit. Gifts, such as prophecy or healing, are given by God and are seasonal. They empower us to serve, but they do not define our character. On the other hand, fruit—such as love, joy, peace, and patience—must be cultivated. Developing godly character takes intentional effort, like nurturing a tree in good soil. - Gifts are given, but fruit must be grown. Both are necessary, but while gifts are temporary, the fruit of the Spirit is eternal. - Character and Fruit: Without the fruit of the Spirit, even the most impressive spiritual gifts are ineffective. What will remain when we stand before God is not our gifts but the fruit of our character. Love, in particular, is the lasting fruit we must cultivate (1 Corinthians 13:8).3. Cultivating Fruit: Bill emphasized the active work involved in cultivating the fruits of the Spirit. The soil of our hearts must be prepared through: - The Word of God: More than just reading, we need to understand and apply it. - Prayer: Following Jesus’ example of constant communication with God. - Fellowship: Engaging with others helps shape our character. - Accountability: Allowing others to speak into our lives for correction and growth (Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 3:13).In conclusion, while gifts are vital for ministry, it’s the fruit of our lives that will have eternal value. We are called to cultivate character that reflects Christ and brings glory to God.
In this sermon, Joel Aston continued the exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 7:13-14. The emphasis was on the importance of walking the narrow path and sharing the Gospel to guide others from the wide path to the narrow path.“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)Main Points1. Two Roads and Their Nature - Wide Path (Pharisees' Gospel): - Appealing and easy to find. - Achievable by human effort and logic. - Glorifies self and satisfies human desire for approval. - Narrow Path (Kingdom Gospel): - Requires self-sacrifice (Matthew 16:24-25). - Achievable only through Jesus, not by personal merit. - Found through the Holy Spirit’s guidance. - Glorifies God rather than self.2. The Subtle Difference - Outwardly, the two paths may appear similar, but the true distinction lies in Jesus Christ. - Romans 3:21-25 (NLT) emphasises that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus, not by adhering to the law.3. The Purpose of Good Works - Good deeds should accompany the proclamation of the Gospel. - Ephesians 2:8 (NLT) and Hebrews 13:15-16 (NLT) highlight that salvation is a gift of grace and good works are sacrifices pleasing to God. - Good works alone, without sharing the Gospel, offer only temporary hope.4. The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel - Believers must actively speak about the Kingdom Gospel. - Actions can attract people, but the spoken Gospel is essential for true understanding and salvation. - 2 Thessalonians 3:13 (NLT) urges believers to continue doing good and sharing the Gospel.5. The Interconnected Paths - The paths to life and destruction are close, offering the chance to guide others to the narrow path. - Living out and sharing the Gospel provides everlasting hope, unlike temporary relief offered by good deeds alone.Discussion Questions- What distinguishes Christianity from other religions?- If someone considers themselves a good person, better than many Christians, will that be enough for salvation?ConclusionWhile the two paths may look similar on the surface, the narrow path leads to life, filled with joy, peace, and hope through Jesus Christ. The wide path, though seemingly easier and logical, leads to destruction. Believers are called to live out their faith through good works and to share the Gospel, ensuring that others can find the narrow path to eternal life.
In our ongoing exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, we delved into Matthew 7, focusing on the profound importance of nurturing a close relationship with God through persistent prayer.“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 NLT)Key Points:1. Continuous Prayer: - Ask, Seek, Knock: These actions symbolise a continuous process of engaging with God. This persistent approach in prayer deepens our relationship with Him. - Effective Prayer: Introduced in Matthew 6 and continuing in Matthew 7, effective prayer aligns our desires with God’s will as we seek His kingdom and righteousness first (Matthew 6:32-33 NLT).2. Prayer as a Gift: - Transformation: Prayer changes situations, people, and importantly, the one praying. It draws us into intimacy with God, granting us access to His presence.3. Persistence in Prayer: - Ask - Be Persistent: Regularly bring our needs before God, aligning our desires with His plans. - Seek - Pursue God’s Presence: Actively desire and pursue God, demonstrating faith, focus, and follow-through. - Knock - Relentless Pursuit: Continuously press into God’s presence, understanding He is always willing to open doors for us.4. Purpose of Prayer: - Love for God: Prayer stems from our love for God and our desire to be in His presence. - Dependence on God: Recognising God as the source of our lives. - Resistance to Temptation: Through prayer, we gain strength to resist temptation (Matthew 26:41 NLT). - Obedience to God’s Command: Devotion to prayer as instructed in Colossians 4:2 and Luke 18:1 NLT. - Example of Jesus: Jesus’ life exemplified perfect communion with the Father, showing the significance of prayer. - God’s Response: Confidence that God hears and answers our prayers (Matthew 7:7 NLT). - Joyful Fulfilment: Prayer fills us with abundant joy (John 16:24 NLT).5. Role of the Holy Spirit: - The Holy Spirit aids us in prayer, comforting, strengthening, and interceding on our behalf when we lack words.Practical Application:- Record and Reflect: Keep a journal of prayers and answers, fostering encouragement and motivation to continue asking, seeking, and knocking.- Advance God’s Kingdom: Persist in prayer to see God’s Kingdom manifest in our lives, families, church, and communities.In conclusion, let us commit to asking, seeking, and knocking continuously, allowing God’s Kingdom to advance in every aspect of our lives.
Today, we continued our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on Matthew 7. This passage carries forward Jesus' themes of mercy, forgiveness, and righteousness, prompting us to examine the state of our hearts. Main Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6 (NLT)“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Don’t waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don’t throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”Key Points1. Understanding Judgement: - Jesus warns against the unfair, condemning, and overcritical judgment of others. - This kind of judgment contrasts with mercy, love, humility, and generosity. - Jesus isn’t forbidding all judgment but encourages moral discernment and self-examination.2. Consequences of Judgment: - You will not be judged if you refrain from judging others harshly. - The standards you use to judge others will be applied to you by God.3. Judgement of God: - The Greek verb in “Do not judge others, and you will not be judged” refers to God's judgment. - We are reminded that only God has the authority to judge as stated in James 4:11-12 and Romans 14:10-12.4. Practical Applications: - Instead of focusing on the faults of others, we should reflect on our own hearts and behaviours. - Criticizing others often stems from our own insecurities and faults. Addressing our issues helps us avoid hypocrisy. - Time spent judging others is better used for self-improvement and serving others with mercy, love, and humility.5. Life Application Study Bible Insights: - Jesus calls for self-examination over judging others. - Recognize that the faults we see in others often mirror our own. - Before criticizing others, ensure you are open to receiving the same critique.ConclusionJesus’ message is clear: refrain from judging others with harshness and instead focus on our hearts. Living out the principles of mercy, love, generosity, and humility reflects the Kingdom of God. Spend time dealing with your own faults and be irrationally generous. Love others rather than judging them, and always do the right things for the right reasons.Action Points:- Examine your own heart and motives.- Serve others with love and humility.- Make God's Kingdom your primary concern.- Practice irrational generosity and forgiveness.In doing so, we align ourselves more closely with the teachings of Jesus and cultivate the right heart.
In this week's message, Martin O’Brien continued our exploration of Matthew 6, building on the theme of whether we are living for heaven or for earth. He emphasised the importance of focusing on the Kingdom of God rather than earthly worries, challenging us to evaluate if we truly seek and live for God first.Key Scripture: Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)"So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”Contrasts Highlighted:- Heaven vs. Earth- Unbelievers vs. Disciples- Enough vs. More ThanMain Points:1. Focus on Heaven and God's Kingdom: - Earthly worries (food, clothes, shelter) should not dominate a disciple's thoughts. - The Kingdom of God should be our top priority and sole purpose.2. Alternative to Worrying: - The NIV Study Bible describes these verses as advocating for a single-minded commitment to God as the alternative to worrying. - Seeking God first is an ongoing lifestyle marked by determination to prioritize Christ’s teachings.Practical Ways to Live in the “More Than”:1. Pray: - Scripture: Matthew 6:32, 6:8-13 - Point: Prayer shifts our focus from earthly worries to God and His Kingdom. It is a powerful tool that transforms our thinking and brings us into a heavenly mindset.2. Seek: - Meaning: The Greek term implies a continuous effort to prioritize God in every aspect of life. - Application: Conduct a self-audit to assess how and if we are truly seeking Him first.3. Live Righteously: - Definition: Living in a way that is acceptable to God, marked by integrity, virtue, and correctness in thinking and acting. - Challenge: As we seek God first, living righteously becomes more natural, shifting our focus from earthly concerns to heavenly matters.Conclusion:Martin reminded us that we are much more than enough when our lives are focused on God and His Kingdom. By transforming our thinking through prayer, seeking, and righteous living, we move from a state of worry to a state of divine abundance. Let us strive to live with a heavenly mindset, continually seeking and prioritising God in all we do.
In this week's sermon, Martin O’Brien guided us through Matthew 6, urging us to live in the "more than" and to release our anxieties over earthly matters. His message challenged us to examine our lives and our faith in God's provision.25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:25-34 NLTKey Points:1. Living Without Worry: - Jesus teaches us not to worry about our daily needs—food, drink, clothing—by pointing to God's care for nature (birds and lilies) as evidence of His provision for us. - Worrying, derived from the Greek word merimna (to be anxious or careful), is unproductive and harmful.2. Seven Reasons Not to Worry (Life Application Study Bible): - God, who created life, can be trusted with its details (v. 25). - Worrying about the future distracts us from the present (v. 26). - Worrying is more harmful than helpful (v. 27). - God cares for those who depend on Him. - Worrying demonstrates a lack of faith and understanding of God. - It prevents us from pursuing God's purposes. - Focusing on one day at a time helps avoid being overwhelmed.3. Jesus’ Questions to Reflect On: - Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing? - Aren't we more valuable to God than birds? - Can worrying add a single moment to our lives? - Why do we have so little faith?4. Living in the "More Than": - Jesus declares we are more than, more precious, and more valuable. - We should trust in God's provision rather than be consumed by worries. - Philippians 4 teaches us to pray, believe, and not worry.5. Treasure in Heaven vs. Earth: - Worrying about earthly needs shows where our treasure lies. - Believers should store treasures in heaven, not on earth.6. Faith and Trust: - The Greek term mikri pisti (little faith) signifies a lack of confidence in God's provision. - Jesus calls us to seek the Kingdom of God above all else and trust that God will meet our needs.Application:- Daily Dependence: Focus on today and trust God for tomorrow. - Prayer and Faith: Replace worry with prayer and belief in God’s faithfulness.- Kingdom Focus: Prioritise God's kingdom and righteousness, confident that He will provide.Scriptural Reinforcement:- Matthew 6:34: Do not worry about tomorrow; each day has enough trouble of its own.- Lamentations 3:22-23: God’s mercies are new every morning.- Isaiah 33:2: God is our strength and salvation daily.Conclusion:Martin encouraged us to live in the "more than" by trusting in God's daily provision and focusing on His kingdom. As we let go of earthly worries and place our confidence in Him, we embrace the abundant life He offers.Let us live each day with faith, knowing that God's mercies are renewed every morning.
Continuing our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, Martin O’Brien highlighted how Jesus often presents teachings in sets of three, focusing this week on Matthew 6:19-24. This passage challenges us to examine our lives and the choices we make.“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” – Matthew 6:19-24 (NLT)Three Choices:1. Where Do We Store Our Treasures? - Jesus challenges us to decide if we will store our treasures on earth or in heaven. Earthly treasures are temporary and vulnerable, whereas heavenly treasures are eternal and secure. - Our heart follows our treasure, so we must examine where our heart truly lies. - James 1:5-8 reminds us that divided loyalty leads to instability, while 1 John 2:15-17 warns against loving the world and its fleeting pleasures.2. Is Our Vision Good or Bad? - The health of our eyes determines whether our body is filled with light or darkness. What we focus on influences our inner being. - By fixing our eyes on what is good and right, we allow light to fill our lives. The Message translation describes our eyes as "windows into our body." - We need to be mindful of what we look at, as it shapes our hearts and our overall spiritual health.3. Who Do We Serve? - We cannot serve both God and money. The passage forces us to choose our master—either God or mammon (worldly gain). - Serving God means contentment, honesty, generosity, and trust in His provision, while serving mammon leads to greed, dishonesty, and self-centeredness. - The teachings emphasize that our ultimate loyalty must be to God, and in doing so, we will find true fulfillment and joy.Conclusion:The message calls us to make deliberate choices regarding our treasures, our focus, and our master. By storing treasures in heaven, focusing on the light, and serving God, we align our lives with His eternal purposes and receive His blessings. Making the right choices for the right reasons is crucial, as it shapes our hearts and our lives in ways that honor God and bring true satisfaction.
Bill Chapman begins by emphasising the importance of our motives in practicing righteousness. He references Matthew 6, where Jesus teaches about giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. Jesus warns against performing these acts for public admiration, which leads to losing the reward from our Father in heaven.Key Points:1. Warning Against Hypocrisy: - Giving to the Needy: Jesus advises against giving publicly to gain admiration. Instead, we should give in private, ensuring our motives are pure. - Prayer: Jesus condemns praying in public for show. True prayer should be a private communication with God, done with sincerity. - Fasting: Jesus warns against making a show of fasting. True fasting is a private act of devotion to God, not for public recognition.2. God's Reward: - God rewards those who act with the right heart. The true reward is God’s honor and recognition. - Acting with the wrong motives jeopardizes this divine reward.3. The Importance of Sincerity: - True acts of generosity, prayer, and fasting should not be performances but genuine expressions of faith and devotion. - Proverbs 14:31 and 19:17 highlight that helping the poor honors God and reflects our relationship with Him.4. Guarding Our Hearts: - Be cautious in our actions and intentions. Scripture repeatedly advises us to be careful, emphasizing the importance of sincerity in our spiritual practices. - Wrong motives, like those of the Pharisees, can corrupt and lead to losing God's honor (Mark 8:15).5. Right Reasons Lead to Right Responses: - Doing the right things for the right reasons generates the right response from God and others. - Isaiah 58:3-4 criticizes fasting done for self-serving reasons, showing that the practice must be aligned with righteous motives.Practical Application:- Self-Examination: Regularly examine your motives to ensure your actions glorify God.- Living with Purpose: Arthur Brooks’ principles from "From Strength to Strength" serve as a practical guide: 1. Glorify God in everything you do. 2. Serve others selflessly. 3. Embrace life as an adventure. 4. Sustain yourself through meaningful work.- Reflect God’s Generosity: Let your generosity mirror God’s, motivated by a heart for Him rather than seeking recognition.Conclusion:Bill Chapman closes with a reminder to do everything with the right heart, making it about God and not ourselves. By aligning our motives with God's will, we honor Him and receive His true reward.
Bill Chapman delivered a powerful sermon urging the congregation to live honourably and avoid hypocrisy, focusing on Matthew 6. He emphasised that followers of Christ must embody sincerity and integrity in their actions, avoiding the trap of seeking admiration from others.Key Points:1. Giving to the Needy (Matthew 6:1-4): - Jesus warns against performing good deeds publicly to gain admiration. - True generosity is done in secret, ensuring the reward comes from God, not human praise.2. Prayer and Fasting (Matthew 6:5-18): - Prayer should be a private communion with God, not a public display for others. - Repetitive, empty prayers are discouraged; sincere, heartfelt prayers are encouraged. - Fasting should be a private discipline, not an opportunity to showcase piety.Defining Hypocrisy:- A hypocrite is someone whose actions contradict their professed beliefs, essentially saying one thing but doing another.- The term "hypocrite" originates from Greek theatre, where actors wore masks to play different characters.- In the Aramaic translation, the word "pretender" is used, highlighting the difference between outward actions and inner motives.Jesus' Teachings on Hypocrisy:- Jesus criticises those who do the right things for the wrong reasons.- He calls for actions driven by pure motives, not by the desire for recognition.Changing Perceptions:- The world often views the church as hypocritical. As Christians, we must work to change this perception.- Our role is to influence others positively by modelling genuine faith and integrity.Heart Matters:- Ensuring our hearts are right is crucial. Our motives should align with God's will and not be self-serving.- True humility and reverence for God bring genuine blessings and honour, as stated in Proverbs 22:4 (NLT).Conclusion:- Followers of Christ are called to set a standard of righteousness and integrity.- We should aim to bless others and glorify God through our actions, not seek personal gain.- By modelling righteousness rightly and being honourable, we fulfil our Christian duty and positively influence the world around us.Call to Action:- Examine your motives and ensure they are aligned with glorifying God.- Perform good deeds, pray, and fast with sincerity and humility.- Strive to be honourable in all actions, setting an example of true Christian living.
Ellen Chapman centered her sermon on the concluding words of the Sermon on the Mount, focusing on the concept of perfection from a biblical perspective."But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48 (NLT)Understanding Perfection:- Dictionary Definition: Having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, and characteristics; as good as it is possible to be.- Biblical Definition: Complete, whole, and fully developed; totally righteous.Key Points1. Perfection through Jesus: - True followers of Christ attain perfection through Jesus’ grace and atonement, made possible by His death and resurrection. - We are endowed with grace to live as perfectly as we can, striving for holiness.2. Holiness: - Holiness is defined as being morally and spiritually excellent. - Jesus serves as the ultimate model for holiness. By following and imitating Him, we strive towards perfection.3. Love and Perfection: - Loving others as God has loved us is a manifestation of perfection in God’s sight.4. Individual Calling: - Embrace and be who God has created you to be; authenticity in our calling is crucial. 5. Living the Gospel: - To make a difference and spread the Gospel effectively, we must strive to live as perfect a life as possible. - By imitating Jesus, who showed kindness, cared for others, healed the sick, and associated with sinners, we can impact the world around us.Ellen emphasised that the journey to perfection is one of grace, imitation of Christ, and genuine love for others. By aspiring to live holy lives and embracing our unique God-given identities, we can make a meaningful difference in the world and embody the Gospel in our daily actions.
This week, Martin O’Brien returned to our ongoing Sermon on the Mount series, focusing on Jesus' teachings about vows, revenge, and loving your enemies. Here are the key points from his message:Teaching about VowsScripture: Matthew 5:33-37 (NLT)Jesus instructed his disciples not to make vows, emphasizing simple honesty instead of elaborate promises. Vows often serve as a shield, allowing us to hide behind religious language and avoid personal responsibility. True integrity lies in letting our "yes" be yes and our "no" be no, as reinforced in James 5:12 (NLT). Jesus called us to be people known for our truthfulness without the need for grand promises.Teaching about RevengeScripture: Matthew 5:38-42 (NLT)Jesus challenged the prevailing "eye for an eye" mentality, urging a more generous and merciful response. Instead of seeking revenge, Jesus taught that we should offer the other cheek, give more than is demanded, and live generously. This Kingdom way promotes mercy and forgiveness over justice and retaliation. Referencing Exodus 21:23-25 and Leviticus 24:19-20, Martin highlighted how Jesus' teachings encourage us to reflect the heart of Christ in our actions.Teaching about Love for EnemiesScripture: Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)Jesus extended his teaching on love by instructing us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and show kindness to those who wrong us. This radical love reflects the nature of our Heavenly Father, who blesses both the just and the unjust. Martin noted how the Pharisees misused scriptures like Psalms 139:19-22 and Psalms 140:9-11 to justify their hatred, contrasting this with Jesus' command to bless, do good, and pray for our enemies.SummaryJesus’ teachings call us to take responsibility for our actions, live with integrity, and embody the love and mercy of the Kingdom. By letting our "yes" be yes, living generously, and loving our enemies, we strive to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. Through this, we become more like Jesus, reflecting his perfect love and righteousness in our daily lives.
Bill Chapman delivered an impactful message on the importance of being continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. This sermon builds on last Sunday's powerful Pentecost message, emphasizing our need for the Holy Spirit to deeply engage with Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount and to fulfill God's call on our lives.Key Points:1. Need for the Holy Spirit to Follow Christ:The Holy Spirit is our Advocate, teaching and reminding us of Jesus’ teachings (John 14:26-27).Understanding God:2. The Holy Spirit reveals God's deep secrets, enhancing our understanding of Him (1 Corinthians 2:10-12).3. Wisdom:The Spirit of the Lord grants wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:1-2).4. Producing the Fruit of the Spirit:Living by the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-25).5. Freedom and Purity:The Holy Spirit provides freedom to pursue purity and become more Christlike (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).6. Power:The Holy Spirit’s power, received through faith, enables us to live out our faith effectively (Galatians 3:1-5).7. Presence:The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, comforter, advocate, intercessor, and counselor (John 14:15-17).Why do we need Continuous Filling?Being continuously filled is essential for those who actively serve and pour themselves out in love and service to others. Just as vessels are meant to be filled and poured out, we too must be refilled to fulfill God’s purposes.Experiencing the manifestations of the Spirit in others is evidence of the Spirit's fruit and God’s work in their lives.As God's witnesses and ambassadors, we need His refreshing to continue pouring out His love and grace.Bill's message concludes with a call to seek continuous refilling of the Holy Spirit, ensuring we are equipped to serve, love, and live out God’s calling effectively.
On this Pentecost Sunday, Bill Chapman delivered a compelling message at Myrtle House Community Church on the essential need for the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He emphasised that this divine power is crucial for making significant changes, completing our tasks, and transforming the world around us.Bill reminded us that Pentecost coincides with the Jewish Feast of Harvest, highlighting that this alignment is intentional and symbolic. Drawing from Acts 1 and 2, he illustrated how the Holy Spirit empowered the disciples, equipping them to be witnesses of God's love and igniting a passion for spreading His word. This power is given with purpose, stirring our passion and fulfilling God's eternal plans.He explained that the power of the Holy Spirit is not only for glorifying God but also for reaching out to the lost, akin to the harvest. Bill discussed the manifestations of the Holy Spirit during Pentecost—wind and fire—as symbols of transformation and boldness. The wind drowns out doubts, and the fire ignites a fervent passion for God, turning mere knowledge into enthusiastic faith.Bill urged the congregation to communicate the gospel effectively, learning to speak about God in ways that resonate and are easily understood by others. He emphasized the need for boldness, as the rush of the Holy Spirit's wind instills courage and zeal, overcoming hesitancy and weakness.The sermon referenced several scriptures to underline the message:- Acts 4:27-31, where the disciples prayed for boldness and were filled with the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the necessity of continually seeking this divine filling.- Acts 9:17-19, illustrating Saul's transformation through obedience, fasting, and suffering, enabled by the Holy Spirit.- 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, warning against quenching the Spirit and encouraging discernment and faithfulness.- Galatians 5:22-26, describing the fruits of living by the Spirit and the importance of integrating this life into every detail of our existence.Bill concluded by urging everyone to actively seek the power of the Holy Spirit, emphasising that it is available to those who ask. This power is essential for fulfilling God's call and living a life of passion and purpose for His glory.
Myrtle House Community Church was honored to welcome back Stuart Watkins, who delivered a poignant message on the profound impact of our words.Stuart began by highlighting our tendency to underestimate the power of words, emphasizing that our speech has the ability to create or destroy. He referenced God's creation of the heavens and earth through His spoken word, illustrating the immense power inherent in words.Drawing from Proverbs, he underscored the importance of controlling our tongues, as our words can either bring life or ruin. He emphasized how encouraging words can uplift and bring hope, while deceitful or hurtful words can crush the spirit.Our words, Stuart continued, shape our lives' trajectory. They have the power to set our hearts on paths of either blessing or destruction. Citing Hebrews, he emphasized the connection between our words and the fruit they produce, stressing that our speech can yield either positive or negative outcomes.Delving into the profound impact of our beliefs on our words and actions. He cautioned against trusting fear, highlighting the importance of believing in our identity and relationship with God. He urged the congregation to guard their hearts, as our words often reflect the condition of our inner selves.Quoting Bill Johnson, Stuart emphasized the importance of wisdom in discerning words that contribute to life and those that detract from it. He reminded listeners that our words have the power to shape others' days, journeys, and destinies.We were cautioned against speaking hastily, as words, once uttered, leave lasting impressions and he challenged attendees to consider the declarations they make over their own lives, urging them to speak life and hope, even when unaware of others' circumstances.In conclusion, Stuart urged the congregation to recognize the weight of their words and to always strive to speak life and hope, understanding the profound impact they can have on others and themselves.
Sermon Summary: "Honour is a Choice" by Bill ChapmanBill Chapman continued our exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, particularly focusing on Matthew 5:13-16. He emphasized our call to be influencers, to make a difference, and to be actively involved in our community to change its atmosphere positively.Drawing from Romans 12:9-21, Bill outlined practical steps to be salt and light in our community. We are encouraged to genuinely love others, hate what is wrong, hold onto good, work diligently, serve enthusiastically, and practice hospitality. He highlighted the importance of blessing those who persecute us, rejoicing with the joyful, mourning with the sorrowful, and living harmoniously with one another. The message was clear: live in such a way that everyone can see you are honourable and strive to live peacefully with everyone.Bill focused on Romans 12:10, "Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other," challenging us to reflect on whether we truly delight in honouring others. Honour is a choice, a gift we offer to God. As Jon Tyson aptly put it, "Honour is the operating system of the Kingdom of God."Honouring others is a manifestation of our love and respect for them. It's a choice that requires validation of people's actions and behaviours. Bill reminded us of Jesus' experience in Nazareth where he was not honoured by his own community, emphasizing the significance of honouring honourable people as a mandate from God.Scriptures further illuminated the theme of honour:- Revelation 5:11-17 and John 5:22-23 speak of honouring God and the Lamb for eternity.- Isaiah 43:21 emphasizes Israel's destiny to honour God before the world.- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 underscores honouring God with our bodies.- Proverbs 3:9-10 speaks of honouring the Lord with our wealth.- 1 Peter 3:7 instructs husbands to honour their wives.Bill concluded with a quote from C.S. Lewis, "There are no ordinary people; everybody has value." He challenged us to envision a community where everyone chooses to honour one another.In summary, Bill's message inspired, encouraged, challenged, and provoked us to understand that honour is a choice we must make to glorify God and bless others. To be truly honourable, we must actively work at it, choosing to live in a way that reflects our honourable nature.
In the culmination of our series on the Beatitudes, Bill Chapman brings forth a powerful message urging us to continually test ourselves in our discipleship journey. Drawing from Matthew 5:10-12, Chapman emphasises the necessity of daily surrendering to Christ, laying down our own desires and embracing His will.Bill prompts us to reflect on our faith's robustness, challenging us to stand firm amidst trials and persecutions. He echoes Jesus' call to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him, as recounted in Luke 9:18-27. This is not a conditional commitment; it's a daily choice to die to self, be buried with Christ, and rise to new life through the Spirit.Highlighting Galatians 5:13-26, Bill underscores the importance of walking by the Spirit, crucifying the flesh's desires, and living in accordance with God's command to love one another. He emphasises that true discipleship requires prioritszing Jesus above all else, even if it means sacrificing familial ties or material wealth, as elucidated in Luke 9:57-62 and Luke 18:18-30.Bill challenges the congregation to examine their hearts, questioning whether they follow Jesus conditionally or wholeheartedly. He addresses common misconceptions, reminding us that discipleship entails embracing suffering, humility, patience, kindness, and obedience, even when it's uncomfortable or unpopular.In conclusion, we are called to be people who live for God's glory, willingly disciplining ourselves to Christ each day. Surrendering fully, picking up our cross and relinquishing all we are to follow Him. The sermon serves as a poignant reminder of the high cost of discipleship and the transformative power of wholehearted devotion to Christ.
As we embark on Holy Week, Myrtle House Community Church invites you to a special sermon featuring insights from Bill, Martin, and Ellen, reflecting on the significance of this sacred time leading up to Easter weekend.This sermon serves as a poignant reminder to pause and contemplate the profound sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who gave his life for each one of us. Through the lens of scripture, Bill, Martin, and Ellen share their reflections on the journey towards Easter and what it means to them.It's a time to remember not just the historical events but to internalise the message of love, redemption, and hope that Jesus' sacrifice embodies. This is an opportunity for all of us to deepen our understanding of who Jesus is and the transformative power of his resurrection.As part of our Holy Week observance, we will be hosting gatherings on both Good Friday and Easter Sunday. On Good Friday, join us from 10 am for hot cross buns and coffee, followed by a service at 11 am, and later enjoy a fish and chip lunch.On Easter Sunday, our doors will open at 10 am, with a service starting at 10:30 am. Following the service, there will be an Easter egg hunt for the children and another chance to enjoy hot cross buns and coffee together.Whether you can join us in person or virtually, we extend a warm invitation to come and commemorate this significant time in the Christian calendar with Myrtle House Community. Let's come together to reflect, worship, and celebrate the life, death, and resurrection of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We hope to see you there!
In this week's sermon at Myrtle House Community Church, Bill Chapman delved into the profound message of Matthew 5:8, exploring the theme of purity of heart. Drawing from the Beatitudes, Bill emphasised that the essence of a blessed life lies in having a heart untainted by impurity, as it leads to the ultimate reward of seeing God.Bill reminded the congregation that Jesus' message wasn't merely about outward appearances or behaviours, but about the inner purity of the heart. He highlighted that the Greek term for "pure" implies cleanliness, blamelessness, and freedom from guilt, often achieved through refining trials or experiences.Quoting biblical references such as Matthew 3:11 and Malachi 3:3-4, Bill illustrated the transformative power of God's touch on the human heart, likening it to a refining fire that purifies and transforms. He emphasized that God's desire is not merely for outward conformity but for genuine heart transformation.Bill stressed that the goal of purity isn't just to create a better society or life, but to enable believers to behold God. He underscored that sin acts as a barrier to this vision and that continual heart refinement is necessary on the journey of faith.Referencing Psalm 24:3-4, Bill differentiated between external righteousness and internal purity, emphasizing the importance of both. He cautioned against hypocrisy and hidden motives, urging the congregation to live transparently before God.Bill highlighted that while individuals cannot purify their own hearts, they can choose to keep them pure by drawing near to God and actively pursuing discipleship. He encouraged practical steps such as spending time in prayer and Scripture to cultivate intimacy with God.In conclusion, Bill reminded the congregation that a pure heart is not only a longing to see God but also a shaping force in one's life. He urged them to embrace the journey of discipleship, trusting in God's transformative power to purify and refine their hearts as they eagerly anticipate the blessedness of beholding Him.
In today's sermon at Myrtle House Community Church, Joel Aston illuminated the profound calling we have as believers to be peacemakers, drawing inspiration from Matthew 5:9. He emphasised the urgency of this calling in a world rife with division and chaos, where the enemy seeks to sow discord even within the body of Christ.Joel cautioned against complacency, reminding the congregation that maintaining peace and unity in the church requires active engagement. Drawing a sharp distinction between peacekeepers and peacemakers, he urged listeners to adopt the latter approach, one characterised by boldness, engagement, and a willingness to confront underlying issues.Referencing Exodus 32:21-26, Joel highlighted the contrast between Aaron's passive peacekeeping and Moses's proactive peacemaking. He stressed that unity among believers is essential for God's purposes to be fulfilled, while division only serves the enemy's agenda.Offering practical guidance on initiating difficult conversations, Joel emphasised the importance of prayer, self-awareness, and emotional control. He underscored the need to approach such dialogues with love and humility, seeking to understand all perspectives before drawing conclusions.In conclusion, Joel challenged the congregation to embrace their role as peacemakers wholeheartedly, recognising that true unity requires courage, effort, and a commitment to seeing beyond surface conflicts. By embodying the principles of peacemaking in their interactions, believers can reflect the character of God and contribute to the flourishing of His kingdom.
In today's sermon at Myrtle House Community Church, Martin O’Brien delved into Matthew 5:7, continuing the exploration of the Beatitudes. He emphasised the significance of embodying mercy and compassion, which lie at the core of Christ's teachings. Drawing from the verse "God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy" (Matthew 5:7, NLT), Martin highlighted the fundamental nature of mercy in the Christian life.He elucidated the Greek word for "merciful," Eleemon, which conveys active compassion. This compassion is manifested in various forms, including aiding the afflicted, extending help to the poor, and experiencing divine mercy through Christ's sacrifice. Martin underscored that Christ's very essence epitomises compassion and mercy towards the marginalised and suffering.Furthermore, Martin discussed the root word Eleos, which encompasses compassion, kindness, and the readiness to forgive. He emphasised that mercy and compassion are recurrent themes throughout scripture, citing examples from Psalms, Proverbs, Micah, Luke, Colossians, and James.The sermon challenged the congregation to introspect on their practice of mercy. Martin urged them to emulate Jesus' life, characterised by boundless mercy even towards enemies. He stressed that in the Kingdom of God, mercy isn't just an option but a way of life, a prerequisite for true discipleship.In conclusion, Martin reminded the listeners that the path to joy and abundant life lies in embracing mercy. Being merciful isn't merely a duty but a privilege bestowed upon believers. Thus, he encouraged everyone to embody the heart of Christ by showing compassion to all, mirroring the divine mercy extended to humanity.
In today's sermon at Myrtle House Community Church, Bill Chapman delved into the profound significance of righteousness in the context of advancing the Kingdom of God, as highlighted in Matthew 5:6. The Beatitudes, as articulated by Jesus, frame the pursuit of righteousness as essential for spiritual fulfilment and divine blessing.Drawing from a tapestry of biblical references, Bill underscored the omnipresence of righteousness throughout scripture, emphasising its centrality to God's character and Kingdom agenda. Notably, Isaiah 61:10 underscores God's act of clothing believers with a righteousness they have not earned, underscoring the transformative power of divine grace.The call to hunger and thirst for righteousness resonates with an imperative to actively seek justice and goodness, both individually and communally. Bill illuminated how righteousness transcends mere adherence to rules; it is a heartfelt commitment to living for others, reflecting the love lavished upon believers.Through poignant examples, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan, Bill underscored the radical nature of righteous living, compelling believers to courageously engage with the needs of others. Quoting Jeremiah 22:3, he emphasised the imperative of acting justly and compassionately towards the marginalised and oppressed.Bill reminded the congregation of the pivotal role righteousness plays in the final judgment, as depicted in Matthew 25:31-46. The passage vividly illustrates how acts of kindness and compassion towards the vulnerable are equated with serving Christ Himself, reinforcing the inseparable link between righteousness and eternal life.Closing with a sobering reminder from Matthew 7:21, Bill urged listeners to move beyond mere profession of faith, emphasising the transformative power of righteous living. Ultimately, righteousness isn't just a religious obligation but a profound expression of devotion to God and His Kingdom agenda.
Today, we delved into the profound teachings of Jesus found in Matthew 5:3, where he declares, "God blesses those who are poor and realise their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs." This beatitude sets the stage for a life-altering perspective on our relationship with God.Martin recited the beautiful hymn, "I Need Thee Every Hour" by Annie Sherwood Hawks. The lyrics echoed the sentiment of our utter dependence on God and the recognition that only in Him can we find true peace and strength.We explored the Greek word for "poor," which is "ptochos." This term goes beyond financial poverty; it encompasses a humble acknowledgment of our destitution without God. It means to crouch, fall, be frightened, and even to beg. It signifies being lowly, afflicted, and lacking in eternal riches. Jesus assures us that those who recognize their profound need for Him are supremely blessed, fortunate, and happy.Our posture before the King matters. Jesus, the King of kings, calls us to approach Him with humility and an understanding of our complete dependence on His sacrifice for our salvation. The Beatitudes serve as a map guiding us to Jesus, who is the way.We reflected on Psalm 86, where David exemplifies the posture we should adopt before the throne of God—bowing down, seeking His protection, and acknowledging God's unfailing love and mercy. David understood that our life depends on God.The apostle Paul, in Philippians 4:10-20, emphasized contentment in every situation. Whether abased or abounding, Paul found strength in Christ and declared that God would supply all our needs according to His riches in glory.In conclusion, the essence of Matthew 5:3 is that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who humbly realize their need for God. It's not about our achievements but about what Jesus has done. From a posture of humility, we are elevated to possess and live in the kingdom of God.So, let us ask ourselves: How do we approach the King? Is Jesus truly our everything? The Kingdom of Heaven is yours, not by anything you've done but because of Jesus. From a posture of lowness, we are raised to a position of possessing and living in the Kingdom of God. We are all in need of Him.May we continue to approach our King with humility, recognising our need for Him in every hour of our lives.
Today, we delved into the powerful truth that there is no factoring you out of God's plan. Regardless of your past experiences or actions, God has chosen you to be a significant and important part of His divine design. The Scripture passages from Matthew 4:17-25 and Psalm 32 reinforced this message of inclusion and significance.We explored the idea that, as followers of Christ, we are the salt of the earth. Drawing from The Chosen Series and Jesus' teachings in Mark 1:15, the call to repent and believe in the gospel echoed the theme of actively participating in God's plan for His kingdom.Through Jesus' model, we are encouraged to become who God is calling us to be. The beatitudes, the sermon on the mount, and Jesus' teachings serve as a blueprint for us to understand how to rule with authority in the Kingdom. It's about submitting to the primacy of the King, acknowledging His guidelines, and living according to His principles.We emphasised the importance of putting effort into cultivating the Kingdom. Like making a garden, it requires our active participation and obedience to God's commission. The beatitudes guide us in becoming Kingdom people, and Jesus is building His Kingdom through individuals who submit to His rule.Just as artists Tim Noble and Sue Webster turn junk into art when light is shined on it, we are called to illuminate the lives of those around us. In John 9:5 and Matthew 5, Jesus declares Himself as the light of the world, and now we are called to be the light. When we shine our light of love, hope, mercy, and kindness, we transform what looks like trash into treasure.The beatitudes and the sermon on the mount serve as our guide, illuminating our journey with Kingdom principles. As we apply these principles, the King reigns in our lives, and the Kingdom of God takes root in our communities.Jesus, the light of the world, values each person as chosen, favored, and blessed. Understanding and embodying this revolutionary life principle allows us to manifest the Kingdom and reveal the treasure within each person. You are the salt of the earth, chosen by God to bring flavor and light to the world around you.
Welcome to the Myrtle House Community Church Podcast.As we enter a new year it's a great time to consider what Kingdom life looks like, and how we can experience it for ourselves. Jesus came to bring the Kingdom of God, and give us life to the full.This week, Bill Chapman kicked off a new collection of talks on the Kingdom of God, examining how we often miss out on God’s best life for us by allowing ourselves to be influenced by other cultures instead of seeking Kingdom culture. We are not called to be passive followers but we are here to extend and build the Kingdom by influencing culture, bringing a new beginning, and being the antidote to the values of the world.Now, let’s lean into the message together and ‘Seek First His Kingdom.’
Catch up on our latest festive message from our Sunday Gatherings. Discover the real 'Reason for the Season'.
Catch up on our latest festive message from our Sunday Gatherings. Find out the real 'Reason for the Season'.
Catch up on our latest festive message from our Sunday Gatherings. Find out the real 'Reason for the Season'.
Bill Chapman led a thought-provoking session this past Sunday, exploring the depths of forgiveness and self-compassion. The sermon began with a powerful clip from The Chosen TV series, vividly depicting Jesus' redeeming love for Mary.The central theme of the morning was based around the struggle for self-compassion. The video prompted reflection on how, despite knowing we are forgiven and loved by God, we may find it challenging to extend that same compassion to ourselves. That often moments from our past can resurface, and attempt to undermine our peace and joy.The congregation engaged in a meaningful discussion prompted by the video clip, exploring the lessons from Mary's redemption and the transformative power of Jesus' love.
Last Sunday's Sermon Recap with Guest Speaker Stuart Watkins at Myrtle House Community Church Stuart Watkins graced us with a powerful message on forgiveness, unraveling profound insights to nourish our spiritual journey. Here are some key takeaways from the sermon:1️⃣ The Healing Power of Forgiveness: Stuart emphasized how forgiveness is not just for others but is a profound act of self-healing. Letting go of resentment allows us to experience freedom and inner peace.2️⃣ Unpacking Bitterness: Stuart delved into the detrimental effects of holding onto bitterness. He encouraged us to identify and release any bitterness that might be hindering our spiritual growth.3️⃣ Radical Forgiveness: The sermon challenged us to embrace radical forgiveness, a transformative act that goes beyond mere tolerance. Stuart explored the concept of extending grace even in the face of deep hurts.4️⃣ Embracing God's Forgiveness: Stuart reminded us of the divine forgiveness we receive from God and encouraged us to extend that same grace to others. In forgiving, we reflect the love and mercy bestowed upon us.5️⃣ Practical Steps: The sermon provided practical steps to cultivate forgiveness in our daily lives, fostering a culture of compassion and understanding within our community.Let's carry the spirit of forgiveness forward, nurturing a culture of love and understanding. Thank you, Stuart Watkins, for sharing your wisdom with us! #MyrtleHouseCommunityChurch #SundaySermon #ForgivenessJourney #SpiritualGrowth
Sermon Summary: "Beauty from Brokenness"Today, John Graham delivered an impactful message centered around the beautiful narrative found in the first and fourth chapters of the Book of Ruth. Titled "Beauty from Brokenness," the sermon provided profound insights into God's redemptive work in our lives.Drawing from Ruth 1:6-22 and Ruth 4, John emphasised how God orchestrates events, ensuring that everything aligns for our ultimate good. The key takeaway was a reminder of the comforting truth that we serve a God who is firmly in control.The life of Naomi served as a poignant illustration of humanity at its best under God's guidance. Through her story, we witnessed the transformative power of God's love, bringing hope out of despair.John highlighted several key points that emanated from these scriptural passages:- Hope from Despair- Wholeness from Brokenness- Sweetness from Bitterness- Abundance from Want- Fullness from Emptiness- Joy from Sorrow- A Glorious Future from an Unpromising BeginningEach of these points was meticulously expounded upon, intricately connected to Naomi's journey.In essence, the sermon conveyed a powerful message: God desires to fill our emptiness, grant us joy, and abundantly bless us, just as He did for Naomi. The call to action was clear—we must allow God to work in our lives, trusting in His transformative power. The potential for impact is immeasurable.Additionally, the sermon reminded us of our role in the broader community. Our neighbourhoods are filled with people who are broken, empty, and devoid of hope or joy. As followers of Christ, we possess the answer—Jesus. The challenge is to extend the transformative love we've received to those around us, becoming vessels of hope, joy, and redemption.In conclusion, the message resonated with the assurance that God's desire is to work through our lives, turning brokenness into beauty. As we yield to His guidance, we open ourselves to the limitless possibilities of His transformative grace.
In this Sunday's sermon, Martin O'Brien continued exploring the theme of Disruptive Compassion & Social Justice, drawing inspiration from last week's message, he emphasised the importance of challenging established norms and refusing to settle for the status quo, just as Jesus did during His earthly ministry.Martin delved into the biblical narrative of the fall of Jericho, where the gates were tightly shut due to fear. Using Joshua 6:1-2 (NLT), he asked how often do we, out of fear, close the gates of God's power and providence, preferring the safety of the familiar over trusting God in challenging situations?“Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in. But the Lord said to Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.” Joshua 6:1-2 NLTWe were encouraged to take time to reflect on our lives and ask the following questions:1. What is the status quo in your life?2. Do we see the hungry, broken, and lonely and imagine what could or should be?3. How has the compassion of Jesus disrupted you, or how might it disrupt you in the future?The core message revolved around the need to believe that Jesus not only can but will disrupt the status quo. It's a call to action, encouraging believers to resist settling for the status quo, and instead, cultivate a compassionate heart like Jesus. The challenge is to see the needs in our communities and respond with the same disruptive compassion that characterised Jesus' ministry.Martin emphasised the necessity of being filled with compassion to bring about change and freedom, stressing that all things are possible with Christ. The congregation was encouraged to break free from the shackles of complacency, to disrupt the status quo, and to actively engage with the needs of the community, embodying the transformative power of Jesus' compassion in their lives and the lives of others.
Title: Compassion Disrupts ConformityToday, we continue our journey in understanding the profound impact of compassion in our lives. Bill Chapman, in his sermon, built upon last week's message and explored how compassion has the power to disrupt conformity. To illustrate this transformative power, Bill used clips from The Chosen TV series that beautifully depict well-known passages of Scripture. Through these visual narratives, we saw how Jesus's compassion consistently disrupted the norms and conventions of His time.Compassion, when it disrupts conformity, may appear to be a form of lawbreaking. However, as we observed in the life of Jesus, it is actually an act of placing people and their needs above rigid adherence to the law. Jesus was so overflowing with compassion that He was willing to break conventions to meet the needs of those He encountered. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His example. We are called to be so filled with compassion that we, too, are willing to disrupt the status quo when necessary. This doesn't mean we should break laws recklessly but rather that we should prioritise the well-being of people over rigid adherence to tradition or rules.Remember, when you see an opportunity to disrupt someone's conformity to a harmful pattern of life, your compassion can be a beacon of hope for them. Your actions can open a window through which the grace of God can shine into their lives. Just as Jesus disrupted your life with His compassion, you can become an instrument of His love, disrupting the lives of others in a way that leads them toward God's grace and transformation.May the disruptive power of compassion lead us to live more fully in the image of Christ, in doing so, we become agents of God's grace, bringing hope and transformation to those who need it most.
Sunday Sermon Summary: 'Disruptive Compassion'Today, Bill Chapman continued his message from last week, delving deeper into the concept of 'Disruptive Compassion' and how our compassion should be more than just a feeling – it should be a force that disrupts the status quo.The Essence of Compassion:Bill started by reminding us of the descriptions of God's character in the Hebrew Bible, which often highlight His compassion, grace, and unfailing love. The Hebrew word for compassionate, "Rakhum," is related to the word for womb, suggesting a deep, motherly tenderness at the core of compassion. It's not just an emotion; it's an action. God's compassion is seen in His actions, as He rescues His people.Jesus is the embodiment of God's deep compassion in human form. He was moved by human suffering, and His life reflects the compassionate nature of God. He calls His followers to imitate this compassion by allowing ourselves to be moved by the pain of others, embracing those who hurt, and actively working to relieve suffering.Compassion in Action:Compassion is an intense emotion, and the key question Bill posed was whether we are motivated to take action by the compassion we feel.Matthew 9:36-38 shows Jesus' compassion in action, as He saw the crowds and was moved to encourage His disciples to pray and meet the needs of the people.2 Corinthians 1:4 reminds us that we receive God's comfort so that we can comfort others in their troubles.What Is Disruptive Compassion?Bill explained that disruptive compassion is a model Jesus lived out. His actions disrupted the status quo and challenged the religious elite. Examples abound in the Bible: when He touched lepers, opened blind eyes, and associated with those considered outcasts.Reference: John 11:33-35, Mark 1:41, Mark 5:1-17, Mark 8:1-10 & Luke 5:20Disruptive compassion goes beyond sympathy; it's positive action that disrupts the norm. It's driven by love and kindness, modelling what we should model.Bill proposed that disruptive compassion isn't just about changing someone's destination; it's about altering the course and direction of their journey. By journeying with them, step by step, we manifest God's compassion and ultimately lead them closer to Him.We are called to love others as we love ourselves. With disruptive compassion, we can positively change how people feel, think, and live their lives.Disruptive compassion can have a profound spiritual impact, leading people to encounter the God of all compassion and love through us.Bill emphasised that compassion is not just an attribute of God; it's a quality of His people. It sets us apart when we use compassion disruptively to challenge the status quo.May we be inspired to embody disruptive compassion, positively impacting the world and drawing people closer to God through our actions and love.
This week, Bill Chapman delivered an impactful sermon, expanding on the themes we've explored in recent weeks. He emphasised the crucial role of the church in championing the cause of social justice in our communities. The Essence of Social Justice:Social justice, Bill reminded us, is meant to breathe life into our world. However, it has often been tainted by cultural influences, leading to confusion. He stressed that the key to understanding social justice lies not in "what" the issue is but in "who" it affects.Quoting Psalm 33:5 (NIV), Bill reinforced that God Himself is a social justice warrior: "The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love."By dissecting Colossians 3:10-16 (NLT), Bill unveiled the biblical elements of social justice:“Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilised, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.” Colossians 3:10-16 NLT1. Love of Self and Knowledge: Understanding that God loves us and loving ourselves because of His boundless love. It's about loving God wholeheartedly and growing in our understanding of Him as we live in His light.2. Respect for Others: Treating others with the same love and respect we desire for ourselves, reflecting the depth of our kindness and love through our actions.3. Addressing Issues of Social Justice: A sincere concern for the well-being of marginalised groups, such as widows, foreigners, and the poor. As Christians, it should deeply trouble us to see hunger and financial hardship in our own community.4. Social Movements and Change: Acknowledging the transformative power of collective action and social change in addressing injustices.5. Awareness and Action: Raising our eyes to see the needs around us and actively sharing the goodness of God that we have personally experienced.Bill challenged us to consider what the world might be like if more people were compassionate and showed tenderness toward one another. He emphasised the importance of empathy over sympathy and declared that our level of love is the measure of our followership.When God's love fills our hearts, we become social justice warriors because people matter, and lives are transformed. True social justice ensures that people receive the love of God and the freedom they deserve.The sermon concluded with powerful testimony from Kate and Carol, who shared their experiences of social justice in action through their work in the Community Life Hub and Foodbank.Kate left us with a poignant reminder from Proverbs 31:8-9: "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."This reminded us that without genuine care, all our knowledge about social justice is empty.May we all be inspired to live out 'The Great Compassion' and advocate for social justice in our lives, making a difference where it truly matters.
Today, we revisited a powerful message from a few weeks ago, one that challenges us to ponder what keeps us from living out our mission and what it truly means to be on mission. Often, we convince ourselves that mission is too difficult and that we lack the time for it. But if we truly grasp the essence of mission and what it means to be on mission, are these excuses valid? Our Lord Jesus Himself instructed us to embark on a mission, to share the good news of the gospel with the world. It can feel daunting because we sometimes attempt to go it alone, yet Jesus reminds us in Scripture (Luke 10:1 and Mark 6:7) that we are meant to embark on this mission together, creating lasting endurance.So, here's a question to ponder: Who are you on mission with? Remember the words from Titus 3:4-7 (NLT): "But—When God our Saviour revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."It is Christ's love and what He has done for us that drives us toward mission.Furthermore, 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NLT) reminds us: "Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life."Let Christ's love guide and motivate our mission.In Romans 12:1-5 (NLT), we read: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."Let us not underestimate our importance. We are all part of the body of Christ, each with a unique role and function. We are many parts of one body, belonging to each other.Our personal missions may differ, but we are all part of the mission to collaborate with God in His redemptive plan. We are called to be people on mission together, not individuals on mission alone. Let us remember what Christ has done for us and join together in fulfilling our mission. We are one body, and together, we can impact the world with God's love and grace.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Martin O’BrienDate: Sunday 3rd September 2023
In the sermon titled "Christ's Love Controls Us," delivered by John Graham, the central message revolves around the profound impact of Christ's love on our lives. The key scripture passages from 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 and Ephesians 4:22-24 serve as the foundation of the sermon's themes.The core idea is that Christ's love serves as a transformative force that compels believers to relinquish their old lives and embrace a new life rooted in Christ. John emphasizes that this new life isn't about living for oneself but for Christ, who sacrificed and rose again for believers. The sermon highlights that Christ's love not only motivates change but also guides and shapes our actions.John reminds the congregation that God's control over us is rooted in love, as He desires the best for His children. God's intimate knowledge of our potential underscores His intention to see us flourish in alignment with His divine purpose. Quoting from Ephesians 4:22-24, the sermon underscores the call to shed the old sinful nature and embrace renewal through the Holy Spirit. The passage encourages believers to adopt a new nature resembling God's righteousness and holiness.The message underscores that Christ's death on the cross has facilitated the transformation of believers. The Christian journey involves continuous growth and change toward maturity in God. By addressing our past and embracing step-by-step progress, we are gradually conformed to the image of Christ. This process requires releasing unnecessary baggage that hinders spiritual progress, creating space for new blessings.Drawing from 1 Corinthians 10:23, John points out the need for discernment in our actions, ensuring they align with what is beneficial and edifying. The sermon culminates with a call for introspection, urging listeners to identify and release the baggage from their past that slows them down. By inviting God to cleanse memories, experiences, and hurts, believers can be filled with His transformative presence.The final scripture passage from Ephesians 1:3-8 underscores the abundant blessings believers receive through Christ. Opening our hearts to God's work allows for the infusion of newness and the exploration of God's plans. The sermon concludes with an invitation to step into the new things God has in store, enabled by His love and grace.In essence, "Christ's Love Controls Us" conveys that Christ's sacrificial love catalyzes positive change, enabling believers to shed the old, embrace the new, and align their lives with God's transformative purpose.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: John GrahamDate: Sunday 27th August 2023
In today's Sunday sermon, Dan Isaac continued our exploration of the Great Commission, delving deeper into its essence as an embodiment of "Great Obedience." The words of Matthew 28:16-20 came alive as we contemplated their significance:"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20 NIVThe core message emerged: As disciples and followers of Christ Jesus, our calling extends beyond mere proclamation - it encompasses the journey of nurturing true obedience. We are entrusted with the mission to witness the transformation of lives, from conversion to a lifelong commitment to Christ's teachings.Dan illuminated the distinction between becoming a Christian and becoming a disciple of Jesus. Conversion marks a moment, whereas discipleship is a lifelong expedition. The realization dawned that becoming a Christian is just the beginning; it opens the door to a magnificent journey.The Gospel of John echoed these sentiments: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-32 NIVThe cornerstone of this journey, we learned, is the synergy between hearing and doing, knowing and living out the teachings of Jesus. Just as a house built on a firm foundation withstands storms, a life grounded in the teachings of Christ stands firm in the face of life's challenges:"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock... But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." - Matthew 7:24-27 NIVThe theme of "hearing the word and living the word" resonated, highlighting the significance of integrating knowledge and action. This fusion culminates in a lifestyle of obedience, a powerful foundation for living.Dan reminded us that our obedience to Jesus isn't a quest for His acceptance; rather, it flows from the acceptance He has already bestowed upon us. Our obedience isn't driven by an obligation to earn His favor; it springs from a heart overflowing with gratitude for His sacrificial love.As we contemplate the teachings of this sermon, let us be inspired to cultivate a lifestyle of obedience - one that aligns our actions with the teachings of Jesus. Let us remember that our foundation isn't built on the shifting sands of worldly standards, but on the unshakeable bedrock of Christ's teachings. May our obedience not be a duty but a heartfelt response to the love and grace we've received. In embracing this "Great Obedience," we find strength to navigate life's challenges and to help disciple others navigating this great journey of faith.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Dan IsaacDate: Sunday 20th August 2023
In today's Sunday sermon, we delved into the profound message of the Great Commission, as conveyed in Matthew 28:16-20, through the insightful words of Stuart Blount. The Great Commission, we learned, is not just a directive to distant lands, but an extraordinary calling that envelops the essence of Christianity itself. It beckons us to embark on a remarkable journey - a journey of faith, of purpose, and of love for our fellow humans.Stuart underscored that the Great Commission is, at its core, a grand adventure - an adventure in which we are invited to stand shoulder to shoulder with Christ in His mission to redeem this world, one precious soul at a time. This mission doesn't solely pertain to foreign shores, but extends to the very fabric of our lives - our workplaces, our neighbourhoods, and our friendships. We were reminded that we are entrusted with the continuation of Christ's work, a shared mission that carries His divine touch.Three pieces of invaluable guidance were unveiled to illuminate our path in carrying the Great Commission beyond our church walls and into the public arena:1. Living with Open Eyes: Stuart urged us to be perceptive and attentive to those who already orbit within the sphere of our lives. Our influence is most potent with those who walk beside us every day. This circle holds immense potential for meaningful connections and transformational encounters.2. Living with an Open Heart: Compassion emerged as a cornerstone, as we were challenged to see the world as Christ does. Stuart urged us to recognise the moments when we often overlook what Jesus would never ignore. It's a call to extend our hearts beyond our own concerns and reach out to those who are yet to find salvation.3. Living with an Open Will: The transformative power of willingness took centre stage. We were presented with a question: Are we ready to step into the role of the conduit through which divine intervention flows? Are we willing to be the channel of God's answer in this world? Embracing the Great Commission requires a commitment to live according to Christ's teachings, thereby becoming a living testament that captures the attention of those around us.Stuart culminated his message with a poignant inquiry that reverberated within our souls: Are we willing to be active participants in the Great Commission? This entails engaging wholeheartedly with the world around us, recognising the significance of everyday moments, conversations, and meetings - moments that often stand as appointments orchestrated by the divine.As we leave today's service, let us carry these teachings with us - let us see with open eyes, love with an open heart, and stand ready with an open will. By doing so, we join hands with Christ in His magnificent mission. Let us reflect upon the profound question that was posed to us - Are we willing to be part of the Great Commission? May we boldly answer this call as we venture forth into the world, with every interaction becoming a testament to Christ's enduring love and the power of redemption.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Stuart BlountDate: Sunday 23rd August 2023
Last Sunday at Myrtle House Community Church, Martin O'Brien delivered an impactful sermon on being “Men and Women on a Mission." The sermon explored the essence of being individuals with a mission and emphasised the importance of understanding our purpose in both corporate and individual contexts.Martin began by posing two critical questions: "What does it look like to be a man or woman on a mission?" and "What's my mission?" He highlighted that each one of us has a unique mission designed by God. Our missions may vary, but we are all called to be on mission every day, regardless of where we find ourselves.He stressed the significance of embracing the truth that we are designed to mission together, not always going solo. To illustrate this point, he introduced the Greek word "Koinonia," which signifies a sense of communion, partnership, and shared purpose among believers. We are meant to come together, united by a common mission and purpose.We were reminded that the mission of the Church goes beyond Sunday services, that we are the Church, and mission occurs wherever we are, in our workplaces, homes, schools, and communities.The sermon concluded with the affirmation that every individual is indeed on a mission, albeit in different places and in different ways. No mission is greater or lesser than another; each mission has a purpose and plays a vital role in God's overall plan.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Martin O’BrienDate: Sunday 30th July 2023
The sermon delivered by Bill Chapman focused on the importance of church and why people come to church. The key points highlighted were: Fellowship: Church is a place where sharing and unity among its members occur, reflecting the love of God. Biblical Basis: The importance of Church is emphasised in various Scriptures such as Acts 2:41-47, Acts 4:32-34, and 2 Corinthians 8:1-8. Family in Christ: Church is described as a family that has been brought close to God through the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus' Purpose: Jesus died to establish the church, and it is through the church that believers can become children of God. Completeness through Community: Believers are incomplete without other Christians, and everyone has a role to play within the church community. Experiencing God Together: The fullness of God is experienced when believers come together in unity.* Correcting and Growing in Faith: Church provides accountability and teachability, allowing believers to grow in their faith.Furthermore, seven reasons were given to explain why church is important:1. Church is God's plan for the present times.2. The Word of God instructs believers to be actively involved in the church.3. Church is a place for learning and spiritual growth through the study of God's Word.4. Believers can practice and develop their spiritual gifts within the church.5. Church serves as a place for connection and building relationships with other believers.6. It acts as a base for carrying out missions and spreading the Gospel.7. Church is a unique place for discipleship, enabling believers to become disciples who, in turn, make more disciples.The overall message conveyed in the sermon is that church is not just a gathering; it is a divine institution established by Jesus, essential for personal and communal spiritual growth, fellowship, and fulfilling the mission of spreading God's love and message to the world.
In his Sunday sermon Dan Isaac continued on from last week where we looked at finding our purpose and understanding why we do what we do. Drawing inspiration from the book of Philippians, and focusing on the life of the apostle Paul, we see that the central theme revolves around understanding and embracing our calling, just as Paul did after his radical encounter with Jesus. Paul's life is used as a prime example of someone who knew his purpose and lived it out with unwavering dedication. He recognised that he was called and chosen by God for a specific mission and this profound realisation shaped every aspect of Paul's life and ministry.One key aspect highlighted in the sermon is Paul's refusal to complain, despite facing numerous challenges and adversities. Instead of dwelling on the negative aspects of his situations, Paul saw the positives and the opportunities they presented to advance the Gospel. His focus on his purpose empowered him to endure through difficult circumstances and keep moving forward. From his perspective, he is driven by a deep understanding of his purpose and an unwavering conviction in the truth he proclaims.In conclusion, the sermon emphasises the importance of discovering our own purpose in life, just as Paul did. When we are aware of our calling and understand our why, it becomes a guiding light that illuminates our path and gives us strength to navigate challenges and trials. Like Paul, we can draw inspiration from our purpose, keeping an eternal perspective and trusting that it will sustain us and enable us to keep going, no matter how tough the journey may be.Knowing our Why enables us to persevere, remain resilient, and continue on the path we are called to walk.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Dan IsaacDate: Sunday 16th July 2023
In the sermon titled "Do You Know Your Why?", Bill addressed the profound questions of ‘Why do we follow Jesus?’ and ‘Why do we go to church?’ Drawing inspiration from Simon Sinek's book "Start With Why," the sermon emphasised the significance of finding our purpose in life and aligning it with our faith.The sermon began by highlighting the importance of introspection and understanding the underlying motivation behind our actions. Posing the question, "Why do you follow Jesus?" Bill encouraged the congregation to reflect on their personal reasons. By delving into our own "whys," we gain a deeper understanding of our faith and its impact on our lives. When we connect with our purpose in following Jesus, we experience a profound transformation that extends beyond our personal lives, impacting the world around us.By knowing our purpose, we can navigate life with clarity, passion, and a sense of direction. Aligning our "whys" with our faith deepens our connection to Jesus and allows us to experience a more fulfilling spiritual journey.In conclusion, the sermon challenged the congregation to embark on a personal exploration of their "whys." By discovering our purpose in following Jesus and attending church, we can live a life that is intentional, impactful, and filled with the love of Christ. The sermon inspired individuals to seek their unique purpose, align it with their faith, and make a difference in the world around them.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 9th July 2023Title: Discovering Your Purpose: Do You Know Your Why?
In this impactful Sunday sermon, we explored the theme of "God's pivot point in our lives?" The sermon drew inspiration from the book of Esther, highlighting the intriguing literary tactic of a chiasm and its connection to recognizing and embracing pivotal moments orchestrated by God.To illustrate this, the sermon turned to the story of Esther, a young Jewish woman who became queen of Persia. The book of Esther, with its narrative structure containing a chiasm, provided insights into the importance of recognizing God's pivot points.“A chiasm is a literary device where ideas or events are mirrored or mirrored symmetrically in a text. It signifies a central turning point or pivotal moment.'“By examining key events and characters within the book, such as Esther's rise to queenhood, Mordecai's faithfulness, and Haman's plot against the Jews, the sermon revealed how God's providence was at work throughout the narrative. Each pivotal moment led to significant consequences and divine intervention.The congregation was encouraged to apply the lessons from Esther's story to their own lives and were urged to develop a deeper awareness of God's presence and guidance, recognizing the chiasms or turning points in our personal journeys. By doing so, we will be able to discern God's hand and purpose amidst challenges, decisions, and opportunities. The sermon emphasized the importance of prayer, seeking God's wisdom, and aligning one's heart with His will. By actively engaging with God's Word and cultivating a relationship with Him, we can attune our hearts to His leading and embrace the pivot points He presents.In conclusion, the sermon encouraged us to be vigilant in our search for God's pivot points in our own lives. By recognizing these moments of divine intervention, we can experience transformation, growth, and alignment with God's purpose for our lives.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 2nd July 2023Title: Embracing God's Pivot Point: Insights from Esther
In our latest podcast, we have Stuart Watkins as a guest speaker. Stuart has been part of the leadership team at Antioch for 30 years and has a love for the prophetic, prophecy and prophets. Stuart brought a great message to both encourage and awaken the Church to the prophetic. He reminded us that the true authentic prophetic is so powerful when it speaks into a persons life that it can be life changing, direction changing and even life saving!“In that moment of someone receiving a prophetic word they are connected to how heaven sees them not just how they see themselves!”The prophetic is not so much about telling people what to do but awakening them to the reality of who they are.If you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Stuart WatkinsDate: Sunday 25th June 2023Title: Prophecy, Prophetic & Prophets
Catch up on our latest Sunday Podcast as Martin looks at what ‘A true relationship with God’ looks like. Using Ephesians 1:16 as a starting point, he asks how do we break free of a life of mediocrity and religious patterns and instead live a life in a constant relationship with God, full of gratefulness, power and wisdom. As he breaks down this passage of scripture we will see that this life is a choice and is available to everyone of us if we choose it.“I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power” Ephesians 1:16:19 NLTIf you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged as always.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Martin O’BrienDate: Sunday 11th June 2023Title: A True Relationship with God
In our latest Sunday podcast, Bill asks do we understand what it is to have real hope in Christ? In Ephesians 1 we see Paul lay out to the Ephesian church the glorious inheritance, hope and power available to those who’s hearts are enlightened and truly understand who Jesus is. So this week take time to spend answering these three questions: * What controls you? Fear or hope. * Who’s your hope in?* Where is your hope placed?Only when we truly understand who Jesus is through our knowledge, experience and delight, will we be able to navigate our circumstance with hope, love and joy! “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:15-23 NIVIf you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged as always.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 6th June 2023Title: Who’s Your Hope In?
In our latest podcast on Pentecost Sunday, Dan looks at the power of faith and prayer. Looking at Acts 12 we see that through the power of the disciples prayer and faithfulness, that God can use even a little bit of faith to perform miracles. So this week who are you praying and interceding for? Because God is able to perform miracles beyond our expectations.“Peter finally came to his senses. “It’s really true!” he said. “The Lord has sent his angel and saved me from Herod and from what the Jewish leaders had planned to do to me!”When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer. He knocked at the door in the gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to open it. When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the door, she ran back inside and told everyone, “Peter is standing at the door!”“You’re out of your mind!” they said. When she insisted, they decided, “It must be his angel.”Meanwhile, Peter continued knocking. When they finally opened the door and saw him, they were amazed. ” Acts 12:11-16 NIVIf you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged as always.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Dan IsaacDate: Sunday 28th May 2023Title: The Power of a little bit of Faith
In our latest podcast we look at what it takes to live well together as a community. We see that to play our part we must sow seeds of love, kindness & faith, we have to be outwards and not inwards looking, we should be salt
Catch up on our latest messages from our Sunday GatheringsIn our latest podcast, we hear from a number of leaders from within our church who went along to the recent Elim Leaders Summit. If you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeakers: Bill & Ellen Chapman, Martin O’Brien, Christine Jones, and Booby
In our latest podcast we build on the previous weeks messages focusing on where the gold/talents come from. We see that the talent is not the focus but is a blessing that God gives us because he sees we are capable and worthy of his blessing. He gives us opportunity and then it’s up to us how we invest the blessing he has invested. We are called to do the best we can with the best he given us.If you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged as always.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 7th May 2023Title: Don’t You Know where the Gold comes from?
In our latest podcast, Bill continued our ‘Don’t You Know’ series with a great message on knowing who God is and not wasting the investment of talents he has made in us!Using the Parable of the Bags of Gold we see that to truly make the most of the talents that He has invested in us we have to get to know the true heart of God. He is for us and wants us to succeed and as long as we are doing something with what He has given us he is pleased. Don’t let misunderstanding, fear, and apathy rob you of what He has planned for you!““Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.””Matthew 25:14-18 NIVIf you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 23rd April 2023Title: Don’t you Know who He is?
In our latest podcast, Dan continued our ‘Don’t You Know’ series with a great message on the Power and Purpose of the Holy Spirit in us and our lives!The Holy Spirit comes to transform our entire lives from the inside out, empowering us to carry out Gods mission on earth.““And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.””Luke 24:49 NLTIf you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Dan IsaacDate: Sunday 16th April 2023Title: Don’t you Know that your Power has a Purpose
In our latest podcast, we have Julian Richards National Leader of New Wine Cymru as a guest speaker.Julian brought a fantastic message that both challenged and encouraged the Church. He reminded us that the church is first and foremost a missional movement, that should reflect and model the mission of Christ.“Mission was not made for the church, the church was made for mission. God’s mission!”If you missed the message in person this is well worth a listen and I’m sure you will come away encouraged.Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Julian RichardsDate: Sunday 2nd April 2023Title: God’s Mission is Our Mission
In our latest podcast, Martin builds on the previous week's messages and encourages us to really understand that we are significant."You are significant… You are a branch of Jesus Christ, the true vine, and a channel of His life. You have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit. You are God’s workmanship. You can approach God with freedom and confidence. You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. Don’t you know?”Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Martin O’BrienDate: Sunday 26th March 2023Title: Don’t You Know? You are Significant!
In our latest podcast Bill uses 1 Corinthians 5-8 to challenge and encourage us to really understand who we are and our part in the Kingdom of God."Don’t you know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?" 1 Corinthians 6:19Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 05th March 2023Title: Don’t You Know…
In our latest podcast Martin follows on from last weeks message and challenges us to understand that we are The Burning ones and what this looks like in reality.We have been set ablaze by the glory of God.We are the light of the world.We are carriers of His presence.We are carriers of His fire.His light burns brightly in, through and out of us.As our worship spills out, his light and glory breaks through the darkness bringing transformation and salvation.You are the light that shines bright."Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you." Isaiah 60:1-2 NIVWeekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Martin O'BrienDate: Sunday 26th Febuary 2023Title: We are The Burning Ones
In our latest podcast Dan looks at John 12:1-8 and breaks down what it looks like when our worship spills out and the effect it has on the atmosphere around us.What fragrance do you carry and what does your daily worship look like and how much does it cost you?Are you living a lifestyle of worship that is evident and visible to the people around you? Know that when we live for Jesus that please Him and he is our defender."Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard. It was an expensive perfume. She poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the sweet smell of the perfume." John 12:3 NIRVWeekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Dan IsaacDate: Sunday 19th Febuary 2023Title: When Worship Spills Out
So often our expectations for how God works in our lives cause us to stumble, especially when these expectations are not met the way we think they should be. How can we learn to deal with these unfulfilled and often unrealistic expectations?Using John the Baptist as an example of someone who had unfulfilled expectations of the coming Messiah we are able to see how it is not about having expectations of God, but that it is about having expectations that are accurately, purposely focused, based on who He is and what he has done. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 NLTUnfulfilled expectations can often make us think that God can’t, BUT HE CAN.It’s ok to question and have why’s but don’t let them make you stumble. Be wise about your why’s, it is ok not to understand, but remember He died for you and His love for you will never stop! It’s not your will it’s His, it’s not your way it’s His way! “Your whys are ok, but be wise about your whys.”Weekly podcast from Myrtle House Community ChurchSpeaker: Bill ChapmanDate: Sunday 22nd January 2023Title: Expectations
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Ellen Chapman Date: Sunday 1st May 2022 Title: One Body Many Parts
A short series of podcasts from Myrtle House, The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 13th March 2022 Title: Play Your Part
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 20th February 2022 Title: Chutzpah - Praying with Fervour
Join us for a new series on Living & Loving. This is a short series focusing on our Church statement of “Living in the love of God and living it out", taken from John 13:34-35.
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday: 8th August 2021 Title: Living
Join us for a new series on Living & Loving. This is a short series focusing on our Church statement of "Living in the love of God and living it out", taken from John 13:34-35.
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 1st August 2021 Title: Living in the Truth (Part 2)
Join us for a new series on Living & Loving. This is a short series focusing on our Church statement of "Living in the love of God and living it out", taken from John 13:34-35. Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 25th July 2021 Title: Living in the Truth
Join us for a new series on Living & Loving. This is a short series focusing on our Church statement of "Living in the love of God and living it out", taken from John 13:34-35. Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 18th July 2021 Title: Living in the Light (Part 2)
Join us for a new series on Living & Loving. This is a short series focusing on our Church statement of "living in the love of God and living it out", taken from John 13:34-35. Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 11th July 2021 Title: Living in the Light
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Paul Wilcox Date: Sunday 15th March 2020 Title: At the Side of the Road
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 8th March 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Part 6
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 1st March 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Part 5
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Kaitlin Aston Date: Sunday 24th February 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Part 4
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 16th February 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Part 3 (Pray, Live, Obey)
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 9th February 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Part 2
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 2nd February 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Part 1
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 26th January 2020 Title: Lifestyle: Prelude
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 19th January 2020 Title: What do you see?
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 5th January 2020 Title: 2020 Vision
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 8th December 2019 Title: Peace
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 1st December 2019 Title: The Power of Hope
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Carmella Lewis Date: Sunday 24th November 2019 Title: True Disciples
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 17th November 2019 Title: Belonging to Christ
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 3rd November 2019 Title: Be My Disciple
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 27th October 2019 Title: Be Free
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 20th October 2019 Title: Be Open
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 13th October 2019 Title: Daring Mighty Things
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 06th October 2019 Title: Trust
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Ellen Chapman Date: Sunday 29th September 2019 Title: Obedience unlocks Destiny
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Martin O'Brien Date: Sunday 22nd September 2019 Title: Build Pray Love
Weekly podcast from The Elim Pentecostal Church, Llanelli.
Speaker: Pastor Bill Chapman Date: Sunday 15th September 2019 Title: Speaking Words of Life
"You have built a stronghold by the songs of babies. Strength rises up with the chorus of singing children. This kind of praise has the power to shut Satan’s mouth. Childlike worship will silence the madness of those who oppose you" Psalm 8:2 (TPT)
Your praise has power! Power to shuts Satan’s mouth, silencing Gods enemy.
It’s the revelation of God in you that energises your praise.
The word praise in the dictionary says: enthusiastic acknowledgement for what deserves praise.
So let's be enthusiastic about the revelation of God in us and let's use our praise as a weapon!!
One touch from the King can change everything!!
Life issues and circumstances shape us for good and bad, but God wants to touch your life today because he has placed us on the earth for a purpose. We just need to be vulnerable enough in His presence to allow him to touch our pain, our broken heart, our addictions and our self worth and let him heal us. God wants us to be whole!!
“...The people recognized Jesus at once, and they ran throughout the whole area, carrying sick people on mats to wherever they heard he was. Wherever he went—in villages, cities, or the countryside—they brought the sick out to the marketplaces. They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” Mark 6:54-56 NLT
"So they sat down in groups of fifty or a hundred. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, HE KEPT GIVING the bread to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people" Mark 6:30-44 (NLT)
We are here to give ourselves to God so we can give to other people.
What does communion mean to you? Is it something we do just on a Sunday? Is it just some juice we drink and bread we eat?
In this great message from last Sunday Pastor Martin O'Brien shows us how communion is not just something we do. It’s a way of life. It’s an integral part of our individual lives as believers and also as a church.
In the run up to 'Missions Week' we have three short but encouraging messages on the subject of mission, both on a local, national and international level.
A great Father's Day message reminding us what a gift it is to be a father and the influence that not only our words have but our actions more so.
What we teach our children with words and actions has the power to change lives and pass down through generations.
God teaches us so we can teach others. This is the heart of God for men.
The little things you do matter.
Guest speaker Dr. Clem Ferris spent Pentecost Sunday bringing a great and timely message on Stewarding Prophecy.
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near.” Revelation 1:3 NIV
We not only HEAR a word of prophecy or prophetic things from God but we have to KEEP what we hear. That’s the struggle and challenge.
In this great message Clem breaks down how we should steward the prophetic words we receive because the enemy will battle to snatch them from us.
“Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may FIGHT THE BATTLE WELL, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.” 1 Timothy 1:18-19 NIV
CHOOSE to be KIND.
Using the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8, Pastor Bill explores what kindness looks like by showing the kindness of Jesus. Kindness has the power to not only set people free by showing them they are valued, but also by showing kindness to those who would devalue others brings conviction changing this destructive life path.
We have to choose to exercise kindness, because kindness really matters.
Let’s make a choice to be kind! Let’s take a responsibility to be kind! So people can see the kindness of Christ in us!!
The Bible clearly states that we are people who have a commission to go and share the Good News of Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20).
We are called not to be people who shrink back, but to be people who are saved and full of faith, (Hebrews 10:39), confident that we have everything we need in order to live a life full of faith (2 Peter 1:13).
So what are we waiting for?
Let's go in the confidence, perseverance and faithfulness that we have, and let's share a message of hope, a message of life and a message of power.
A series of short podcasts from some of our team who went to the recent Elim Leaders Summit // 1 of 5
Do we prioritise our relationship with God?
For our relationship to grow we need to spend time speaking, praying and listening, if we do this we will develop a firm foundation of knowing God and learning that "with God everything is possible" (Matthew 19:26).
So today will you find a moment to spend time with God in the 'Quiet Place'?
A series of short podcasts from some of our team who went to the recent Elim Leaders Summit // Part 4 of 5
‘By God’ - @wpjchapman
Way maker Miracle worker Promise keeper Light in the darkness My God That is who you are
This is who God is and this is also who we are called to be (John 14:12).
We are called to be people who make a way for others to meet Jesus. We are meant to be praying for impossibilities, expecting the God of impossibilities to turn up and make it possible. But it is only BY God that any of this possible.
It’s by God in your life, circumstances, presence, company, spirit, family that you become a way maker, miracle worker because he is the promise keeper and he will cause you to manifest his promises in community for His glory and our good.
A series of short podcasts from some of our team who went to the recent Elim Leaders Summit // Part 2 of 5
Our relationships are KEY.
God is calling us into a deeper relationship with himself (Psalm 42:7) and it's only through this depth that we can truly make connection, knowing that he values the things that are of concern to us.
This is also true for relationships with other people, it’s only by developing deeper relationships that we learn what is going on for them, putting us in a position to intercede for them in an appropriate way.
It’s only in investing real time that we build real relationships.
Kindness looks like something.
It can change the atmosphere and knows no limits.
Throughout the Bible God demonstrates the extraordinarily supernaturally generosity of His kindness towards us.
Gods kindness is used to bring about change, change in our hearts, our lives, to the people around us and to a community.
You cannot be kind like God unless you have experienced the kindness of God. Once you have experienced this kindness you will never be the same and you will start to manifest this kindness in the circumstances and situations you find yourself in.
Kindness is extraordinary in power when it’s demonstrated and is key to the Kingdom of God manifesting in and around your life.
Have a great week and we can't wait to hear how God has used you to show kindness this week as you go about your lives!!
Why is it sometimes that our doubts are bigger than our faith?
In this great message from last Sunday, Pastor Martin looks at the story of Abraham and shows us that as people of faith we have everything we could ever need for life in abundant supply. That God will fulfil the promises he has given to us, we just need to believe.
In our journey of faith it is good to look back at how far we have come, because sometimes we believe that we haven’t come very far and we start believing the doubts we have, but it is only in looking back that we can see all the good things God has done in our lives and how much we have changed.
We have already been made righteous by our faith, so let’s start to live like this.
“But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” Romans 4:5 NLT
What are we allowing to define our lives? Is it past experiences or are we willing to allow God to define us?
In this great message Pastor John Graham explores part of the story of Moses and how he had to step up out of his past experiences and allow God to define him so he could rise up and become the leader that God called him to be.
“There is a new season if we are willing to take God at His word.”
We need to step up, rise up, moving forward with God and what He is doing with His church and see what God has got for us.
It's time to stop making excuses and instead allow God use what we have in our hands.
“Then the Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A shepherd’s staff,” Moses replied.” Exodus 4:2 NLT
This is a great message from Ps. Bill speaking on the subject of anxiety and how we can recognise the symptoms of it in ourselves and those around us. Using several passages from the bible we find that there is an antidote to our deepest worries and anxieties and that antidote can be found in scripture and the peace that only Jesus can bring.
Anxiety stalks us all the time and you have to battle it, standing in the peace of God, trusting that He has you and will guide you because he is the Prince of Peace.
Don't let anxiety control you, don’t let it intimidate and lie to you, stand up and be all who God has called you to be.
Great message from guest speaker Iain Hesketh (Elim International Missions Director) speaking on the mission of God.
So often we get caught up in the everyday and the busyness of life that we forget to lift our heads to see what God is up to. This is a call to change our perspective and to realign our lives with Gods mission so that in the ordinariness of life we can live a Kingdom life making the ways of the King known throughout this nation and the nations.
“For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things.” James (Jacob) 1:3 TPT
This is Gideons story.
He had belief but he had little faith in who he was. He had so much doubt and fear in him. Through Judges 6, 7 & 8 you see God working in the heart and mind of Gideon so Gideon could do what God needed to be done for Gods nation Israel.
This is the same in our own lives that if we let God in to deal with our doubts and fears, if we allow God to stir our faith, we will build an altar in our lives that will not only help ourselves overcome but will also help other people to build their own altars. That your life will produce fruit for Gods glory.
As we continue through our ‘Faith’ series, Ps. Bill brings us a great message delving into the story of Gideon to show us how God sees beyond our current situations and will speak to our inner identity, helping us to transform ourselves and our circumstances.
God is calling you to rise up, to step up, to be who God has called you to be, to understand who you are and that the strength you have is all that you need.
Your identity is not dependent on what you think, but your identity is effected and influenced by how you think.
Do you dare to believe bigger than the winepress.
Rise up Mighty Warriors!!
Ps. Bill continues the series on Faith by looking at 'Why we believe what we believe'.
Through this great message Bill tries to debunk a lot of the lies and myths that people will use to question your faith. So be encouraged and stir up your faith, so you understand why you believe what you believe, so when someone asks you why do you believe in Jesus? That you are able to give a reasoned, intelligent, thought through answer.
New Year, New Series!! This year we will be exploring the subject of faith and how it is worked out in our own lives, in other peoples lives and in the life of our community.
Ps. Martin begins the series by asking the question 'What is Faith?'. We will continue to unpack the subject in the next few weeks so make sure to listen along each week as we explore how faith can be a force for good in our communities.
As we start the New Year many of us have or will be looking to fast something in our lives. In this message Ps.Bill lays out the Biblical principles of fasting and shows some of the many examples of fasting you can find throughout the Bible and what fasting can achieve in our lives if we do it with the right intentions and heart.
"Fasting helps us focus, helps us worship more, helps us to sense Gods presence more, it begins to shift us."
We started the New Year by looking at the importance of knowing the meaning of your name.
Your name is not just a name that your parents have given you, it’s a name that God calls you by, a name He is declaring over your life. When we truly know who we are and how God sees us we will begin to live differently.
What would it look like if we took time this week to find out the meaning of our partners, children’s, family, friends or neighbours name and looking for the greatness that God has put in them and declared it over their life?
“When you have someone who calls out of you the greatness that God has put into you it’s more valuable than Gold or Silver.” Ps. Bill
This year our hope for you is that you will move into more of what God has for you, not being tied down with names people have tried to label you with in the past, but fully understanding who you are and who’s you are!
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9 NLT