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Connect Church Bendigo
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The post Unbroken – Dan Terry [03/03/2019 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
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Three Out of Four Isn't Good Enough Key Scripture 1 Samuel 17:8-11 (NIV)
8 Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose a man and have him come down to me. 9 If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” 10 Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.” 11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
David made a decision to participate.
As we start to move into what God wants for our life – the Goliaths come against you.
1 Samuel 17:11
11 On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
Saul and all the Israelites were terrified of the Philistines and Goliath, but David looked at the impossible and saw it as a possibility in God.
He felt it was a cause worth risking everything for, for God.
The Goliath voices will come against you but stand up and participate against ridicule.
Risk the possibility of being a spectator, by choosing to be a participator.
Is there a cause? The cause is the souls of men and women.
Reach out into the darkness and bring the light of Jesus to disperse the darkness.
Whatever we do in Church, whether it is on the meet and great team, Hymns Alive, Youth, Kids or Music you need to participate to the best of your ability because there is a cause.
We need to understand our position in God. David understood himself.
- There is a call, and a purpose for your life 1 Samuel 17:33 (NIV)
33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, and he has been a warrior from his youth.”
David knew he was called, he knew his identity and the presence of God.
He knew God and His purpose for him. David knew his destiny.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 17:13 (NIV)
13 Jesse’s three oldest sons had followed Saul to the war: The firstborn was Eliab; the second, Abinadab; and the third, Shammah.
Psalm 139:13-16 (NIV)
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
We don’t just live, exist and die.
We need to know God’s purpose for our life.
You are not a surprise to God.
You are called by God.
- We have been prepared
Bruce was run over by a camel when he was five. He felt he should have died, but God saved his life for a purpose.
God was preparing Bruce in his early days of sport for what he does now as a Sports Chaplain.
David killed a lion and a bear when he was young, so the thought of killing Goliath didn’t bother him. God prepared him.
Your mess will become your message.
Eternity will reveal our mess and we will see that God has amazing things for us.
Deuteronomy 29:29 (NIV)
29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
We have been called according to His purpose and we need to be prepared to face confrontation to stand up for the cause.
- Participate
Participation will help you understand why you go through the trouble. Don’t become religious, be flexible, let go and be propelled into your season.
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV)
5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
The storm will come, but Hope is also coming and will not disappoint.
Jesus was in the boat with his disciples and the storm was raging, but Jesus slept. He knew the disciples had to go through the storm to get to the other side.
Jeremiah 29: 11 (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
What is God calling you for?
What giants are mocking you?
God is getting you ready for a cause.
Who do you think you are?
Understand the cause. Understand what God is taking you into.
Face the giants with one stone. One step, one action.
David only needed one stone to down Goliath.
Keeping sowing your pebbles, pray and read your Bible.
Jan Claridge had breast cancer a few years ago. Jan and Bruce used their pebbles of praise and raised a hallelujah for Jan’s healing.
The giants will come down. Praise God in the midst of the storm.
God will take your pebble and the giants will come down.
When you step out, God will honour that.
Bruce needed a car and after much prayer, the Bendigo Bank gave him one to use for his Chaplaincy work.
God doesn’t forget the good works you have done. He will come through and provide for you.
When you choose to participate, things come into action.
Give praise to God and raise a Hallelujah in the midst of a storm, turn up when the enemy says don’t bother.
Keep going because testimonies will come. Have Faith and continue to pray. Honour God in all you do. When you are called, you need to be prepared.
Declare God’s word. Be the living light in dark places. Serve in your Church. Do it again and again.
Perseverance develops character.
Walk towards the challenge, not away from it.
Participate, serve even when it’s uncomfortable.
God will challenge us in the midst of the storm – sickness, finance, family, but we can stand strong because He has called us.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
Can you look at the impossible and see it as a possibility in God?
Do you know you are called, know your identity, the presence of God and His purpose?
Do you know you destiny? Can you stand strong in the midst of the storm?
Discuss do you give praise to God and raise a Hallelujah in the midst of a storm, and turn up when the enemy says don’t bother?
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The post Raise A Hallelujah! – Ps Bruce Claridge [03/03/2019 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
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The post Community – Ps Dave Doolan [24/02/2019 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
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The post Anointing Service – Ps Kerrin Wallis [17/02/2019 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Making God's words our words Key scripture Joshua 17:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, 18 but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”
We need to live expecting great power in our lives. It is the greatness of Jesus Christ that we reflect.
God raises up people for His Kingdom.
We need to make God’s words our words.
We need to live in a well supported and encouraging environment. Negativity wears you down, leads to fear.
Declarations that happen in the Spirit Life. Some words are Spirit.
Hebrews 11:1-3 (NKJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
The worlds were framed by the word of God.
God’s words framed and created all things.
Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)
6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
Pray to the Father who is in the secret place – the unseen place.
What happens in the unseen world has a great affect on the seen world.
Radio and TV operate with unseen waves which result in images on your TV and sound on your radio. We also now have Facetime on our phone which gives you immediate vision of the one you are talking to.
It reminds us of the program Beyond 2000 which highlighted the things that we may see in 2000. These were almost unbelievable before the year 2000, but we have even more incredible things happening now.
We need to be very aware of our attitudes in the spirit and our words.
Matthew 12:34 (NKJV)
For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
God only worked with the power of His words in the spirit realm.
Genesis 1:26-28 (NKJV)
26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 5:1 (NKJV)
5 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God.
Genesis 9:6 (NKJV)
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed;
For in the image of God He made man.
Human beings are created in the image of God and His likeness
We need to use the creative power of our words. We have the power to bring life or death with our words
Proverbs 18:21 (NKJV)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
God created animals different to humans and they only make sounds but our words can bring life or death.
Human words have the ability to make or break things.
We need to be careful when we speak out our words because our words can bring life or death.
Mark 11:23 (NKJV)
23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Whatever you say will happen. Be careful with what you say.
It is impossible to access God’s power without forgiveness so it is imperative that you forgive anyone who has wronged you.
You need a relationship with God. You need to live in His Kingdom
When God is the supreme ruler of our lives, our words can then create things in the Spirit world and then in our world.
Genesis 2:7 (NKJV)
7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
When you believe what God says, it changes how you read the Bible. Read it like a book of promises. Trust that He will do it in your life. Look for promises. Lock it in your heart.
If you walk in integrity your kids will be blessed.
Take the promises back to God and claim them.
Be careful of false prophets. Understand that true prophets will be authenticated by all churches.
The office of a prophet is a rare thing but we can all prophesy to our own heart, life and spirit.
John 16:15 (NKJV)
15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.
The Holy Spirit’s job is to take the promises of God and then make them yours.
Our job is to take the promises of God and speak it out in our lives.
Read the Word that contains the promises of God.
Take time with God seriously, put the natural aside and focus on God. You can then draw on Heaven and bring it to life in your life.
Joshua 17:17-18 (NKJV)
17 And Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—saying, “You are a great people and have great power; you shall not have only one lot, 18 but the mountain country shall be yours. Although it is wooded, you shall cut it down, and its farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots and are strong.”
There is a season of wonders.
Get words from God and frame your world with it.
Walk in the blessings of God and you can take the Word and speak it to your families.
Write down the promises that you read, study it and get it into your spirit.
John 6:63 (NKJV)
3 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
It is not a matter of the power of positive speaking.
The Human Potential Movement is earth based, self focused and self reliant.
Use God’s Word and keep your Kingdom focus.
It is God’s power. God’s blessing it is always about Him.
The moon reflects the sun. Its light comes from the sun.
When you walk in the blessings of God, you reflect the SON.
Speak His purposes and His power in your life.
John 6:63 (NKJV)
63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.
God’s Words are spirit and they are life.
Go home and search the promises for you and then use the power of prophetic declaration to call God’s promises over your life.
Speak the Word and calm the storm that you are in.
Use the power of prophetic declaration over your own life.
Speak blessing over your finances and every area of your life.
Frame it then speak it out.
Write out verses and put them on mirror in bathroom, the back of the toilet door – anywhere you will see them and memorise them
You need to put the promises of God all over your home.
Speak them over your life. Use memory verses. Memorise and speak them out.
Find time and space to seek out the promises of God and prophecy them over your life.
Come to God with faith and put the promises back in His hands.
Frame your world and future and then step up to possess them
Frame all the things in your life and begin to speak them into being.
Live in the Lord’s Kingdom where He is the King over all your life.
When Jesus is King over your life you can claim all the promises of God.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
Discuss the statement: ‘God only worked with the power of His words in the spirit realm’.
Can you take the promises from the Bible back to God and claim them for yourself?
Discuss what you think was meant when the Bible says that: ‘The worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.’
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The post Great People With Great Power Pt 3 – Ps Kerrin Wallis [17/02/2019 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Key Scripture
In Jentezen Franklin’s book The Fasting Edge, there is a story about two American lumberjacks. One was a younger man and the other was older and wiser. The two of them took part in a competition to see who could cut down the most trees. The younger man set about cutting trees as fast as he could. He noticed the older man took a lot of breaks so he believed that he had the competition won. At the end of the set time, the younger man was surprised to find out that the older one had cut down far more trees. The older men told the younger one that he had taken the breaks to sharpen the edge of his axe and so could cut through the trees much quicker.
You need to take the time to sharpen your edge of the axe (time with God) so you can be more efficient.
Don’t lose your passion. Don’t rely on your own strength. Take time to sit aside with God.
Growth and maturity lets you sharpen your edge.
People are hungry for God – get your fresh hunger back. Spend time with God.
Get excited about the fruit that will come when you get back your edge.
The time we spend with God will make a significant difference to our effectiveness. Our weapons are mighty in God. Demolish strongholds.
Matthew 11:12 (NKJV)
12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.
Take your thoughts captive.
Take a stand against the devil and pray without ceasing.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NKJV)
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on your full armour. Go to battle for your families, friends and this city. You can’t do battle with dull edges. Don’t lose your edge. Sharpen your edge by spending time with God.
Don’t lose your passion and hunger. Cry out for God to come through.
Outward appearances might look okay, but inwardly you need to change.
Hunger for intimacy with God.
Christian life is not a cruise ship – it is a battleship.
Destroy the enemy’s plans. The Church is part of God’s whole plan to restore His people. Break the power of the enemy.
Be hungry for God. Hunger for God will bring about changes.
God will move because of our hunger for Him. Spiritual hunger for God leads to a fast to reach God’s heart. Things will change in the Heavenlies and your family.
Step out of your comfort zone.
Matthew 16:18 (NKJV)
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
John 10:10 (NKJV)
10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Fasting, Prayer and the Power of the Holy Spirit will work together to pull down the strongholds.
The next two weeks of prayer and fasting will bring about change.
Take the time to sharpen your edge. Things will change. Let the Holy Spirit move in you and don’t rely on our own resources.
Don’t make a big deal of fasting – do it in secret. God will reward you.
Hunger for more of God. It will lead you to scriptures that will make you feel uncomfortable. Gift of the Holy Spirit. Speaking in tongues.
Acts 2:38-39 (NKJV)
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
Acts 10:44 (NIV)
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
The Holy Spirit poured out on all, even the Gentiles.
It was the beginning of the Pentecostal journey.
The next two weeks are a part of the preparation for the next amazing 30 years in God.
John 20:19 (NKJV)
19 Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Jesus appears to the disciples. He breathed on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:45-50 (NKJV)
45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.
46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 And you are witnesses of these things. 49 Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
Acts 2:1-5 (NKJV)
2 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The church was birthed in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The greatest move of the power of God will come through people empowered with the Holy Spirit.
We need internal change first, but then a functional thing happens when you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
We will see amazing victories in the battles.
Pray for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Salvation first and then the power of the Holy Spirit.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
Discuss what it means to sharpen your edge.
How does fasting create hunger for more of God?
Discuss how the Church was birthed in the power of the Holy Spirit?
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The post Getting Back Your Edge – Ps Bruce Claridge [10/02/2019 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
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The post I Am Not Who I Once Was – Ps Dave Doolan [10/02/2019 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Sounds of our life Key scripture Psalm 100:1-5 (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Last week Kerrin asked two questions:
What sound does your life make?
The scripture tells us that we all make a sound.
There are certain sounds we should make.
Machines make a good sound when they are working well, but if something is not working well it makes a wrong sound.
What is the sound of your whole life?
Is it joyful? Good attitudes and conversations leads to people seeing joy and gladness in our lives.
What sound does our service make?
What is the sound of our service? De we serve with gladness?
2 Cor 9 says we need to give with a cheerful heart
We represent God so therefore should make a joyful sound.
This week Kerrin asks:
- What sound do we approach His presence with?
Come before His presence with singing.
Other religions inflict pain on themselves to try to get the attention of God.
We don’t need to beg, plead, grovel, state wants and needs, expect a get out of jail free card, out of obligation, religious duty, task, frequently seek our own agenda.
Psalm 100 says come with singing –triumphant victory.
Relationships and perceptions govern how you come into their presence.
We have our friends who we feel we can raid their fridge and eat their food.
There is a documentary where a Scottish Doctor met the powerful dictator Idi Amin. The doctor liked Idi Amin at the start, but when he got to realise how dangerous the man was he became very afraid of him.
Your knowledge of a person determines how your approach them.
See God differently, not just knowledge about Him, but really knowing Him determines how you praise with singing, joyful, triumphant.
Vs 3 Know that the Lord, He is God.
He made us. He gave us everything.
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. He has saved us. Know we are His people. He conquered the grave for us.
Understand the facts. Enter His presence.
Make a joyful noise. Turn our eyes on Him. Get excited.
We are forgiven and saved. Come into Church nready to praise God. The gate is praise, joy.
Enter His praises with singing.
Kerrin loves the worship song 100 million ways – Hillsong.
Worship Him. His presence is available.
Get out of darkness with praise. Sit down and thank Him for a while.
- How do we approach His place?
Vs 1-4 His gates and His courts are a place.
When people don’t love the place they are in, they can become complaining and miserable people. They tend to know how to praise but don’t know the place they are in is worthy of praise.
You are required by God to be where you are. Praise God in it.
Have a great attitude. Don’t be average. Some days are better than others, but we can still praise God.
Know what God has done for you. Have an eternal perspective.
Be thankful. Praise Him in the place where you are.
We go through life and seasons, but can enter those places with negativity. Praise God where you are.
Jacob (name means supplanter, trickster). His brother Esau wanted to kill him so he left Beersheba (vs 10).
Genesis 28:10-22 (NLT) – Jacob’s Dream at Bethel
10 Meanwhile, Jacob left Beersheba and travelled toward Haran. 11 At sundown he arrived at a good place to set up camp and stopped there for the night. Jacob found a stone to rest his head against and lay down to sleep. 12 As he slept, he dreamed of a stairway that reached from the earth up to heaven. And he saw the angels of God going up and down the stairway.
13 At the top of the stairway stood the Lord, and he said, “I am the Lord, the God of your grandfather Abraham, and the God of your father, Isaac. The ground you are lying on belongs to you. I am giving it to you and your descendants. 14 Your descendants will be as numerous as the dust of the earth! They will spread out in all directions—to the west and the east, to the north and the south. And all the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your descendants. 15 What’s more, I am with you, and I will protect you wherever you go. One day I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have finished giving you everything I have promised you.”
16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I wasn’t even aware of it!” 17 But he was also afraid and said, “What an awesome place this is! It is none other than the house of God, the very gateway to heaven!”
18 The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. 19 He named that place Bethel (which means “house of God”), although it was previously called Luz.
20 Then Jacob made this vow: “If God will indeed be with me and protect me on this journey, and if he will provide me with food and clothing, 21 and if I return safely to my father’s home, then the Lord will certainly be my God. 22 And this memorial pillar I have set up will become a place for worshiping God, and I will present to God a tenth of everything he gives me.”
Vs 16 ‘Surely the Lord is in this place’. This is the gateway.
Don’t let tough times ruin you. God is in the place where you are.
Jacob praised and worshipped God in this place.
Praise needs to be a natural response to our position in this world.
God has put you there. Represent God where you are. People should hear gladness and joy and a thankful heart from you.
Praise with sounds of good, victory and joy.
Psalm 69:1-3 (NLT)
1 Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
2 Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire; I can’t find a foothold.
I am in deep water, and the floods overwhelm me.
3 I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched.
My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.
David was in trouble, but in vs 30-34 he was praising God.
30 Then I will praise God’s name with singing,
and I will honour him with thanksgiving.
31 For this will please the Lord more than sacrificing cattle,
more than presenting a bull with its horns and hooves.
32 The humble will see their God at work and be glad.
Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.
33 For the Lord hears the cries of the needy;
he does not despise his imprisoned people.
34 Praise him, O heaven and earth,
the seas and all that move in them.
Begin with a challenge, but end with praise.
Talk it out with God, but move into praise.
Pastor Steve Penny ‘s son died of cancer, his wife has cancer, now Steve had a heart attack and has been diagnosed with blood cancer. He is still able to praise God in his struggle.
Steve says that it’s not the trial you are in, but the trail you are on.
Kerrin’s friend James’ wife died of a brain aneurism next to him in bed. He got through a very trying time by going to his church late at night and singing praises and worshiping God until peace came to him.
You need to acknowledge our struggles.
Kerrin has a saying that you can make a mistake 2 times out of 10, just not 10 times out of 10.
Our song needs to be one of joy and gladness. There is power in praising God.
Talk about it your problems, but just a few times – not 10.
Look forward with a joyful and triumphant praise to God.
Nehemiah 8:10 (NKJV)
10 Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
The Joy of the Lord is your strength.
Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)
3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.
Chase grief and sorrow away with praise.
Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
Discuss the difference between knowing about God and really knowing Him.
Do you know how to love the place you are in?
How do you represent God in your place?
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The post A Certain Sound Pt 2 – Ps Kerrin Wallis [20/01/2019 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
What sound does your life make? Key scripture Psalm 100:1-5 (NKJV)
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Kerrin’s brother was a mechanic and had a Mazda R100 car. It was very loud and fast. It made a lot of noise when the boys wanted to go surfing at 5am, so they pushed the car out of the driveway and down the road before they started it. Everyone in the district knew the sound of that car.
Psalm 100 says make a joyful shout (noise) for the Lord.
You can tell the sound that a healthy body makes.
Your doctor uses his stethoscope to hear the sounds in your body.
Sounds indicate health. If there is something wrong in your body, it doesn’t sound right.
You can pick up a good tone.
Sounds tell you about things.
Sounds of distress.
Sounds of our life.
A healthy Spirit sound makes a joyful shout (noise) of praise to the Lord.
A good Christian life shows your love for the Lord.
Some preachers are advised not to sing in church and to turn the mike off because they can’t sing well.
Kerrin can’t help himself when he sings praises to the Lord. He just sings out loud even though he feels he doesn’t sing well. He makes a joyful noise for the Lord.
- What sound does your life make?
Everyone makes a noise.
Psalm 47:1 (NKJV)
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
Voice of Triumph – a beautiful noise of joy.
You have a joyful and triumphant life when you follow Jesus.
A lot of us grew up with a blackboard in school. We remember the noise of scratching down the blackboard.
The sound of 8 cylinder cars, a perfectly tuned piano.
What sound do people associate with you?
If you have a bad attitude you will usually be cynical and have negative suspicion of life.
We need to be gentle and joyous.
What are our conversations saying about us?
Are we sad, angry and critical or are we joyous and triumphant about the things of God.
What about our Spiritual life? Does it make a sound.
Is it a critical sound or is it a joyful sound looking for the best in life and people?
What do our actions, goals and interpretations show?
Is it just survival showing a hard life? Or is our life joyous?
What are our prayers like? Are they sorrowful and pleading? Or are they joyful, triumphant actions with a God focus?
Do we make sounds of distress? Sounds of distress attract something negative like predators.
Wrong sound brings wrong things around it – negativity, cynical, complaining behaviour attracts negativity.
Proverbs 13:30 (NKJV)
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed.
Destroyed is the same word as noise.
What words do the people we associate with make?
Proverbs 12:26 (NKJV)
The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Associating with the wrong sound will lead you astray.
Their sound changes our sound.
Don’t befriend the wrong sound.
The wrong sound attracts fear, doubt and bitterness. Negativity will destroy.
Joy and being triumphant attracts good to your life and confidence.
People of joy have a lot to be joyful about.
What noise does your life make?
What sound do you want to make for 2019?
Does the sound you listen to bring you blessing and fruitfulness, or lead you astray?
- What sound does our service make?
Vs 2 Serve the Lord with gladness
Serving people with joy – not being grumpy. Grumpy people find no joy in serving. Feeling you have to hurray up makes you feel uncomfortable.
Kerrin and Tegan went to a Japanese restaurant. The waitress was awesome and made them want to go back again. Kerrin said ‘I like that girl’!
Serving with gladness puts people at ease.
We represent God. Serve Him with gladness.
We need to be cheerful – put on a good shopfront.
It is our privilege to serve God. We need to be excited and serve gladly. Be thankful for serving. Do it with gladness.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (NKJV)
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
God’s team serves with gladness.
It is a great privilege to serve God.
Mother Teresa said:
Spread love wherever you go, let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Our entire life needs to reflect God
Ephesians 6:5-8 (NLT)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6 Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
We ought to be the best workers in Bendigo.
We represent God. Serve as if you are serving God. Cheerfully and gladly, be God’s shop attendant.
How do people hear your sound?
Do they hear you as a believer in God?
Do our kids hear the sound of God and gladness in our lives?
Joyful, triumphant, gladness or whinging – this is a dangerous noise.
Be careful that the sound is right.
Make a decision to serve God joyfully.
We serve a magnificent God.
Some people have the wrong sound.
In their conversations and attitude there is no joy and no strength.
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Pray for people whose joy and song has escaped.
Change your sound and let joy trickle back into your life.
Begin to see joy and gladness coming back into your life.
Pray for a breakthrough for joy in your life.
Suggestions for discussion points
Do you recognise your sound?
Is there something wrong with your sound?
What sound does your life and service make?
How will you change your sound in 2019?
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The post A Certain Sound – Ps Kerrin Wallis [13/01/2019 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Finding God's path for 2019 Key scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
There are so many paths in life – time, energy, relationships, pursuits.
We need to make sure that we choose God’s path.
Pick a God pleasing path this year.
A path that God makes straight.
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
Begin at the heart of the matter. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Trust in God is the beginning of choosing the right path.
Boston had a wobbly tooth. Kerrin asked if he could take a look in Boston’s mouth, but Boston was very wary of what Kerrin wanted to do. He did not trust Kerrin.
We need to approach our own situation with trust.
We need to face new fears and trust God.
Trust comes from relationship.
We don’t just trust people that we don’t know with our kids.
We may not know them directly, but we usually know someone who does.
Trust needs relationship and it is God’s #1 primary concern.
Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Doing other stuff is secondary to God. We remove relationship from the situation.
Revelation 2:1-7 VS 4
2 “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lamp stands. 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place. 6 But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
We tend to think that we need to do jobs for reward – job doing is not relationship.
We think God needs us to do His job. NO that is not so.
We can be self fulfilled but it is not the right motivation.
We need people to notice to obtain Brownie points.
Living our life begins with Trust. It is essential in any relationship to be healthy.
Trust is the foundation. Trust God by spending time in His presence, in prayer and with people.
How do we trust God?
With our whole heart.
Kerrin has Max the dog. Before children, Kerrin spend a lot of time training Max. He was very obedient. When Kerrin told him to stay, he would wait until Kerrin came back to him.
He had one fault, he was a chewer – he chewed the deck railing, watering can, anything that he could.
Kerrin tried all sorts of things to stop him- wasabi, pepper, soap.
He still continued to chew everything.
We will trust God with everything – except the things that we don’t believe God will do for us.
We don’t trust that God will come through for us in everything.
We doubt His provision in our spiritual life, our wallet, our past.
We end up in a place of distrust.
We don’t truly trust God that it will work in our lives.
In marriage we need to trust each other, there is no place for untruths.
Trust God with your whole heart.
In our Christian walk we distrust God with our secrets and we are not committed to truly trust Him.
Our life requires FULL TRUST of who God is and what He will do.
Relationship with God is essential.
He addresses the temptation with “and lean not on your own understanding”
Don’t lean on your own understanding. It will lead to disaster.
2 Chronicles 14:911 (NKJV)
9 Then Zerah the Ethiopian came out against them with an army of a million men and three hundred chariots, and he came to Mareshah. 10 So Asa went out against him, and they set the troops in battle array in the Valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. 11 And Asa cried out to the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing for You to help, whether with many or with those who have no power; help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You!”
Asar was outnumbered 2 to 1. There were 1 million troops were massed against him, but God won the battle.
In verse 11 Asar said to God that he would REST on Him. The word for REST is the same word as LEAN.
A great victory happened because he leant on the Lord.
But in 2 Chronicles 16, Asar made a big mistake and he leant on the King of Syria and lost the battle.
We need to learn from this and NOT lean on our own understanding or efforts this year.
We will face seasons of challenges and battles.
We need to remember that God did the fighting for us on the Cross.
Even though you don’t understand God’s way, we can still TRUST Him.
Stuff in life happens, but remember to lean on God. Don’t ask why or how. Just lean on Him because you TRUST Him.
Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV)
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Whatever your plans are for 2019, submit them to God.
Ps 23 only works when He is the shepherd.
Know who He is and then you can trust Him.
Everything else comes from that.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Don’t remove the first 3 statements from this scripture.
Embrace it.
Read, meditate, study the Bible. Know what it says about God.
Take the time this year to KNOW God.
Read your Bible!!!
REST ON HIM
IN ALL YOUR WAYS – SUBMIT TO HIM
He will pour out His blessings on your life.
Realize He gave His life for you and me.
Hand over the reins of your life to Him.
Give Him the opportunity to direct your path.
Suggestions for discussion
Discuss the statement: Trust in God is the beginning of choosing the right path.
Can you trust God with everything in your life?
What does it mean to “lean not on your own understanding”?
Do you trust God with your whole heart?
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The post Choosing The Right Path Forward – Ps Kerrin Wallis [06/01/2019 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
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The post Did You See That? – Ps Kerrin Wallis [30/12/2018 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
The truth is stranger than fiction Key scripture John 3:16 (NLT)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Kerrin told the story of when he and his brothers went fishing for Barramundi off the coast of Queensland, they had a wager for the first one to catch a fish, set a magic number of 83cm long, and one would catch a fish within 10 casts. This was seemingly impossible, but all three criteria were covered by one of his brothers. Life is stranger than fiction!!
Christmas is the eternal plan of God. The story is crazy – a virgin giving birth, a father who is from the lineage of David, shepherds following a strange light, three wise men bringing gifts, a baby born in a stable. All this seems proof that God is crazy. The reality is that He is crazy in love with YOU! It is an unfathomable love.
Christmas is depicted in the movies set in New York, covered in snow, with family expressing unrealistic expectations.
But none of this can compare to God’s love for you.
- God is crazy in love with you
It’s a Crazy Love – Eve met a talking snake. Adam spoilt the world’s Christmas. The world spiralled into a huge mess.
Genesis 6:6 (NLT)
6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart.
God was crazy angry with man so He caused a flood.
Man would rather disobey God than live in the blessings that come by following God’s ways.
The world was polluted and twisted BUT God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.
Rom 8:31-39 (NKJV)
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This expresses God’s love for us.
If there were no gifts, food, no holidays, carols, light or festivities there would still be a reason to celebrate because God loves us. Celebrate this. He loves you!
The message of Christmas proves that He was willing to suffer pain for us.
He is crazy in love with you. Celebrate this.
- God is crazy about forgiveness
He is 100% committed to forgiveness.
Jesus’ friends betrayed Him, but God used it to forgive us in the midst of His pain.
Jesus forgave the man on the Cross. There was no advantage for Jesus to forgive him. There was nothing the man could do because he was dying, but he asked Jesus for forgiveness.
God is crazy about forgiveness.
Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
14 “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. 15 But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Peter couldn’t understand forgiveness. He asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive.
He obviously thought about it for a long time, because it was 12 chapters later that Peter asked for clarification.
Matthew 18:22 (NLT)
22 “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!
Peter was given an unwavering command to forgive.
Jesus doesn’t say forget, He says forgive.
Forgiveness leads to blessings.
Our powerful gift is to ask and seek forgiveness. This is much better than presents.
God wants us to set ourselves free with forgiveness.
- God is crazy about Second Chances
Kerrin told the story of backyard cricket at Christmas time.
It was fun in the backyard until someone broke a window or hit a car!
Someone has a bad day BUT they are given a second chance.
Is God confused about this? He gives second, third and fourth chances.
All of these people were given another chance:
Abraham lied.
Jacob was a deceiver and a supplanter.
Moses was a killer and he ran away.
Aaron built the golden calf.
David made so many mistakes.
Jonah deliberately disobeyed God.
Peter betrayed God.
Judas betrayed Jesus.Paul was a killer of Christians.
But God is a God of second chances.
This Christmas don’t make mistakes.
We need to give others a second chance.
God is crazy about second chances.
Be thankful and worship Him
Worship God with a thankful heart this Christmas.
The coming of Jesus demonstrated God’s second chances.
Christmas should be a mighty celebration of the life God has given you.
God is crazy about Love, Forgiveness and Second Chances.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
Do you think that Christmas is the crazy eternal plan of God?
How does it change your life knowing that God is crazy in love with you?
How easy is it to forgive someone?
Discuss the reason to give second chances.
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The post God Is Crazy – Ps Kerrin Wallis [23/12/2018 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Key scripture Luke 2:1-7 (NIV)
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
This is the key Christmas passage.
Christmas is an eternal plan set forth in eternity involving our eternal destiny.
So much had to fall into place for God’s plan to come to fruition.
God’s plan for us involves God working all things together for good for us.
The story of Christmas tells us much about the people involved -their character, nature, faults, traits, etc.
Christmas story tells us what God is like.
- Gods plan involves surprises
Mary was surprised.
Joseph was surprised.
The census had a surprise travel aspect of 129 km.
Herod wanting to kill your baby is surprisingly frightening.
Gifts from wise men was a surprise.
Angels were a surprising part of God’s plan.
Random shepherds rocking up at the birth was a surprise.
We may be surprised at God’s plan but God never is!
Your life has surprises for you but not for God.
Christmas tells us we can trust God despite the unexpected happenings in our life.
We can trust that if God had a plan from Genesis to Calvary, He has a plan for us.
Ask God at Christmas about His plan for your life.
Track into God’s GPS.
- God’s plan will always involve perfect timing
We can trust God’s perfect timing in our life.
Archery teaches us that arrows require flex to get to their target, without the timing of the flex it will miss its target.
Life involves the flex of God’s timing for things to come together in God’s timing.
God is precise in His timing.
Today’s perfect timing is not dependent on external circumstances.
Joseph in the Old Testament saw God’s plan outworked despite the unjust circumstances that came against him.
He understood God’s timing was perfect and he was prepared to commit to God’s plan, timing and promises.
- God’s plan involves God’s power
God orders the powerful Caesar to fit into His first Christmas plan.
He can organise our Government to fit into His plans today too.
God is not intimidated by things going on in our world.
He has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to see His promises and plans fulfilled.
Ephesians 3:20 (NIV)
20 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.
God’s power is only limited by our faith.
We must be willing to involve God’s power in our lives.
Christmas is the story of a powerful God sending His son as a baby.
God’s plan is backed by His sovereignty and power.
Nothing can stop His plan as we trust Him in our lives. With all its surprises, imperfections, injustices and challenges God will outwork His plan in your life as you trust His grace, purpose and power.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
Discuss the statement “We may be surprised at God’s plan but God never is!”
Do you feel that you can trust God’s perfect timing in your life?
Why do you think that God’s power is only limited by our faith?
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The post God’s Plan Over Christmas – Ps Kerrin Wallis [16/12/2018 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Connect Christmas Spectacular! Sorry, we do not have any notes from this message.
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The post Do You Hear What I Hear? – Ps Kerrin Wallis [16/12/2018 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Key scripture Luke 2:1-7
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.
4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
The story of Christmas tells us much about the people involved.
Their character, nature, faults, traits, etc.
Christmas story tells us what God is like.
An event in the making for 4000 years yet dependant on very specific historical events occurring as the lead up to the plan.
What does this plan tell us about God?
- When God plans it will always be BIG!
This Christmas plan changed eternity and History as we know it.
When God plans for you it is a big plan.
Is 55:9…
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God thinks next level for your life.
Look at the vastness of the heavens and realise God has much more for you.
This Christmas “ look up”, not down.
- Gods plans are always too big for you to do alone.. they always involve others
Mary, Joseph, Angels, Caesar,…. on the cross even the 2 criminals were involved, etc.
Gods plan always has a purpose and a focus on others.
Gods plan involves us dying to self and focusing on others.
So many of the world’s problems are because of our focus on self.
Gods plan is Christ first then others.
God introduced community in creation
“Let us….. make man in our own image”
Christmas is about being generous to others.
The joy of life is only discovered when we find the joy of living for Christ and others.
- God’s plan requires generosity
Let Christmas be an expression of our generosity… not a time of withholding.
God reaches to freely give.
To cheerfully give.
Give without an agenda.
Give to bless unreservedly.
- Gods plan always involves FAITH
Let’s consider the plan of Christmas , it had a lot of variables… dictators like Herod, inexperienced parents, wise men tracking a star, etc
This plan needed faith at a high level.
Don’t lack faith to believe God for your plan
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
We require faith to believe Gods promises, faith to sow in a time of famine, faith to continue through the storm.
Gods plan for your life requires faith but it is a big plan and a great plan.
Trust Him today.
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
What does the Christmas Story tell you?
What happens when we focus on ourselves?
Discuss the joy of life.
Have you got the faith to believe God for your plan?
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The post God’s Rescue Mission – Ps Kerrin Wallis [09/12/2018 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Connect Ministry College students take over! Sorry, we do not have any notes from this message.
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The post Jake, Jay, Micah & Kate [09/12/2018 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Pregnant with purpose Key scripture Luke 1:26-31 (NIV)
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”
29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favour with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”
34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”
38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
The First Christmas
It started with Mary. She was a young Jewish girl who knew God. When the Angel Gabriel came to her, she responded to God by saying ‘I am the Lord’s servant, may your word to me be fulfilled. She realised she had a revelation from God.
How would do we respond?
When we were young our Christmas used to be gift focus. We had pillow slips with our names on it.
Our focus was firstly on the gifts and then on the food.
Sadly Christmas is not always the greatest time for some people.
When the Angel Gabriel told Mary not to be afraid, it almost seems as though she would have thought ‘Uh oh, there’s more to come’.
God chose inexperienced parents, a teenage mum. Mary was pregnant with a purpose. She replied ‘I am the Lord’s servant. Be it unto me’.
We often don’t understand the impact of His coming.
How do I respond to God’s revelation to me?
How we respond sets things in motion. Ripple effects that happen.
There is a bigger plan of God coming to earth.
An Angelic visitation will change your day
Gal 2:20
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Mary understands her identity and she responds with faith.
She knew the truth of God’s Word. She understood the seasons in God and was willing to serve and let go of any plans that she might have had.
- Understand it all starts with God’s heart. He has plans for you Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Listen to His voice in the darkest times.
Even in the darkest times He is there.
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis once asked,
“Why are so many holy places dark places? The cross, the tomb, the stable – they are holy because even in the dark of night God is at work, breaking through the husk around our hearts and bringing life from under dead leaves.” The stable is where the love of God for His creation was born; the cross is where the love of God for His creation was displayed; and the tomb was where the love of God for His creation exploded in hope. God is able to turn all suffering to good and glorious ends – out of the worst, Christ brings the best.”
Out of the word He brings the best.
Mary knew His character. She knew she could trust Him.
- Any revelation will interrupt your life
We want God to fit into our agenda.
He will turn your life upside down.
Bruce was in the Methodist church and it was a comfortable life. He then became part of a Pentecostal Church and his life became uncomfortable but in a good way.
God’s revelation will challenge you to break out of your mould. It will lead you into exciting times.
- In vs 34 Mary asked ‘How can this be? We need to ask inquiring questions.
Prophecies can be crazy. We need to check if it lines up with the Word.
Wise faith encourages. It is not blind faith.
God always follows a revelation with plans.
How do we respond?
- Mary said ‘May it be to me’. It’s what we do with that revelation that counts.
Faith without works is dead.
Obedience to pray creates the ripple effect for generations to come.
Flowing out of the generosity of God’s people.
Faith sets us on a pathway to obedience.
We go from glory to glory, to another season – as we respond to what God gives to us.
What will come from how we respond to God?
Faith is now. The evidence of things hoped for.
Mary knew the character of God and also His power.
Nothing is impossible for God.
He will stretch you.
What situation are you in that you need to trust God for
Suggestions for Discussion Questions
How do you think you would have reacted to the Angel Gabriel if you were Mary?
Are you in the habit of asking inquiring questions?
Discuss what you think it means to be stretched.
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The post How Would You Respond? – Ps Bruce Claridge [02/12/2018 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Standing in the promises of God Sorry, we do not have any notes from this message.
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The post Standing In The Promise – Ps Josh Battersby [02/12/2018 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
Fear is ever present Key Points
Fear is ever present.
When train travel was first proposed, trains travelled at 20 miles per hour – the speed of the train was very frightening for people.
During the Victorian age when bicycles were first used, women were very excited about the freedom of movement that bicycles offered them, but Doctors at the time warned that women would suffer from facial disfiguration and other ailments because women were not designed to move at such high speed.
The reality is that fear is real.
Gen 15:1-6 (NLT)
15 Some time later, the Lord spoke to Abram in a vision and said to him, “Do not be afraid, Abram, for I will protect you, and your reward will be great.”
2 But Abram replied, “O Sovereign Lord, what good are all your blessings when I don’t even have a son? Since you’ve given me no children, Eliezer of Damascus, a servant in my household, will inherit all my wealth. 3 You have given me no descendants of my own, so one of my servants will be my heir.”
4 Then the Lord said to him, “No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.” 5 Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!”
6 And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.
Fear is imagined, felt, fear, rejection, failure. Fear is used to control people.
Joshua 1:6-9 (NKJV)
Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua was told to be strong and courageous.
2 Tim 1:7 (NKJV)
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Fear is such a part of society but God say “Do not be afraid’
Marketing is driven by fear motives.
We are all affected by fear in our lives. We are shocked when fear enters our lives.What
Fear is a struggle. Fear does not always show in our lives.
In Genesis 14, Abraham attacked the enemy. He won a great victory.
But when he was alone as in Genesis 15 there was fear.
God knows Abraham was afraid and in vs 9 God says – Do not be afraid.
God knows what you are afraid of and he will come to you at night to set you free.
Kerrin prayed for a supernatural setting free from fear for everyone in the Church.
We are the most educated generation, most travelled, most connected, BUT we are the most medicated generation.
When Kerrin was young, he had the responsibility of taking the bin out, but he pretended to talk to his father to scare others away.
In Genesis 10 Abraham knew there was famine in the land of Egypt but he took his family there. He told the Egyptians that Sarah was his sister and not his wife. Abraham lied.
He had lived in Caanan and Sarah was beautiful, but because of fear, Abraham said she was his sister and not his wife.
Fear came in and made Abraham do stupid things.
He left God’s promise out of fear.
Do not let fear take you away from God’s blessing.
Fear compounds and leads to more bad decisions.
Running away from God’s promises breaks the law
People get too focused on the blessing and push God out of their lives because they fear God’s blessing will run out.
In our relationships –the fear of failing – causes controlling and manipulative behaviour because fear is ruling their lives.
Fear that God’s blessing will run out.
We live in rivers of life – not dams or murky ponds.
Blessing runs out when fear comes in.
Fear of man comes in and pushes God out of the picture.
Fear causes us to make poor decisions and keeps us there.
This leads to repetitive behaviour and becoming more afraid.
Fear of anything else on earth will lead to bad decisions.
Matthew 25:4-28
The parable of the men given the talents.
The man with the 5 talents invested them and was blessed by the great return ,
The man with the 2 talents invested them and was blessed by a great return.
The man with the 1 talent buried it in the ground because of fear and he was called a wicked and lazy servant.
Fear caused him not to act. Fear brought judgement.
Whenever fear rules your life it will take us away from God’s plan.
How do I make a decision based on faith not fear?
Kerrin had firearms when he was young, but he had a healthy respect for them. He was taught the seriousness of what he had in his care.
He was taught to take care of them and respect for what they could do.
They were used for good and Kerrin had no fear of the firearms.
Daniel – feared God almighty. His fear cancelled out all other fears.
Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Proverbs 1:7 (NIV)
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Having the fear of God will call out all other fears.
God is still GOD.
He is not subject to our ideas.
(God is God and I am not – Winkey Pratney)
Right fear cancels out all the wrong fear
Luke 12:4-5 (NLT)
4 “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that. 5 But I’ll tell you whom to fear. Fear God, who has the power to kill you and then throw you into hell. Yes, he’s the one to fear.
The Bible is consistent with not living under fear.
As long as we believe God is more powerful, we cannot be ruled by fear.
You must believe that God is more powerful.
Job 4:6 (NKJV)
Is not your reverence your confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?
Job 4:6 (NIV)
Should not your piety be your confidence and your blameless ways your hope?
Fear God. He gives us confidence not to be afraid.
The Nature of God is love.
1 John 4:8 (NIV)
8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Ps 118:9 (NKJV)
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.
Ezekiel 2:6 (NLT)
6 “Son of man, do not fear them or their words. Don’t be afraid even though their threats surround you like nettles and briers and stinging scorpions. Do not be dismayed by their dark scowls, even though they are rebels.
Heb 13:6 (NKJV)
6 So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”
Revere God listen to Him, obey His command.
Romans 8:35 (NLT)
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?
The nature and power of God must go hand in hand.
Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.
We need to have reverence and understanding of God.
Do not dictate terms to God.
His love is so great and powerful.
Break the fear barrier.
You don’t have to live under fear.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!!
Suggestions for Discussion Questions:
Are you aware of fear in your life?
What happens when we run away from fear?
Discuss the statement – ‘you must believe that God is more powerful’!
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The post Breaking The Fear Barrier Pt 1 – Ps Kerrin Wallis [25/11/2018 AM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.
Episode Notes
A healthy fear of God puts all other fears in their place Sorry, we do not have any notes from this message.
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The post Breaking The Fear Barrier Pt 2 – Ps Kerrin Wallis [25/11/2018 PM] appeared first on Connect Church Bendigo.