Bikers Church Cape Town: Recent Episodes
Bikers Church Cape Town
Not everyone Can be HelpedPastor George LehmanNone of us are hopeless – Unless we choose not to change. (we just keep going around the same mountain)“Making a wrong decision is understandable. Refusing to search continually for learning is not”- Phil CosbyWe must be learning from our failures.This sermon is about dealing with the cause more than the symptoms.If you saw a huge hole in the road and you knew bikers where heading towards it and it could injure those approaching, would you ignore it or go out of your way to put up the danger warning sign? Some people will still drive into hole.In this world, you’ll meet all kinds of people with many different problems, but not everyone can be helped, or wants to be helped.In 25 years of full ministry, my greatest desires to help everyone, to see people fulfilling their God given purpose and growing into God’s awesome plan for their life.But - I have learned the hard way that I cannot help every person who attends our church or those who come to me for assistance. I know God can but hear me out!!!These are the kinds of people that are so entrenched in certain behaviours and habit patterns that one cannot help them to advance to the next level - unless they make the necessary faith shift in their attitude and behaviour. They just wont change! Those who do not take responsibility for themselves.The first step toward self-improvement is to remove all excuses for being uncommitted or not doing your best.“He that is good for making EXCUSES is seldom good for anything else” 1 Corinthians 9:27 (NIV) – No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others; I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (So many Christians live a disqualified life)Those that continually blame and point fingers at other people for their failures will never go to the next level.People can complain about their spouses, their children, their church, their jobs, their past, where they grew up etc.,(If you want a reason not to serve God as you should, you will probably find one.) The devil has a thick manual on excuses.I have learned that within every challenge is this incredible seed of a God ordained opportunity for success, which requires faith to overcome problems.2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) – 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. Those who do not have a heart to seek God.We all know Jeremiah 29:11 but verse 13 says: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Isaiah 55:6 (NIV) – Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. (If you feel God is not near – guess who moved!!!God is not playing hide and seek with us. We hide when we stop to seek.)The Bible teaches us that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” - Proverbs 9:10.Those who do not respect God enough to seek Him in prayer and study His word, so they can make wise decisions in life -They are violating Scripture and cannot be helped either by me or any other leader or brother/sister.God said to Joshua: I’ll be with you, but you have to do your part.Joshua 1:8-9 (NIV) – “8Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Those who do not obey what God requires for you to have success have decided to have a relationship with God on their own terms. Those who insist on having a negative outlook on life.There are some people who refuse to exercise faith in God or think positively, as the Word of God commands us to: (They would rather have their pity party, carry their grudges and hurts.)Philippians 4:8 (Msg) – Summing it all up friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. This is because some have a natural inclination to expect the worst in life, so they are never disappointed by anyone or anything! (They set themselves up for failure)This is a weird way some folks attempt to shield their emotions from the pain of disappointment; it is a very common practice with many people.Jesus often told people that they would receive according to how they believed (for example Proverbs 23:7 teaches that “as a person thinks in their heart, so they will be.” (Stop being self-defeating!) One cannot empower a person who refuses to think God’s thoughts about themselves and about life. Those who refuse to have a vision for their future.Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) – Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. There are so many very able, talented, anointed and gifted people, that I have met who live their lives without any strategic plan or vision, to fulfil the very thing God has blessed them with to make a difference in His KingdomWe were not just saved from something; we were saved to something.Those who are successful have a compelling vision that drives them daily and that feeds their souls even more than the desire to satisfy their own needs!Inside of every believer is a God-given kingdom vision for their future.If a person refuses to tap into that as their guiding light—and value that vision as their barometer for success—then my continual pep talks, sermons and motivation will not do the trick either! Those whose primary agenda is individualistic and not kingdom oriented.There are many Christians whose only agenda in life is to advance their own agenda.They don’t want to work with a team or flow in the context of a local church.They want others to pour their life into them, but they are rarely ever willing to pour back into the church and serve in the Kingdom of God.I have learned that those who only want to use the church or God to advance their own agenda (even if it is ministry related) have greatly limited their own lives.Thus, I back away from these people until they change.This is because we are all called to seek first God’s kingdom, in which we need to die to ourselves our own agenda’s, comforts and conveniences, and sacrifice and invest our time for the good of the Body of Christ. Those who lack transparency, humility and integrity.The Bible teaches us to walk in the light as He is in the light (1 John 1:7).It also teaches us to confess our faults to one another and pray for one another that we may be healed (James 5:16).Those that do not admit their faults and confess their sins cannot have the kind of relationship with God that He intended for them to have,Also, you cannot have a relationship with a mentor or a fellow Christian who want to help you with your personal growth.It is important for any leader and any member to live a transparent life with integrity with one anotherThose who want to progress in their spiritual lives have to learn to practice the spiritual discipline of confession of sinProverbs 28:13(LB) – A man who refuses to admit his mistakes can never be successful. But if he confesses and forsakes them, he gets another chance.I do not believe there is anyone who willingly does not want to change and become better in their walk with God.What did you hear in this message that needs to change in your life?Lamentation 3:40 (Amp) – Let us test and examine our ways and let us return to the Lord.
To be honest with yourselfBy Pastor George LehmanThe whole key is to be honest with yourself, find the weak spots, work on it, get it done.Reasons why being honest with ourselves is so important in our walk with GodThe Bible teaches us to look at our hearts and thoughts, helping us to understand who we truly are. You need to be the best you.When we are honest, we can grow and become better versions of ourselves.It’s not always easy to face the truth, but it is essential for our journey of faith.2 Peter 1:5-7 – For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:9-10(Amp) – 9For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. Self-honesty is a very important thing. It unlocks for us so many things that are crucial to living a life of freedom and joy, with no need to prove ourselves.Truth be told, if we're all honest with ourselves we'd be living in a better world right now.Psalm 139:23 - “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”To help you see the importance of being honest with ourselves, here are three things to note:“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” – Lamentations 3:401) Without honesty, we won't be able to repent of all sin (SIN: is defined as transgressing (oortreding) God law means crossing the line of Gods standards or failing to live up to Gods standards of holiness – Missing the Mark.1 John 1:8 tells us, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."Unless we stop lying to ourselves and admit our real sinful motives, we won't be able to let them go and change.Trying to escape the fact we have sinned, we lie and deceive ourselves and others.We make a show and try to paint a picture that we're good, innocent, and blameless, even when we know we're not.What we don't realize is the person we're deceiving primarily is ourselves.Galatians 6: 7-8 - “7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction”Unless we admit our sins, we won't be able to let it go. We won't be able to truly repent.2) We have to be honest in order for God to change us1 John 1:9 tells us that unless we admit our sins, we can never be forgiven and changed: - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."Think about that. How can we ask God to forgive us for something we won't even admit doing?How can God cleanse us from the deep-seated dirt in our hearts if we keep saying we don't have it? Ridiculous, right?If we truly want to be clean, we will need to reveal all the dirt in us.Proverbs 28:13 - “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy”And there's no reason to fear revealing ourselves to God, because His "perfect love casts out fear"1 John 4:18 - ”We need have no fear of someone who loves us perfectly; his perfect love for us eliminates all dread of what he might do to us. If we are afraid, it is for fear of what he might do to us and shows that we are not fully convinced that he really loves us.”He knows who we are and what we have done, but instead of hating and abhorring us, He wants us cleansed and made holy, totally freed from sin. That's His commitment.Isn't our God awesome?3) It's necessary for us to be freeLastly, self-honesty, when coupled with God's truth, will allow us to be free. The Lord Jesus said inJohn 8:31-32 -"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."We must realize that our self-honesty is implied there: "If you abide in My word..."Do we really abide in God's word that says, “we should repent?”Do we obey God's word that says, "You shall not lie," even to ourselves?Do we believe God's word, which says, “He knows the inner longings of our hearts?”Precious family of God, we can't fool God. He sees through us. Before we do anything, He has already seen us doing it.“O God, You know my foolishness; and my sins are not hidden from You.”— Psalm 69:5What's the point of trying to convince Him that we're okay and clean? We are simply lying to ourselves and to Him when we do that.Jeremiah 17:10 – “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”For the week ahead let us make a quality, life changing decision, to be honest before the Lord.Let's just openly lay down our hearts before Him.James 4:17 - “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Not just being honest but doing something about it.Psalm 32:5 - “And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” When we admit our guilt, God freely forgives.God is good, and there's nothing to fear when it comes to being honest with Him.
Called to HOLINESS #4By Pastor George LehmanRevelation 3:2-3(Amp) – 2Rouse yourselves and keep awake and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight. 3So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come. Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame. - Psalm 34:5 (King David)RADIANT LIKE THIS:Years ago, when 20th Century Fox advertised in the New York papers to fill a vacancy in its sales force, one applicant replied:“I am at present selling furniture at the address below. You may judge my ability as a salesman if you will stop in to see me at anytime, pretending that you are interested in buying furniture. When you come in, you can identify me by my red hair. And I will have no way of identifying you. Such salesmanship as I exhibit during your visit, therefore, will be no more than my usual workday approach and not a special effort to impress a prospective employer.”From among more than 1500 applicants, this guy got the job.ARE YOU READY? We have been called to a life of Holiness everyday because you never know who is watching you.And know this God is watching all the time!!Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) - “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 2 Timothy 1:9 (NIV) - “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, And still after 3 sermons on “Called to holiness”, God continues to challenge our relationship with Him.It’s so clear that these scriptures tell us what God has saved and called us too!! - they are not optional. “Holiness” is not for an elite few.It is possible for you to walk purely before the Lord.Luke 12:32 – Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your FATHER’S good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.For each generation a “little flock” receives the Kingdom – and are set apart.They go on to fulfill the purpose by God for their generation.Question to us:What about you, child of God – how would you sum up your lifestyle for adding value to this generation – letting His Kingdom come?Everyone who is purifying themselves, even as He is pure, is part of that “little flock”.1 John 3:3 (Amp) – And everyone who has this hope (resting) on him, cleanses (purifies) himself, just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).No bible believing Christian doubts the importance of Holiness.2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV) – Since we have these promises dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that Contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.Contaminate = pollute, infect [Afrikaans = besoedel, besmet)Like sewage in clear drinking water. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - 23May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.God’s desire is for us to be wholly Holy. The Bible commands us to be Holy (not suggests).Leviticus 19:2 (Amp) – “Say to all the assembly of the Israelites; [Bikers church] you shall be Holy for I the Lord your God am Holy” 1 John 4:17 – As He is, so are we in this world 1 Peter 2:9(CEV) – But you are God’s chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation; God has brought you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things He has done.Story of the young boy who had to stay in class and finish his math test. So, he just filled in any answers – obviously it was all wrong. He had to do it at home. When his dad asked him why he got it all wrong – he said, “nobody is perfect”.Like the bumper stickers even say “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven” – OR “we’re just human” (we all make mistakes, we all fail).Taking it, a bit further super spiritual people quote1 John 1:8 – If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth.This sums up so many times why people reject their “Calling to Holiness.” They make excuses to fail and sin.Is Holiness really that important, maybe it’s only for a select few.Matthew 24:4 (Amp) – Be careful that no one misleads you (deceiving you and leading you into error).Five times in the next 22 verses in Mt 24: Jesus repeated His warning.Can I just say this:It’s not the absence of sin that produces Holiness.Many non-Christians live clean, upright lives – which you can’t fault. Holiness comes from the presence of God in our lives. “Christ in us is our Holiness”.The truth is – as close as our relationship is with Him, to that same degree we reflect His Holiness.Jesus said: Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works.This light is non-other than the out-raying glory and purity of God. People see God in us.If good works glorify God, then bad works bring Him dishonor.When we’re not walking in “Holiness”, sin rules our lives and our credibility to witness is LOST.The world is sick and tired of hearing one thing and seeing another.How do I know when to witness:1 Peter 3:15(Amp) - “Called to Holiness”– But in your hearts set Christ apart as Holy (and acknowledge Him as Lord) (when I get this part right then part B follows) Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you.Sadly, so many Christians publicly sin in the workplace where most of us spend 8-18 hours a day. They lose their temper, do bad work, they’re often late or heard complaining about the boss or their job. They have bad attitudes, yet they still witness.Titus 1:16A (Amp) – They profess to know God (to recognize, perceived and be acquainted with Him) but they deny and disown and renounce Him, by what they do.This to sums up this series “Called to Holiness” – the real evidence [bewys] of Holiness is increasing in “Christ likeness” in which the image of God is increasingly visible in a believer’s life.Here’s the challenge - what are you going to do about living your “Calling to Holiness?CLOSE:1 Peter 1:15 (Amp) – But as the One who called you is Holy, you yourselves must also be Holy in all your conduct and manner of living.Luke 1:74-75(Amp) – 74To grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our foes, might serve Him fearlessly 75in holiness (divine consecration) and righteousness [in accordance with the everlasting principles of right] within His presence all the days of our lives. Your lifestyle MUST clearly be HOLY!
Called to HOLINESS #2We must seek a level of holiness that brings the Glory of God into our lives.Discuss what is Holiness: Holiness is not: Being perfect, never sinning, never being tempted to sin its: To be different Set apart To fulfill His purposeTo live our lives in a way that reflects God’s gloryJohn 1:14(Amp) – And the word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honour, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favour, loving-kindness) and truth. Ephesians 1:4 (NIV) - For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love Glory of God is prioritizing His honor, beauty, and magnificence above all else in your life.It involves aligning your actions, words, and thoughts with His will and purpose, ultimately reflecting His character and demonstrating His love and power to the world.It means choosing to glorify Goid in all you do, rather than seeking personal glory or recognition.This might involve saying no to opportunities that would bring you praise but not glorify God. John 5:44 - How is it possible for you to believe [how can you learn to believe], you who [are content to seek and] receive praise and honor and glory from one another, and yet do not seek the praise and honor and glory which come from Him Who alone is God?This is a Crossroad scripture - Start good, end bad Galatians 3:2-3 - “I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? For so many Christians:They display a spirituality to impress man – compromising your values and principles to fit in with the ungodly.Seeking honor and recognition from others – wanting validation from man.Living to appear righteousAs long as you are being patted, recognized, praised and fussed about and the honor and glory is flowing then… you are a happy Christian.Can one honestly say you are walking near to God when your motivation is the praise of man? Here’s a clear sign:We know we are relating correctly to God when our hunger for His glory makes us forsake the praise of man.Greek for Glory is “Doxa”: Glory is: to please – to be of a good reputation – to give honor – full of grace – love – kindness and truthHebrew for Glory is “Kavod”. To show much splendor [prag, praal].“A life of Holiness” is seeking to please God and seek His Glory. John 5:44 – how is it possible for you to believe, when you thrive on being recognized and praised by one another.Jesus said it – Luke 16:15 -“He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.Who are you really trying to impress?When we truly desire a life of holiness – seeking God, no one will have to tell us to be humble, to convince us of our old natures –Colossians 3:2-7 - 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your[a] life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. Holiness comes from seeking His Glory - here’s the promise: If you take time to meet with God, you will meet HimJeremiah 29:13 (Amp) - “Then you will seek me, enquire for, and require me (as a vital necessity) and find me when you search for me with all your heart.”Psalm 27:8(Amp) – you have said, seek my face (enquire for and require my presence as your vital need) my heart says to you your face (your presence) Lord will I seek.As you touch Him, something will come alive in you. Your life will become significant.You’ll become effective in all you do and say.People will be drawn to Jesus because of you.We are talking about “Called to Holiness”.The sad thing is many Christians have NO higher goal, NO greater aspiration than to live a normal in-effective, fairly boring Christian life.1 Corinthians 3:3 – Paul rebuked the church in Corinth because they walked “LIKE mere man”. (A holy life is a set apart life)He asks – where is the holiness – difference?.Listen – God has so much more for us than just becoming better people.Romans 8:11 – He wants to flood our lives with the same power that raised Christ from the dead.If we are going to be Holy, we must break away from desiring just an average life.We must seek a level of Holiness that brings the Glory of God into our lives.Jonathan Edwards – 18th century revivalist:”Grace is but glory begun, and glory is but grace perfected.”The means to holiness is grace. Holiness is a product of grace.You may be thinking, I’ll never achieve this teaching in my condition. Then you have only heard half the message.Grace is in the heart of all Gods’ truth. Truth without grace is only half-true.John 1:17 - Grace and truth are in JESUS.For while the law was given through Moses, grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.What God’s truth demands, His grace will provide.Romans 6:22 – But now since you have been set free from sin and have become the slaves of God, you have your present reward in Holiness and its end is eternal life.“Holiness is a lifestyle” Seeking to walk close to the Glory of God. Holiness is doing all within one’s power to become more like Jesus.2 Corinthians 3:18(Amp) – And all of us, as with unveiled face [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from on degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
Called to HOLINESS #1This is not a clever chosen topic, it’s a God calling for every Christian.By Pastor George Lehman”A man is what he appears in God’s eyes, and not the slightest bit more.”We can outwardly put on an OSCAR award performance.But God knows.For us to see Jesus active and alive in our lives and our ministry “Holiness must be our lifestyle.” Romans 11:36 (Amp) – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things.(For all things originate with Him and come from Him; all things live through Him and all things center in and tend to consummate and to end in Him] To Him be glory forever! Amen (so be it). Romans 12:1 (Amp) – I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your seasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. I don’t believe God is going to do a new thing. (Isaiah 43)I read this prophetic word that went out some time ago !Explain: God sitting as a judge in a Court room, banging with His gavel saying: “Order in My House” Order comes when we put things back the way they were or where they are supposed to be.Jeremiah 6:16 This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask where the good old way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Crossroads = is a place of decision-making. We all want new Revelations, new interesting facts and new understanding As God’s church we have chased after New Things. And been disobedient to the Old Things. We have sadly allowed the basic old way to slip by and therefore our foundation has crumbled. We’ve become educated beyond our obedience.(We know more than what we are obedient to.)The New Converts pick up the bad habits of the old people.God wants us to have “Revival.” Revival is to bring back an active life that was once in our hearts and lifestyle.Isaiah 66:1-2 - “This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Could you build me a temple as good as that? Could you build me such a resting place?2 My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! “I will bless those who have humble and contrite(Berouvolle) hearts, who tremble at my word.Hosea 10:12 - “It’s time to Sow Righteousness, its time to break up your unplowed ground, for its time to seek the Lord.Make a choice to Plow upThat hardened heart, that disobedient lifestyle, that half hearted commitment.God is calling His children to a “A life of Holiness” Holiness is not: A once off experience, a Feeling or an emotion or an optional extra.It’s a direct result of a Jesus filled heart.A life of Holiness without Jesus in your heart is not possible. 1 Peter 1:15-16 (Amp) - 15“But as the One who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living.” 16“For it is written You shall be holy for I AM holy.” Leviticus 11:44 – “I Am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I Am holy….”Holiness: Greek word used Hagiasmos and means: Sanctify – Purity – clean – to be different (dedicated to God’s purpose- Set apart.)2 Corinthians 5:17 (Amp) -Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!Jesus prayed this for us in John 17:15-19 - “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[a] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. Can I just say this?The holiness we are seeking goes much deeper than merely cleaning the outside of the cup. (Luke 11:39) we whitewash but God washes white.True holiness does not come from following rules – (so many Christians make up their own set of rules about Holiness what’s right of wrong in their own minds – what God’s word says is not to important.) Holiness comes from following Jesus ChristBeing different being like JesusJohn 3:30 - “He must increase, but I must decrease. [He must grow more prominent; I must grow less so.] Galatians 5:25 (Msg) - Since this is the kind of life we have chosen the life of the spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.This must be our Goal – our aim and our Determination.If your goals are less than Christ likenessIf you are happy and content with yourselfThis word on Holiness will pass right over you.Isaiah 66:2 - This is the man to whom I will look and have regarded him who is Humble. HUMILITY PRECEDES HOLINESS!!! Allen Bond - “The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become.”A holy man is a humble man.Why discuss Humility, while on the subject of Holiness?Simply because holiness is the product of grace and God gives grace only to the Humble.Jesus said:Matthew 11:29 - “Learn of me. I am gentle (meek) and humble in heart.” The holiest, most powerful voice that ever spoke described Himself as: Gentle, Meek, and Humble in heart.It’s important we understand, Jesus did not condemn sinners. He condemned hypocrites.A hypocrite is a person who excuses his own sin while condemning the sins of another.No one can remain a hypocrite and find Holiness at the same time.That’s why everyday the first step we take to Sanctification (to be: Pure, clean, different, set apart and dedicated to His purpose.)Is admitting we are not as Holy as what we would like to appear.This 1st step is called Humility1 Peter 5:5 (LB) - God gives special blessings to those who are humble but sets Himself against those who are Proud.Pride is the only a disease known to man that makes everyone sick except the one who has it. It’s at the crossroad(Place of decision) that: Holy men and Hypocrites are Bred.Those who choose Holiness see their need: Repent, change and pay the price, make the adjustments and “Run to win” Those who choose to be Hypocrites see their sin, excuse it and remain unchanged.A life of HolinessBegins with our determined refusal to hide from the condition of our heartsIt will call for deep, serious honesty – everyday.So many Christians want to live double lives:Holy when it’s convenient.Unholy when it’s inconvenient.The very sad part of all this is: so many think it’s okay!Think about this:Hebrews 12:14 - Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and Holiness, without which no one will (ever) see the Lord. “ORDER IN MY HOUSE.” “What kind of house will you build for ME?” asks GodA half-hearted attempt is a wholehearted failure!A man is what he appears in God’s eyes, and not the slightest bit more.
Passion for the church.Far too many Christians take coming to church far to lightlyBy Pastor George Lehman The most expensive piece of furniture in the church is the empty seat.We are not in the seat filling business; we are in the heart changing business. When the heart truly changes the seats will be filled.After a bad sermon a pastor was asked what went wrong. His answer was really good. He said, “Poor preaching is God’s judgment on a prayerless congregation.”You were formed for a family. From the beginning of time, God has always wanted a family.A family that will last for all eternity.From Geneses to Revelation it’s all about God and His familyHebrews 2:11 (Jerusalem bible) - Jesus and the people He makes holy all belong to the same family. That’s why He isn’t ashamed to call them His brothers and sisters.NB! We were not just called to believe. We’re called to belong. To belong to the family of God.John 1:12 (Amp) - But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.Hebrews 2:10 (NCV) - God is the One who made all things, and all things are for His glory. He wanted to have many children to share his glory. 1 John 3:1 (NLT) - See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for He allows us to be called His children, and we really are! Paul says:1 Timothy 3:15 (GWT) - God’s family is the Church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.A building without a support and foundation will collapse. In the same way we need people, a family, for support to help us in our walk with God. That’s why we need a place of fellowship.Living in the ‘real world’ it is so important to establish yourself on a solid foundation. Surrounding yourself with Christian friends, mentors and make attending church a habit and priority.As a family we all need each other.The church is a body, not a business. A family, not an institution.Ephesians 4:16 (Amp) - For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.The more you grow in your faith in God the more you’re going to love and treasure the church. Taking up your full responsibility in the church.When people grow weary, drift and become lukewarm first to go is your church attendance.Sadly, there are people who say to Jesus, “We love you” but we don’t “love your body”. I accept you, but I reject your body.We do this whenever we develop the ‘triple C’ [criticize, complain & condemn] towards the church.Except for a few important exceptions referring to all believers throughout history almost every time the word “CHURCH” is used in the bible it refers to a local, visible congregation of Believers. A Christian without a church home is like:An organ without a body.A sheep without a flock.A child without a family.Ephesians 2:19b - You belong in God’s household with every other Christian.There are some whose faith is not strong enough to bring them to church services, - but they expect it to take them to heaven.The difference between being a church attendee and a church member is commitment. Attendees are spectators. Members get involved in the ministry.If you’re looking for the perfect church when you join it, it won’t be perfect anymore! We are called to - love imperfect people.Psalm 133:1 (TEV) - How wonderful it is, how pleasant for God’s people to live together in harmony!Verse3 says: There God commands a blessing.Ask yourself: Do you build or break harmony in the church? Are you an asset or a liability? Are you a momentum-maker or a momentum- breakerReal fellowship means: Being as committed to each other as we are to Jesus.1 John 3:16 (LB) - We know what real love is from Christ’s example in dying for us. And so, we also ought to lay down our lives for our Christian brothers.Giving yourself, putting others first, being the least, promoting peace, harmony and unity isn’t easy. But God asks us to do it because He first did it.When there are plenty of oxen in a stable, there will always be a common factor – manure.Proverbs 14:4 (NLT) – Without oxen the stable stays clean but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.If there’s only manure, then obviously something is wrong. Here’s a measuring stick:Philippians 2:3-4 (NCV) - Give more honor to others than to yourselves. Do not be interested only in your own life but be interested in the lives of others.It’s not about thinking less of yourself. It’s about thinking of yourself less. Romans 12:10 (GWT) - Be devoted to each other like a loving family. Excel in showing respect for each others. Romans 12:16 (NLT) - Live in harmony with each other. Don’t try to act important but enjoy the company of ordinary people and don’t think you know it all.2 Corinthians 12:20 (Amp) - For I am fearful that somehow or other I may come and find you not as I desire to find you and that you may find me too not as you want to find me: - that perhaps there may be factions (quarreling), jealousy, temper (wrath, intrigues, rivalry, divided loyalties), selfishness, whispering, gossip, arrogance (self-assertion) and disorder among you.If you proclaim to be a child of God, you’re part of the body of Christ. And as a part of the body you have a responsibility to promote unity and harmony.Colossians 3:14 (LB) - Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.Question:How passionate are you to ensure and promote unity in the church?What did you ‘hear’ in this sermon? The Bible says, “let him who has ears (spiritual ears) let him hear what the Spirit is saying”.What are you going to do with what you have just heard? You CANNOT remain ‘neutral’.
In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it,Hebrews 9:16 (NIV)
Faith 4?Pastor Kobus Massyn13-4-2025 'Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.'- 1 Corinthians 13:13 Faith for What? Greater things! “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. ‘ John 14:12'These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” - Mark 16:17-18Faith for What?Hope 'I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.” They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.” - Acts 28:20-22 Faith for How?Love 'So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” - John 13:34-35 'We love each other because he loved us first. - 1 John 4:19' “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. - Matthew 6:14Faith for When?The CrossLuke 22:3,21,24,31-33,47-48,61-62 - 3Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve disciples, 21“But here at this table, sitting among us as a friend, is the man who will betray me. 24Then they began to argue among themselves about who would be the greatest among them. 31“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” 33Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.” 47But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 61At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 62And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly. '
FAITH threeFight the good fight of the Faith – 1 Timothy 6:12.Note it’s not, fight the good fight against the devil, or your opposition. NO. You see when FAITH wins everything wins.Fight: The Opportunity of succeeding by great effort.Many Christians want to succeed by NO EFFORT or little effort.“The devils’ number 1 tool is not an active sinner, but an inactive Christian.English proverb:“The devil tempts some, but an idle man tempts the devil.” Matthew 12:43-45 (Amp) – 43But when the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, it roams through dry [arid] places in search of rest, but it does not find any. 44Then it says, I will go back to my house from which I came out. And when it arrives, it finds the place unoccupied, swept, put in order and decorated. 45Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked then itself.“Be sure to keep busy doing what’s right, so that the devil may always find you occupied.”We are weakest when we try to get something for nothing, taking shortcuts to success. Trying to live an overcoming life without faith.Why are we at our weakest? Because there is no strength or growth in nothing or in shortcuts. We’re not in a motorboat; we’re in a rowing boat!! It takes a committed Faith that works.Proverbs 28:19 (LB) – “Hard work brings prosperity; playing around brings poverty.”There is no shortcut to a faith-filled life.Here’s another aspect with extreme importance:Prayer is very important - but hear me out now…!My experience is, so many Christians think after praying,ALL will be okay – now I have done my share – it’s over to you God.Example - looking for work:Send out a CV, get a newspaper and look at the job column.After you’ve prayed,Begin to speak faith WORDS over your situation, speak the promises speak life.Prayer should never be an excuse for inaction. As God said to Moses as they came out of Egypt:Exodus 14:15 (LB) - Then the Lord said to Moses, “Quit praying and get the people moving. Forward march!”It’s time for faith in action!! “A faith that works” The fact is most prayers are only going to be answered when you attach action to them.Israel with Joshua – around the walls of Jericho. God said not to speak. Why? They would have spoken faithless, negative words.NB: Prayer is the fuel; Faith is the engine. Real faith – the Bible kind of strong faith we must fight for.Hear me!! It takes more than good intentions. (People judge us by our actions not our intentions.)It’s not what we say we want to accomplish for Jesus, BUT what we actually do.James 2:17 – Faith without actions is dead. Your life will shrink or expand in proportion to your Faith.We live by Faith, or;We don’t live at all – our faith is NOT a WISHBONE, it’s a BACKBONE.Our “Faith” cannot be hidden. It has to be obvious, open, effective and producing: Change in us Change in a lost world And it will always be an encouragement to the church (ARE YOU a FAITH INSPIRING person?)Here is a wonderful example1 Thessalonians 1:3 (LB) - We never forget your loving deeds (ACTIONS) as we talk to our God and Father about you, and your strong “Faith” and steady looking forward to the return of our Lord Jesus.Fruit of faith is: Determination, hard work, endurance, steadfastness, perseverance.Real faith may get knocked down, but it’s never ever knocked out.1 Thessalonians 1:8 (LB) - And now the word of the Lord has spread out from you to others everywhere, far beyond your boundaries, for wherever we go we find people telling us about your remarkable “Faith” in God.Question: What do people say about your FaithSO!!! Why all this talk about faith? Is it really all that important?Just remember, you decide,Hebrews 11:6 - Without FAITH it’s IMPOSSIBLE to please GODListen to Jesus’ own Words:Luke 18:8b – However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find (persistence) in faith on the earth.Persistence: Continue firmly in one’s action despite persuasion.Matthew 24:10 (NIV) – At that time many will turn away from the faith and betray and hate each other.Our whole life is encapsulated (ingekapsuleer) in FAITH.Habakkuk 2:4 is repeated in Romans 1:17 – The just shall live by faith.We tend to look at the big outer signs of Jesus’ coming.Aids, tsunamis, earthquakes, wars etc.It’s about time we start looking at the signs closer to home – the man in the mirror. How is your faith? Is it just talk or is it alive and active, full of passion and enthusiasm?1 Timothy 4:1a (Amp) – But the (Holy) Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn from the Faith, giving attention to deluding(Mislei) and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach.Christians are going to be challenged to turn away from the real faith to a counterfeit. This warning is for the church NOT the unsaved world.Here’s the answer to stay in a good faith fighting spirit:1 Corinthians 16:13a – Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (Amp) – “Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you-unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected.” examine and 2.test and 3.evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your Faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Here’s my heart’s desire for each of us:Close:Ephesians 3:16-18 (Amp) – “16May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love. 18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]. Revelation 14:12 (Amp) – Here [comes in a call for] the steadfastness of the saints [the patience, the endurance of the people of God], those who [habitually] keep God’s commandments and [their] faith in Jesus.
FAITH #2 (Everyone needs a FAITH-Lift.) We trust God that with His Sword He will cut and do surgery on us – to give us a faith-lift – to remove that which is old and not so pretty anymore.Our key scripture 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.” Hebrews 11:3 (NIV) – By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what is visible.1 Peter 1:3-8 - 3“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,Oswald Chambers wrote in “My utmost for His Highest”:Before I can say “I saw the Lord” there must be something in my character that conforms to the likeness of God. What we need is God’s surgical procedure – His use of external circumstance to bring about internal purification. Our Faith can re-write our future (allow Him to give you a Faith-lift)Regret looks back – past possessed.Worry looks around – seed among the thorns, Chokes your Faith.FAITH looks UP.Here’s the promise – plus side of:Hebrews 11:6a – with faith we can please God (WHY)Hebrews 11:6b – He is a rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him. Earnestly = showing intense feelingDiligently = hard-working, showing effortProphetic word God is calling for “Order in my houseHebrews 6:11-12 (Amp). The Challenge “But we do [strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end,12 In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith ([b]by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.You must first be a believer if you want to be an achiever.Without a “Faith”- driven life you will become disinterested, and a spiritual sluggard.sluggard = lazy person“Faith” is action – never a “passive” [not active] attitude.“Faith” is not a pill you take, but a muscle you use.You see – faith is when your hands, your heart and feet keep on working, when your head and others say it can’t be done, that the situation has become too BIG for me to handle.The ones who get anything significant of eternal value done for God are: Faith-filled, Faith-focused,Real faith will refuse to see anything that is contrary (opposite) to the Bible. It doesn’t look at circumstances or conditions, but it looks at the promises.We must be moved by the “Word of God” not our feelings.2 Corinthians 5:7 – We walk by faith and NOT by feelingsSmith Wigglesworth said:“I’m not moved by what I feel. I’m not moved by what I see.I am only moved by what I believe.”You must remember, when Adam and Eve fell, their emotions fell too.Romans 14:23b – whatsoever is not of faith is sin.Ever since that day, man kinds’ of emotions have been:Inconsistent,Misleading, andOften plain WRONGDo you know what I’m talking about?One minute you’ll feel happy.The next minute sad.One minute calm.The next you’re steaming angry.One minute radically saved – the next not sure if you are a Christian.Imagine a world in which all of our decisions were based on our feelings. Life run on emotions would be chaos!! That’s why we don’t feel the Holy Spirit – we sense Him. The difference between a born-again child of God and an unsaved person is - the One lives by faith, while the world runs on emotion. That’s what they should be seeing in US - active faith.The good news is the more we walk in faith, the more our feelings start lining up with faith.Ralph Wald Emerson said:“All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen.”Here’s a stern warning:Hebrews 3:9 – Where your fathers tried (My patience) and tested (My forbearance) (tolerance) and found I stood their test, and they saw My works for 40 years.Their faith-less life caused them to be “skape met bokneigings”. Sheep with Goat attitudesMany times, we know and believe God has come through for us and still we chose to be “faithless”, negative, ungodly and disobedient and long to go back to the Egypt ways.The real reason why Israel missed the promised land and God’s best for them. Only a faith-filled Joshua generation went in.Romans 11:19-21 - 19They were pruned (broken) off so that we might be grafted in. 20That is true. But they were broken (pruned) off because of their unbelief (their lack of real faith), and you are established through Faith (because you believe). So do not become proud and conceited but rather stand in awe and be reverently afraid. 21For if God did not spare the natural branches (because of unbelief), neither will He spare you (if you are guilty of the same offense).James 2:14 (Msg) -Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really, has it? (No!)In closing:How is your faith walk? Is your “Faith” showing itself through your daily actions?- o O o -
Let’s walk in the light - Pastor Kobus Massyn29-9-2024Psalm 18:28 (Amp) - 28For You cause my lamp to be lighted and to shine; The LORD my God illumines my darkness.The lamp… Matthew 5:16 (Amp) - 16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.My light comes from the LordPsalm 119:105 (Amp) - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.Proverbs 6:23 (Amp) - For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs (rebukes) for discipline are the way of life,Ephesians 5:8-9 (NIV) - 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10and find out what pleases the Lord.1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) - But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.2 Samuel 22:29 (Amp) - “For You, O LORD, are my lamp; the LORD illumines and dispels my darknessJob 29:3 (Amp) - When His lamp shone upon my head and by His light I walked through darkness;Give me oilMatthew 25:1-13 (Amp)1“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins, who took their lamps and went to [a]meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish [thoughtless, silly, and careless], and five were wise [far-sighted, practical, and sensible]. 3For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them, 4but the wise took flasks of oil along with their lamps. 5Now while the bridegroom was delayed, they all began to nod off, and they fell asleep. 6But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! The bridegroom [is coming]! Go out to meet him.’ 7Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order [trimmed the wicks and added oil and lit them]. 8But the foolish virgins said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise replied, ‘No, otherwise there will not be enough for us and for you, too; go instead to the dealers and buy oil for yourselves.’ 10But while they were going away to buy oil, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast; and the door was shut and locked. 11Later the others also came, and said, ‘Lord, Lord, open [the door] for us.’ 12But He replied, ‘I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I do not know you [we have no relationship].’ 13Therefore, be on the alert [be prepared and ready], for you do not know the day nor the hour [when the Son of Man will come].My lamp is what matters2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (Amp) - 9but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough-always available-regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 10So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].Matthew 5:14a - “You are the light of the world.John 8:12 - When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”Luke 2:30-32 - 30For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”John 9:5
My free will is allowing God’s will - By Pastor Kobus MassynJohn 18:1-111When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a garden, and he and his disciples went into it. 2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” 5“Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7Again he asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they said. 8Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If you are looking for me, then let these men go.” 9This happened so that the words he had spoken would be fulfilled: “I have not lost one of those you gave me.” 10Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) 11Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”Luke 22:47-5147While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, 48but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” 50And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. 51But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.Exodus 21:6'Then his master shall bring him to God [that is, to the judges who act in God’s name], then he shall bring him to the door or doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl (strong needle); and he shall serve him for life.Matthew 6:14-15'For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others [nurturing your hurt and anger with the result thatit interferes with your relationship with God], then your Father will not forgive your trespasses. 'Colossians 1:14'In whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty]. '2 Peter 1:5-95For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
My mission is to LOVE. The way He wants me to love - By Pastor Kobus MassynSermon scripture: John 21:15-17Supporting scriptures:skills and valuesPsalm 1:3, Eph 3:17,Acts17:28, John 15:1- 8,Agape loveJohn 15:17, Matt 22:37-39, 1Joh4:16, John 13:35,Rom 5:5, Gal 5:22, 2Kor 9:7Sermon scripture: John 21:15-17 (Amp) - 15So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do--with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.”16Again He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.”17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?”And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.Skills and ValuesPsalm 1:3 (Amp) - 3And he will be like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season; Its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity].Ephesians 3:17 (Amp) - 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love,Acts17:28 (Amp) - 28For in Him we live and move and exist [that is, in Him we actually have our being], as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’John 15:1- 8 (Amp) - 1“I am the true Vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit,He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. 3You are already clean because of the word which I have given you [the teachings which I have discussed with you].4Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me. 5I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.6If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken off] branch, and withers and dies; and they gather such branches and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you. 8My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples.Agape loveJohn 15:17 (Amp) - 17This [is what] I command you: that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another. Matthew 22:37-39 (Amp) - 37And Jesus replied to him, “‘you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38this is the first and greatest commandment. 39the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 1 John 4:16 (Amp) - 16We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him. John 13:35 (Amp) - 35By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” Romans 5:5 (Amp) - 5Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Galatians 5:22-23 (Amp) - 22But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (Amp) - 7Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].
Sermon theme: Call me by my new name AKA Overcomer.Sermon scripture: Genesis 32:24-30supporting scriptures: Rev 2:7 Rev 2:11 Rev 2:17 Rev 2:26 Rev 3:5 Rev 3:12 Rev 3:21 Rev 21:7 Rev 5:5 Heb11:1 Phil 4:13Genesis 32:24-30 - 24 -So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak. 25When the man saw that he could not overpower him, he touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched as he wrestled with the man. 26Then the man said, “Let me go, for it is daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” 27The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. 28Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” 29Jacob said, “Please tell me your name.” But he replied, “Why do you ask my name?” Then he blessed him there. 30So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”Revelation 2:7 (NIV) – 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.Revelation 2:11 (NIV) – Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.Revelation 2:17 (NIV) – Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.Revelation 2:26 (NIV) - To the one who is victorious and does My will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.Revelation 3:5 (NIV) - The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before My Father and His angels.Revelation 3:12(NIV) - The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name.Revelation 3:21 (NIV) - To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on My Throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with My Father on His throne.Revelation 21:7 (NIV) - Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My childrenRevelation 5:5 (NIV) – Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.”Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) - Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.
TIMEby Pastor George Lehman Today we have had 237 days of time and 136 days left to Year End. Time is such an important commodity.Time allows us to learn, grow, and improve. God speaks to those who take Time to listen.If you could be given time back to rectify mistakes or start over again, what would you change if you had that time back?If everyone were met by an angel tonight and everyone was given a guaranteed 24 hours of time,Before Jesus comes to fetch you, what would you begin to do in the next 23h55 minutes?All of us here have been created equal in this one respect. Each person has been given 24 hours each day, 7 days a week (None of us were given a bit more or less) The difference between people is determined by what we do with the amount of Time given to us. It’s not how many hours you put in, but how much you put into the hours. Ephesians 5:15-16 - “Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless*(foolish, idiotic) but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),16 Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.”God takes the time He gives us seriously and so should we!Remember, every minute spent angry, is Sixty Seconds of wasted Joy. We need to make every second count, because we either positively or negatively influencing others or ourselves.The Times demand sober living. (Dis tyd dat ons moet begin om nugter te lewe.)I believe God is saying to His Church: We are living in a Time of Grace. He is giving us a Time of favour to become a mighty instrument in His hand to become effective and useful, to break out of Luke-warmness and compromise. But for us to become an instrument in God’s hand, we are going to have to look at how we are using our time given to us 24 hours a day, each day. We need to make sure we don’t waste valuable Time on things that have no eternal value. And making sure that we are actively addressing those things in our lives that we know are not right with God. 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (Amp) - “Labouring together [as God’s fellow workers] with Him then, we beg of you not to receive the grace of God in vain [that merciful kindness by which God exerts His holy influence on souls and turns them to Christ, keeping and strengthening them—do not receive it to no purpose]. 2 For He says, In the time of Favor (of an assured welcome) I have listened to and heeded your call, and I have helped you on the day of deliverance (the day of salvation). Behold, now is truly the time for a gracious welcome and acceptance [of you from God]; behold, now is the day of salvation!We must make the most of the Time given to us. It has been my observation that many Christians get ahead, during the time that others waste. We need to ask: “LORD what am I spending my time on that You give me” Don’t waste time! Have you ever used this quote?This is a true expression and a good thought – But its really not accurate, when you waste time, its not time you are wasting, its your very life Activity equals accomplishment. Activity is not accomplishment; hard work is not results.We should not ask ourselves whether we’re busy,But what are we busy with. We serve a God who is interested in results. It’s not how much we do, that matters, it’s how much we get done. In other words, don’t spend R100-00 worth of time on 10 cents worth of results. We have a real bad habit of putting things off for tomorrow. What you put off until tomorrow, you’ll probably put off tomorrow too. The lazier and uncommitted a person is, the more he is going to do tomorrow.“Psalm 23”The TV (the mobile phone) is my Shepherd;I shall not want.It makes me lie down on the sofa.It leads me away from the Scriptures,It destroys my soul.It leads me in the paths of distraction and violence,For the sponsor’s sake.Yea, though I walk in the shadow of myChristian responsibilities,There will be no interruptions;For the TV and (mobile phone) is with me.It’s cable and it’s remote control—They comfort me.It prepares a commercial before me,In the presence of my worldliness.It anoints my head with humanism.My coveting runneth over.Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow meall the days of my life.And I shall dwell in the houseWatching TV and my mobile forever.TV and may I add, mobile devices are one of the major causes of wasted time.Tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy man. Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring forth.Romans 13:11-14 “11 Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. 12-13 The night is far gone; the day of his return will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armour of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behaviour. Don’t spend your time in wild parties and getting drunk or in adultery and lust or fighting or jealousy. 14 But ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you live as you should, and don’t make plans to enjoy evil.We really need to take control of the time that God has given us.Every time you look at your watch on your arm, in your car, on the wall – Ask yourself: “How am I using time?”Don’t be like the airline pilot flying over the Pacific Ocean, who reported to his passengers: “We’re lost, but we’re making great time.”Going places but really going nowhere ® we need to be going somewhere with purpose on purpose.It’s called procrastination. Sitting and doing nothing. (Dis soos makeer die pas.) You are marching but going nowhere. It’s like walking on a treadmill.The first step in overcoming procrastination is to get rid of all excuses and reasons for not taking decisive and immediate action.The best time of the day is now.It’s not so much that you are going through the Christian motions -but are you progressing, are you growing.We are called to: - Make progress and not excuses. We must realise that when we choose to kill time. We begin to kill those wonderful gifts, abilities and talents the successes, the calling, the usefulness, which God has placed within your life. Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB) – If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.Psalm 90:12 - “So teach us to number our days, that we may get us a heart of wisdom.Colossians 4:5 - “Behave yourself wisely (living carefully and with discretion) in your relations with those of the outside world (non-Christians) making the very most of the Time and seizing the opportunity.”
JUDGING # 2Pastor George LehmanGod has a very clear opinion in His word on this subject.In public, guard your tongue, in private, your thoughts. Psalm 19:14 - “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight,Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” (Our thinking and speaking must honour God)To re-cap on last Sunday:We said: - When it comes to judging most of us are either - Ignorant or Disobedient(As of today – ignorance won’t be an excuse)However, whichever it may beIf we don’t guard our heart and our tongue when it comes to judging……We will cause major damage to God’s Kingdom and to an unsaved world out there.Do you realise Judging is a choice. Let us continue now to look at what the scriptures say on this subject.There are some scriptures that say we may not “judge” and just about as many that say we must. Here are some clear examples against “judging”.Matthew 7:1-5 - “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (These were not idle words!)Don’t be surprised or take offence when you are judged.Here Jesus makes it very clear do not judge, if you do, the same judgement will come back to you.It’s on 2 levels: Human level Divine level.Here Paul addresses religious people.Romans 2: 1-3 - “Therefore, you have no excuse or defence or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce].2 [But] we know that the judgment (adverse verdict, sentence) of God falls justly and in accordance with truth upon those who practice such things.3And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict? Have you ever noticed that religious people often think because they perceive to know what is right and can prove others wrong. This now proves them right. Rather win a friend than win an argument. In fact, people who are always judging others are usually wrong themselves.James 4:11-12 - 11“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbour?Galatians 5:14(Amp) – For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept. You shall love your neighbour as [you do] yourself. James makes it very clear – bad mouthing or evil speaking of another person is actually judging that person. Here are some scriptures for judging.John 7:24 – Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgement.I Corinthians 5:1-5 (NIV) – It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.2And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this?3Though I am not physically present; I am with you in spirit. And I have already passed judgment on the one who did this, just as if I were present. 4When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,5hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 2:6-11 – (Restore the person)Notice Paul said he had already judged – and he wanted the Corinthians to endorse his Judgement.He actually asked for a serious judgement – to hand the man over to satan.I Corinthians 5:11-13 (NIV) – But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 12What business is it of mine to judge those outside of church? Are you not to judge those inside?Those on the outside – are the unbelievers.Those on the inside are the believers.Paul is saying we are not responsible to judge the unbeliever, but we are required to judge our fellow believers.The scripture does not contradict itself but gives a clear pattern of who can judge.The main biblical reason for judging was never meant to punish the wicked,It’s not The primary function of judging is to protect the righteous.We will rule and judge in heaven. I Corinthians 6:3 - “Do you not know also that we [Christians] are to judge the [very] angels and pronounce opinion between right and wrong [for them]? How much more then [as to] matters pertaining to this world and of this life only! – I would like to touch on the subject of the judgment seat of Christ.This is a judgement that nobody shares with God.Romans 2:16 Paul say’s the day will surely come when“At God’s command Jesus Christ will judge the secret lives of everyone, their inmost thought and motives, this is all part of Gods great plan which I proclaim.This was for all believers – not a judgement of unbelievers.Romans 8:1 - There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus.It’s a judgment to evaluate our service.I Peter 4:17 – For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God’s own children. And if even we who are Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed in the Lord?II Corinthians 5:10 – For we must all stand before Christ to be judged and have our lives laid bare, before Him. Each will receive whatever he deserves for the good or bad things he has done in his earthly body.Once you grasp this fact – you and I will rather make ourselves busy with looking at our own lives.Judging ourselves so we don’t have time passing judgement on other people.We will be wise to know how our lives affect other people. Romans 14:13 – Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather, try instead to live in such a way, that you will never make your brother stumble, by letting him see you doing something he thinks is wrong.How we need to judge our own lives and make sure our own actions and motives are in line with God’s requirements.What are we responsible to judge?We are responsible to judge, ourselves, personal conduct and relationships.Not by our own estimationsNot by our own opinionsNot by our feelings BUT…By the clear teaching and standards revealed in the word of God (our final judge)NOTE: John 12:47-49 - 47“If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. 48There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 49For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken.
JUDGING #1byPastor George LehmanPeople tend to judge others about various aspects, including: Appearance Personality Behaviour Choices Beliefs Mistakes Background SuccessesRemember, judging others often stems from personal biases, insecurities, or limited understanding.Practicing love, empathy and self-reflection – these will help us become more accepting and less judgmental. “In public, guard your tongue. In private, your thoughts.”I think, when it comes to the subject of Judging.It’s possibly one of the misunderstood and difficult subjects to come to grips with, because it starts with me first.Why do I say this?Well, it’s because Christians are partly ignorant and partly disobedient.The result is, we act contrary to scripture “and thereby, just satisfy the flesh”. Our default is to judge. And OH!! Boy can we get ourselves in hot water.“We should be rigorous (strong) in judging ourselves and gracious in judging others.” - John WesleyI think we need to look at this teaching on Judging with the following scripture as our guide.Romans 2:1-3 (Amp) - “Therefore you have no excuse or defence or justification, O man, whoever you are who judges and condemns another. For in posing as judge and passing sentence on another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge are habitually practicing the very same things [that you censure and denounce].2 [But] we know that the judgment (adverse verdict, sentence) of God falls justly and in accordance with truth upon those who practice such things.3 And do you think or imagine, O man, when you judge and condemn those who practice such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape God’s judgment and elude His sentence and adverse verdict?The word Judging (oordeel) as shown throughout the New Testament scripture.The Greek word used in the bible 114 times is “KRINO”: To Judge in the sense of condemnation, to sentence or punish. – To express a usually negative opinion about someone or something, to criticize. When I do this I open a door to the enemy and I am the one who suffers.Just by reading this we can see for ourselves that Judging this way is very bad, unacceptable and dangerous.Because it gives the devil a foothold, destroys relationships, breaks up ministries and neutralises your testimony.How important is this: Make sure you have all the facts before you set yourself up as judge.Most problems arise from this very important failure!! Taking sides.Think about this. What colour robe does Jesus give to believers? White.What colour robe do judges wear – Black. There might just be a lesson here.Galatians 2:6 Paul says – “God does not judge by “external appearances”In other words, God looks where it’s really going wrong: -He looks at the heart. God is in the heart correcting business.Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly perverse and corrupt and severely, mortally sick! Who can know it [perceive, understand, be acquainted with his own heart and mind]? Scripture warns us not to judge others based on our own self-righteousness because we all fall short of the glory of God and only God can know the state of anyone’s heartYou see judging is a heart thing, and an attitude thing.Jesus said in John 7:24 – Be honest in your judgement and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously)It’s when I’ve done the mirror on the wall test first –In other words,I Corinthians 11:31 - “For if we searchingly examined ourselves [detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition], we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment]. A guy was sailing for Europe on one of the great transatlantic ocean liners. When he went on board, he found that another passenger was to share the cabin with him. After going to see the accommodations, he came up to the reception’s desk and inquired if he could leave his gold watch and other valuables in the ship’s safe.He explained that ordinarily he never availed himself of that privilege, but he had been to his cabin and had met the man who was to occupy the other berth.Judging from his appearance, he was afraid that he might not be a very trustworthy person.The receptionist accepted the responsibility for the valuables and remarked, ’It’s all right, bishop, I’ll be very glad to take care of them for you. The other man has been up here and left his for the same reason!’“Jesus tells us, “Judge not lest ye be judged” Matthew 7:1It should be obvious to any practicing Christian; Jesus didn’t intend for this verse to obliterate (uitwis) our ability to judge between behavior that the Bible encourages and behavior that the Bible forbids.The beam (balk) Splinter thingThen and only then may I even look at the situation – then with an attitude of great care and caution make your judgement.What a different place this world our homes our work, our church and our relationships would be like if we practiced judging at this level.We are all struggling, so let us be gentle with one another. We most times don’t know what their struggles are. Let us focus on our own growth, and issues we need to overcome. We all have lots to deal with.1 Corinthians 11:31 – For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. Romans 2:4 (Amp) - Or are you [so blind as to[ trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact ] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)?Next week we will be looking at things like – Who is authorized to Judge? When is judgement called for? What are we authorized to Judge? Where are our limits? Why does our attitude matter?
CONTENTMENTby Pastor George LehmanContentment is what’s on God’s heart for us.Contentment[tevredenheid] is accepting what God has given you and by His strength, making the most of it.This word will bring real meaning to your spiritual race.1 Timothy 6:6-7 (Amp) – 6 [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world;Having things is not the problem; it’s when the things have you!God will not invest, if there’s going to be NO RETURN.This should give you confidence because God believes in His investment in you!!!A content life is a reservoir of abundance.What TENT did you live in?We live in one of two tents.Content… OrDiscontent“A content heart is the greatest blessing a man can enjoy in this world.” - Joseph Addison.Someone said: “When we cannot find Godly contentment in ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” Here’s the real issue:So many people are always wishing things were different or better or nicer or more comfortable this is a great way to torture yourself.The truth is – always appreciate what you have. There is always someone out there who wishes that they had what you have.This world is really run on discontentment. We find fault with our work, our boss, our church and other people.Our old sinful nature is generally discontent.How many people become discontent because there’s a new Cell phone, TV, bike that they don’t have.So, they feel discontent if only I can have !!!!So many people are trying to fill a void with things that will never satisfy.Today again….God is calling us to make radical adjustments to our lives.“They say wealth is like sea water – the more you drink the thirstier you become.”Asking John D. Rockefeller, how much money it took to make a man happy, his reply was, “Just a little bit more”.Please follow this very carefully:The bible calls us to our convictions not our circumstances, to govern our sense of contentment.Convictions = Is to follow and believe God’s word.True biblical contentment is a conviction that Christ’s power, purpose and provision is sufficient for every circumstance. Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]”Our growth and maturity are to learn how to walk through every adversity and difficulty fully trusting in Christ’s sufficiency.2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (Amp) – 4 Such is the reliance and confidence that we have through Christ toward and with reference to God. 5 Not that we are fit (qualified and sufficient in ability) of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God.We must be content in our convictions (i.e. what do I believe?) to live content.Please note that from all these scriptures below there is a common thread……you can find contentment only in Jesus Christ and in striving to serve Him (seek first the Kingdom of God – Matthew 6:33).Philippians 4:11-13 (Amp) – 11 Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted(panic) in whatever state I am(Paul is not looking at his circumstance, but his convictions). 12 I know how to be abased(to be brought low) and live humbly in straitened(poverty/restricted) circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. 13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Romans 8:28 (NIV) – 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.Notice – Christ is the source of our contentment.Job 36:11 (NIV) – If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity(immense profit and abundant gain) and their years in contentment. Proverbs 19:23 (NIV) – The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.As God’s child you are called to learn to be content.This is a lifelong process – but well worth the time and sacrifice.How important is contentment when serving Jesus?The wise Solomon said:Ecclesiastes 2:10-11 (NIV) – 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil. 11 Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.Like an engraving on a tombstone said:She died for want of things. He died trying to give them to her.Story of diamond mine:Years ago, Russell Conwell told of an ancient Persian, Ali Hafed, who "owned a very large farm that had orchards, grain fields, and gardens... and was a wealthy contented man."One day a wise man from the East told the farmer all about diamonds and how wealthy he would be if he owned a diamond mine.Ali Hafed went to bed that night a poor man--poor because he was discontented.Craving a mine of diamonds, he sold his farm to search for the rare stones. He travelled the world over, finally becoming so poor, broken, and defeated that he committed suicide.One day the man who purchased Ali Hafed's farm led his camel into the garden to drink. As his camel put its nose into the brook, the man saw a flash of light from the sands of the stream. He pulled out a stone that reflected all the hues of the rainbow. The man had discovered the diamond mine of Golconda, the most magnificent mine in all history.Had Ali Hafed remained contente at home and dug in his own garden, then instead of death in a strange land, he would have had acres of diamonds.Hebrews 13:5 (NIV) – Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”1 Timothy 6:6-7 (Amp) – 6 [And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world.
Sermon - 28-07-2025Pastor Joe van der BergMore like Jesus2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV)17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate a the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV)But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.Colossians 2:13-14 (NIV)13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross.1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”Colossians 3:3 (NIV)For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.Ephesians 4:30-32 (NIV)30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.Psalm 139:17-18 (NIV)17How precious to me are your thoughts, a God! How vast is the sum of them! 18Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand - when I awake, I am still with you.Romans 2:4 (NIV)Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?Romans 4:7-8 (NIV)7“Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 8Blessed is the onewhose sin the Lord will never count against them.”Jeremiah 6:16 (NIV)This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’
Trust in the Lord! - By Pastor Kobus Massyn14-07-2024Key scripture:Luke 17:5-61 And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come, but woe to him by or through whom they come!2 It would be more profitable for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea than that he should cause to sin or be a snare to one of these little ones [lowly in rank or influence].3 Pay attention and always be on your guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him.4 And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).5The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith (that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God). 6And the Lord answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.’Faith vs TrustFaith - pístis (from 3982/peithô, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust); faith.Faith - pistis ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion"Trust- pepoíthēsis (a feminine noun derived from /peíthō, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion; used of human confidence (deluded self-persuasion in Phil 3:4)Trust – mental assessment / sense and knowledgeTrust- peíthō(the root of pístis, "faith") – to persuade; (passive) be persuaded of what is trustworthy.Trust that God is Sovereign!Colossians 1:16-17'For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities;all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).Trust that God knows best!Rom 8:28' We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.’Trust is bracing yourself!Ephesians 6:11' Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.'Exercise to trustGalatians 6:7-9Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.’
The inward life.by Pastor George Lehman Our outward life is what we project on the outside and it reveals what’s going on, on the inside.Philippians 1:6 (Amp) – And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. The outward work will never be weak, small, insignificant or inadequate if the inward work is great.“A man who, as a physical being, is always turned toward the outside, thinking that his happiness lies outside him, finally turns inward and discovers that the source is within him.” - Soren Kierkegaard (We try living our lives from the outside – inward)You don’t have to come out of the spirit realm.This is the great discoveryThe same closeness, strength, joy, confidence and direction you experience on a Sunday service……. God intends for you to walk in the rest of the week.The measure of a man is not what he does on Sunday, but rather who he is Monday through Saturday.The devil is waiting to ambush you the moment you leave church.He wants to bring to your mind thoughts of fear, failure, doubt, unbelief and destruction.You got the Monday blues...? Put on your Holy Ghost shoes!We must “Arm ourselves” – as believers we must guard our minds and hearts. The Armour of God is a Spiritual Armour, not a flesh armour.Like an alarm Keypad when you put in the correct code the property is ARMED and no one can break in without the alarm being activated. The code is the word of God! As spiritual creatures the word says:2 Corinthians 5:5-7 (NIV) – 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.Clearly, we are commanded to live in the Spirit and not in the natural.Romans 8:5 (NIV) – Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:8-9 (NIV) – 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. We must be conscious of our inner life all the time. It’s the engine room from where we live.Romans 8:14 (NIV) – For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. Romans 8:16 (NIV) – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Proverbs 20:27 (NIV) – The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.Your inner life is your most valuable possession.As Christians we can expect God to enlighten us and to guide us by the powerful inner working of the spirit.With the inner life we are magnificently equipped to face whatever life throws at us.Ephesians 3:16 (Amp) – May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality],The Peasants story:The story of John Tauler, the 14th century Dominican monk whose writings so greatly influenced Martin Luther.One day, we are told, Tauler was walking in the city of Strasbourg when he met a peasant.By way of greeting the man, the monk said, “God give you a good day, my friend”.“I thank God I never have a bad day,” answered the peasant.Astonished, Tauler was silent for a moment, then tried again. “God give you a happy life, my friend.”The peasant replied, “I thank God I am never unhappy.”“Never unhappy?” cried Tauler, bewildered. “What do you mean?”“Well,” came the response,“when it is fine I thank God,when it rains I thank God,when I have plenty I thank God,when I am hungry, I thank God, and since God’s will is my will, and whatever pleases Him pleases me, why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?”Tauler looked at him with awe. “Who are you?” he asked.“I am a king” said the peasant.“A king? Where is your kingdom?”The peasant smiled, “In my heart,” he whispered.The problem is many times we seek answers and guidance by some means other than the way God said we should.When we do we get into trouble.Our inner man is always willing but our natural man resists.Jesus warned us:Matthew 26:41 (NIV) – “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”Clearly continuous prayer keeps the inner life alive.The advantage of living the inner life in the Spirit is that it keeps us on the right path.Galatians 5:16-17 (NIV) – 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.You can be absolutely sure of this as the inner life goes, so goes the outward life.Have bulldog inward faith:“The nose of the bulldog is slanted backwards so he can continue to breathe without letting go.” - Winston ChurchillOne person with commitment, persistence and endurance will accomplish more than a thousand people with interest alone.Hebrews 12:1 (LB) – Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back, and especially those sins that wrap themselves so tightly around our feet and trip us up; and let us run with patience the particular race that God has set before us.The stronger the inner life, the harder it is to quit!!!1 Corinthians 15:58 (Amp) – Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
REPENTANCEby Pastor George LehmanAdmitting sins; is no substitute for quitting sin.This sermon of Peter had a great life changing impact. Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Each of you (None of us is exempted) must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The sermon of ± 2 min long – had an incredible result – 3000 people became Christians. Notice ACTS 2 verse 41. “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”The word Peter used – Repent – the actual meaning of the word in Greek is “Metanoeo” which means: -1) Changing of purpose – Not to continue a wrongful purpose.2) A complete change in direction 180° turn to go the opposite way. It’s a change of mind.The person who is truly repentant – is a person who forsakes their sin and turns and follows Jesus –2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.You cannot be (born again) saved or converted without genuine “repentance”.2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinary patient) towards you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.Acts 17:30 – In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to “repent”.Jesus’ message.Mark 1:14-15 - 14Now after John was arrested and put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News (the gospel of the Kingdom).15And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe the Good News the Gospel.Paul spoke a lot about repentance as wellActs 26:20b – I preached that they should “repent” and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.Many Christians are under the wrong impression that: - Repentance is only for the Lost or the unsaved. Boy do I have news for you: Repentance must be a daily exercise for each and every Christian.I want to talk to you about the blessing of repentance.The problem with the church of today as in Jesus’ day. It’s easy to point out the faults others and their mistakes; but very slow to examine our own lives. Quick to judge others but slow to repent ourselves.Revelation 2:5 - Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. No repentance – No revival ] Victory Without repentance – there’s no forgiveness ] lies on the Without repentance – there is no freedom ] other side of Without repentance – there is no blessing. ] repentanceWhy was David a man after the heart of God? Because he understood the meaning and result of repentance.Here’s a journey to victory as an example to us from David's life of repentance.PSALM 32:Verse 1: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.This verse does not say “blessed is he who never sins”. God will have that we don’t sin but when we do: - He wants us to repent and receive forgiveness.Verse 2: Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.1 John 1:9 (Amp) – If we (freely) admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins (dismiss our lawlessness) and (continuously) cleanse us from all unrighteousness (everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought and action).What an awesome freedom to know that the blood of Jesus has us covered.A repentant heart will never want or allow deceit* into it.(“Deceit”: - dishonesty – unfaithful)Verse 3 When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.Refusing to repent will drag you down, it will make you sick, miserable.You won’t experience spiritual renewal.Instead of mounting up on eagle’s wings, you’ll feel like an ostrich.Acts 3:19 – Now repent change your mind and attitude to God and turn to him so he can cleanse away your sins – and send you wonderful times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Verse 4: For day and night your hand was heavy on me;my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. The conviction of the Holy Spirit is weighty and powerfulRevelation 3:19 – Those whom I dearly love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten (I discipline and instruct them). So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent (changing your mind and your attitude.)The devil condemns: Rejection, guilt, shame, despair.God convicts: Prompts a desire to change, take responsibility, leads to repentance.You sense you are in a dry place – repentance brings water into that desert. Verse 5: Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.This needs to be the very cry of every child of God.This is a genuine heart of repentance.Isaiah 43:25 – I even I am He who blots out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Verse 6: Therefore, let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.Repentance is for everyone who considers themselves a child of God; Must pray continually repenting cleansing the temple – while the door of Grace is still wide open.Verse 7: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.You are my hiding place (stronghold) is a person who habitually repents and judges his life, his sins and his conduct.This will remove the enemy’s stronghold and leave a clean house for God to live in.Verse 8: I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.Because of David’s repentant heart, God begins to speak –Isn’t it amazing how clearly, we hear the voice and guidance of God when we have a clear channel – cleaned by repentance.Verse 9: Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.God is saying don’t be stubborn because it’s a form of rebellionWe must be so careful if we are slow to repent – He may just have to stick a bit in your mouth Proverbs 26:3 - A whip for a horse a bridle for a donkey and a rod for the fools back.Verse 10: Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.God is full of mercy and is more ready to forgive your sins – than what you are willing to repent from them.You see – repentance is how we access – His mercy and forgiveness.Just the presence of the CMA God ordained ministry was brought about because God loved you Bikers. Verse 11: Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!Repentance brings Joy and blessings and peace it unleashes the fruit of the Spirit in your life.Because you are vertically right you will be horizontally right.The sad thing is that so many Christians don’t think it’s necessary to repent and so they became stiff necked.Proverbs 29:1 – A man who remains stiff necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed -without remedy.Luke 15:7 – Thus I tell you, there will be more Joy in heaven over one wicked person who repents (changes his mind, abhorring his errors and misdeeds, and determines to enter upon a better course of life) than over ninety-nine righteous persons who have no need of repentance.Jesus will not be Saviour without behaviour if you’ve allowed Him to be Saviour He’ll change your behaviour.
Fathers at the Frontlines:Standing Strong in the Face of AdversityBy Pastor George LehmanFather is an appointed position from God; He has a very specific role.A father is neither an anchor nor a sail, but a guiding light in the sea of life1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. On Mother's Day many pastors across the nation praise our moms for her sacrifices, her dedication and everybody rejoices, we give her honour, some even weep.But on Father's Day there is this tendency to talk about absentee father's, deadbeat dad's statistics are repeated about his failures, and we lay on the guilt for not being there for the kids.If you look up the word ''father'' in the dictionary it occurs just before the word ''fatigue,'' and just after the word, ''fathead!''Women today are looking for the ideal man. What does that even mean?He must be strong, good looking, aggressive, successful, dependable, well-dressed, and a responsible businessman, He must be interested in all things and excel in most. He must be a super spiritual leader in the home. Have you seen anyone that fits that description? Take heart, neither has any woman.What is a total complete man, might I ask? He is the one who understands and accepts the responsibility for the development of his mental, emotional, and spiritual capacity and demonstrates this by his maturing attitude and actions in his personal life, his home life, his vocational life, his social life, and his spiritual life. Right?A father standing strong in the face of adversity.1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”A good father is an example of what it means to be a man of faith.Psalm 22:4-5 - “Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to you, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.”From one generation to another, we pass on the faith, we are to point our family and friends to Jesus Christ.1 Thessalonians 2:11-12(Amp) – 11For you know how, as a father [dealing with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating and encouraging and charging you. 12To live lives worthy of God, Who calls you into His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness [into which true believers will enter after Christ’s return]. We need men who have both a knowledge of God’s Word and the conviction to follow that Word: Men of faith who aren’t afraid to live out their faith before the world and in their homes consistently 24/7.1 Kings 22:42-43 - “Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD:Research has established that parents can have a significant impact on the religious beliefs and practices of their children. In one recent study it was found that fathers who frequently attend church, discuss religion at home, and are committed to their religion have sons who follow the same pattern concerning religious values and behavior.Interestingly, fathers who did not do these three things had an inconsistent pattern of influence over their son’s religious responses. - Dr. Michael Green, Kindred Spirit, Autumn, 1989A good father exhibits purity and holiness1 Timothy 2:8 - “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”God wants us to be pure in everything we think, say, see and do. God is looking for men who aren't afraid to strive to live holy lives.Malachi 4:5-6 - “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”What a premium, the Bible places on fatherhood.Psalm 128:1-2 (Amp) - “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who fears, reveres, and worships the Lord, who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments. 2. For you shall eat [the fruit] of the labour of your hands; happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) shall you be, and it shall be well with you. “ You say pastor, I just feel so in inadequate as a father. Well, so do I my friend.That's the reason I'm glad for the Psalm 127:1 ''Except the Lord build a house, they labour in vain that build it.''You see, we can't do it alone, God will do it and he'll do it in us.Listen, I don't know what kind of family you came from.I don't know what your background is.There may be some who are sitting here today, you were raised in a home where there was child abuse.You were raised in a home where there was drunkenness.You were raised in a home where there was greed and selfishness.There may some sitting here, that would say I'd give anything, if my daddy would just put his arms around my neck and tell me he loves me.If my dad would just tell me he loves me.The deepest need of your heart is for a dad just to hug you and say, I accept you, you're good, I approve you.But you don't have a dad like that and maybe you never will have a dad like that, please listen to me, somebody has to break the cycle! We cannot camp out at our place of hurt.You can't do anything about your past, but you can certainly do something about your future. How has what happened to you stopped God from restoring and restarting your new life?I mean you can say, maybe I didn't have that kind of a home, but thank God I have a church family and I have a pastor and I've got the word of God , I have Jesus and I can break the cycle.And the Bible says in Psalm 128:6 Yes, may you see your children’s children. That is, I'm going to see the peace of God upon my children's children, if you'll start today, and trust God.One father said, if I had it to do all over again, here's what I would do. I'd love my wife more in front of my children.I'd laugh with my children more at our mistakes and our joys. I'd listen more, even to the youngest child.I'd be more honest about my own weaknesses and stop pretending perfection.I would pray differently for my children. Instead of focusing on them,I'd focus on being like Jesus in me.I would do more things with my children.I would be more encouraging and bestow more praise.I would pay more attention to little things, deeds and words of love and kindness.And finally, if I had it to do all over again, I would share God more intimately with my family. I would use every ordinary thing that happened in every ordinary day to point them to Jesus.
Character Development - By: Pastor George LehmanWe are who we are before God nothing more and nothing less. “Character is what God, and the angels know of us; reputation is what people think of us.” Horace Mann.Godly excellence flows from Godly character.No character, no excellence.2 Peter 1:5 - In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with (Goodness) a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledgeMoral – Its about the Principles of right and wrong behaviour.Have you ever stopped to think what God sees when He looks into the depth of your being? What kind of person does He find in you?Sadly, so many Christians live so carelessly it doesn’t even bother them!!Are you:Loving, generous, full of the fruit of the Spirit, with a serving forgiving heart?OR are you:full of anger, bitterness, and self-centeredness, walking with un-forgiveness?Who you are determines how you will react to any and every situation whether good or bad; positive or negative; favourable or unfavourable –KNOW THIS:- God is in the character development business.He is more interested in your Character than your comfort.Ephesians 4:23-24 (Msg) - “A life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces His ‘character’ in US.”God is committed to develop, discipline and to stretching our lives to form our characters so we will become vessels of honour for His use. We are in the University of God getting our degree in Character Development.Luke 6:40(NLT) – Students are not above their teacher but everyone who is fully trained will be like their Teacher. Prove of His unending love and involvement in our lives.Philippians 1:6 (Amp) - And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. No matter how long it takes or how uncomfortable it makes you feel as long as there is growth, it’s our responsibility to partner with God in this lifelong process.One thing we must clearly understand is that the destiny and fulfilment of our purpose lies in a fine balance of: God’s awesome grace and sovereignty.2. Human responsibility We are ultimately responsible for responding:- Correctly;- Godly and- Biblically.Not just any old way will do.The way you respond to situations will determine the character you will possess.Like so many sad stories of failure in the word of God.Reuben was Jacob and Leah’s son. He lost his birth right to Joseph.Genesis 49:3-4 (Amp) - Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the beginning (the first fruits) of my manly strength and vigor; [your birthright gave you] the preeminence in dignity and the preeminence in power. But unstable and boiling over like water, you shall not excel and have the preeminence [of the firstborn], because you went to your father's bed; you defiled it - he went to my couch!Reuben thought it didn’t matter about his quality of character, he will receive the blessing and inheritance anyway.Reuben was born into greatness, but there is not guarantee that he would become great. He had a failed CharacterYou cannot think if you violate God’s word and live with wilful deliberate sin and an ungodly Character there won’t be consequences.So it is with us, if you want to receive ‘the best which is to come’ you need to be committed to personal character development.“Not education, but character, is man’s greatest need and man’s greatest safeguard.” Spencer…. So many people are educated beyond their obedience.Definition of Character: Character is the inner life of man. Character is displayed in the actions of an individual under pressure. Character is the sum-total of all the negative and positive qualities in a person’s life.A godly character refers to a person who constantly displays uprightness and characteristics that line up with Jesus’ teachings. To help define what character is: Character is what a person is at this present time.It’s not what you will ideally be in the future; so many Christians live with lots of good intentions, but they put up with poor characters and think I’m okay because I intend becoming a better Christian some day. Change comes when you DO! Not intend to do!It’s when pressure comes to a person’s life, the real person surfaces.You may act and think one way under the blessings of the Lord, BUT quite another way when trials of life are your portion. Character includes a person’s inner thoughts, motives and attitudes, not just a person’s actions.Thoughts, though hidden, indicate the real character of a person. Our motives too are true expressions of the inner man. To change the character of a person, one must go deeper than action. Character does not appear without pressure.The pressures of life, test what the Lord has really accomplished in a person’s character.Deuteronomy 8:2(Amp) – And you shall [earnestly] remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. When the heat is on a person’s character, the true character, surfaces. Ask yourself, “how do I respond to difficulties, disappointments and pressure of everyday life?”The real quality of your character will be consistent, whether the heat is on or off. Character is not only that which other people see on the external, but that which other people DO NOT SEE.Will the real you stand up?People may see only the side of a person that a person wants to display. God sees the real person.Hebrews 4:13 (Amp) - And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do. Do you realize a person can be so involved with outward religious ministry works AND still be ungodly?Proverbs 11:5-6 (Msg) - “Moral character makes for smooth traveling; an evil life is a hard life. Good character is the best insurance; crooks get trapped in their sinful lust.”*moral = standard of behaviour A person’s character can be discerned by the way he treats and respects and honors his family.Character is not just how you treat, respect, and honour your spiritual family; you see it also shows, by how you treat your natural family. Your character development is on God’s heart.2 Peter 1:5 (Msg) - Do not lose a minute in building on what you’ve been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding.The Bible teaches that as we approach the last days the character of the world will become more corrupt BUT God is calling His church to become MATURE in character.
Self-Control is an outer sign of an inner change.(The True you always reveals what’s in you.)By Pastor George Lehman“Though we cannot see the heart, we can see the life” [David Kirkpatrick]Each of the different characteristics of the Fruit of the Spirit focuses on how we respond to God and how we treat other people.John 15:11 – That our joy may be fullJoy and faithfulness are expressed vertically while peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and gentleness bear directly on how we interact with others.And, the juiciest fruit, which is at the centre of our spiritual fruit salad, is love, which has both a horizontal and vertical dimension.HOW TO LIVE A LIFE OF SELF-CONTROL IN A SOCIETY OUT OF CONTROL2 Timothy 3:2-3 - “People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,When the Greeks wanted to illustrate self-control, they built a statue of a man or a woman in perfect proportion.To them, self-control was the proper ordering and balancing of the individual.Husband: “When I get mad, you remain calm and don’t react. How do you maintain your self-control?”Wife: “I just go and clean the toilet.”Husband: “Really How does that help?”Wife: “I use your toothbrush.” Aristotle once said, “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.”The word translated “self-control” in the NIV is rendered “temperance” and in the King James Version.It comes from the word “strength” and means, “one who holds himself in.”To be self-controlled is to not live in bondage to the desires, passions, and appetites of the flesh.While “self-control” is a good translation of the Greek word, it’s a bit deceiving because we all know that we can’t control ourselves simply through our own willpower or self-determination.Self-control is more than just self-help. Paul speaks of our dilemma in Romans 7:18 - “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot carry it out.”We can get a fuller meaning of self-control from Paul’s extended discussion of his ministry in this passage, Paul contrasts exercising control over his body with running “aimlessly”.1 Corinthians 9:25-27 - “25Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.He argues that athletes exercise self-control because they have a clearly defined purpose or goal.They cannot afford to be distracted by every passion or desire that comes along.We can therefore define this final fruit of the Spirit as the “control of the self by the Spirit for the sake of the gospel.”What looks like self-control is actually the result of letting someone else take control.Self-control, biblically speaking, means walking by the Spirit, under the Lordship of Christ.It’s not by human effort or willpower – but by the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit. God will not give us His Spirit of self-control if it were not possible to control-self.In order to fully understand this fruit, it’s helpful to describe what the absence of self-control looks like.Proverbs 25:28 provides a dramatic description of the individual living out of control, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”When the book of Proverbs was written, one of the main sources of strength and protection for a city consisted in the building and maintaining of walls.A wiped-out wall was considered a breach in security.A city with walls in disrepair was a city with a shameful reputation.That’s one of the reasons Nehemiah was so motivated to begin a building campaign in Nehemiah 1:3 - Those who lived in the capital were in “great trouble and disgrace” because the wall of Jerusalem was broken down.” It was open to attack and ultimate destruction.The man or woman who lacks self-restraint is like a city that has no effective defence. They are not able to resist those things that can destroy their lives and the lives of others.SELF-CONTROL or controlling self: Would you agree that most of the other fruit depend on this one.If the enemy is going to attack - this is always a very good target.How to Develop Self-Control#1 - Know God's word(Who God is, what He’s done for you, who are you in Him)The very first thing to enable us to cultivate self-control is knowing God's Word.2 Timothy 3:16 - 16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.And the only way to know God's will is to know his word, and the only way to know his word is to read it, and study it, and hear it often, and apply it.#2 - Be aware of the danger of the lack of self-control.Matthew 5:29-30 - “29If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell.”If anyone doubts that the Bible teaches of the reality of Hell, you have to realize that Jesus is the one that talks the most about Hell.And so, how to develop self-control, number two: be aware of the danger of the lack of self-control. #3 - Be prepared to suffer(You need to be willing to pay the price of following Jesus)Jesus says in Matthew 16:24 to his disciples, what should they do if they want to be his disciples? Well, he says, "They have to deny themselves and pick up their crosses and follow him.Most people who fail at gaining self-control over self. They fail because they think this should come without cost.I Corinthians 10:13 - “No temptation has overtaken you, but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.#4 – PrayJesus in keeping His human body under control required effort, just like the rest of us.How many times we say the Lord’s prayer? We say it by heart. "Lead us not into temptation..." Do we just think that's like a closing thing?Matthew 26:41 - “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”How desperate are you to allow God to help you to become more SELF-CONTROLED?Zechariah 4:6b (Amp) – Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit [of Whom the oil is a symbol], says the Lord of hosts.
Training yourself in Unshakable Resilience!!!Maranatha!!!My faith in ChristJames 2:26 - 'As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.’Luke 17:6 - 'He replied, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it will obey you. ‘Romans 5:3 - 'Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ‘2Pet 1:10 - 'Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, '2 Pet 1:5-9- Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. '2 Peter 1:2-3 - May grace (God's favor) and peace (which is perfect well-being, all necessary good, all spiritual prosperity, and freedom from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts) be multiplied to you in [the full, personal, precise, and correct] knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).'
Ordinary Christians in extra ordinary times - By Pastor George LehmanWhat the world needs is NOT more Christianity but more Christians who practice Christianity.We cannot live ordinary lives anymore!Here Jesus is speaking to the scribes an Pharisees:Mark 7:13 – Jesus said, “Tradition destroys the effect of the Word”.We become comfortable with traditionally doing church and spiritual things,We go through the motions in a way that’s marked with ordinary and don’t by faith - rise up to an extra ordinary life. A life touched by Jesus cannot be the same.Story of a statue in a cemetery in America:It was not a statue of a man, angel, or Mary, but a statue of a dog. They say when his master was buried. The dog followed the procession to the graveyard, and he lay on the grave and wouldn’t leave until he died. They put up a memorial next to his master because he demonstrated extraordinary loyalty.Here’s a story of extra ordinary loyalty:2 Samuel 15:13-21 (Amp) - 13And there came a messenger to David, saying, the hearts of the men of Israel have gone after Absalom. 14David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, Arise and let us flee, or else none of us will escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring evil upon us and smite the city with the sword. 15And the king's servants said to the king, Behold, your servants are ready to do whatever my lord the king says. 16So, the king and all his household after him went forth. But he left ten women who were concubines to keep the house. 17The king went forth with all the people after him and halted at the last house. 18All David's servants passed on beside him, along with [his bodyguards] all the Cherethites, Pelethites; also all the Gittites, 600 men who came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19The king said to Ittai the Gittite, why do you go with us also? Return to your place and remain with the king [Absalom], for you are a foreigner and an exile. 20Since you came only yesterday, should I make you go up and down with us? Since I must go where I may, you return, and take back your brethren with you. May loving-kindness and faithfulness be with you. 21But Ittai answered the king, As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or life, even there also will your servant be. What an extra ordinary dedication to serve his King, “no matter what”.Paul writing to the church in Corinth: (over a period of time ordinary will become lukewarm / backslidden)1 Corinthians 3:3 (Amp) - For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling* (stryery) and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men? (Clearly by this message it’s clear that Paul is talking about an Extra Ordinary life!)Our ordinary should be Extra Ordinary.The Moffett's translation says: “Are you behaving like ordinary people?”Why did God allow these disciplining correcting verses in the Bible? “It was for our good so we can change and serve Him correctly. To live an extra ordinary life.We have come to a time in the history of the world when, for those of us who are Christians it's not acceptable it’s a sin to live ordinary.It's no longer enough to live nominal (not real) lives in a time of phenomenal need.Acts 17:30 -31a(Amp) – 30Such [former] ages of ignorance God, it is true, ignored and allowed to pass unnoticed; but now He charges all people every where to repent (to change their minds for the better and heartily to amend their ways with abhorrence of their past sins). 31Because He has fixed a day when He will judge the world.The words of Josiah G. Holland: God give us men! A time like this demands great hearts, strong minds, and willing hands. (Simply – Extra ordinary Christians)It's not enough that we just be “ordinary people”. This is what Paul was addressing in our scripture – there were ordinary Christians of that day!The gospel would never have been launched if it wasn't for a multitude of extraordinary christians.People who were committed in an extra ordinary way to a truly extra ordinary gospel.It’s no different. Today we serve the same reigning God; have the same powerful anointing an extra ordinary gospel; the same challenges in a needy world.That's why we need to rise above the ordinary, basic, empty, ineffective life and live extra ordinary lives.My greatest desire is to see this church rise up and live extra ordinary Christianity. Serving – going the extra mile. Giving God our reasonable service. Living committed Holy, effective lives – building unity. Being salt and light to a dying world – saying NO to ordinary Christianity.This means we will first of all have to have... Extra ordinary faith.How do you make ordinary extra ordinary – you add a little extra. Fighting the good fight of the faith.We must believe the “But God” factor in our lives. It's knowing and being motivated that God is near and will not forsake us. Extra ordinary faith knows “The Lord is my shepherd” and “we shall not want”.Take a faith step and attempt something extra ordinary in an extra ordinary way.We also need...2: Extra ordinary conduct. Philippians 1:27 (Amp) - Only be sure as citizens so to CONDUCT yourselves (that) your manner of life (will be) WORTHY of the good news (the gospel) of Christ...As someone has said: The world at its worst needs the church at its best.Jesus asked a very pointed question of His disciples – which can be asked of us...Matthew 5:47(Amp) - “... what more than others are you doing?”Are you behaving like ordinary people?We are not saved to stagnate. We are saved to serve in an EXTRA-Ordinary way.It's not what you say with your lips that count. It's what you do with your life that matters.In these extra ordinary times, the WORLD is much more concerned with our extra ordinary demonstration of the Christian life than it is with our declaration of the Christian truth.Demonstration beats declaration every time. The question is: Have you been saying one thing with your lips and another with your life? Does your life encourage people or discourage people?NB: All souls are of equal WORTH to God, but not all souls are of equal USE to God.How about you? Will you rise to the challenge? Will you contribute to that uncommon conduct the world needs so desperately today?Conduct: Personal behaviour; living with God’s standards.A young Chinese communist (Christian) stood before the firing squad of Chinese soldiers. As the captain gave the order to aim, the girl cried out, “I'm dying for a cause!! What are you living for??” (What is your contribution?) Have you chosen “ordinary” or “extra ordinary”?Colossians 1:10 (Amp) - That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves in a [extra ordinary] manner) worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in ALL THINGS, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by knowledge of God (with fuller, deeper and clearer insight, acquaintance and recognition.Will you like Ittai, say “I will follow you “no matter what”?
Mother’s Day - By Pastor George LehmanMotherhood is priced of God, at a price no man may dare to lessen or misunderstand.Motherhood is a God design; therefore it is a very important and honored institution.Leviticus 19:1-3 (Amp) – 1And the Lord said to Moses, 2Say to all the assembly of the Israelites, You shall be holy for I the Lord your God am holy. 3Each of you shall give due respect to his mother and his father, and keep my Sabbaths holy. I the Lord am your God. Ephesians 6:2-3 (Amp) - 2Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother - this is the first commandment with a promise. 3That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth. Without it none of us would be here tonight…For many mothers it can be very sentimental and not their favorite day of the year, for others it’s a rich blessing and a joy. Your mother may have passed away. You may have bad memories of your mother. Biological motherhood isn’t possible. You may have children that don’t contact you.To become a mother is not so difficult; on the other hand, being a mother is very much so. Wilhelm BuschSo, with all those qualifications, why bother with Mother’s Day at all? I tell you why……because Mothers give life, love, comfort, counsel, guidance, teaching and encouragement.They turn a house into a home and nurture families.Families are the basic building block of society and mothers have the most important responsibility in daily love and counsel raising children in the love and fear of the Lord.They go through many stumbling blocks, pitfalls, mistakes, and broken dreams; for all the dirty nappies, dirty rooms, sleepless nights and heartaches.We are talking about a beautiful ideal – a natural part of God’s creative plan to bring love, caring and patience to light.As a mother there is a constant demand for the gift of love and caring.A mother is a person who, seeing there are only four pieces of pie for five people, promptly announces she never did care for pie anyway.Mothers are the people who love us for no good reason. And those of us who are mothers know it’s the most exquisite love of all. Maggie GallagherCertainly, the bible recognizes women in positions of power – women who contributed to making the world a better place.There was…Miriam who lead the people of Israel in praising God after the crossing of the Red Sea.Exodus 15:20-21 (Amp) – Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dancing. And Miriam responded to them, Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously and is highly exalted; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.Ruth who put God first and became the ancestress of King David. She was a Moabite woman who chose God’s way.Ruth 4:17 (Amp) – And her neighbor women gave him a name, saying, A son is born to Naomi. They named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ].Deborah, a judge in Israel.Judges 4:4 (Amp) – Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time.Hannah who “lent to the Lord” the child of her prayers.1 Samuel 1:28 (Amp) – Therefore I have given him to the Lord; as long as he lives he is given to the Lord. And they worshiped the Lord there.Mary who gave birth to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.Luke 1:28 (Amp) – And he came to her and said, Hail, O favored one [endued with grace]! The Lord is with you! Blessed (favored of God) are you before all other women!So, being a mother does not suggest lack of initiative and ability.It does mean getting priorities straight.People are what their mothers make them. EmersonAll that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. Abraham LincolnGive me a generation of committed Christian mothers and I will undertake to change the whole face of society in twelve months. Lord ShaftesburyThis is so true that a mother’s influence in her home upon the lives of her children cannot be measured.God created mothers so that someone in this house would know where everything is.A worried mother does better research than the FBI.THINGS OUR MOTHERS TAUGHT US. My mother taught me RELIGION: "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."2. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL: "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"3. My mother taught me LOGIC: "Because I said so, that's why."4. My mother taught me about ENDURANCE: "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."5. My mother taught me about WEATHER: "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."6. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION: "Just wait 'til we get home."7. My mother taught me about RECEIVING: "You are going to get it when we get home!"8. My mother taught me HUMOR: "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."9. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT: "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."10. My mother taught me GENETICS: "You're just like your father."11. My mother taught me about JUSTICE: "One day you'll have kids and I hope they turn out just like you!"Mothers have a legacy to pass on.2 Timothy 1:5 (Amp) – I am calling up memories of your sincere and unqualified faith (the leaning of your entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness), [a faith] that first lived permanently in [the heart of] your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am [fully] persuaded, [dwells] in you also.A sincere faith has a ripple effect.Moms have an ability to influence generations.The journey God has outlined for you is amazing.So, to all our mothers, we salute you! We honour you! And thank God for you!
Pressing the Panic ButtonA Lifestyle of PrayerBy Pastor Leonard StoneDon’t make it difficult the hear God.1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Never stop praying.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances…Colossians 2:7 – Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done.Psalm 40:1 – I waited patiently for the Lord.Psalm 62:1 – My soul waits in silence on God alone.Isaiah 40:31 – But they tat wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.John 14:31 – I do exactly what the Father has commanded me to do.Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.Matthew 11:28 – Come to me all you who are wary and burdened and I will give you rest.Deuteronomy 4:29 – You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul.Psalm 146:5 – Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.Isaiah 41:10 – Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.Psalm 63:7 – Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
Death Is Not the EndIt’s important to be reminded regular that this life is preparation ground for the next life.Pastor George Lehman1 Timothy 4:8 (Amp) – For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.” What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”- Ralph Waldo EmersonTwo of history's wisest men, Job, and Solomon, thought deeply about the possibilities of an afterlife for human beings, and both concluded that something better awaited men and women on the other side of death.Realizing that God "has put eternity in their hearts" Ecclesiastes 3:11, (We were created to live forever)Solomon writes at the end of the book that, although the physical body "will return to the earth as it was, . . . the spirit [of man] will return to God who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Job concludes that a time would come when, despite his being dead in the grave.Job 14:14-15(Amp) – 14If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare and service I will wait, till my change and release shall come. 15[Then] You would call and I would answer You; You would yearn for [me] the work of Your hands. Both men knew there would be life after death.The New Testament consistently teaches the doctrine of life after death through the resurrection from the dead(You can read this in I Corinthians 15 for the Bible's most concentrated teaching on it.)1 Corinthians 15:14 (Amp) – And if Christ has not risen, then our preaching is in vain [it amounts to nothing] and your faith is devoid of truth and is fruitless (without effect, empty, imaginary, and unfounded).While many understand that those who have given their lives to Jesus in this life will rise from their graves at the return of Christ to enjoy their eternal rewards:I Corinthians 15:51-52 - “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.I Thessalonians 4:14-17 - “For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. The Bible reveals that all humanity will live again!Revelation 20:11-15 (NIV) - “11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what they had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. “The moment we start to live, we begin to die. Death is the end of dying, not the end of living.”-Charles Spurgeon Here’s a question: When you leave this world, how would you like to leave?A few days before his death, Dr. F.B. Meyer wrote a very dear friend these words:“I have just heard, to my great surprise, that I have but a few days to live. It may be that before this reaches you, I shall have entered the palace. Don’t trouble to write. We shall meet in the morning.”Hudson Taylor, founder of China Inland Mission, in the closing months of his life said to a friend “I am so weak. I can’t read my bible. I can’t even pray. I can only lie still in God’s arms like a little child and trust.”There was an elderly man at home, upstairs, dying in bed. He smelled the aroma of his favourite chocolate chips cookies baking. He wanted one last cookie before He died. He stumbled down the stairs and crawled into the kitchen where his wife was busy baking cookies. With his last remaining strength, he crawled to the table and was just barely able to lift his withered arm to the cookie sheet. As he grasped a warm, moist chocolate chips cookie, his favourite kind, his wife suddenly whacked his hand with a spatula. Gasping for breath, he asked her, “Why did you do that?” She replied, “those are for the funeral”.In preaching a funeral sermon, a preacher made the following remarks… “We have here before us only the shell – the nut is gone.”A committed Christian man, being asked during his terminal illness, whether he thought about himself dying “Really, friend, I care not whether I am or not, for if I die, I shall be with God, if I live, He will be with me.”Thomas Hobbs, the well-known English philosopher, said at the end of his road, “If the whole world belonged to me, I would give it all to live one day longer. I am now departing on my last journey. It is my turn now to take the frightful leap into the dark.”Caesar Borgia, a statesman, said something at the end of his earthly road that many others have surely also said:, “I have made provision for everything during my lifetime. Only not for death; and now I must die totally unprepared.”The last words of Woodrow Wilson, American president who died in 1924, were short and sweet “I am ready”.Luke 16:19-31 Rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:22-23 (Amp) – 22And it occurred that the man [reduced to] begging died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And in Jades (the realm of the dead), being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom. Like you set your alarm for a ‘wake-up call’, this is a wake-up call to each of us.Ephesians 5:14 (Amp) - Therefore, He says, awake o sleeper and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light. A Rabbi regularly in a sermon said: “Repent, the day before you die.” Every time someone would come to the Rabbi and say, “How can I repent the day before I die? We don’t know when we are going to die.” “Exactly!! Because you don’t know when you’re going to die, TODAY is the right time.”Hebrews 3:7-8 (Amp) - So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” Thomas Watson said, “A man’s greatest care should be for the place where he lives the longest; therefore, eternity should be his scope.”Eternity to the godly is a day that has no sunset; eternity to the unsaved, is a night that has no sunrise.Question: Do you want someone to tell you what you want to hear, or do you want to really hear the TRUTH?
Where is the Ark?By Pastor Kobus MassynHere is an eternal truth. Life cannot be divided into compartments in some which God is involved and in others of which He is not involved. The fact is that God does not need to be invited into certain departments of life, and kept out of others. He is everywhere, all through life and in every activity of life. He hears not only the words that are spoken in His name; He hears all words; and there cannot be any such thing as a form of words which evades bringing God into any transaction. We will regard all promises as sacred if we remember that all promises are made in the presence of God.William BarclayKey Scripture:Exodus 40:34: - Then the cloud [the Shekinah, God's visible presence] covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle!The Ark hosted the King of KingsRevelation 15:8:- And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory (the radiance, the splendor) of God and from His might and power, and no one was able to go into the sanctuary until the seven plagues (afflictions, calamities) of the seven angels were ended.Isaiah 6:8:- Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.Romans 12:1:- I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.What attitude is growing in my heart?Mark 4:20:- And those sown on the good (well-adapted) soil are the ones who hear the Word and receive and accept and welcome it and bear fruit–some thirty times as much as was sown, some sixty times as much, and some [even] a hundred times as much.'Ephesians 3:16-18:- May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];Acts 17:28: - For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring.John 17:20-21:- Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching, That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me.The veil was torn for a reason:John 14:23:- Jesus answered, If a person [really] loves Me, he will keep My word [obey My teaching]; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home (abode, special dwelling place) with him.'
Our great enemy ‘self-will’ By Pastor George LehmanWhy talk about “Self-Will” because it’s a daily struggle, to surrender our will to God.It’s not a suggestion either; it’s an on-purpose surrender.Mathew 16:24 (Amp) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also]. There’s only one effectively redemptive sacrifice – the sacrifice of self-will to make room for the knowledge of God.Self-will is defined as pleasing oneself especially in opposition to the wishes or desires of others. It is often associated with stubbornness, disobedience, and a lack of self-control.Self-will is so enthusiastic and active that it will break a world to pieces to make a stool to sit on. Doing what one wants in spite of the wishes or orders of others.Psalm 78:7-9 (Amp) - That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but might keep His commandments And might not be as their fathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their hearts aright nor prepared their hearts to know God, and whose spirits were not steadfast and faithful to God. The children of Ephraim were armed and carrying bows, yet they turned back in the day of battle.Hebrews 2:1-3a (Amp) - 1Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away. 2For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty. 3How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]? God has equipped us to surrender our will.2 Peter 1:3 (Amp) - For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).He who wishes to fulfil his mission in the world must be a man of one idea, that is of one great overmastering purpose, overshadowing all his aims, and guiding and controlling his entire life. “Bate”.Will power: The WILL to act to change.The most useless are those who never change through the years and keep going back to their old ways!When a disciple realizes God is asking him to do something that goes against his own plans or desires, the ‘self-will test’ has begun.God has to break our self-will and personal ambitions to enable Him to use us to trust us to do whatever He requires for us to accomplish in His Kingdom work.It’s easier to do it God’s way because you may not like the way that God chooses to break your obstinate WILL!At times God will ask a disciple to sacrifice even good and appropriate things.He will sometimes even request a disciple to do something for Him and give no logical reason for it.I Just want to say it will never go against His word or get you to sin!By not explaining His request, God is developing child-like faith and obedience in His child’s heart.This kind of simple faith is ALWAYS pleasing to God.A good example is Abraham.Genesis 22:1-2 (Amp) - After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am. [God] said, take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.Tested – critical examination or trial of a person’s qualities.Proved – establish validity of (will)Our constant submission to the Lord’s will is what true discipleship is all about.The danger of self-will brings destruction into the life of an individual.Proverbs 1:32 (Msg) - Sin and self-satisfaction brings destruction and death to stupid fools. Don’t be a stupid foolSelf-will stems from pride and produces pride’s limitations.Proverbs 16:18 (GW) - Pride precedes a disaster and an arrogant attitude precedes a fall. The pride of self-will: Blinds us to our weakness. Keeps us from seeking help. Causes us to blame others for problems.Self-will is exhibited in: A refusal to listen to God. A refusal to submit to authority. A refusal to be teachable. A refusal to receive correction.Gods Purpose: (to address our ‘self-will’) To reveal our selfishness To reveal our own personal ambitions, plans, wants that are contrary to the purposes of God. To break our self-will.People stuck on themselves are stuck with themselves.You will always be a lonely-hearts club person- A self-willed person is inconsiderate. You listen to no logic reason- A self-willed person is in constant conflict. You always in arguments- Most problems in relationships are due to self-will. Un-surrendered self-will always causes conflict with others.Most issues in churches are as a result of self-will.Be good to remember this if you think you are not vulnerable to failing.(Even an angel became a devil because of self-will.)2 Corinthians 12:20 (NIV) - For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance, and disorder.Factions – Small group with special aims within a large one.Slander – malicious talk about someone.Gossip – Idle talk about a person.When it comes to surrendering your self-will, it’s not that some people have will power and some don’t. It’s that some people are ready to change, and others are not.The self-will test will ensure heaven is a perfect place. No one but those who have submitted their self-will to God will enter.Here is the character of (self will) people (Christians) being exposed.......Jude 1:16-19 (Msg) - These are the "grumpers", the bellyachers, grabbing for the biggest piece of the pie, talking big, saying anything they think will get them ahead. But remember, dear friends, that the apostles of our Master, Jesus Christ, told us this would happen: "In the last days there will be people who don't take these things seriously anymore. They'll treat them like a joke, and make a religion of their own whims and lusts." These are the ones who split churches, thinking only of themselves. There's nothing to them, no sign of the Spirit!grumpers = bad tempered and miserablebellyachers = excessive complainer / whiningPlease don’t be a part of the problem – be part of the solution.The self-will test – every one of us will encounter it in order to see if we are willing to be submissive to serve God’s will, especially when it is not comfortable, convenient or self serving. Where the will is ready, the feet are light.There’s only one effectively redemptive sacrifice - the sacrifice of self-will to make room for the knowledge of God.How surrendered is your Will?AMEN
IF GOD IS GOOD, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH EVILPastor George LehmanGenesis 6:5-7 – 5The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. 6And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart. 7So the Lord said, “I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground – not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air- for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them.”God did deal with evil once before.In heaven God will reveal what on earth He chose to conceal.Deuteronomy 29:29 (Amp) – The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but the things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all of the words of this law. Psalm 34:8 (Amp) - “O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him. There is no question that evil exists, and it is getting worse.Anyone who denies this is living in a cave or on another planet.The word evil used is: - “Ponéros” = Hurtful, calamity (ramp), bad, harm, to degenerate from the original virtue.As Christians we say God is Good and He is all-powerful. So, why doesn’t He do something about it? (You need to bear with me on this one).Could it be that God is not that good after all – or maybe He is not all powerful as we believe He is?So, what is the answer? Is God capable of destroying evil? If so, then why doesn’t He do it.I’ve heard so many say: - How can I believe in a God who allows children and women to be molested and raped? Innocent people suffer from famine and drought. Why does God allow terrorists to strap bombs to themselves and kill innocent people? Senseless murders, and on and on evil soarsWhy does God allow this? These are tough questions.I don’t pretend to have all the answers, or even understand everything, but I hope to give some answers that will begin to untie this deep mystery.Firstly, I would suggest to understand why there is evil in the world, is to: -Realise that God is Good and He is all-powerful.When people see or even experience evil, they think God can’t be in control, He can’t be good or all-powerful.On the surface it sounds good and logical but, until we realize the standards we use to measure the ability and will of God is faulty, and mostly it is just about everyone’s opinion.People get so focused on the hurts, the bad, the calamities, and the horrors of what’s happening that they begin to wonder if God cares at all – some believe there is a cosmic plot against them.Psalm 34:8 - “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”The bible is full of verses telling us about the Goodness of God in dealing with man – even though we don’t deserve it. Psalm 145:8 - “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving kindness.”After all, why would God bother giving us scriptures and promises if He wasn’t Good and all-powerful.Isaiah 40:25-26 - “25To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.” (God is Majestic comes to mind)I’d say the Creator of the universe is plenty powerful …Did you know there are some things God cannot do? God cannot lieNumbers 23:19: - “God is not a man that He should tell a lie.” God cannot changeHebrews 13:8 – He is the same yesterday, today and forever. God cannot recall our sins after we have asked for forgiveness. God cannot be the author of confusion. God cannot go back on His word or promises. God cannot be unjust.In other words, God cannot do anything out of His character!So, God is Good and all-powerful, why then all the evil? We need to recognize the source of evil.How many times have I heard it said that: - God is all-powerful and since He created everything, He must have created evil.God did not create evil – He created the possibility of evil.Peter Kreeft, a philosopher, and author of numerous Christian books said: - “It is not logically possible to have a free will and have no possibility of moral evil.”Moral – conduct, choice between right and wrong. (Evil – sleg, kwaad, boos, onheil, sonde).In other words, Once God chose to create human beings with free will, it was up to them, rather than God, as to whether there was sin or not. Deuteronomy 30:15-16 - 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.You see, that is what free will means.Evil is the result of man’s free will choice, therefore: all the suffering that results.People are free to love and worship this awesome good God or they are free to hate or ignore Him.It is when people act outside the will of God, we see great evil and suffering as a result.You see, the source of evil is not the devil but our own free will.James 1:13-14 - “13Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted from God”, for God is incapable of being tempted by (what is) evil and He Himself tempts no one. 14But every person is tempted when he is drawn away, enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).”The question is, why does God not destroy evil?Because, to do so, He would have to destroy you and me. Evil is a part of us – because of our fallen nature.You see, one day God will triumph over evil, but He will not destroy it while it inhabits us. God’s ultimate remedy for evil was the death of His Son.Listen to what Isaiah 55:8-9 says. 8“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. 9For as the heavens are higher that the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”From this statement we have to believe a good and all-powerful Godis in control.We need to reach out in faith to a God who is truly Good and all-powerful, a God who has your best interests at heart, a God who sees the bigger picture.Romans 8:28 (LB) - “And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans.”No matter what the trial, the evil or hardship that may have come your way.God is a Good God and more than able to protect, comfort and give you peace in your storm.2 Peter 3:9-10 - 9“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed but wants everyone to repent. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. You must understand, God also understands what it is like to: - Experience grief Experience suffering The loss of relationships that are dear to Him He knows what it is like to lose a loved one at the hands of evil menMatthew 26:53 - “Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to my FATHER and He will immediately provide me with more than twelve (12) legions (more that 80 000) of angels?”Psalm 29:11 - “The Lord will give (unyielding and impenetrable) strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” For evil to increase is for a few good men to do nothing.Jesus cried: - “My God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?”When people experience the love and saving Grace of Jesus they have a greater understanding and attitude towards evil.
A visit to Calvary’s CrossBy Pastor Ian SeptemberLeaflet: “When it becomes a deep rooted revelation of what Jesus Christ did for you at Calvary, you will never walk away.”Key Scriptures: Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16; John 15:13; Eph. 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:23-291 Cor. 11:28Good morning church, on this very special Sunday, no ordinary Sunday, but the greatest day in history; He has risen, just as He said he would! As the Scripture said He would.Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, the most important Sunday on the Christian calendar, and we can know for sure, that He is alive, the stone’s been rolled away, death could not hold Him, and the grave could not contain Him! Hallelujah!So, as we look at our sermon topic today, we should understand that it is important to visit Calvary often, to remind ourselves of the finished work on the cross, where Jesus Christ the Messiah, laid down His life, voluntarily & completely so that you and I may be washed, healed & made whole!The name Calvary comes from the Latin word meaning “the place of skulls” and the Greek word Golgotha, in its original meaning “the hill of skulls”.But the most meaningful aspect of Calvary or Golgotha, is what happened there, nearly 2000 years ago! Isaiah 53:5 says this about the event that brought us life. (Read from verse 4).Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) – 4Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God stricken by Him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.This all happened on Calvary hill, where our Saviour was tortured beyond recognition, bruised & broken for our transgressions, sin & shame… and with that in mind, when we as believers look at the cross, we will discover & be aware of our sinfulness, short-comings & iniquities!Can I just say, that you cannot look at the empty cross & not be challenged, church.It is quite normal for people to conceal, ignore, excuse, justify & even explain their sins, but if you fully understand the wondrous cross, and Jesus’s body on that cross, you will find it almost impossible not to confess & forsake our sins!When we visit Calvary, we will discover the very nature of God:John 3:16 (NIV) – 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. It’s on Calvary’s Hill that God reveals His amazing grace & mercy towards sinners, giving us what we do not deserve, and not, not giving us what we do deserve!The Bible teaches us in John 15:13 (NIV) – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.Jesus laid down His life, although He had legions at His disposal, He said: “Father, not my will, but your will be done”! Are you prepared to lay down your life for Him, church?It is sad, but true, that every rejecter of God’s love, mercy & grace is crucifying the Son of God all over again (think about that…).When we visit Calvary, or Golgotha, we will find that the world’s only hope & future, is in Christ alone!You see, many people, including myself, went to great extremes, to find happiness, love, joy and peace….. Some will spend millions in pursuing the ultimate, but when we visit Calvary, we will find that the “ultimate” is just a confession away! Ultimate love, joy, peace & happiness is found at the foot of the cross, on your knees before the Almighty God!When we visit Calvary, we will find inspiration for serving God & others!Jesus’ death on the cross, must surely be one of the greatest acts of self-denial ever! The spotless Lamb of God, Christ the Messiah without blemish, sin or shame laying it all down, so that we may have it all!The Bible says in Ephesians 5:1 (Amp) – Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father] (Be imitators of Christ).So the questions would naturally be: are you prepared to give yourself, deny yourself, and surrender yourself, for the Kingdom of God & others?I would now like to spend some time on the Lord’s Supper, or communion, as instructed by the Lord Himself, and especially as we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, after His body was physically broken & bruised, He appeared in the flesh to His disciples & many others… just as He said He would.1 Corinthians 11: 23-29 (NIV) – 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgement on themselves. After reading vs. 24, it is clear that the Lord’s Supper is a time to remember, we ought to remember what He did for each one of us, on Calvary’s Hill.Communion as an act to remember Him! We have this memorial service, to honour our Great God & to commemorate His great deeds, and to call Him affectionately to remembrance. The Lord’s Supper holds deep significance to all believers, and should not be taken casually or its power under estimated! The Lord’s Supper is also a time of shared or mutual fellowship with other believers, who all bear testimony that Christ is the Messiah, is the Son of the living God! The Lord’s Supper or table, is also a proclamation, and as you partake of the elements, you proclaim to your own heart, and to others, your faith in God & His risen Son. The Lord’s supper is also a time of self-examination (1 Cor. 11:28) as we examine ourselves as to the manner & motive in which we participate & celebrate the risen Christ. The Lord’s supper is also a loud prophesy, as you silently prophesy the second coming of God, for He is coming back again, amen?As we then church, as believers, partake in the Lord’s Supper, let us focus our minds on that most significant event in all of history, Christ rising from the dead, and our relationship with Him!As we visit Calvary, the hill of skulls, let us inform our minds, our intellect & emotions, concerning God’s great Agape’ love for us all, and allow this experience to stir our faith in Him, and cause us to love & trust Him more intimately!Let us make decisions during this experience to reflect on our lives, change our ways & bring glory & honour to the One, who descended into greatness, conquering Calvary’s Hill!Because He died for us, let us also now live for Him! So it’s with humbleness of hearts, gratitude of souls, with confession of every known sin and a plea for assistance to forsake all evil, let us now partake in the Lord’s Supper, communion as believers!Remembering the brokenness of His body & the pouring out of His blood for each & every one of us!
Words must show Works. By Pastor George Lehman James 1:22-24 (Msg) – Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. 4 Steps: Information; Revelation; Transformation; Application. “Words are like seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and not on the ground. The seed I plant today will determine the harvest I reap tomorrow.” We are reaping today what we sowed yesterday.AD 48 years ago and is still relevant today:James 3:1-12 (NIV) – “1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”Words don’t become public through our lips alone….Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Emails, You Tube, Instagram, WhatsApp and the like) are making verbal communication a dying art.Think about it…The vast majority of Communication today takes place via – Smartphone text or Computer.We are full of words, but they come more and more, through fast moving fingers on a Keyboard.Somehow, we haven’t learned to heed James’s warning….James 1:19(NIV) – “Be quick to hear and slow to speak.”What comes out of our mouths and what we might type in a text message or send out via social media……This is of vital importance that James devoted twelve entire verses to it.Having just addressed the relationship between our Faith and our WorksHe turns to the relationship between our Faith and our Words.Our WORDS reveal what is ACTUALLY within us!James explained that having “good works” isn’t enough if we don’t have “good words.”(All the good you do; your mouth can cancel it.)Growing up this quote was used many times when someone said negative, bad, critical words over them: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” This statement is really not true….Over the years I have recieved several scares from sticks and stones, but those scars have healed.BUT many people who have been the target of harsh words, piercing words carry wounds for a lifetime some people never heal…. WORDS HAVE POWER! They can bless and encourage or breakdown and discourage.They can help and motivate or hurt and de-motivate. How many children have grown up with hearing a parent say, “You are useless, worthless and won’t amount to much.” How many have allowed those words to shape their Self Image and determine their Self Worth and future.Other children had parents affirm them; “You are important, God has an amazing plan for you – You’re a winner, you can do it.” How many of these children are successful in all walks of life? As James addressed that topic of our words, he was echoing what Jesus said years earlier when rebuking the Pharisees.Matthew 12:36-37(NIV) – “36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted and by your words you will be condemned.”James made three statements about the use of our tongues and gave two illustrations to confirm each point.First: He reminds us that speech can in fact, be controlled and directed. He illustrated his point with a horse bridle and a ships rudder. Second: James related an argumentative boastful speech can be destructive like fire and poison. Finally: James pointed out that conflicting speech can be very deceptive; he illustrated this fact with images of a spring of water and a fig tree.TeenstrydigWords define us – They reveal what is in our hearts, and our works will show what are really in our hearts!!Whether we speak them, or type them, they have power to heal or to hurt, to help or to destroy.Instead of “JUST DO IT” we need to heed “JUST STOP IT.” You never get into trouble for what you don’t say and don’t type. Ephesians 5:4 - “Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].Before you speak or type let your words pass through your “think gate”T hinkH elpfullI nspirationalN ecessaryK ind
The TongueBy Pastor George LehmanWhen you have spoken the word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken, you reign over it. Arabian proverb.(Whatever comes out of your mouth, there will be consequences good or bad) Matthew 12:36-37 (Amp) – 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak, 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. Abraham Lincoln. So many people get filled up and blessed by God’s truths from His word by sermons and bible readings etc.The problem is we just let it run out through our mouths (tongues) with our negative confessions. So few have a guard over their tonguesIf we are going to maintain and contain the blessings and promises of the Lord, we are going to have to keep a tight rein on our tongue.Let us see what the bible says about out Tongue!#1 The Lying Tongue – Proverbs 6:17 – A lying tongue.Lying is one of the things God finds detestable and all liars have their place in the lake of fire.Revelations 21:8 (Amp) – But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practices of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed) – [all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.You should also take note that the devil is the father of liars.#2 The Flattering Tongue – saying something you don’t mean. God hates Flattery. -Vleiery (Not being sincere, wanting something from someone. Using it to your advantage.)Psalm 12:3-4 (Amp) – 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting, 4Those who say, with our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will] – who is lord and master over us? As believers, we should never praise others because we want to get something from them. Be careful of ulterior motives.Ecclesiastes 5:7b – “... and there is ruin in a flood of empty words; fear God instead”.#3 The Proud TongueA proud / boastful tongue is sinful. Proud believers are full of themselves and learn little from anyone else.Psalm 147:6 - “The Lord lifts up the humble and downtrodden; He casts the wicked down to the ground.” (A proud tongue will destroy your life)God’s grace will be extended to those who are Humble before Him.#4 The Overused Tongue – The only time you take your foot out is to stick the other foot in. A terrorist pointed a gun at a woman and asked, “Any last words?” 4 Hours later he shot himself..!Proverb 10:19 says that the prudent hold their tongues. We are advised to be persons of fewer words. #5 The Swift TongueThis is talking too quick or being too quick to answer without listening. James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. Just call me if you need help; quick to promise but oh so slow or never do.#6 Backbiting TongueBackbiters are those who use their tongues against others when they are absent.If we’re soaked in this habit, we need to change.If you have ever been a victim of backbiting, don’t backbite back; God will fight for you. This tongue destroys ministries, families and relationships.It will come back to bite you. #7 Gossiping TongueGossip is such a common sin today. God hates a gossiping tongue. If someone can gossip to you about someone else; they will do it to you too.Take care not to spread false information against others.Proverbs 20:19 “…Do not associate with a gossip.”#8 The Cursing/Cussing TongueGod hates cursing tongues, and people that curse have a serious problem with their spiritual life.In our anger and frustrations, let’s not utter cursing or Cussing words against the other person. Let’s bless those who curse us.Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].#9 The Piercing Tongue – Using your tongue to deliberately hurt someone. Do not use your tongue indirectly against someone in an effort to mock them. God hates a tongue that pierces others.May God cleanse all these nine sins of the tongue in our lives so that we may glorify Him and treat others well.Let us follow this example inPsalm 71:8 - My mouth shall be filled with Your praise and with Your honour all the day.Close: What most naturally comes out of your mouth. Psalm 40:3 - “And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord.Proverbs 10:21 (Amp) – The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.
To Love and serve one another. - By: Pastor George LehmanNone of us are exempt, there are no spectators. The roots of joy grow deepest in the soil of Love & service.Where there is love and service there will always be great joy.As children of God, we need to re-look at the motives of our heart. Are we truly loving and serving one another, are we really building Godly relationships?Question: How committed are you to having / promoting Godly relationships? E.g. setting your own desires and needs aside for a moment to love and serve others?Galatians 5:13-15 (Amp) - 13For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another. 14For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. 15But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another. (The sign that you are truly free. How you love and serve others.)In our lives we have this wonderful freedom of choice:We are the sum total of our choices- Chose your bike/car.- Chose your career.- Chose what we will do with the 24 hours of a day.Considering this scripture text, Paul is telling the Galatian people we are not under the law of Moses with its complex of “Dos and Don’ts” but in this new freedom, it carries with it an awesome responsibility. Now that, as a child of God you have been set free, Paul warns in verse 13.Don’t let your freedom become an excuse for:- selfishness,- self-comfort,- self-concern,- self-pleasing,- self-interests.We will all face this temptation in our new Christian life to arrange our time and our lives around ourselves and our own pleasures.Not leaving an opening for loving and serving others.In contrast to a selfish, self-centred lifestyle, what does the Word tell us to do?Galatians 5:13b (Amp) - But through love you should SERVE one another.God always works where His people meet His conditions.The 1st condition – UNTY amongst the people who are seeking Gods visitation.We are not called to pray for unity, but rather to exercise it.Psalm 133:1&3b (Amp) - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 3)……for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].Unity is not optional. God commands it from us!Steps to loving and serving relationships.#1 Realize that loving and serving relationships are twofold. (It takes 2 to tango).You cannot have a meaningful, loving, serving relationship by yourself. It takes at least one more person.Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.Let go of any baggage, so you can be free to pick up your cross and serve others. Stop fighting with yourself.Philippians 2:4 (Amp) - Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not (merely) his own interests but also each for the interest of others.#2 Do to others as you would have them do unto you. (Practice the principle of mutual action.)- Love others and they will love you.- Care for others and they will care for you.- Help others and they will help you.NB!! If others don’t do it back, it’s because they have a problem, not you.#3 With determination work on your God-centred loving and serving relationships.James 1:19-20 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.It does produce; but not what God desires.To carry grudges, bitterness, unforgiveness, hurts, harboring ill feelings, it destroys the one carrying it. 1 Peter 4:8 - “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Which are your God-centred loving and serving relationships?- Your relationship with God;- Husband & wife;- Parents toward children;- Between children;- With the church (brothers & sisters in the Lord);- Your employer – or as the employee;- Then the others.#4 Love above everything else.1 John 4:19-21 (Amp) - 19We love Him, because He first loved us. 20If anyone says, I love God and hates (detest, abominates) his brother (in Christ) he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen. 21And the command (a charge, order, injunction) we have from Him: that he who loves God shall love his brother (believer) also.Jesus sums it up this way:John 13:34-35 (NIV) - 34A new commandment I give you: Love one another as I have loved you. So, you must love one another. 35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.Let us not just be Christians, confessing our new life by name only. But really begin to consciously, actively and obediently love and serve as God has commanded us to do.Romans 14:19 (Amp) – So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another. Let us ask God to strip away anything that causes strife, dis-unity, contention [arguments/ disputes], and disharmony.For next week - ‘The Tongue’.One of those Power tools in our toolbox that if we use it correctly; mostly everything will go well.
3-3-2024By Pastor Kobus Massyn The Love of God What does ‘for the love of God’ mean? James 2:14-18 (NIV)14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.Acts 4:36-37 (NIV)36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.John 17:7-11 (NIV)7Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.John 17:26 (NIV)26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”John 14:5-5 (AMP)5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” 6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” 8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” 9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?2 Corinthians 5:14 (AMP)14 For the love of Christ controls and compels us, because we have concluded this, that One died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that all those who live would no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and was raised for their sake.Romans 5:8 (NLT)But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. Romans 13:8-12 (NLT)8Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. 9For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments-are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. 11This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.1 John 4:7-21 (NLT)7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10 This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. 12 No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. 13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. 14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.19 We love each other because he loved us first. 20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.Ephesians 3:18-19 (NLT)18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Perfection must be our aim.by Pastor George LehmanPerfection is not just a word, it’s an attitude of the heart.“The man with insight enough to admit his limitations comes nearest to perfection.”- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Amazing how we love this word: Perfect. When someone says you did a perfect job.Our child does well on the report card - we say that is just perfect.You hit a hole-in-one golf shot – perfect.That’s a Perfect opportunity.But when it comes to our Christian walk, we don’t like the word in fact we avoid the word perfect. Because we believe it’s not possible.In our own strength and sinful nature, we will never attain to perfection.Jesus was stretched out on the cross for us!! He fulfilled God’s perfect plan.God didn’t call us to be perfect in our imperfection.It’s when we understand our utter limitations and start to live a life of obedience – then the new life Christ purchased on the Cross for us. - A life of perfection will begin to grow, develop and flourish. The stuff you have laid down – You are already making progress.“A designer knows he has achieved perfection – not when there is nothing left to add, but when there’s nothing left to take away.” - Antoine de Saint-ExuperyMalachi 3:3 (Amp) – He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and He will purify the priests, the sons of Levi, and refine them like gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord offerings in righteousness.Story of the silversmith:Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures and make them the subject of conversation.While reading the 3rd chapter verse 3 of Malachi, they came upon a remarkable expression in the 3rd verse. “And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”One lady’s opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without telling the object of her visit, she asked to know the process of refining silver, which he fully described to her.“Sir,” she said, “do you sit while the work of refining is going on?” “Oh, yes madam,” replied the silversmith, “I must sit with my eye steadily fixed on the furnace, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver will be injured.”The lady at once saw the beauty and comfort too, of the expression, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back and said he had still further to mention, that he only knows when the process of purifying was complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.Beautiful example! “When Christ shall see His own image in His people, His work of purifying will beaccomplished.” - Author unknown.“Redemption is not perfection. The redeemed must realize their imperfections.” - John Piper“The essence of being human is that one does not seek perfection.” - George Orwell (People just plod along in their imperfection.)The general comment on perfection is: Nobody is perfect. We all make mistakes. We are just human.It’s really sad when someone keeps using these excuses when they are acting poorly – because they’re not ‘perfect’.Not being perfect does not excuse disobedience, acting badly compromising or remaining in habitual sin.Paul encouraged the church to this life:2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) - “Finally, brothers, good-bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”Jesus said:Matthew 5:48 (Amp) – You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.A clear positive command:Matthew 19:17-21 (NIV) – 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honour your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’” 20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”It will clearly cost you everything.Perfection comes when we lay down the things of the world.We have to have an aim in life as Christians – our goal is to aim for perfection.So many Christians merely drift through life.“If you aim at nothing – you’ll hit nothing.”There are two levels of our Christian life:External: It’s what we do for God. We can be so busy doing and not aiming for perfection...Inwardly.Internal: It’s what we are becoming in Him.God’s truth spoken by Samuel:1 Samuel 15:22 (NIV) – But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.Most importantly it’s who we are becoming - not so much what we do!!Perfect: Jesus is not talking about something that is unreal or unattainableIt’s something, by the grace of God that can be attained, but we have to aim for perfection.We have no right to bring God’s standards down to our level of ability.We have to trust God to raise the level of our ability to His standards.God’s standards are perfect.The word ‘perfect’ can be translated as mature, fully developed, complete, lacking nothing.Here’s an example in maths:A circle is round. It can never be square or oval or oblong. It’s round – that’s the standard.Using this analogy: God is the Great Circle it encompasses all He is the Great God of the universe - and He expects for us to be a smaller circle in character – in our homes, church, job, sports, everywhere. We cannot be satisfied with a square or oblong life our aim is the standard which is Round....Paul states his life goal – his aim.Philippians 3:12 (Amp) – Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. The life:Colossians 1:28-29 (NIV) – 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.Those who choose to remove the compromise of a, lack of prayer, bible reading and being a witness from their lives......those who make the commitments to do away with bad habits and lukewarm living and persevere...will......come so much nearer to perfection than those who make excuses, are lazy, compromise, and give up because they believe they can’t be perfect.If your goal or aim is not perfection, then what is it?Where is your AIM? Do you AIM?
ABIDE IN CHRISTBy Pastor George LehmanGod is real, no matter how I feel.God is: Reliable, dependable, undeniable.How many here have experienced. Discouragement, downness, emptiness, heaviness?You feel like God has deserted you, You even feel; is it really worth it all?Why is it that people struggle to stay in a place of intimacy with God, a place of "ABIDING" in Him? Staying connected to the Vine.How I see this over and over - people have these wonderful experiences with God: Life is good, prayer is great, you reading your bible, your walk with God things couldn't be more wonderful, And then there comes this emptiness, lack of enthusiasm, it just overwhelms (oorrompel)The key to a consistant walk with God is to learn to "ABIDE in Christ".To abide means: - To live, to continue, to remain, fixed in a state immovable, to stay closely connected, allowing His word to fill our minds1 John 2:5-6 (ESV) – 5But whoever keeps His word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in Him: 6whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Just listen how many times Jesus uses the word "abide".John 15:1-11 (NIV) – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in Me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. 5I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in Me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9As the Father has love Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love. 10If you keep My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love. 11I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. (Joy comes only from abiding)*You can still be connected and bear no fruit.Abide: - Jesus says, is not a suggestion or a request. You don't have to command a child to eat dessert, sweets. A command is for someone to do something that’s not going to come naturally.We must understand that: - we are not with Him - trying to achieve something we are in Him successfully, fulfilling His planEphesians 4:6 (Msg) - "He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.Our western culture teaches us: -If someone does something good to us, it’s our responsibility to do something good back.We think He "saved me" now - I must do things, I must perform to please God.It's only possible by His strength, His power, His ability.John 15:5 - Apart from Me, you can do nothing.1 Timothy 1:12 - "I give thanks to Him who has granted me (the needed) strength and made me able for this."Psalm 73:26 - "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the rock and firm strength of my heart and portion forever."Any branch to be effective and bear fruit can only get its source, its nutrients, its abundant fruit from the Vine.Abiding helps us to tap into all of God's spiritual riches.Ephesians 3:20-21 (Amp) – 20Now to Him who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] - 21To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). We must be so careful to not make a common mistake, seeking an experience rather than seeking God.It's all about FAITH not feelings.2 Corinthians 5:7 - For we walk by faith, not by sight (feelings)Abiding in Christ is a "relationship" - not a "sensation".Edmund said: - "Never doubt in the dark what God told you in the light." It’s not about feelings its about Truth.It is in those times of great discouragement, emptiness, defeat fear and loss, when you experience a spiritual dryness, regardless of how you feel, Faith relies on the promises of GodFaith hangs onto God's unchanging character. We can abide in the fact that: - God is good. He really loves me. He is with me He knows how I'm feeling. He knows what I'm going through. He really cares. He has a plan for my life.(It's not mind over matter - it's heart over truth).We who learn to "ABIDE in Christ" don't have to be troubled by trouble.You see, circumstances cannot change the character of God.He is still for you, even when you don't feel it.CH Mackintosh wrote: - "There is power in the presence of a Risen Lord and Savior (abiding) to solve our difficulties, remove our perplexities (verslae), calm our fears, ease our burdens, dry our tears, meet our everyday need - tranquilize (kalmeer) our minds and satisfy every craving of our hearts."It's when you hit that low, that spiritual dryness - giving up is becoming a good alternative - AND YET you CONTINUE to ABIDE and trust Him - that my friend is when you truly worship Him in the deepest way.God will honor those who go beyond their feelings to obey Him.Proverbs 28:14 - "Blessed (happy, fortunate and to be envied) is the man who reverently and worshipfully fears (the Lord) at all times (regardless of circumstances) but he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity."John 15:8 - "When you bear (produce) much fruit, my Father is honored, and glorified and show and prove yourselves to be true followers of mine!"Story of the lady who had a house on the seashore in Ireland in the 1900’s: -"She was very wealthy and stingy. Everyone was surprised when she decided to be among the first to have electricity in her home. Weeks after the installation a meter reader came to her door. He wanted to know if her electricity was working well. She said it was. He then asked her why her meter shows scarcely any usage, "Are you using your power?" She said: "Each evening when the sun sets, I switch on my lights just long enough to light my candles, then I turn them off again."You see, she tapped into the power, but she doesn't use it. Her house was connected but not altered.All we have to do is "abide" in the Power Source - not only flip the switch, but live "abide in the Light".1 John 3:1 - "See what can incredible quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should (be permitted to) be named and called and counted the Children of God." And so, we are.He has done so much for us - through Jesus' death - all He wants from us is to have faith - to ABIDE in Him. 1 John 2:28 (Amp) - "And now little children, "abide" (live, remain, permanently) in Him, so that when He is made visible, we may have and enjoy perfect confidence (boldness, assurance) and not be ashamed and shrink from Him at His coming".
Building your Legacy. Pillar 3 – Persona
By Pastor George Lehman
“Don’t try to be somebody else - you are who you are, and what you are, because it will eventually come to light.
Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV) – 22You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to be made new in the attitude of your minds.
Jesus to many is just like an add on extra.
Matthew 7:16 (NIV) – By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Jesus is saying: What comes out of your life does not represent Me.
“The position a person occupies in the world depends on the quality and quantity of the service he renders (aanbied) plus the mental attitude which he relates to others.” – Andrew Carnegie
Persona: A role or character adopted by an author – It’s how others perceive your character
We are called to take up the Character of our author Jesus (Hebrews 12:2)
None of us can build a legacy without our Persona or our Personality.
It’s how you portray yourself to others. It’s who you are!
Always be yourself, express yourself, live out your faith. Don’t go out and look for a successful personality (Persona) and try duplicate it!!!
It is a combination of your gifts and talents, preferences, thoughts, and attitude.
We have been given the inner Persona of Jesus through the indwelling Holy Spirit, when people meet us do they encounter His persona in and through us?
1 John 2:6 - “Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.
In fact, your persona determines your tendency to act in a certain way in any given situation.
Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) – As water reflect the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.
It’s like your default way of interacting with the world.
Are you loud? Quiet? Helpful? Irritable?
Do you act like a grumpy old man?
Are you a leader or a follower?
This all comes from your Persona.
Some people use their persona to hide who they really are.
But There will be no consistency between your Inner and Outer life. The real you will always come out.
WARNING:
Ephesians 5:15 (NIV) – Be very careful, then how you live-not as unwise but as wise.
However, a man/woman of integrity with a healthy persona doesn’t wear a mask. I’m open to be who Christ called me to be!
Their persona portrays who they really are all the time, no matter the situation in which they find themselves.
“You were born an Original don’t die a Copy.” – Masson
God makes all the difference; He purposefully created and gifted you to be YOU.
Your real strength is in Christ not in some manufactured personality that someone wants you to adopt. You can dress like superman, but you are not superman.
As a legacy minded person, you need to live out the persona God intended you to have.
Romans 8:29 (NIV) – For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Attitude and character are two critical aspects of our persona.
Fortunately for us, both of these respond well to training and personal discipline.
1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) – 7Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather train yourself to be godly. 8For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
The best way to begin working on your attitude is realize it needs changing.
Many Christians just carry on with a bad attitude and never really bother to change. It becomes a weak spot in your legacy.
As believers in Jesus, we have a lot of reasons to have a good attitude.
Oswald Sanders wrote: “Every Christian is under obligation to be the best he can be for God.”
Why be an average poor slack, lazy child of God? When you can be great!
As legacy minded people we need to take character development seriously. Not any old lifestyle will do.
How do you act around other people?
Are you likeable, friendly, kind, generous and positive?
OR
Are you difficult to talk with, negative, unfriendly, fault finding and always complaining, grumpy and miserable?
If you from part of the second group; “Then by now you should know it’s time to change.”
No matter how bad your attitude or character may be; You can do better!
Tragedy and crisis hit all of us
Your persona will either rise up to keep you pressing on or crumble under the pressure.
The fact is that you will get hit, but the question is: “What is your plan when you do?” (When you squeeze an Orange, you don’t get tomato juice)
None of us can turn back the clock or erase the past.
However, God gives us a brand-new start every day.
Lamentations 3: 21-23 (Amp) -21But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: 22it is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving- kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. 23They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV) - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Your persona is a necessary pillar that supports your legacy.
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) – 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.”
Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) – There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Prayer, purity and persona built on Jesus will develop a solid unshakable lasting legacy.
Building your Legacy - Pillar 2 - PURITY - By Pastor Kobus Massyn
Video watched in the start of the service:
Skit Guys - God’s chisel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QCkBL2DfVg
Scripture read during service: - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12
1Furthermore, brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life].
2For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus.
3For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living) that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice,
4That each one of you should know how to possess (control, manage) his own body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor,
5Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will,
6That no man transgress and overreach his brother and defraud him in this matter or defraud his brother in business. For the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we have already warned you solemnly and told you plainly.
7For God has not called us to impurity but to consecration [to dedicate ourselves to the most thorough purity].
8Therefore whoever disregards (sets aside and rejects this) disregards not man but God, Whose [very] Spirit [Whom] He gives to you is holy (chaste, pure).
9But concerning brotherly love [for all other Christians], you have no need to have anyone write you, for you yourselves have been [personally] taught by God to love one another.
10And indeed you already are [extending and displaying your love] to all the brethren throughout ‘Brackenfell’. But we beseech and earnestly exhort you, brethren, that you excel [in this matter] more and more,
11To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you,
12So that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.
Building your Legacy.
Pillar 1 – Prayer - By Pastor George Lehman
To build your legacy you will need pillars to support your legacy.
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” – Martin Luther
James 4:2 (NIV) – You desire but do not have, so you *kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
*Kill – Your faith; Your dreams; kill other people’s success; kill people’s victories / their callings.
James 4:3(Amp) – [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.
"More probable is that James is echoing Jesus' sermon on the mount that a man with unrighteous anger in his heart toward his brother is as liable to judgment as a man who commits murder (Matthew 5:21-22)."
This is possibly one of the most important Pillars of your legacy.
For many Christians prayer is a huge struggle (If it wasn’t, we would see more people at prayer meetings than koek en tee)
If you are weak in prayer, you will be weak in every area of your life.
If you are serious about building a legacy, then you must be serious about prayer.
It is only through prayer can we discover, experience, and achieve God’s purpose for our lives. To walk worthy of our calling.
It is through our prayers that we leave a solid legacy for the people we care about.
There are so many people who are mad at God.
They have a problem or a situation they want God to change.
And He hasn’t yet done what they wanted Him to do.
So, they sulk, rant and rave, complain and blame and God for not helping them.
The strange thing is when I ask them if they prayed about their problems, they look at me with a dumbfounded expression and tell me NO I have not.
People will go to great lengths to get their needs met – as James says:
James 4:2 (NIV) – You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (Desire, want, wish, yearn to possess, and strong envious desire)
We can either face our problems in our own strength and ability.
Or we can turn to God in prayer so we can face our problems with His strength and ability.
Prayer takes us out of the Driver’s seat and puts us in the passenger seat.
The Bible is clear that God has a purpose for every one of us.
Jeremiah 32:19 - “great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Your eyes are open to the ways of all mankind; you reward each person according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve.
Choosing not to pray limits that purpose.
Building your Legacy Apart from God’s power we are limited.
In our own strength we can never do all that God created us to do.
The key to every great man and women of God who left a lasting legacy – they were all prayer warriors. God just wants praying Christians not just an elite force.
We could mention Nehemiah or Daniel
Abraham: It was He’s rule to stand before the Lord in prayer
With the alter of Sacrifice was the alter of prayer
Genesis 18:27 (NIV) – Then Abraham spoke up again: “Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord, though I am nothing but dust and ashes.”
David: Every Psalm is a prayer.
Psalm 109:4 (NIV) – In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.
Elijah: What a prayer warrior
James 5:17(NIV) – Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
Isaiah: What a great prophet of God
Isaiah 65:24 (NIV) – Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.
Paul: this is the key to Paul’s legacy.
Acts 9:11 (NIV) – The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.”
Jesus: Our ultimate example: Remind you: John 17:4 -“I glorified you on earth having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
1 Peter 2:21 (NIV) – To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Mark 1:35 (NIV) – Very early in the morning, while it was still dark Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Luke 5:16 (NIV) – But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed
Luke 6:12 (NIV) – One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray and spent the night praying to God.
Acts 10:38 (NIV) – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. (The success of Jesus’ legacy is He prayed)
Prayer is one of the most important pillars of building a lasting legacy.
Becoming a man and woman of prayer will not happen by accident.
To learn to pray you must PRAY.
Prayer is a spiritual challenge that takes commitment and effort.
The recipe for spiritual victory always includes prayer.
Close with:
Franklin Field says: “The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: “I did not have time.”
“When prayer delights you least, then learn to say: “Soul, now your greatest need is that you must pray.”
Keep on praying because you are building your pillar to support your legacy.
AMEN
Building your Legacy - INTRO
By Pastor George Lehman
“Please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.” Gary Vaynerchuch
“Legacy is not leaving something for people. It’s leaving something in people.” Peter Strople
(Because of you; I want to serve God better)
“I glorified you on earth having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.” Jesus (John 17:4) May this be our Legacy too!!
One of the most challenging scriptures for me is the words of Jesus.
Luke 6:46-49 (NIV) – 46” Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’ and do not do what I say? 47As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete.”
Rock building is legacy leaving material.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV) – 11For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone build on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14If what has been build survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved-even though only as one escaping through the flames.
2 Corinthians 5:10(Amp) – For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive [his pay] according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing].
What is a legacy? It focuses on what will endure. It’s all about passing on *things of lasting value to those who will live on after us.
We make decisions today that will impact our tomorrows and effect and influence those that come after us.
*Godly living; worthy living; holy living, gold living
How are you building? Will how you live leave a lasting legacy?
Legacy: involves living intentionally and aiming to build into the next generation for their success. You leave an imprint on the future good or bad.
Psalm 145:4 (Amp) – One generation shall praise Your works to another and shall declare Your might and remarkable acts.
The reality is that we all hand down something... (whether we like it or not we do leave something)
Some people leave treasured gifts, others leave debt.
Some leave great morals and family history, while others leave utter chaos.
Some leave a strong spiritual heritage; others leave generational sin.
We all have things we are proud of and pleased to hand down.
And chances are that we have things we pray will end with us.
If you know the legacy you’re leaving stinks – Do not give up! Rather have the courage to change it. (Every great bible character messed up greatly)
Know this: You are not alone!!!
Paul laid out for you what it means to be a legacy minded person.
1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (Amp) – 13Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. 14Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].
I always say: “Yesterday does not have to define you, if you use today to refine you.”
Martin Luther when asked what he would do if he knew he were going to die tomorrow, replied with, “I’d go out and plant a tree.”
In other words, he would leave behind him a legacy of life that would grow on and on into the future
Paul’s amazing legacy
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NIV) – 6For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
How willing are you to do what it takes to live a great legacy leaving life?
Psalm 37:18(Amp) – The Lord knows the days of the upright and blameless, and their heritage (legacy) will abide forever
Psalm 78:5-6 (NIV) – 5He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, 6so the next generation will know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.
“What we build in dirt will inevitably return to dirt; what we build in Spirit will live to the END OF ALL THINGS” Marrett Green.
Close: Are you satisfied with the way you are building your legacy?
Psalm 127:1a (Amp) – Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it.
The Practices of Maturity By Pastor George Lehman
Things we need to do, let go off, stop doing, get victory over; this brings growth and maturity.
A spiritual life cannot be formed without discipline, practice, and accountability. (H Nouwens)
Hebrews 5:12-14 “ For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil..”
Every believer should be on a continual growth track that ascends higher and higher, deeper and deeper.
This side of heaven none of us ever "arrive," but we each have a responsibility to press on to maturity.
Though many people think those who know a lot about the Bible are the spiritually mature ones. There are many bible scholars who live like the devil.
Hebrews 5:14 adds the element of practice to the growth equation. It’s in the application not just the information.
Christian growth requires the discipline of godly habits carried out daily.
The most important practice to cultivate is a personal devotional time.
Since God is the source of all spiritual development, you can't neglect Him and expect to become mature. Transformation begins with time in His Word and prayer.
Obedience is another essential element for advancement.
When our desire to obey the Lord is stronger than our attraction to sin, we'll know we are making progress in our spiritual life.
In terms of physical development, the goal is to become more independent and self-sufficient as we age.
But in the spiritual realm, the opposite is true. Those who are mature in Christ recognize their own inadequacy and rely on the Holy Spirit within them.
It's Gods job to transform our character and empower us to accomplish everything the Lord calls us to do.
Getting older doesn't mean maturity in God's eyes.
By digging into Scripture and developing righteous habits, we can use our years to grow stronger in the Lord instead of wasting time with passivity, compromise and comfort.
NB! No one accidentally becomes mature. Spiritual growth requires a diligent pursuit of God.
We need to deal with the nagging issues that are preventing us from Growing and Maturing as God requires of us.
Here’s one of those aspects most of us struggle with, it will affect your maturity:
How many know what a gunnysack is? It’s a simple sack they put grain into – but it has also been used over many years to express Internal conflict, emptiness, to feel worthless.
“A fact is like a sack—it won't stand up if it’s empty.” – Luigi Pirandello
Satan is really good at a lot of things. But you probably don’t know that he is the ultimate gunny sacker. He will load your sack with lies to prevent you from Maturing!
“What is gunny sacking?” It’s a favorite relationship tactic for those who don’t know how to fight fair or how-to live-in forgiveness, who carries grudges, touchy and easily offended.
It’s pretty simple, actually. When someone says something wrong or does something wrong to you, you don’t say anything about the wound. You store it up like a pressure cooker.
You just take the offense and store it in a little sack and go on as though nothing had happened. Clear sign of immaturity.
THEN, later, when you do something wrong again and you are called out on it, you pull out the painful events you’ve been storing up and use it to accuse your accuser.
It sounds a bit like this, “Oh yeah? Well do you remember that one time when you did blah, blah, blah?!?!?!”
That’s gunny sacking. We usually do it to deflect responsibility when we feel exposed—when we just don’t want to own up to something that we’ve been involved in (or because we just don’t know how to resolve conflict). Which is a sign of immaturity.
I think we are all pretty good at gunny sacking. But Satan? He’s the master.
Then He showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at His right side to accuse Him. – Zechariah 3:1
He actually has a gunnysack for every single one of us.
He’ll see you do something outside of what God has for you and he’ll take that thing and throw it in your gunnysack.
Then, in a time of weakness, he’ll come after you and expose your naked guilt. He’ll say, “Remember that time you did blah, blah, blah?!?!?!”
All of a sudden, the accusations start coming fast and furiously… and it sounds true, of course, because it probably is.
But it’s not the full story. It’s the revelation of sin without the covering of Christ’s redemption.
There is only one way to fight back: Get back in Satan’s face with the Truth.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. —Romans 8:1
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. –1 John 1:9
Jesus is the one Who redeems you from the naked shame of sin. And you can celebrate that with all your heart when Satan tries to embarrass you.
I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns His head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. — Isaiah 61:10
Don’t gunnysack others, and don’t take it when Satan tries it on you!
Jesus, I praise You for what You did on the cross. I thank You that I am not condemned, that You continually forgive, and that You have purified me. Thank You, thank You for covering my nakedness with Your righteousness! Amen.
A Productive Life.
by Pastor George Lehman
Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, on purpose planning and clear focus.
Productive: An attitude for continued improvement
Being efficient and effective
Marked by achievement
Yielding results
This is a daily discipline.
The bible makes it clear that God expects His servants to be productive in serving Him.
Luke 13:6-9 (Amp) – 6 And He told them this parable: A certain man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it, but did not find [any]. 7 So he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]? 8 But he replied to him, leave it alone, sir, [just] this one more year, till I dig around it and put manure [on the soil]. 9 Then perhaps it will bear fruit after this; but if not, you can cut it down and out.
fig tree, planted in his vineyard, - a fig tree in a vineyard (strange) – God expects you to be productive and bear fruit wherever you are planted.
The Psalmist likened God’s servant to “A tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season.” Psalm 1:3 (NIV).
Psalm 92:14 (NIV) – They will still bear fruit in old age; they will stay fresh and green…
It simply means a spiritually productive Christian is a fruit bearing Christian.
Christian productivity is using our lives in this world to most powerfully impact eternity.
It’s about doing things (things that bring God glory).
It’s about doing the right things at the right time in the right way with the right heart.
Productivity is about good works, living a fruit bearing life.
Ephesians 2:10 (Amp) – For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live].
“Works are not necessary to earn salvation. But true salvation wrought by God will not fail to produce the good works that are it’s fruit.” – Mac Arthur
It’s very clear that we are called to be eager and enthusiastic about being productive in our deeds and fruitfulness.
Jesus used this parable to warn us that God’s servants are expected to be producing…
..or face the prospect of being removed from their place of service.
Luke 13:7 (Amp) – So, he said to the vinedresser, See here! For these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and I find none. Cut it down! Why should it continue also to use up the ground [to deplete the soil, intercept the sun, and take up room]?
Notice why two things angered its owner.
First, it bore no fruit. If a fruit tree bears no fruit, what good is it?
Second, the unproductive fruit tree was using up the ground to deplete the soil and just taking up room.
The sad truth is, there are far too many Christians like this.
Earl Stallings said, “Use it or lose it”.
This is a biblical concept.
Spiritual growth and development that leads to greater productivity in Christ is a must, not an option.
Jesus teachings:
John 15:5-8 (Amp) – 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honoured and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
Productivity proves a genuine follower of Christ.
An unproductive Christian life is a tragedy…
…a tree that doesn’t produce fruit doesn’t fulfil its reason for being and is therefore worthless to God and man.
Please don’t deceive yourself to think there are no consequences from a fruitless, unproductive life.
Galatians 6:7-9 (LB) – 7 Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! 8 If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life that the Holy Spirit gives him. 9 And let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
None of us can be spiritually productive without spiritual depth. It won’t come from compromise.
And we can’t grow spiritually without living a surrendered life.
How to be productive.
Be fully aware that God created you to be productive.
Jesus requires a return on your life (the parable of the talents – Jesus wants us to be productive with our lives), so that one day...
Matthew 25:23 (NIV) – “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
Make daily quality choices to live a productive life.
Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV) – 15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Fight laziness and procrastination.
Proverbs 18:9 (NIV) – One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
Like the tree that takes up room and the nutrients in the soil.
Continually renew your mind to help you follow God’s will for what you should accomplish.
Romans 12:2 (LB) – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then you will learn from your own experience how his ways will really satisfy you.
2 Peter 1:8-9 (Amp) – 8For as these qualities are yours and increasingly abound in you, they will keep [you] from being idle or unfruitful unto the [full personal] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 9For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] short sighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins.
The Importance of prayer #4 By Pastor George Lehman
Many times, we pray for more things than what we are going to be willing and obedient to work and commit to. (We have promised and committed so much to God, but never really did much about it…)
We need to be Passionate about prayer.
James 5:16b (Amp) - The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].
In our rapidly changing times, so many people are desperate to know what the future holds.
With all these changes taking place – economically, astronomically, in meteorology, geologically, theologically, people want a peak into the mystery of tomorrow.
They run to fortune tellers, astrologers, psychics who all claim to know the future. These people can’t better their own futures and yet so many people run to them…?
Christians must realize that God condemns this demonic, fleshly probing into the unknown.
He called His prayer warriors not to wonder about the future but to create it through the knowledge of His Living Word and Prayer.
Our Father gives us access to the future right now. You ask, “How do we know what to pray?”
Jesus gave us answer:
Matthew 6:9-10 (Amp) - 9Pray, therefore, like this: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed (kept holy) be Your name. 10Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
We can look at the conditions of this world and be in fear and faint or look at the possibilities of God and be strong, courageous and take faith.
Jesus calls us to pray for God’s Kingdom to manifest* (made clear; obvious to eye or mind) itself in our world today.
How will tomorrow look if God answers the prayer Jesus gave us?
Just read the gospels. What we see in the life and power of Jesus Christ is a faith picture of God’s Kingdom.
Jesus is our example of how the Kingdom looks and works.
When we pray by faith, we can be absolute certain of our future.
Remember:
Romans 8:11 (NIV) - And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
The strength of God Almighty is attached to our prayer lives.
If the devil challenges your prayer, remind him that you are seated with Christ.
Ephesians 2:6 (Amp) - And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Ephesians 1:21-23 (NLT) - 21“Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. 22 God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. 23 And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.”
Do you believe this? It will revolutionize your prayer life.
Notice: Christ is the “Head” of the “body” and put all things under His feet. This is such an amazing understanding of our role.
What the head, Christ, has attained, the feet of the church walk out.
As we passionately begin to pray, the authority of His Kingdom enters our now-prayed-for-world.
The devil knows that if he can keep our prayer lives silent, he keeps God’s hand distant.
When we pray for someone, we give God legal access to the life of the person we pray for and the devil cannot do a thing about stopping the answer.
Luke 18:1-8 (NLT) - “1One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 2 “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people. 3A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ 4The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, 5but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”
6Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. 7Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”
Jesus was saying “that if we don’t pray, we will lose heart”. It’s not about quick, emotionless, empty prayers. He wants for us to persist in prayer - to be a prayer warrior.
Isaiah 65:24(ESV) – Before they call, I will answer, while they are yet speaking, I will hear.
God sees the heart, while you praying.
Many Christians pray like wimps and brag like warriors. The truth is that real spiritual warriors are Christians who pray.
Prayer warriors are the most powerful, demon-chasing, world-moving Kingdom advancing people on earth.
Prayer is stronger than kings and mightier than armies or diseases or principalities or powers. Does this stir an excitement in you?
Prayer is the most powerful force on earth. Prayer anchors us in God’s strength for our battles. We know prayer works.
NB! You are saved today because someone else prayed for you.
Luke 21:34-36 (Amp) – 34But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the giddiness and headache and nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose; 35For it will come upon all who live upon the face of the entire earth. 36Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.
Jesus is not talking about the rapture!!! He is talking about us standing before God in a position of anointed authority.
Prayer will keep you standing strong as the days become dark and evil. The Lord our God in the midst of us is powerful.
Stop thinking of yourself as unable to pray. That’s a lie out of hell!!!
You are a prayer warrior!
Now it’s your turn to make the decision to be a life changing, Kingdom building, future creating prayer warrior.
It’s time to be passionate about prayer.
The importance of Prayer #3 - Pastor George Lehman “Never doubt the power of prayer”. (If you don’t believe it, you won’t practice it.) "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." —Matthew 12:34 Many have grown up spiritually and prayer has probably become easier for them over the years.
Still, there is this danger that, because time has gone on, and perhaps because we are living in the Laodicean end time era,
We have become a little complacent, casual, and careless in this area of prayer in our spiritual life. We have assumed we have gotten by without much prayer, now we think its ok!
For many Christians Prayer has slid from its former place of importance. We must raise the level of prayer, not lesson the level of prayer.
In Matthew 12:34, Jesus tells us that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
He explains this by saying, verse 35) "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart [the storehouse of the mind where thoughts, feelings, and secrets are kept] brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things"
He concludes by warning us that the day of judgment is upon us. Even our "idle" words will be scrutinized, (verse 36) we will have to give account of them to God. (verse 37) Our words will either exonerate (Vryspreek) us or condemn us
Because we know these scriptures, we should be careful to watch what we allow to leave our mouths.
Matthew 6:7 - “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. (God sees and hears an honest and genuine heart)
We know that James admits in James 3:2 -"If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." (Our words control our lives)
Even though we work at being blameless in our speech, we still realize that none of us has arrived at oral perfection.
Consider That!
Have you ever considered applying this principle a little differently?
Most of us naturally think of this passage to refer to our conversations with others at home, at work, at play, at the store, at church services, etc.
But what about applying it to ourselves when we are on our knees before God?
Have you ever considered that out of the abundance of your prayers—or the lack thereof—your heart speaks?
Think about it - do you deeply and genuinely consider what you say to God when praying?
Do you take the time to organize and improve how you present your requests to Him or do you just babble? (Matthew 6:7)
Do you think about the attitude in which you come before the great God of the universe? The great “I AM.”
Though we may not always count this a blessing, but God knows our every thought, every desire, every emotion.
It is impossible to hide anything from Him.
Hebrews 4:13 - “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
The beauty in truly understanding this: is that we may as well be totally honest with God, telling Him everything, because He already knows the deepest intents of our hearts! Colossians 4:2-4 (NKJV)– 2Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Paul instructs us not to neglect prayer, but also to keep at it in earnest.
He was certain that, through the power of prayer, God would open a door for him to continue to go and spread God's Word to others. The bible tells us God release Paul to “Go”
Martyn Lloyd-Jones said ... "Of all of the blessings of Christian salvation none is greater than this, that we have access to God in prayer."
When we pray, we are filled with the amazing power of the Holy Spirit. Prayer is the power that moves the people of God forward into the mighty works of God.
“Prayer is not getting man’s will done in Heaven, but getting God’s will done on earth. It’s not overcoming God’s reluctance[onwilligheid] but laying hold of God’s willingness.” - Richard C. Trench Are you praying and if you are how are you praying considering Jesus’ words: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." —Matthew 12:34 Duties of A Prayer Warrior
Study the Bible– to pray in agreement with God’s words, we must first know His words. Studying the Bible is a key piece of that. Make time to listen to God – this is a piece of prayer that is often overlooked. As prayer warriors, we should become familiar with God’s voice so that we can hear his instruction and follow his lead for specific prayer assignments. Be available for prayer – we can’t be so busy with life that we put time with God to the wayside. We must make time for prayer. Acknowledge who the real enemy is – prayer warriors recognize that most battles are spiritual battles first and that there is a real spiritual enemy behind them. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Worship through hardships – worship keeps us humble, confessing what we believe, and battling in the strength of the Lord. It is a key component to prayer especially in the midst of conflict. Speak life-giving words. Proverbs 18:21(NIV) – The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Rebuke(cast down or nullify) life-stealing thoughts, words, and temptations. 2 Corinthians 10:5(NIV) -We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Put on the “Armor of God” – these are the tools that keep us thinking, acting, and speaking in alignment with what is true even when that’s not what we physically see.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV) – And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.
The Importance of PRAYER #2 By Pastor George Lehman
Hebrews 4:12(Amp) – For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
(If you’re going to be a success in every area of your life, you’re going to have to know how to PRAY.)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Amp) - Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]. This instruction is given for our own good!
This is a constant call we must be obedient to this call.
Let me ask you this question as we share on this awesome subject.
What do you think about your prayer life? Is it Something you tend to take for granted. Does it need improvement?
Have you ever really examined your prayer on things like how you pray, when you pray, the time you pray, the things you pray, are you serious when you pray.
Because prayer is the very heart of Christian commitment.
Henrietta C Mears
“It is necessary for us to pray. A ruffled lake cannot reflect the stars in the heaven or the sun in the sky. And a disturbed and restless soul can get very little Vision of God. No direction or answers. Prayer is essential to productive living.”
The truth is: If one doesn’t pray one doesn’t go on into the higher realms of God.
John Wesley: - “God does nothing but in answer to prayer.”
Luke 11:1 - Then He was praying in a certain place; and when He stopped, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord TEACH US TO PRAY”. I always wonder what they saw or heard that drove them to ask.
To learn prayer, men must pray. We learn prayer’s deepest depths; In prayer, not in books. We reach prayers highest, heights: - In prayer, not from sermons.
Prayer is skill developed through experience. Every one of the spiritual giants you know, travelled the road of prayer. No matter how steep or tough (no matter what the cost).
James 5:16B (Amp) - The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working).
James 5:16 says He who is in good standing with God and works at prayer will see much done, will have a life full of results.
The story of George Müller –Once, while crossing the Atlantic in August 1877, his ship ran into thick fog.
He explained to the captain that he needed to be in Quebec by the following afternoon, but Captain Joseph E. Dutton said that he was slowing the ship down for safety.
Mueller asked to use the chartroom to pray for the lifting of the fog. The captain followed him down, claiming it would be a waste of time. After Müller prayed a very simple prayer, the captain started to pray, but Müller stopped him; partly because of the captain's unbelief, but mainly because he believed the prayer had already been answered.
Müller said, "Captain, I have known my Lord for more than fifty years and there is not one instance that I have failed to have an audience with the King. Get up, Captain, for you will find that the fog has gone." When the two men went back to the bridge, they found the fog had lifted, and Müller was able to keep his appointment. The captain became a Christian shortly afterwards.
Jesus’ private prayers produced His public miracles.
1 Peter 2:21 - He left us an example to follow in His steps.
Yet we want so much from God and apply ourselves to such little prayer.
1 Peter 4:7 (NIV) - The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.
Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourself to prayer being watchful and thank full.
Oxford Dictionary on devote: - Give up (oneself) one’s efforts i.e., surrender to prayer.
To pray is to change. If you refuse to change, a clear sign is you’ve stopped praying. A changing life is a praying life.
If you want to be used by God, you need to spend time with God.
Corrie Ten Boom – “Prayer is powerful. The devil smiles when we make plans, he laughs when we get too busy, but he trembles when we pray.”
PRAYER IS LETHAL to satan
Satan will use every means to destroy the Christians prayer life.
Paul wrote Ephesians 6:18 - Pray at all times (on every occasion in every season) in the Spirit with all (manner of) prayer and requests. To that end (to able to Pray) keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).
First pray then work.
The old saying: never speak to people about God until you have spoke to God about people.
Why is prayer so hard – the reason is when we go to God by prayer the devil knows we go to fetch power and strength against him.
That’s way he opposes us all he can.
E.N. Bounds wrote: “So we come to one of the crying evils of these times, Maybe of all times, Little or no praying, Of these two evils, perhaps little praying is worse than no praying.
He qualifies his statement by saying.
Little praying is a kind of a make-believe. A salve for the conscience How we hinder the very cause we claim to believe in so deeply. We are not on the way we’re in the way. We are always so full of excuses as to why we can’t pray. No time, too busy, overslept again, I don’t know how to pray, weariness, tiredness, and God didn’t answer my prayer.
When people cease to pray
No matter what the reasons – Christians backslide, Youth rebel, preachers leave pulpits, mission fields close, church denominations die.
How true this is, a sinning man will stop praying, and a praying man will stop sinning.
Prayer demands our best.
God is not pleased with a few moments. Like when we rise and mumble a few words – or at the end of a tiring day when our strength is at it’s lowest. I am convinced God’s heart breaks when He sees and hears our pitiful excuses and what we dish up and call it prayer.
In truth: - after all is said and done - more is said than done.
Don’t become talkers about prayer instead decide now you are going to be a doer of prayer. You are going to have to take (not make) time to pray. It does not matter where or when we pray as long as we do pray. There is never a time we cannot enter God’s great throne room. We always have an audience with the King.
Prayer must become a constant habit in our lives.
Jesus’ words to us: Luke 18:1 - Also (Jesus) told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).
Illustration:
I read about a small Oklahoma town that had two churches and one distillery. Members of both churches complained that the distillery was giving the community a bad image. And to make matters worse the owner of the distillery was an outspoken atheist. He didn’t believe in God one bit. The church people had tried unsuccessfully for years to shut down the distillery. So finally, they decided to hold a joint Saturday night prayer meeting. They were going to ask God to intervene and settle the matter.
The church folks gathered on Saturday night and there was a horrible thunderstorm raging outside and to the delight of the church members lightening hit that old brewery and it burned to the ground.
The next morning the sermons that were preached in both churches were on the power of prayer. But the insurance adjusters promptly notified the distillery owner that they were not going to pay for the damages because the fire was an act of God and that was an exclusion in the policy.
The distillery owner was furious, and he sued both churches claiming that they had conspired with God to destroy his business. But the churches denied that they had anything to do with the cause of the fire.
The residing judge opened the trial with these words: I find one thing in this case most perplexing – we have a situation here where the plaintiff, an atheist is professing his belief in the power of prayer, and the defendants all faithful church members are denying the very same power.
The unsaved people who do not live for God, know where to find Him in hours of need, whereas so many Christians don’t think it’s necessary to pray every day to keep their relationship deep and constant, they also don’t really believe God answers prayer anyway.
The importance of Prayer.#1 - by Pastor George Lehman
Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare wheel?
I’m trusting God to release in you a fresh hunger and desire to want to pray.
Romans 10:13 (Amp) – For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved.
This is a God-given weapon.
Ephesians 6:18 - “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
How important Is prayer to you?
If prayer is important to you, how often do you pray?
Far too many Christians don’t pray continually.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Amp) – Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly].
It is so important that you do it even when you don’t want to.
Don’t be surprised:
When you don’t grow spiritually.
When you don’t have victory over issues and habits in our lives.
When you live with hurt, bitterness, in unforgiveness and lack of unity.
1 Timothy 2:8 (LB) – So I want men everywhere to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from sin and anger and resentment. (Leave the tight grip on this world and hold on to God.)
Deuteronomy 4:7 (NIV) – What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
Why preach a sermon on prayer? Simply because it is the most neglected discipline in so many lives.
If there ever was a time that God is calling His bride back to prayer. It is today! Not just any old prayer but the…..
James 5:16b prayer...
James 5:16b (Amp) – The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working).
People are scared to pray why? Because they pray for people and not to God.
Jesus looked at the hypocritical, pointless, worthless prayers of the Pharisees…
…and taught His disciples something important about prayer.
Matthew 6:6-13 (Msg) – 6“Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace. 7-13“The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and He knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.
Prayer reveals our dependence on God.
Lack of prayer reveals our lack of trust in God’s ability to answer our prayers.
“If people had eating habits similar to their prayer habits, one would be fearful of their physical condition.” - Dick Eastman
Jesus valued prayer highly:
It wasn’t only Christ’s habit, but His resort in every emergency. When perplexed, He prayed; When hard pressed, He prayed; He received direction when praying. When tempted, He prayed; The success of His ministry was as a result of His prayer life.
That’s why real men of God are men of prayer.
Colossians 4:2 (NIV) – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
This verse is God’s promise to an unfaithful Israel.
Hosea 10:12 lays out a great call to believers.
Hosea 10:12 (NKJV) – Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the Lord, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you.
It’s a prayer that returns to the prayer closet.
Are you ready to commit yourself to pray with life changing power?
Here are seven power points of prayer:
1 The preparation of Prayer – ‘break up’.
Psalm 139:23-24 (LB) – 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. 24 Point out anything you find in me that makes you sad and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Prayer begins with a heart and mind that have been prepared, softened, and planted with the word of God.
2 The hindrances of prayer – ‘fellow(unploughed) ground’.
2 Timothy 3:7 (NIV) – Always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.
The condition of our hearts determines our growth and our fruitfulness.
Jeremiah 4:3 (LB) – The Lord is saying to the men of Judah and Jerusalem, Plow up the hardness of your hearts; otherwise, the good seed will be wasted among the thorns.
A prepared heart is a powerful praying life.
3 The urgency of prayer – ‘for it is time’.
Psalm 69:13 (Amp) – But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord. At an acceptable and opportune time, O God, in the multitude of Your mercy and the abundance of Your loving-kindness hear me, and in the truth and faithfulness of Your salvation answer me.
It is always the right time to pray.
The whole of time is God’s arena to work on behalf of and through His faithful ones.
4 The focus of prayer – ‘to seek the Lord’.
Psalm 105:4 (NIV) – Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Both the Old and New Testament says it as a “setting of the mind and heart” on God.
1 Chronicles 22:19 – Now devote your heart and your soul to seeking the Lord your God.
Colossians 3:2 (Amp) – And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
5 The persistence of prayer – ‘till’.
“If you do not feel like praying, it is a sure indication that you should start praying immediately.” - Billy Graham
Luke 18:1 (LB) – One day Jesus told his disciples a story to illustrate their need for constant prayer and to show them that they must keep praying until the answer comes.
6 The dynamic presence of Christ in prayer – ‘He comes’.
God’s attitude to our prayers.
Isaiah 65:24 (LB) – I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking to me about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!
God always answers prayer.
Hebrews 4:16 (Amp) – Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favour to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].
Guard your heart from grumbling:
Job 30:20 (LB) – “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer me. I stand before you and you don’t bother to look.
7 The abundant answers to prayer – ‘rains righteousness on you’.
The rain of God is symbolic of God’s favour, blessing, strength and prosperity, goodness and breakthroughs.
Isaiah 58:11 (Amp) – And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.
Colossians 4:2 (Amp) – Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
It is prayer that both releases the rain and allows us to receive the rain of God.
The story of the prodigal Father
“A good father is one of the most unsung, unnoticed and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” - Billy Graham
Father’s day joke: A little boy was asked to define father’s day, he said “It’s just like mother’s day, only you don’t spend as much on the present!”
So tonight I would like to share with you from God’s Word about a prodigal father.
Meaning: Prodigal: extravagant, lavish, unrestrained, generous, even to a point of being wasteful & reckless.
Read Luke 15:11 (Amp)
11 And He said, There was a certain man who had two sons; … So the story is really about the father…..
The key figure in the parable (Luke 15:11-32) is not so much the son, but the father. The father outdone the son in being prodigal. Discuss that later in our sermon.
While the father does not live a wasteful life, he does offer a lavish, extravagant love to both his sons. Amen!
You see church, the original meaning of the word prodigal is:
To spend money or resources freely, recklessly wastefully (a lifestyle characterized by wasteful expenditure). To give on a lavish scale (unrestrained). To spend or give without counting the cost!
Whenever we hear the word “prodigal” we associate the word with the son! The rebel, nomad, drifter, wanderer etc.
For he was the one who disrespected his father and asked for his inheritance, (regarding his father as dead) for you can only claim your inheritance after your father/mom’s death.
Luke 15:12 (Amp)
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the part of the property that falls [to me]. And he divided the estate between them.
And what does the father do? He divides his property between his sons, giving them their inheritance, almost wasteful and lavishly gives them their equal shares.
So, the father was the first to be prodigal.
So today I would like us to consider and concentrate on the actions and the reaction of the father in the parable, and how this illustration can be compared to our Heavenly Father, and how our “prodigal” Father did not even spare His own son, but gave him as a ransom, so that we should not perish, but have eternal life! As we read in:
John 3:16 (Amp)
16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
So, the 1st character trait of the father in Luke 15 was that he was approachable.
You see, if the father wasn’t approachable, the son would never have asked such an outrageous request, amen? But as I read the story, I realized that the father must have been a loving, caring and good father! Even when he was confronted by his disrespectful son. He didn’t argue with his son, or try to stop him, or smack him. But allowed his son to make his own decision. The decision to have his inheritance and leave, he allowed this rebellious son to have it his own way!!
“The choice is yours, son.”
And many times God, the loving caring Father, will allow us to do the same! We have the ability to choose to take what God has given us, and waste it all on living a selfish, self-centred, wasteful life!
Without consideration of the subsequent consequences, we head along into a life of wasting; wasting our time, our money and energy on “things” that we hope will make us happy and content, yet it has the complete opposite result!
Short testimony
We all know the rest of the story… the son went from the one wild rally to the next, spending and wasting his money on fast bikes and even faster chicks, until it was all gone, and when days are dark, friends are few.
This son ended up with pigs, eating gherkins & cucumbers with them, which was an insult to any Jew! Yet he had no other choice… until he realised and remembered! He came to his senses. Amen!
I have a father, a loving caring dad; I will go back to him and tell him how sorry I am (confessing my iniquities & sin to him).
The Bible said that: When his father saw him, he was filled with compassion, he embraced his son, kissed him to welcome him, forgiving him lavishly, extravagantly
Ordering the fattened calf to be slaughtered, for a robe to be put onto his son, a ring on his finger and sandals for his feet.
Then the father announced: “Let us celebrate with a feast (not a bring & braai) extravagantly, lavishly for my son was dead, and is now alive again, He was lost, but now is found, let the celebrations begin.”
Do you now realise church, that the father was the prodigal one? He gave generously, lavishly, unsparing and open-handedly, almost to the point of being wasteful.
In this parable or portion of scripture, Jesus shows us our Heavenly Father’s relentless love for His children, for you and I!
When we reflect on how the father in the story displayed his unconditional love for his son, the father becomes the “prodigal” one!
The father is extravagant in the way that he welcomes his son back… (He ran to him). The father is lavish when he ordered a robe, a ring and sandals for his lost son… And the father’s decision to call for a feast, borders on wasteful expenditure. The father spared no expense with his bountiful display of mercy and grace;
Just as our Father God is, His love knows no limit; His forgiveness no boundaries; and his joy no restraint!
The good news today, as we celebrate and honour our fathers, let us become so aware that there is a heavenly Father, waiting with open arms, to welcome you home, to forgive you of all you’ve ever done and willing to accept you, just as you are!
Maybe you’ve never had a father figure in your life… or you don’t have a relationship with your dad, or maybe you never even met your father or you have bad memories of your father.
Today God, our Abba Father, has created an opportunity for us all, to commit our lives to Him afresh, anew, and to start
a new fresh relationship with our prodigal father.
Today is the day to “come to your senses” and accept the love, mercy, forgiveness and grace of the “prodigal father”.
Motives, time and eternity
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last. – CT Studd 1 Motives Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?
In the recent past I’ve become aware how much self-centeredness, self-interest and wrong motives are still present in my heart and mind.
When I pray for the salvation of a well-known South African politician; When I pray for Godly leaders for the country, how much of it has to with how much better the country will be for me to live in?; When I pray for revival – is it only about souls and the glory of God or is it contaminated by how nice it will be to live in a country where there is revival and where godly principles are followed? If you pray for your spouse to change, how much of your motivation is how much better your life will be if he or she does change? [It is not wrong – you can ask God for anything – but it is not a particularly holy motivation either]
Matt 6:31-33: Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
This is a wonderful exhortation, but when I seek the Kingdom of God, to what extent may it be motivated by me wanting the “things” to be added? I must confess, in my case I do not think I’m completely free of the benefit I expect. [Again, I don’t think it’s a sin to expect a benefit, it’s just not the best and most holy motivation]
Preachers say “Focus on God and not on His blessings” (compare the lepers in Luke 17:11-19) and “Love God for who He is and not for what He can give you”. Very true, but how do you achieve that?
How do we get to loving God unconditionally and completely?
One of my colleagues says it helps to have an eternal perspective, to realise we live in eternity and are just visiting earth. True, but how do you develop that perspective? Somehow for most of us the immediate and what we experience with our senses in the here and now is simply overwhelming.
I absolutely DO NOT believe in “Fake it till you make it”. What are you when you’re faking it? That’s right – a fake. Rather be honest with God, that is what made David a man after God’s own heart. I know that I cannot work up the love and right motivation in my heart. So, what is the answer then?
There are many promises in both the Old and New Testament that promise victory over sin and promises getting to a clean hart, that God guarantees sanctification on the basis of the completed work of Jesus Christ as applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Let’s look at a few…
Jer 31:33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Deu 30:6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Jer 24:7 Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
Eze 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
1 Thess 3:13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.
“… there is a secret root of evil that must be removed. That root is the spirit of bondage, the legal spirit of self-effort that hinders the humble faith that knows that God will work out all and yields to Him to do it” – Andrew Murray
So: Pray for the cleansing of the heart and the purification of motives.
Such a prayer is definitely in line with God’s will, so He WILL do it
One can in faith rely on Him to do the work, just as you rely on Him for salvation.
I said that living this holy life in the love of God is achieved in the same way as salvation, as if everyone knows and agrees what that entails. So let’s look at salvation. 2 Salvation What are you saved from?
Rev 20:11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
These are scary and shocking verses. There was a time when people’s immediate reaction was to ask how they can avoid that fate? How do I get into the Book of Life? Nowadays reaction more often than not center’s on how can I ignore this? How can I pretend it’s not real? I know, I’ll argue about it or simply never touch the subject again!
One of the arguments people like to use is “How can a loving God send people to hell?” The point is that is not what He wants to happen.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
The fact that these verses are so well-known does not make them less true.
Joh 3:18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
The Believer’s Bible commentary says this about John 3:18: “Now all mankind is divided into two classes: either believers or unbelievers. Our eternal destiny is determined by the attitude we take toward the Son of God. The one who trusts the Savior is not condemned, but the one who does not trust Him is condemned already. The Lord Jesus has finished the work of salvation, and now it is up to each individual to decide whether he will accept Him or reject Him. It is a terrible thing to reject such a gift of love. If a man will not believe on the Lord Jesus, God can do nothing else but condemn him.”
2 Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Anybody who wants to can have their name written in the book of life.
Another excuse is: What about those who never heard? One thing we can know without any shadow of a doubt is that God will be fair to them. But you are not in that position! You have heard. So what are you doing with what you’ve heard?
Why should God allow you in heaven?
For many the reasoning is some variation of “I’m really trying hard” or “I’m better than most.”
But that’s not good enough because God has an impossibly high standard.
Mat 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
God is not saying I’ll take those who tried really hard, or I’ll take the best 50%. The fact that you have some or even a lot of good mixed in with the bad does not assist you. If you’ve mixed a rotten egg into your scrambled eggs the good eggs are not going to save the dish. Adding a few more good ones is not going to help either.
Rom 3:23 …for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Sin is anything you shouldn’t do, but does and anything you should do but doesn’t. Thinking of a woman (or man) with desire even if you do not do anything about it – see Matt 5:28. So why don’t I simply give up? Now we’re talking!
Here is the good news:
Eph 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
How do you get into heaven?
Joh 10:9 I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.
Joh 10:10 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.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
Jesus says He is the door to heaven. The only door – there is no back door where you can sneak in. And you cannot climb in through a window. There are burglar bars – and not the kind you can break out with a koevoet.
People want more routes, but the moment you acknowledge that there is God or even the possibility that there may be a God, then per definition it is for that God to decide how you must engage with him and what is necessary to enter heaven. God makes the rules. You may want the rules to be different, but that is irrelevant. There are many decisions I would like the Chinese government to take, but what I want is irrelevant. I have no influence over them; I cannot even vote there. [My only influence is through prayer.] And God decided that there is to be this one route only.
It might be possible to say that this single prescribed route to God and heaven is unfair, if it was a difficult route. But Jesus made the way – He did everything that is required. He did not have to, he chose to go through with it.
Mat 26:53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels?
And what he did was very hard – not only physically
2 Cor 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
I believe this and not the physical suffering is what made him ask if there is no other way in the Garden of Gethsemane. That he was to be treated by His Father as the perpetrator of every murder, every rape, every case of child molestation ever committed.
Jesus made the way, a way that is not dependent on what you can do. It’s a gift. So why would you even want to take a more difficult route which does not even exist? Just for the heck of it? Usually, it is just pride that people do not want to acknowledge they need Jesus.
Why was it necessary? Why did Jesus have to die?
So that God can forgive in LOVE, while remaining JUST.
God has to punish sin – and the penalty is eternal death.
Exod 34:7 …keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, …
We do not have to spend a lot of time on this because even on earth we feel that the guilty should not go free.
How do you feel if a murderer and rapist goes free because of a technicality? God solved this conundrum through Jesus, fully carrying the penalty for everyone who asks Him to.
How is salvation received?
Through faith
But faith is not just intellectual agreement
The devil and demons know exactly who Jesus is and what he has done.
James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
Matt 8:29 And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?"
Temporary faith where you trust God for a specific thing e.g. healing or solving a financial problem is not saving faith either
Saving faith is Trust in Christ alone – that it is also available for YOU, and that you do not add anything to (e.g. a few good works). The good works will come later from thankfulness and from the Holy Spirit changed heart.
Act 16:31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Joh 6:47 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.
Most of you have heard the salvation story so often that you’ve become deaf to it. You’re so used to it that you no longer ask where do you fall in this. Please understand I’m not saying you should make a new commitment to Christ every Sunday, but at least confess to God if it has become stale to you and ask yourself whether there is a reason you needed to hear this. 3 Time We know that we will die
How long does this life last compared to eternity?
James 4:14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
We all, the saved and unsaved, intellectually know that some day we’re going to die. But somehow that is a can we keep on kicking down the road. We do not live as if we could die at any moment. If you knew for a fact that you were going to die in 30 days, how would you live differently today? If you are a child of God and know you’ll die in 30 days how would you serve him differently? With whom will you make peace? With whom will you share the Gospel? If you can honestly say you are already living like that then good for you – but most people have slightly different priorities.
Compared to eternity this life is immeasurably short. Wouldn’t we live totally differently if that was our perspective? Surely it just makes logical sense to focus on what will have the longest term impact, the forever impact? When you look back from eternity to this life, what will wish that you’ve done differently?
For the person who has not accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour, would you do so if you knew you were going to die tomorrow or next week?
I don’t usually watch rugby, but I did watch the final between the Stormers and Ulster. And that is actually a good illustration that you can simply run out of time. It does not matter that the Stormers were on the attack at the end of the game. The game was over. They ran out of time. If you have not accepted Christ as saviour yet, your eternity is not going to be good. Please do not run out of life before you have done so.
CHARA (Khar-ah)When a man is gloomy*, everything seems to go wrong; when he is cheerful, everything seems right – Proverbs 15:15 (LB)Gloomy = Down, discouraged, disappointed, demotivatedWhen things are going wrong in your life, check your gloomy meter.You have a positive attitude even if it’s not right.This “Charatis” is something you do not generate or make up.We cannot leave home without it;We cannot come home without it;We cannot afford to be without it wherever we go.We cannot go and do any successful outreach ministry without it.You cannot switch it on and off. It’s either real or it isn’t.Many well-meaning Christians put on a mask and try to act it out, but the slightest crises, trouble, confrontation, discouragement and even offence, will reveal the true you if this is not real in your heart and lifestyle.The bible says it’s our strength.It’s a 3-letter word in English and without it we are very poor, weak and don’t yet fully understand the presence of God in our life.What “Chara” means is “JOY”.Joy = wellbeing, delight, blessedness, triumphDid you know that there is a major difference between HAPPINESS and JOY?Sad to say many Christians, wish, hope and pray for happiness when it’s really JOY they should be after.The unsaved cannot understand or even find joy – It’s for the saved, born-again children of God. The world can’t give it or take it away.The word HAPPINESS as described in several dictionaries is: - The state of being happy, and the pleasurable experience that springs from possessions (in dinge); enjoyment (genot) as one’s happiness depends on oneself.In a nutshell, HAPPINESS depends on circumstances so, in order to be happy all the circumstances must be right otherwise, NO HAPPINESS.Happiness depends on Happenings.JOY on the other hand is not dependent on things that happen outside of my body neither by circumstances.It’s everything to do with an inner happening as a direct result of an inner experience.The dictionary says: - Joy is more intense than happiness, deeper than gladness; it’s more than just being cheerful (opgewonde).Joy is a result of Jesus touching your life, and you being obedient to that call.When we obey, God produces:Ecclesiastes 2:26 – For the person who pleases Him (obedience), God gives wisdom and knowledge and JOY. (Joy is something we tend to overlook)Joy is not an optional extra, which I either take or leave. Joy is a real force.Nehemiah 8:10B – The joy of the Lord is your strength.Joy is not a warm happy feeling you’re supposed to have now and then when things are going well. It’s much more than that.Joy is one of the most powerful spiritual forces in the world. Nehemiah 8:10B Here’s why. If I removed from this scripture “of the Lord” it would say JOY is strength.The two are interchangeable. When I have God I got JOY – when I got JOY I have GOD.That’s what makes Joy so crucial (kritiek).You can’t live a life of faith in the Lord with out being strong in the Lord.When God wants you strong, Joy is what He uses to do the job.James 1:2a (NIV) – Count it all joy…Joy is not just a state of mind.It’s not a passing emotion.Joy is a real force that the devil cannot stand up against.When you have joy; when you should be miserable and circumstances are “nag”, you throw the enemy into major confusion.Just as fear has to yield to faith, discouragement has to yield to joy.The good news: Joy is one of the fruit of the Spirit and you have it living right there inside of you.It’s not a gift. It’s a fruit, a direct produce from the vine. Galatians 5:22 – Love, Joy…John 15:11 – I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your Joy may be complete.You are going to have to develop it, confess it, live by it if you want to enjoy its power.Philemon 7 – For I have derived great joy and comfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints (who are your fellow Christians) have been cheered and refreshed through you (my) brother.Too many Christians wait for the outcome to determine their attitude when their attitude determines their outcome.The joy in your life will bring joy to others.No joy = no enthusiasm, no encouragement (you will become a joy killer)Question: What does your life bring to those around you? Discouragement, sadness, negativity, rebelliousness? Or do you impart Joy?Psalm 126:2 - 2“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”The unsaved world will see something and hear and be attracted to Jesus → It’s by our Joy.Psalm 16:11 – You will show me the path of life “in your presence is fullness of Joy” at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.The simple fact is this if you don’t actively spend time in the presence of God – we lose our Joy and become weak.Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit.Continual un-addressed sin, unforgiveness, bitterness, strife, luke warmness, leaving our first love is the major cause of missing His presence and the result: - NO JOYDavid understood this after sinning.Psalm 51:8-12 - “Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.Can I encourage you; “JOY” restored is on the Heart of God each day - for His children, as a direct result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We need Refreshing regularly.By Pastor George LehmanRefreshing =To give strength, to invigorate, to relieve after fatigue.What you see depends mainly on what you look for.(If you look for coal, you won’t see the diamond)Jeramiah 31:25(NIV) - “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” To be WEARY means to be bored with something because you have experienced too much of it:To be FAINT is to feel weak and dizzy and close to losing consciousness.Proverbs 4:25-27 (LB) 25“Look straight ahead; don’t even turn your head to look. 26Watch your step. Stick to the path and be safe. 27Don’t sidetrack; pull back your foot from danger.What you decide to focus on will determine what you receive.Our Flesh just naturally draws us away from God, eventually leaving us in a dry lifeless place far from the refreshing fountain of God.How you decide to position yourself to receive will make all the difference.Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.The truth is - how you see things on the outside of you depends on how things are on the inside of you.What we need is a time of God’s freshening anointing to awaken us for service. Refreshing is never for a feel good, easy, comfortable life.God never refreshes us to slow down and take it easy it’s always for greater service for Him in the Kingdom.Psalm 19:7 (NIV) - The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simpleActs 3:19 (ESV) - Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,Philemon:7 “For I have derived great joy andcomfort and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints [who are your fellow Christians] have been cheered and refreshed through you, [my] brother.”Living in the refreshing power of God - is all about our submission and obedience to God’s authority.The Warhorse: - “Allow me to illustrate. A warhorse is not fit for service until his will is broken. Though he may be stronger, swifter, and more gifted than all the other horses in the stable, he cannot serve until he’s broken.He will stay in the stables while less gifted horses go to war. To be broken does not mean to be weakened. It has to do with submission to authority.In the horse’s case, his master is the rider. If the horse is successfully broken and trained, he can be trusted in any and all circumstances.In the heat of the battle as the bullets or arrows fly, he will not flinch.While swords and axes are wielded, he will not retreat.While guns are raised and cannons shot, he will not deviate from his master’s desires.He will stay in firm submission to his master. He will bypass any attempt to protect or benefit himself in order to fulfil the commands of his rider (talk about serving!).This breaking process is uniquely accomplished in each one of us, in accordance with the prescription of the Lord Himself.He is the only One who knows when the process is truly complete, and you are prepared for the manner of service He desires to bring through you.Each new level brings another round of breaking.A thoroughbred horse never looks at the other horses. It just concentrates on running the fastest race it can. You are refreshed to run well.I cannot help to think of Paul’s encouragement to the church in Philippi. (It’s about a focused life)Philippians 3:12-13 (NIV) - 12“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,We desperately need to start getting God’s view into our hearts.That’s why God gave us His Word.The benefit of regularly reading the Bible is that it teaches us to respond successfully to life’s challenges and life’s possibilities, life’s opportunities and potential.It’s not what we don’t know what stops us from succeeding.It’s what we already know and don’t do.Do you really believe you are capable of becoming and achieving all that God has planned for your life to be?It is stated that the average person uses only about 10% of their potential – imagine if we pushed it up to 25%. We will be a menace to the devil and make a significant difference. One of the greatest days of your life will be the day when you discover: You’re not - exceptional You’re not ordinary – extra-ordinary. You have God-given potential – not only to be blessed but to be a blessing too! God has put a lot more in you than you’re possibly living out.Ephesians 3:20(Amp) – Now to Him who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams.] Luke 12:48 – From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. (God expects you to get off you willy-nilly and dusty-rusty and take action.)There are more than enough excuses for failure and why we don’t do what we have been called to do!!Don’t let yourself be distracted or discouraged by fear and doubt –If you do:You will develop a quick ear for bad news and large eyes for trouble ahead. You will miss that refreshing anointing God has poured out in your life.The result is:You will become a great inventor of things that will never happen.Don’t major on the minors – don’t make mountains of molehills.Luke 9:62(LB) Jesus said: “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him, is not fit for the Kingdom of God.The Key to be refreshed by God:Isaiah 40:31 “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
A heart check-up(We are in God’s Surgery)By Pastor George LehmanWithout a change of heart, there is no change in Character.Genesis 6:5-6 (NIV) – 5The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on the earth had become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time. 6The Lord was grieved that He had made man on the earth, and His heart was filled with pain.Jeremiah 17:9-10 - 9The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? 10I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.Deceitful – Dishonest / Disconnected / False impression / DislojaalWicked – To cause hurt to others with purposeMany know Jeremiah 17:9 off by heart since it is a basic reality of the human condition. Nevertheless, do we really believe what God says here?In this passage, God gives us an evaluation of mankind.In verses 5-6: Thus says the Lord, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, And whose mind and heart turn away from the Lord. He relates that curses come on those who trust in men, and in verses 7-8: ““For he will be like a shrub in the [parched] desert; And shall not see prosperity when it comes but shall live in the rocky places of the wilderness, In an uninhabited salt land.” He reveals that blessings accumulate to those who trust in Him. Verse 9 is not focused on the blessed or the cursed but on everyone, humanity as a whole: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"God means this! But do we really believe it? From a human perspective, it cuts quickly to anyone with a hint of pride.No one thinks of himself as thoroughly evil; in fact, most believe they are pretty good.But we grow up among other Christians and we think we are doing a fair job of keeping the commandments, compared to others.2 Corinthians 10:12 (NIV) – We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise. We try to get along with almost everyone. Yet, God's words bring us up short. The question is: Do we really?Are we fooling ourselves? Are we really making a sincere effort to live God's way?Proverbs 4:23(NLT) – Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (AmpC) – Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realise and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you- unless you are [counterfeits]disapproved on trial and rejected? Are the things that we do merely a show? Do we act as we do to make people like us? Are we, only conforming to peer pressure? (When in the company of another Christian we speak, act and project a great spiritual life.) Do we do what we do for the right reasons?Question: What is the true condition of our hearts?Truth is: God answers, "You can't know it. It is most desperately wicked and deceptive."Further, whom does our hearts deceive the most? It’s Us!Acknowledging this revelation from God about ourselves, we have to ask ourselves, "Are my motives really good when living the Christian life? Perhaps, since human nature is both good and evil, we so easily drift between these two as it suits us. , God's answer in verse 10: “I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.The point is only He really knows our real character—and thank God for that! That’s called grace!!To be honest we would really despair to see ourselves as we really are, although part of the Christian life is endeavouring to realize just how corrupt our hearts actually are and to change.Imagine if God created us with a video screen on our foreheads?Recall the Parable of the Pharisee and the PublicanLuke 18:9-14 “Then Jesus told this story to some who had great confidence in their own righteousness and scorned everyone else: 10 “Two men went to the Temple to pray. One was a Pharisee, and the other was a despised tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed this prayer[a]: ‘I thank you, God, that I am not like other people—cheaters, sinners, adulterers. I’m certainly not like that tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week, and I give you a tenth of my income.’13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’ 14 I tell you, this sinner, not the Pharisee, returned home justified before God. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”The Pharisee is a perfect example of "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."He fools himself into thinking that, between himself and the publican, he is the good, upright one. The Pharisee may have been righteous in his own eyes, but not in God's.The publican—a lying, cheating tax collector—was humble enough to realize that his heart was, indeed, desperately wicked.He probably did not know the depths of the evil he could do, but he knew that he was a sinner and not worthy of approaching God.Proverbs 16:2 (NIV) – All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighted by the Lord. He understood that, next to God, he was dirt and less than dirt. He merely begs God to show him mercy. The one who earned Jesus' respect is the person who recognized the evil within himself!For all of us, learning the real truth about ourselves is bound to be a long and uncomfortable process of discovery – Only Pride will prevent it.Romans 7:18-19 (NIV) – 18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do- this I keep on doing. Never read this verse and give yourself permission to carry on with sin.In Jeremiah 17:9, God pulls no punches. The human heart—the seat of man's intellect, his emotions, his attitudes, his thoughts, his inclinations—is dishonest and evil.Most of us take evil far too lightly, especially the evil within us. We do not like to think of ourselves as evil. We always like to think that we are the good guys. Evil is: morally wrong, sinful, causing harm, gossip, unforgiveness, absence of Love.Everybody else has the problem. We tend to be quite quick to point the finger at others, all the while maintaining our own, lily-white innocence.Such an attitude leads to sins like self-righteousness, pride, and slackness in overcoming and growing.This self-justification can eventually manifest itself resulting in, active rebellion against God and “wandering from the truth.”If we reach the point where we think we have nothing more to change or repent of, our growth will slow and soon stop altogether.Before long, our journey will be headed away from God because such an attitude is the exact opposite of what He is looking for in His children.Saul/David is a great example. David knew this.1 Chronicles 29:17 - I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.Psalm 78:72 - “He cared for them with a true heartand led them with skilful hands.Acts 13:22 (NLT) - “But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.’[a]When David was chosen God said I look at the heart.Psalm 51:17 (NIV) – My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV) – 23Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.
Habits Christians apply to live a Victorious life in the Kingdom. By: Pastor George Lehman Matthew 6:33 (NIV) – But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. If you apply these HABITS to your life the chances of “Wandering from the Truth” is zero!“Depending on what they are, our HABITS will either make us or break us. We become what we repeatedly do.” – Sean CoveyRemember, Habit is overcome by habit... Everyone of us need to deal with our Habits. Whatever you have and whatever happens in your life isn’t an accident or necessarily always God’s will.It is many times in your hands more than you may realise.What you do daily will determine what you have in this life.Galatians 6:8-9 (NIV) – 8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (2 Habits – 2 Different results)These are your daily HabitsSowing in the Spirit you will become stronger, stand your ground, resist the devil and be open to receive more from God.Proverbs 8:34-35 (NKJV) – 34Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favour from the Lord.In other words, an anointed daily routine produces a victorious bold overcoming life. Listening to God- Watching your habits – Waiting on Gods timingIf you really want to put an end to being defeated, discouraged, deceived, despondent and distracted –It’s time to take your faith to a higher level and establish these habits that are found in strong Christians.A Habit is either a cork or lead; it either pushes you up or pulls you down.Habit No.1 – Strong Christians feed their Spirit.Matthew 4:4 (NKJV) – But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Clearly, we need food for our Spirit too.A strong Christian is not ignorant of the devil’s schemes and understands the importance of developing a strong spirit to resist him.How do you feed your Spirit? So, it becomes a Habit. By reading God’s word everyday Strong Christians know one snack each week (Church of Sunday) isn’t enough to sustain them. It’s a daily discipline.Hebrews 10:25(NIV) – Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Arrange your schedule around the WORD – instead of trying to make the word fit into your busy life.Habit No.2 – Strong Christians build their faith.1 Samuel 30:6 (Amp) – Further, David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God. Do you know that Faith is your responsibility it’s not your Pastor or Cell Leader or your spouse.You alone guarantee that you enjoy a strong faith; it’s found in your daily habits.Hebrews 11:33-34 & 39 (NIV) – 33Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. How do you build that kind of faith?Romans 10:17(NIV) – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Feeding your faith on the seed of the word; hearing it again and again is how you water the seed and build your faith (Get a sermon or a bible app listen to it in your car.)Remember faith comes by hearing but so does doubt; be careful what you listen too.You either build the habit of faith or the habit of doubt.When you build your faith by hearing the word daily – Truth will come, faith will come and then a habit of living in Victory will come.Habit No.3 – Strong Christians speak the Word. Proverbs 18:21 (KJV) – Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Strong Christians speak the word over their lives, their family and the lives of others around them.To get into the good habit of speaking the word over every situation work on mastering the first 2 habits (build your faith and feed your spirit)When Jesus was tempted by the devil He answered back with the WORD.Matthew 4:4 (NIV) – Jesus answered, “It is written: Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” No matter what you are facing speak blessings, healing, abundance, forgiveness, peace, break through.Habit No.4: Strong Christians control their thought life. God’s recipe for a habit of thought life.Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) – 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. Think it – Speak it – Live it.You already know if your thought life is healthy or toxic.Your thoughts affect your words which affect your health, prosperity, joy, peace and every other area of your life.Philippians 4:8 (LB) – And now bothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Habit 5: Strong Christians get rid of baggage. Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.Streamlining – It’s an important concept in aerodynamics; to streamline is to reduce resistance.Motorcycle manufactures, Aeroplane, Rocket ships, even athletes streamline to remove anything that would slow them down.We are called to do the same with our Spiritual lives.God calls us to “strip off every weight that slows us down”. What kind of baggage are you carrying – worry anxiety, stress, or fear?Maybe it’s a habit of sin or unforgiveness.Whatever it is, make the decision to get rid of it today. It’s slowing you down.When you put these habits of strong Christians into practice dailyYou will develop the kind of Spirit that will defeat the enemy and ensure you live a strong overcoming Christian life, and you won’t wander from the truth.This is the life Jesus died to give you after all:#1 A habit of feeding your spirit man#2 A habit of building your faith#3 A habit of speaking the Word#4 A habit of controlling your thoughts#5 A habit of getting rid of baggage.
Wandering from the Truth - By Pastor George LehmanPreparation for where we are going tonight:2 Timothy 3:16-17(NIV) – 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. Proverbs 12:1(NIV) – Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.Wander: To go around without specific purpose but deliberately and consciously lose focus.Wandering vs DriftingDrifting: Carried away when you do not fully control the situationColossians 1:10 (NIV) – And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Wandering – It’s not a deliberate leaving, it’s a gradual going off course) Here is the warning:Matthew 24:12-13 (LB) Sin will be rampant everywhere and will cool the love of many. But those enduring to the end shall be saved.Flourishing – Unrestrained.It’s about: “Sheep not focused and listening to the Shepherd go astray.”John 10:3b – “…and the sheep listen to his voice.” (Wandering silences His voice)We cannot just pick out the “Nice” scriptures and never be challenged by the more “corrective” scriptures.James 5:19-20 (NLT) – 19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.Notice how this warning aligns with Paul’s warning:1 Corinthians 10:12 (Amp) – 12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation].All of us live with the possibility that we too, might easily wander from the truth.James spoke about the Person, the Path, and the Place of our potential wandering.Notice: The Person here - is a disciple.James addressed one “Among you” a group he called his “Brethren”They were brothers and sisters in the Faith2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) – Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. – Stuff we don’t deal with or get rid of.Things that cause some to wander from the Truth.James was talking here to a group of believers about another believer.This verse was not written to a person without Christ.The word James is writing is really a WARNING, that it is possible for a true believer to wander from the truth.Peter gives this stern WARNING to believers:2 Peter 2:20-22 (LB) – 20 And when a person has escaped from the wicked ways of the world by learning about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and then gets tangled up with sin and becomes its slave again, he is worse off than he was before. 21 It would be better if he had never known about Christ at all than to learn of him and then afterwards turn his back on the holy commandments that were given to him. 22 There is an old saying that “A dog comes back to what he has vomited, and a pig is washed only to come back and wallow in the mud again.” That is the way it is with those who turn again to their sin.*The Word of TruthJames used the word “If” (Not when!) as a yellow warning light to get our attention as we approach various intersections of life, that cause us to wander. (Do not make a wrong turn.)The person he was talking about here could be anyone of us believers.The PATH here - is deceptive.James said it is possible for us to “wander from the truth.” To wander means: To go astray.Jesus used this same Greek word:Matthew 18:12 (LB) – 12 “If a man has a hundred sheep, and one wanders away and is lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others and go out into the hills to search for the lost one? (It says a lot about the 99)How did the sheep “wander of” or “go astray?”Most times it’s not on purpose and willful disobedience. A little patch of grass here to one over there keeping his head down.Before he realized it, he wandered away from the security and safety of the Shepherd.A bit of compromise here, a bit of disobedience there…. Not praying, reading the word, head down and not keeping their eyes on Jesus – They wander.Peter used this same word:1 Peter 2:25 (LB) – 25 Like sheep you wandered away from God, but now you have returned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls who keeps you safe from all attacks.Psalm 119:10 – “Let me not wander from your commandments.”Wandering away from the truth can happen subtly.The PLACE here is doctrinal (leerstellig) Note: James was saying that our wandering is “from the Truth” Jesus said:John 14:6 (NLT) – 6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. Jesus praying for us in:John 17:17 (Amp) – 17 Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.James was warning us not to stray from the truth of God’s word.Titus 3:10-11 (NLT) – “10If people are causing division among you, give a first and a second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. 11For people like that have turned away from the Truth and their own sins condemn them.”If we don’t make a deliberate effort to stay close to the truth we will wander from it.Galatians 6:7-8 (LB) – 7 Don’t be misled; remember that you can’t ignore God and get away with it: a man will always reap just the kind of crop he sows! 8 If he sows to please his own wrong desires, he will be planting seeds of evil and he will surely reap a harvest of spiritual decay and death; but if he plants the good things of the Spirit, he will reap the everlasting life that the Holy Spirit gives him.1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT) – 27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. (How fine is that line…)We need to make sure we are obeying the Truth and living it.James 5:20 (NLT) – 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.What we need to realize is the absolute importance of my life living the Truth. Our Consistency Our Faithfulness Our Integrity Our Character Our Genuine love for God!These are the qualities that will bring a sinner back from wandering.We have a responsibility not just too live right ourselves but for the sake of the family of God.Question: Have you gone astray?
Jesus’s Cross: His pain, Your gain! - By Ian SeptemberIt was not the nails that kept Him on the cross, but His love for you & me!I thank God for this opportunity again, being able to share His word with you on this very special Sunday!This is not just another Sunday…Amen? This is a very special day – Resurrection Sunday!Will you agree with me, if I say that this is the greatest day in history?It was on this day, more than 2000 years ago that Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of James, heard these famous words, “He is risen”!You see, the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the most fundamental and most essential doctrine of Christianity. It is safe to say that our faith rests squarely on the historical and biblical fact of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.This truth is the central fact and primary reason for our hope in Christ and the very foundation of our faith!Without the resurrection, Christianity would be false and non-existent! That is why this single event should be the most important event to every born-again believer and the cornerstone of your faith!Church, I would like us to realize this morning that it was through the resurrection that:Firstly – Christ declared His deity! (Or divine status)A: By His victory of death, He confirmed His rank and status as being part of the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit – Trinity).B: He confirmed His status as the supreme divine being and of having the immortal character of God!Romans 1:1-4 (NIV) – Paul a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God- 2the gospel he promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding His Son, who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David. 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.Secondly – Through His resurrection we can have hope!1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) – 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.Thirdly – through His resurrection, Jesus proclaims light and life to Jews and Gentiles, saved and unsaved!There is everlasting life in Christ. Amen.Acts 26: 23 (NIV) – 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”Fourthly – through His resurrection, we are guaranteed salvation.For when we accept Christ into our lives, we no longer live, but Christ the risen Lord lives in us forever!Today I would like to teach on a few facts surrounding the resurrection.Fact #1 Jesus lived on earth!There was and is still evidence, biblical and historical, that Christ was born in Bethlehem and walked on this earth in human form.Fact #2 He claimed to be the Messiah.John 4:25-26 (NIV) – 25 The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”26 Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”John 8:28 (NIV) – So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up[a] the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me. John 11:25 (NIV) – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die;This claim by Jesus was one of the primary reasons why the Jewish leaders wanted Him dead. His statement or claim was contrary to what they believed and preached. They wanted Him dead at all costs.Fact #3 He suffered torture and death by crucifixion.To many Jews, the degrading death by crucifixion was enough proof that Jesus was not the Messiah! “…if you are the Son of God, like you claimed, then save yourself”, is what they said!But regardless of how they interpreted His death, it was not denied.In Isaiah 53:5 Isaiah wrote about Jesus’ death 700 years before Christ was even born!Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) – But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.“He was bruised……”Fact is, that after six trials, a crown of thorns, Roman flogging and scourging, after having His hands and feet pierced, He was nailed to the cross on Calvary, also called place of the Skull or Golgotha.A spear was thrust into His side and after saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani, “ (meaning, “My God, my God, why have thee forsaken me?”) and after saying, “It is finished”, He gave up His soul.Realise today that it was not the nails that kept Him on the cross but His love for you and me!Fact #4 His body was placed in a tomb, sealed and guarded.Matthew 27:57-60 (NIV) – 57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went awayFact #5 On the 3rd day the tomb was found empty, the stone rolled away.The grave has been denied – Praise God!In the Gospel of John (John 20:1) the word “airo” is used, meaning “to pick up and move away!”This one and a half ton rock was not moved away slightly from the opening, but relocated away!When we turn our lives over to Jesus, I can assure you that your problems, challenges and issues will be relocated away! Guaranteed!The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, transformed an indescribable tragedy into a wonderful triumph!Fact #6 There were many sightings of Jesus after His resurrection.The New Testament records about 19 appearances of Jesus in the flesh. He ate with, sat with and talked to His disciples and others.John 20:20 (NIV) – After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.Church, the ultimate sacrifice on the cross of God’s only begotten Son, became His greatest triumph and ours! His pain became our gain.His body, broken for us, His blood poured out for us, His resurrection from the dead for us, is our key to an eternal spiritual life. Praise God!We, as born-again believers, have been given permission and approval to share in Jesus’ victory!As we celebrate His resurrection, this morning, we will also partake in communion or the Lord’s table.Paul to the Corinthians church:Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-29 (NIV) – 23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.I would like to say, firstly, that communion is not a ritual or man-made rule, or tradition instituted by the church, but: An act of worship in obedience to the Word of God! We make a proclamation to our own hearts and to others of our faith and belief in Christ and His death and resurrection from the dead.From scripture we read that Jesus Himself: Gave thanks to God the Father before communion. We should follow His example by giving thanks to God for all our many blessings! We are called to remembrance, the true meaning of having and sharing communion and its meaning to us as Christians, not only today, but every time. “Every time you eat of my body and drink of my blood, call me affectionately to remembrance.” We are to examine ourselves [self ondersoek]. We are NOT to examine ourselves to determine whether we are worthy or not, to have communion, but the MANNER and MOTIVE in which we partake!Church, come let us be overwhelmed this morning, with the gracious wonder of God’s love for us! As completely, willingly and obediently as Jesus gave Himself for us, let us in return give our lives to Him – completely, willingly and obediently!
A Winner Gets Up - By Pastor George LehmanIt’s all about living with a winning attitude.The results you achieve will be in direct proportion to the effort you apply. No effort – Zero is achievedLittle effort – little is achievedGreat effort – Great achievementsGod works with us, but we need to be working with God.God works with winners.Psalm 145:18 (NIV) – The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. 1 Corinthians 9:24(NLT) – Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! (No one runs to lose!)Throughout your life you will most certainly experience many knock-down moments. (Not if, but when they come.)Life is a journey – often difficult and sometimes incredibly cruel but we are all well equipped for it. If only we tap into our talents and gifts that God has blessed us with and allow them to blossom. - Les Brown (We are not “Immune to it”)Growth is best when there is much manure.Setbacks are setups for great come backs. The ceiling of difficulty and hardships will become the floor on which you will walk in your breakthrough.People are confronted with sudden unimaginable struggles, debilitating disease or injury, divorce, job loss, the death of a loved one, financial collapse, addiction, betrayal and so much more.Can I encourage you if you’ve been knocked down too…While going through stuff does not have to mean feeling helpless and hopeless.Despite their circumstances, many men and women have discovered ways to not just survive their crises but actually thrive in it. Winner’s do this.I’ve seen many people grow stronger from the experience!No matter how devastating the crises or problem, they’ve used their circumstances as steppingstones to new beginnings.Getting knocked down hurts.The SPLAT:A man who meets a guru on the road asks, “Which way is success?”The bearded sage doesn’t speak but instead points to a place off in the distance.The man, thrilled by the prospect of quick and easy success, rushes off in the appropriate direction. SPLAT!He limps back, bruised, and stunned, assuming he must have misinterpreted the message. He repeats his question to the old man, who again points silently in the same direction.He obediently walks off once more. This time the splat is deafening, and when he crawls back, he is bloody, broken and irate. “I asked you which way is success!” he screams at the old man. “I followed the direction you indicated! And all I got was splattered! No more of this pointing! Talk!”Only then does the old man speak: “Success is that way. Just a little after the splat.”We have all experienced “the SPLAT”. But winners get up and move on to success.It’s really what we do after the “SPLAT” that makes all the difference.This most times is what separates committed life changers, momentum-makers from average, ineffective people.This world will always give you the opportunity to quit, but only the world would call quitting an opportunity. - Clint Brown The point is a man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits!Nothing and nobody can keep you down unless you decide not to rise again.There are no hopeless situations, there are only men who have grown hopeless about them.Paul said this about getting knocked down…2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (Msg) – We don't want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn't think we were going to make it. We felt like we'd been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God — not a bad idea since he's the God who raises the dead! And he did it, rescued us from certain doom. And he'll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing. You and your prayers are part of the rescue operation—I don't want you in the dark about that either. I can see your faces even now, lifted in praise for God's deliverance of us, a rescue in which your prayers played such a crucial part. We must understand there is your limit and then there’s God’s limit for you.Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they’ve got a second wind.God always has a way out for His children. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (Msg) – No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it. Romans 8:28 (NIV) – 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.Notice, “All things” means… ALL THINGS! In Good or bad circumstancesWhen you feel weak, vulnerable, unsure, or insufficient, it is not the time to panic or fear, but to trust.God does not want us to trust in our resources or ‘make our own plan’ when it’s time to meet a need in your life, but to rely upon His resources.We are called to be STRONG in the Lord and in the Power of His Might. His arm is mighty to save and strong to deliver.Your knock down is more than just an ordeal to endure.It can also be part of a process that leads to growth, maturity and strength for a lifetime and beyond.Quote:My faith in God has nothing to do with the number of times life has knocked me down.It is based on the fact that every time I have been pushed to theground my God has picked me back up.Proverbs 24:16 - For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again. Let us do a default reset – back to “I’m a Winner.”
The Power of Encouragementby Pastor George LehmanLet me be the one to make the effort, that others can be encouraged to follow my example as I follow Jesus Christ.(We all have this responsibility)make the effort - That means I will need to make serious changes to my personal life.The power of encouragement is for those who give it and those who receive it. It’s like when you spray perfume on someone else – you definitely get some on yourself.“I have yet to find the man, however exalted his station, who did not do better and put forth greater effort under a spirit of approval (encouragement) than under a spirit of criticism.”- Charles SchwabOur world is so full of negativity & criticism.Now that you are saved, it is expected of God’s children to be encouragers (it’s not an optional extra). Our lives were not designed to revolve around ourselves.WHY? Because: God’s love ‘FOR US’ gives us the reason to encourage others. We just want too. God’s love ‘IN US’ gives us the ability to encourage others. It’s part of Christlike character. God’s love ‘THROUGH US’ gives us the WAY to encourage others. Letting God love through us.Romans 5:5 - The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given unto us.Faith makes all things possible.Love makes all things worthwhile.The engine room of encouragement is LOVE. It’s impossible to encourage yourself or others if it’s not driven by love.Who needs encouragement? Everyone needs encouragement. When I give it, I get it.‘One compliment can keep me going for a whole month.’- Mark Twain(Imagine 10 compliments in a month – oh how we rob ourselves and others by not being encouragers.)People go further than they thought they could when they are encouraged by someone who thinks they can.“Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you and in the end, you are sure to succeed.” - Abraham LincolnWhen we’re on the brink of failure and wanting to give up!The right words at the right time can keep us focused on our source of strength – Jesus.The way you see people is the way you treat them. And the way you treat them is the way they often become.The people who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who encourage - more than criticize.WHAT DO YOU DO MOST? What are you best known for?Years ago, an experiment was conducted to measure people’s capacity to endure pain. How long could a bare-footed person stand in a bucket of ice water? It was discovered that when there was someone else present offering encouragement and support, the person standing in the ice water could tolerate pain twice as long as when no one else was present.Story of the teacher and the students:Several years ago, an experiment was performed in a school in the San Francisco Bay area. A principal called in three teachers and said, “because you three teachers are the finest in the system and you have the greatest expertise, we’re going to give you 90 selected high-IQ students. We’re going to let you move these students through this next year at their pace and see how much they can learn.”The three faculty members, the students, and the students’ parents thought this was a great idea. And it seemed they especially enjoyed the school year. By the time school was through, the students had achieved from 20 to 30 percent more than the other students in the entire San Francisco Bay area.At the end of the year, the principal called the three teachers in and told them,“I have a confession to make. You did not have 90 of the most intellectually prominent students. They were run-of-the-mill students. We simply took 90 students at random from the system and assigned them to you”.The teachers naturally concluded that their exceptional teaching skills must have been responsible for the students’ progress. “I have another confession to make”, said the principal. “You’re not the brightest of the teachers. Your names were the first 3 drawn out of a hat.”QUESTION: Why, then, did those students and teachers perform at such an exceptional level for an entire year? They were encouraged to believe they could!A study was done by psychologist, Henry H. Goddard on energy levels in children. He hooked children up to a device called an ergograph to see how they would respond to the words of others.He found that when tired children were given a word of praise or commendation, the ergograph showed they experienced an immediate surge in energy.But when the children were criticized or discouraged, the device showed their energy took a sudden nosedive.The question is: How do you identify someone who needs encouragement? HOW??? That person is breathing.1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.Notice it is in the continuous action.The word ‘encouragement’ comes from “EN” meaning “IN” with the word ‘courage’. Thus, to encourage someone is to put courage into them – to help them to be and do their very best.You may not be able to solve people’s problems, but you can encourage them.Encourage = uplifting; inspiration; motivation; making someone more determined.You can’t give it if you don’t live it.Proverbs 12:25 (Amp) - Anxiety in a mans heart weighs it down but an encouraging word makes it glad.A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.Paul sends Tychicus to the Ephesians and Colossians. His main function was to encourage them.God sends you into the world everyday to be an encouragement.Ephesians 6:22 (Amp) - I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may console and cheer and encourage and strengthen your hearts.Hebrews 3:13-14 (NIV) - But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence, we had at first.We must live encouraged lives so that …Titus 1:9 (NIV) - He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.Gathering at church times is the place we are encouraged to encourage.Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) - And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.Church is a major puzzle piece, of building a life of encouragement.“We live by encouragement, and we die without it, slowly, sadly and angrily.” - Celeste HolmeWhen your Spiritual temperature drops, you become, if you’re mostly unhappy, miserable, ungrateful, pessimistic, negative criticising. You will discourage. God and His word are our source of encouragement.Romans 15:4-5 (Amp) - For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope. Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,Acts 9:31 (NIV) – Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.Psalm 10:17 (NLT) - You hear, O Lord, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.Encouragement really does change everything. You cannot sit here and be neutral when you hear a word like this!This is an awesome opportunity to decide right now to be an encourager for the rest of your life.Communion: 1 Corinthians 11:24-28(NIV) – 24And when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. 27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
UNDESERVING YET UNCONDITIONALLY LOVED - By Pastor George Lehman God gives enough Grace for each trial we face.Here’s a subject like “God’s Glory” which we can never fully grasp: -Let me ask you: - What does God give us that’s – Undeserving and that we are unconditionally loved.One word: - GRACETo receive the grace of God, we must stop trying to get it.John 1:17 - For while the law was given to Moses, Grace (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ.John 1:16 – From the fullness of His grace we have all received one blessing after another. Romans 5:15 (Amp) – But the free gift [of God] is not like the trespass [because the gift of grace overwhelms the fall of man]. For if many died by one man’s trespass [Adam’s sin], much more [abundantly] did God’s grace and the gift [that comes] by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to [benefit] the many. # Grace:- “Greek word” CHARIS Is the divine influence on the heart – and its reflection in the life –When God’s grace has touched your life, it will show.How we use the word “GRACE” so freely – but rarely know the depth of its full meaning. “Question – will we ever?”You see Grace is: - Outrages Hard to accept Hard to believe Hard to receiveGrace shocks us in what it offers. Grace is truly NOT of this world.It’s so amazing what it does for sinners.Romans 11:6 - But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace (it would be meaningless). Listen to what Paul the great apostle says: -I Timothy 1:12-14 (NIV) – 12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service. 13Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. I Corinthians 15:9-11 (NIV) – 9For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them – yet not I , but the grace of God that was with me. 11Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believe. Grace is God doing for you, what you can’t do yourself.Paul says:Galatians 1:15 - But when He, who had chosen and set me apart (even) before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing) saw fit and was pleased.“God’s grace” says you are valuable and precious and no matter what: - your life does count and make sense.Your birth was for a purpose. Not just to fill a space and then die.Titus 2:11 - For the “Grace of God” that brings salvation has appeared to all men.Paul writing to Timothy takes it even a step further. I Timothy 1:14 - The Grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the Faith and Love that are in Christ Jesus.When you have messed up to a point where others write you off.God receives you back with open arms. Luke 15:11 – 31 Jesus tells a Grace story about a Periodical Son or a Lost Son.But it’s all really about a loving father.Notice: - Luke 15:21-24 (NIV) - 21”The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate. Verse 28 (NIV) – The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So, his father went out and pleaded with him.Of this whole story here is the Fathers heart of GraceEven when we have a stinking, poor, ugly, judgemental attitude grace comes to us too.Where can you and I find Grace when it’s so needed in our lives?Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of Grace. (The throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners) that we may receive mercy (for our failures) and find grace to help in Good time for every need (appropriate help and well timed help, coming just when we need it). Grace my friend, focuses on who God is and what He has done, and takes the focus off ourselves.And yet – it’s so easy to think we need to do something to earn God’s favor.As though Grace is too good to be truePonder this: - If, the Father is satisfied with His son’s full payment for sin and we are in His Son, by “Grace” through faith, then He is satisfied with you and me.Ephesians 2:7-8 (NIV) – 7In order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Phillip Yancey – “Man is born broken; He lives by mending - The Grace of God is glue. Spurgeon told of an evening when he was riding home after a heavy day’s work. He felt weary and depressed, when as suddenly as a lightning flash he thought of 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” He said, “I should think it is, Lord,” and burst out laughing.He said that it seemed to make unbelief so absurd. It was as though some little fish, being very thirsty, was troubled about drinking the river dry, and the river said, “Drink away, little fish, my stream is sufficient for thee.” Or, it seemed after the seven years of plenty, a mouse feared that it would die of famine, and Joseph might say, “Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.” Or, a man away up on a mountain saying to himself, “I fear I shall exhaust all the oxygen in the atmosphere.” But the earth might say, “Breathe away, oh man, and fill thy lungs ever; my atmosphere is sufficient for thee.” Little faith with Gods grace will bring our souls to Heaven, but great faith in His grace will bring Heaven to us.
Action vs PassivityAction vs Passivity?Are you taking passive action or massive action? By Pastor George LehmanPassivity: Afrikaans: Dadeloos/ledigEnglish: Spirit-lessness / lacking courage / inactivity / indifference = you know you’re doing things you shouldn’t but you just persist in them.When we are passive, the enemy is active.When we are active, the enemy is passive. – you don’t give him a footholdWhy discuss passivity? Over the many years, I have seen a passive approach to the Christian walk that many well-meaning Christians adopt without realizing it. I’m ok attitude; I’m happy to just get by.Jesus Christ is returning for a passionate, active church.Not a passive look-a-like.It’s right that we should be aware of end-time events. In the last 50 years a great many prophecies have come to pass.Matthew 24:6-8 (Amp) – “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place; All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].Yet, while it is very clear we are living in extraordinary times, let us not get ahead of the Lord. And get sucked into all sorts of prediction. What is most important is are you ready for His return?Perhaps the most frequently mentioned end-time sign is the spiritual passivity that will lull many Christians to drowsiness and indifference concerning the things of God. The end times is about the condition of the church.Jesus spoke of 3 distinct Action vs passivity instances inMatthew 25: Parable of the 10 virgins - Matthew 25Virgins indicate purity. Children of God. 5 were ready, 5 were not. 5 active & passionate. 5 passive & compromising.What a tragic end for the passive. Matthew 25:13 (NIV) - Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour. Watch what? YOUR LIFE!! Parable of the talents5, 2 and 1 talents given.God designed you for active passionate service He SHAPED you with gifts and talents:Heart – that will be Passionate for service. A heart after the heart of God.Abilities – Natural talents.Personality - Your unique identity.Experiences – Things we go through to grow us, not to cause us to become passive.Notice the 1 talent guy gave back only what he received.It was the master’s anyway. He never used what He was given to improve himself and others. He was just passive.2 were active & produced.1 was passive & indifferent.The end result of passivity was tragic.Jesus said in Matthew 25:14- Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called His servants and entrusted his property to them. A separation of the sheep and goats. Sheep are passionate active children of God. The goats are the passive inactive children.If you follow Jesus, you must think of yourself as an Active overcomer.The church is full of passive people who identify themselves as Christians but have no determined will to fight the fight of faith.They simply have become used to their level of prostration and oppression and just live a mostly empty spiritual life.Hebrews 6:11-12 (Amp) - But we do [strongly and earnestly] desire for each of you to show the same diligence and sincerity [all the way through] in realizing and enjoying the full assurance and development of [your] hope until the end, In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises.Passivity robs you of living in God’s abundant, passionate joy.One core reason why so many Christians don’t walk victoriously and courageously in the promises of God is they are in bondage to a PASSIVE spirit.Passivity arrests our will in many ways: You’ve become lukewarm because of disappointments. You may be harbouring offences and hardening your heart. Maybe you’re living an undisciplined or sinful life.NB! Whatever makes us spiritually passive also leaves us spiritually vulnerable.Our activity and passion of being a Christianity does not only flow from our dogma or church services.Our source of spiritual life flows from our daily union and communion with Jesus. He has to be #1We do not bear fruit on our own.John 15:5 (NIV) - “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”It is clear that God has put inside every child of His the potential to be active and passionate.There is no excuse for passivity, otherwise scripture would not speak so seriously and urgently about a passive life.Most courageous winners are just ex-passive losers who got active and passionate.“What generates active, passion, zeal, and enthusiasm in you is - a clue to reveal your destiny.” - Mike MurdockFulfilling God’s plan for your life is a active passion or it’s nothing.Deuteronomy 10:12 (Amp) - And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being. (A call to an active life)We need self-control in our lives. Taking control of self will kill passivity and produce passion.Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) - Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control.
The power of readiness. - By Pastor George LehmanWhen you’re thirsty it’s too late to think about digging a well.It’s a daily discipline = Readiness. Most of our crises’ are caused by being unprepared.Readiness is: – a state of being fully prepared for something; willingness to do something; promptness; eagerness; you are not caught by surprise.Forewarned is forearmed. Be ready before the crises hit!Many Christians want to become deeply spiritual and committed and be more alert…after the crises, failure or problem has struck. If you were ready you would handle it better.1 Peter 1:13 (Amp) – So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed.brace = a support / make things strongercircumspect = cautiousReadiness is the responsibility of every child of God.Quote: “A stitch in time saves nine”.There are four steps to ensure you a life of readiness – 8 “P’s”: Plan Purposefully - What you must do to be ready. Prepare Prayerfully - What needs to be done? Proceed Positively - Doing what makes you ready. Pursue Persistently - Don’t stop doing it. Stay in a place of readinessIn life we need to go through various tests. Like at school or university, a new job application. These tests determine that a person knows their subject.We need to regularly take ‘spiritual readiness tests.’Galatians 6:4 (NIV) – Each one should test his own actions. Them he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else. So, we can live boldly, courageously, and victoriously everyday and also so that we will be ready for eternity.Paul said this, as an example to us:1 Corinthians 11:1 (LB) – And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s.Paul would not say it if it were not possible.He understood the “power of readiness”.Acts 21:13 (Amp) – Then Paul replied, “what do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart like this? For I hold myself in readiness not only to be arrested and bound and imprisoned at Jerusalem, but also [even] to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.”He was ready to die for his faith. (How ready are you?)Romans 1:15 (Amp) – So, for my part, I am willing and eagerly ready to preach the Gospel to you also who are in Rome.He was ready to preach and be used by God.Peter put it this way:1 Peter 3:15 (Amp) – But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you but do it courteously and respectfully.What a lesson in readiness for us to follow.Some of the factors that contributed to Paul’s readiness.Paul made sure he was ready by being victorious in self-denial.1 Corinthians 9:27 (NIV) – No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.I want to be ready and not found wanting when Jesus returns.He made sure he was ready regardless of the cost.Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV) – 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.Being ready to please God he severed all earthly loyalties that would keep him from following God.1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) – Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.When you live a life that is ready daily, you are sure to end well (Finish).Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) – 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV) – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is another important aspect to being ready.Living ready daily to be ready.Jesus speaking:Matthew 24:44 (NIV) – So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.Here’s a great warning Jesus wants us to know about living ready.Matthew 25:1-13 (NIV) – “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. 6 “At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ 7 “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ 9 “‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ 10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. 11 “Later the others also came. ‘Sir, Sir,’ they said, ‘Open the door for us!’ 12 “But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’ 13 “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.How you’re living today determines where you live after you die.There is a great blessing and a real comfort to those who understand and apply…”The power of readiness”. Matthew 25:34 (NIV) – “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.Revelation 22:14 (NIV) – “Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. *wash their robes = those who get themselves readyRevelation 14:12-13 (NIV) – 12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus. 13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
Love - By Pastor George LehmanI’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world. (Mother Teresa)What is God writing with your life? It is a message; that Jesus lives.Or are you a blunt pencil?When one has once fully entered the realm of love (agape), the world, no matter how imperfect, becomes rich and beautiful, it consists solely of opportunities for love. - Soren Kierkergaard This is the place God wants us to live.When I’m Love-less; I’m judgmental, critical, negative, bitter.We see the world through God’s eyes.Agape is total love. It is the love that consumes the person who experiences it.Whoever knows and experiences agape learns that nothing else in the world is important – just love. - Paolo CoelhoIf we don’t have love, we gain nothing1 Corinthians 13:3 (NIV) – If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.Many times, we want to place the responsibility for love upon the actions, attitudes, and reactions of others. You first show love then I will. That’s not agape love.We all want to be loved, admired, and respected by others.That’s not the basis of real agape love.That is simply the basis of selfishness and self-interest and self-serving, self-centred i.e.: Your love is determined by how others treat you.True love begins with you and me.Jesus spoke hard to the religious order of the day about this. Luke 11:42 (LB) – “But woe to you Pharisees! For though you are careful to tithe even the smallest part of your income, you completely forget about justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave these other things undone. Jesus’ warning:Matthew 24:10-13 (NIV) – 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Romans 12:9-10 (Amp) – 9 Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honour. (Only the Spirit of love is cable of that) Ephesians 3:17 (Amp) – So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith. And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love.rooted = no root, no fruit. Deep root, Great fruit. Colossians 3:14 (Amp) – Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].Simply this:John 15:9-10 (LB) – 9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Live within my love.10 When you obey me you are living in my love, just as I obey my Father and live in his love. Paul reminds us:Romans 5:5 (Amp) – Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.Romans 8:35 (Amp) – Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Romans 8:38-39 (Amp) – 38 For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Do not separate yourself from it.Legalism says God will love us if we change. The Gospel says God will change us because He loves us.The verse I am reflected on – fearless love.1 John 4:18-19 (Amp) – 18 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love]. 19 We love, because He first loved us.#1 The protection of perfect love.This gives us security and confidence. (Romans 8:38-39 above)When we have perfect love, we will make other people feel secure and confident around us. (Love does that – Love is king, gentle and patient)#2 The power of perfect love.Psalm 36:7 (Amp) – How precious is Your loving kindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings.This love enables us to change and experience freedom from fear and all its forms.Love is so powerful there is no law to stop it (Galatians 5:22-23)#3 The potential of perfect love enables us to…A: Live without condemnation.B: Live free from rejection.C: Live free from judgment.D: Live free from the fear of man.E: Live freely in a love that totally accepts you, forgives you and restoresyou1 Peter 4:8(NIV) – Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. #4 The problem of imperfect love (the one who fears)When you are not living and practicing in the knowledge of God’s true agape love for your life…your life causes others to be drawn away from God by what your life is teaching about God.You say you know God, but the lack of love will tell a different story.John 13:34-35 (Amp) – 34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” In a heated discussion a group of West Point cadets argued one night about the credibility of Christianity. Every argument put forth by the pro Christian side was countered. by the opponents. Finally, one young man said: "I know.Christianity is real!" "How do you know?" responded another. "Because of Jack Montgomery," he replied. The discussion was over. No one could argue with the changed life of a committed Christian walking in God’s love.The agape love is not an optional extra for those who are willing to have it in their lives.It is a command for every child of God.
Depression1 Definition“…feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep”- Oxford English DictionaryFor the Christian the feeling of inadequacy and guilt is often magnified because you think that a “real” Christian would not feel like that – and some of your Christian friends and family may even tell you so.2 How not to helpCriticizing the depressed person is not helpful. They can’t just snap out of it. “Don’t be like that / Moenie so wees nie” is not helpful. The depressed person is not objective, so telling people how good their life is and how thankful they should be may not help. It may just make them feel worse – now they feel guilty as well.3 You’re not aloneIf you’re depressed you’re not alone. You are not the first Christian to feel depressed, nor will you be the last. Many men of God have suffered from depression through the ages. This includes heroes of the faith like Elijah, David and Naomi. There are even indications that Paul was depressed at times (2 Tim 4: 9-16).But there’s hope! All of these found their way back to life and joy.4 Causes and risk factorsCauses and risk factors for depression include: Sin (I’m not kicking you while you’re down. Sin will have that effect – the Christian who continues in known sin should feel depressed; so let’s first eliminate that as a possible cause. Repentance helps.) Medical (Consult your doctor and make sure there is not a medical cause. Could include chemical or hormonal imbalances for which medication and antidepressants can help.) Unhealthy lifestyle (Get sufficient exercise, eat healthy) Overworked / Tired (Get sufficient rest, God’s Sabbath law was instituted for our good) Burdened (Do not put yourself under undue pressure – not every burden is yours to bear. Roll the burden onto God) Unforgiveness Beware the victim spirit! Trying in own strength (Surrender to God) Trying to please people (Avoid unhealthy approval addiction and people pleasing) Comparing to others After a major success. (When a stressful period ends, e.g. “Post project depression”. As with Elijah)5 Elijah as an exampleOperated under Long-standing stress (1 Kings 17: 1-7). Announces major years-long drought to King Ahab (risky!) Then God sends him to hide by a little stream, where ravens (unclean birds) bring him food. Then the stream dries up…(1 Kings 17: 8-24) God sends him to be cared for by a widow who does not even have food for herself.Then the widow’s son dies.Already a humiliation to be cared for by a widow, but this widow does not even have food for herself. The miraculous provision of the food and the miraculous resurrection of the son should not blind us to how stressful this would have been. We see a glimpse in verse 20 "O LORD my God, have You also brought tragedy on the widow with whom I lodge, by killing her son?"The stress continues in 1 Kings 18 God sends him back to Ahab who has been organizing manhunts for Elijah all this time Then he stands alone against 400 prophets of Asherah and 450 of Baal A contest of whose God will answer the sacrifice with fire Then a major success God answers with fire Elijah executes the prophets of Baal The people admit that the LORD is God God sends rainBut very often after a success or at the end of a long stressful period everything comes tumbling down.A relatively small threat is the final straw (1 Kings 19) Jezebel threatens him and he flees for his life He falls into full-on depression incl a wish to die Loneliness; a feeling of abandonmentIronical that he flees for his life into the wilderness, but wants to die: v4 And he prayed that he might die, and said, "It is enough! Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!““The children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." He repeats this twiceThe way back (1 Kings 19) God allows him to rest Provides food God shows his power but speaks to him in “a still small voice” Then he says again: “The children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." He repeats this even after God himself has started speaking to him, which shows that the way back from depression is not necessarily quick and easy. God gives him new tasks Gives him someone who will help him and eventually succeed him Shows him is not alone after all – there are 7 000 others who have not bowed to Baal.He ends well Courageously confronts Ahab again (1 Kings 21) Prophesies against another wicked king Commands fire to consume 50 soldiers sent to arrest him (twice) Taken to heaven alive Appears with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt 17:3; Luke 9:30)So we see that after going through the depths of depression there was healing for Elijah, he was again used by God and God honoured him above almost everyone else6 David1 Samuel 30: 1-6 Greatly distressed “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.”In many of his Psalms we see him moving from a gloomy, depressed state to hope as he starts to focus on God and praises Him (e.g. Psalm 69)7 Prevention of depressionThings that can help with prevention / early intervention Maintain a proper perspective Rest Healthy habits (exercise, eating etc.) Do not carry unnecessary burdens What do you expose yourself to? What do you focus on? Surrender Don’t trust your feelings Be real Renewing the mind Fellowship Regular Bible study; walking with God Praise and worship Tiredness is a risk, Satan loves to disturb your sleep, keeping you tired and on the backfoot. Sabbath law – 7 day cycle is for our wellbeing and to protect us Do not carry unnecessary burdens. Not every burden is yours to bear. Charl – sheep not a beast of burden (Jesus: My las is lig) my burden is light Matt 11:30 Worship, worship music, song in the night (Shifts focus away from self and onto God + the faithfulness of God)Let’s unpack some of these8 Perspective God loves you and cares for you Your enemies / the government / politicians / your boss / your family [fill in the blank] Do not have the final say Cannot prevent God blessing you This is not our home! However bad things are it is not permanent God limits adversity – even in the case of Job Jesus is always with you (Matt 28:20; Heb 13:5) Even if you do not feel it9 Knowing, not feelingPsalm 46 describes major disaster, e.g. verse 2: “Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea”But then Verse 10: “Be still and know that I am God ”NOT “Be still and feel that I am God”We need to move beyond how we feel Habakkuk 1:2-4: O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, "Violence!" And You will not save. Why do You show me iniquity, And cause me to see trouble? For plundering and violence are before me; There is strife, and contention arises. Therefore the law is powerless, And justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous; Therefore perverse judgment proceeds. But then… Habakkuk 3: 17-19: Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer's feet, And He will make me walk on my high hillsThat first part sounds terribly familiar to a South African. Isn’t this how we often feel? But we should not stay there. With Gods help we can continue to 3:17. Ephesians 3:17-19: … that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. When you are depressed, the feeling is overwhelming, but you must break through to the facts = that God loves you and will surely provide.10 What do you focus on?Sometimes we do not know why we feel discouraged, depressed or sad. It is good at those times to consciously return our focus to God, put our hope in Him, draw on His strength, and anticipate the grace He will show us. - Charles StanleyFocus on God Isaiah 26:3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Philippians 4:4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.11 Praise is an antidote to depressionJoy is the constant companion of praise. If we feel depressed or discouraged, praising God will soon bring us joy. - Charles StanleyPsalm 42 Verse 1: As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. Verse 3: My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, "Where is your God?" Verse 5: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance. Verse 9: I will say to God my Rock, "Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?" Verse 11: Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.The turnaround from bad circumstances and depression is not always quick and easy. After expressing hope in verse 5 there is a downturn again in verse 9, but then we break through to the hopeful end in verse 11.12 Promises to contemplateIsaiah 40:28-31Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall, But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.Philippians 4:19: And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.You can trust God to provide – he provided bread and meat for millions in the desert (Exodus 16)Hebrews 13:5, 8 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." …Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.Promises of provisionMatthew 11:28-34 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.Matthew 7:11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.13 If prevention has failed… Don’t hide; Don’t avoid people Don’t be fake Seek help Read your Bible even if you don’t want to Study the promises of God (never leave or forsake, I am with you always…) Praise & Worship (repeat) Some causes are medical and medication can help. Don’t stop using medication without consulting your doctor. Worship, worship music, song in the night (Helps because it shifts focus away from self and onto God + the faithfulness of God)
Take The Limits off GodPastor Sid HartleyPsalm 78:40-41 (NKJV) - 40“How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert!” 41Yes, again and again they tempted (tested) God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”We can rob ourselves of what God wants to do in us for us and through us through our negativity and unbelief.Psalm 78:19-20 (NIV) - 19“They spoke against God; they said, “Can God really spread a table in the wilderness? 20True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?”How often do we limit God by asking, or thinking, the same question.Rather than ask, “Can God…?” we should say, God can…!Ephesians 3:20 (TPT) - “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.” God’s Promises Eternal Life John 1:12-13 (NKJV) – 12But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 3:16 (NIV) - “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.” Provision Matthew 6:33 (NLT) - “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Protection Psalm 91:1-2(NLT) - “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.” Wisdom James 1:5(NLT) - “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” Courage Joshua 1:9 (NLT) - “This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Healing 1 Peter 2:24 (NLT) - “He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right by His wounds you are healed.” The Holy Spirit (God wants to do something in us so that He can work through us) Acts 1:8 (NKJV) - “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Ephesians 5:18 (NLT) - “Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,” In fact, there is a promise in the Bible for every situation you may find yourself in. What do we need to do? Obey Isaiah 1:19(NKJV) - “If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) – Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Fulfill the conditions Believe the Promises(Mix it with faith) Romans 4:16 (NLT) - “So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe. Romans 4:20(NLT) - “Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.” B. Unbelief is what kept Israel out of Canaan and destroyed them in the desert Hebrews 3:19(NIV) - “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” Be patient Hebrews 10:36(NLT) - Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.” God does not always fulfil His promises immediately. He can but He seldom does. He works in us before He works for us and through us.Conclusion Let’s take the limits off God and trust Him to fulfil His promises to us.Mark 10:27 (NIV) - “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”Always remember that the reason why God wants to keep His promises to us isn’t to spoil us but that we might be a blessing and testimony to others.
No Fear - Pastor George LehmanJesus suffered and died; so that we can live free from fear.SO MANY PEOPLE FEAR OF THE FUTURE(Where there is no hope in the future, there is no power in the present)You need the power now to believe you’ll be victorious in the future.Compare Acts 10:38 (Amp) – How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with great power; and He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. With, 2 Timothy 1:7 (Amp) – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgement and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. Anointing is not something we wear as badge it’s for radical Service.Clearly God has empowered His children so that we are able to handle fear, anxiety, and worry. We need not fear the future.Matthew 6:34 (Amp) – So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its’ own. Sufficient for each day is its’ own trouble. (one day at a time – Live in His victory TODAY)Question: Are fears, anxieties and worries real? Yes, yes, yes they are!!!Faith is not the absence of fear. However, it’s moving forward in spite of the fear. Faith doesn’t ignore fear, it just refuses to let it grow. (Because my FAITH is in GOD)Faith in our God and His Word greatly affects how we respond to fear. In your life’s scale: where is Fear? - more on the fear side or on the Word side, which one is winning?Your fears, anxieties and worries may be very real to you at times(up close and personal), but God has equipped you and I with tools to tackle those fears(2 TIM 1:7).You can look fear straight in the face and say:, “You know what, you’re nothing next to my God – with God by my side I don’t have to be afraid of you!!”When it comes to living with NO FEAR you can: COUNT ON.#1 Count on God to BE WITH YOU when you are STRESSED.2 Timothy 3:16(NIV) – All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. Isaiah 43:2 (NLT) – When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty you will not drown! When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up, the flames will not consume you.Promise – Hebrews 13:6 – I will never leave you and I will never forsake you. Matthew 28:20 – I am with you to the very end of this age.Oppression = weighed down with cares or unhappinessIsaiah 41:10 (Amp) – Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]. Worry = using today’s resources to try and fix tomorrows problems.We use all our energy and strength and ability to try figure out tomorrow.The “what ifs” – what if this… what if that…?God’s grace is sufficient for today – it’s NOT to be wasted on tomorrow.Remember the manna (supply for each day, not for tomorrow). God is saying – trust me for today!Listen to this The Message translation of Matthew 6:34 - Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.Count on God to BE WITH YOU!We need to get this sorted out in our hearts. Our inability to cope with what might come tomorrow is causing many of us to be eaten up by fear. You put on the brave front but deep down you worry, and the devil is laughing at us.Jesus is saying, “That’s NOT what I died for”.John 10:10 – I came that you may have life and abundant life. Worry makes sense if you are a spiritual ORPHEN. Trust makes sense if you are a CHILD OF GOD.If you don’t have a heavenly Daddy, then you’re an orphan and it makes sense that you worry. But you are a child of God with a new spirit within you.#2 Count on God to DIRECT you when you are CONFUSED.Psalm 32:8 (Amp) – I (the Lord) will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. (We need to do our part)He has become an integral part of your very life – spirit, soul and body. We’re in good hands. Nothing about us escapes Him.Proverbs 28:25 (LB) – “… those who use God’s wisdom are safe.”As His children, He is so involved many times in our lives we don’t even realize it. You may ask, how? Well,God guides us by: His WORD (the bible) [if you read it] His PEOPLE (the church, cells, etc.) [if you fellowship] His HOLY SPIRIT (His presence in our lives) [if you’re prayed up] 3# Count on God to GO BEFORE YOU when you are AFRAID.Not only will He be with you, not only will He direct you, He goes BEFORE you.He is already in tomorrow.Example: “Mine sweeper”. The mines (bombs) are placed in such a way to destroy the approaching army, When I was in the “School of Engineers” in the Army we went out ahead of the Army to detect and clean up all obstacles to make there advance successful, so too God goes ahead of us.See Him in every part of your life.You say, “Does He really do that?” You better believe it!Peter’s example the night Jesus was betrayed. He said, “I’ll never betray you. Jesus said to him, Simon, Simon “I have prayed for you. Satan has asked to sift you. I have gone ahead of you.”Jesus prayed for us too! (John 17:20)Deuteronomy 31:8 (Amp) – It is the Lord who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; (let there be no cowardice or flinching but) fear not, neither become broken (in spirit – depressed, dismayed and unnerved with (alarm).alarm = Greek word “Phobo” for fear.We must stay away from a very serious sickness. I’ll say it again, as I have said before it’s the “what if” sickness. But what if God came through for you? Psychologists claim that 95% of most things we fear, never happen!! That leaves 5% and Jesus takes care of those anyway.Isaiah 65:24 (NLT) – I will provide their needs before they ask. I will help them while they are still asking for help.Talk about going before us….NOTHING will ever happen to us that is a SURPRISE to God.Not only can we count on Him: To be with us To direct us To go before us#4 Count on God to FIGHT FOR YOU when you are ATTACKED.Do you know attacks are going to come – fear, worry and anxieties are real. Faith is not the absence of fear. It’s very comforting to know God promises His children His personal protection.Exodus 14:13 (NLT) - Don’t fear, the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. EG. (King Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 20).Romans 8:31 – If God is for us, who can be against us?Remember:When I follow God’s AGENDA, God fights FOR me;When I follow my own AGENDA, I am ON MY OWN.David said in Psalm 37:5 (KJV) – Commit your way to the Lord, trust in Him. He will bring it to pass.Close:Many of us have a good reason to “fear the future”. Why? Because we are in control of our lives and not God. Christianity to you is a lifestyle only – not a way of life. We want to serve Him on our own terms and conditions. Just live like I want to live – any old way will do. Just do what we want to do, taking only what suits us.You cannot know what the future holds, but you can know who holds the future: He will be with us. He will direct us. He will go before us. He will fight for us.You need not fear or have worry about the future if Jesus is Lord of your life.2 Chronicles 20:17 (NIV) – You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. 2 Chronicles 20:22 (NIV) – As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Taming your tongue will improve your relationships and your life. - By Pastor George LehmanIf we don’t do whatever it takes to build great relationships our whole ministry and testimony becomes useless and ineffective. John 13:35(NIV) – “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”“Watch lest your negativity begins to destroy your positivity.”One moment your so positive and the next you can’t actually believe it’s you!The positive tongue.We need to train our tongues – forming good habits so that what comes out of our mouths will be: Positive – Honestly what comes out of your mouth predominately? Up-lifting – Do you more easily breakdown? Up-building – Do you motivate others to grow spiritually? Encouraging – Do your words cause people to carry on? Exhorting – Strongly urging people to push forward. Inspiring – Do you always have a scripture to inspire people? A blessing – Do you most easily bless people?Proverbs 22:11 (Amp) - He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech - because of the grace of his lips will he have the King for his friend.We really need to tame our tongues in the area of our confession.Matthew 12:34b (NIV) - … for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.Psalm 12:3-4 (NIV) – 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue 4that says, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips – who is our master?” The word of God conceived in the human spirit, formed by the tongue, and spoken out of the mouth will become a creative power that will work for you. (The opposite will work against you.)Our tongues should always rise to the level of the Word of God.As Christians we should be known as people who speak positively – speaking the Word of God into every situation.How easily we fall into this negative tongue!The power of our words.A careless word may kindle strife.A cruel word may wreck a life.A bitter word may hate instil.A brutal word may smite & kill.BUTA gracious word may smooth the way.A joyous word may light the day.A timely word may lessen stress.A loving word may heal and bless.Proverbs 22:11 (Amp) - He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech - because of the grace of his lips will he have the King for his friend.Contrary to what we’ve heard: “Talk is not cheap”. Talk is very expensive.Our words are powerful.What we say affects what we get from others and what others get from us. What we hand out either comes to bite us or bless us.How much more loving, kind, and peaceful our relationships will be if we just tamed our tongue.A list of POSITIVE ways to train your tongue each day - if you make these a habit in your life, you & others will see an awesome life change! Pray Share your faith Express gratitude Tell the truth Admit a mistake Confess your faults or weaknesses Comfort someone who is hurting Give a sincere compliment Pledge your support and carry it through Defend someone against negative criticism Discourage gossip Express appreciation Express hope or enthusiasm Encourage someone to persevere Express concern for another Speak of God’s goodnessA positive tongue is a sure sign of true spiritual growth and maturity.James 3:2 (Amp) – For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.Notice how the tongue controls character / our whole body.It's achievable if we will just be teachable.Our ultimate aim is:1 Peter 2:21-22 (Amp) – 21For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. 22He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. (He paved the way for us!)It's possible if we will stop being careless.Make a godly decision for your life to speak positively.Maybe you have held onto your weakness and failures for far too long because of having an untamed, negative tongue.Now! Decide - make the choice to change – because you can.God’s message to you today:Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (God wants to help you)Ephesians 3:20 (Amp) – Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]God wants you to trust Him.Do you trust God enough to help you to tame your tongue?His strength is just waiting for your positive confession.
LET US RUN WITH THE GIANTSThere must be real substance of God’s DNA in our lives, as ChristiansPastor George Lehman Never mind about: - Should you, or shouldn’t you? The question really is: - Will you or won’t you.There is no other option.It is a choice we make .I always say be careful what you pray.Because you might just get what you pray for.When you ask God to give you wisdom or patience or growth; be prepared.HAVING SAID THAT: -We need to really become very bold and begin to praying bold prayers and trust God to inspire us to greater heights, and deeper depths.Question: When last did you pray a bold prayer?Reaching farther than where you are right now!!A prayer like this, you must clearly understand will begin to cost you.But it will ultimately be worth it.In the race of life – don’t think you are alone –we’re not hopeless we’re hopeful. Romans 15:4 (NIV) – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Others have run it before us, Key scriptureHebrews 12:1 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. This verse precedes the history book of all the Giants of the faith who ran before us in chapter 11.If you do what other people don’t do you will have what other people don’t have.Your reason for living will show.Hebrews 10:35 - So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.This verse is encouraging us to run and win. It’s not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strongman stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena … who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. - Theodore RooseveltFar too many Christians are failing in their spiritual lives!They think its spiritual to sidestep difficulties, trials, etc.Do you for one-minute think these Giants of the faith who ran before us would have made any difference if they stayed in the safe zone.They would never have made the Hebrews 11 hall of Giants’ fame.Some of these giants who ran before us, ran the race in the most difficult of conditions -Hebrews 11:37-39 (NIV) – 37They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated – 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and holes in the ground. 39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. We sit here tonight with all our comforts, all our critic, judging and murmuring or offences.If the wind blows, or it rains, or we have a slight headache we just stay away – “my my” are we going to be accountable – Why? Read Hebrews 11:40 (NIV) – Since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (We were called to Run with the Giants)I want us to look at one of the Giants -Hebrews 11:7 (NIV) – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith. One person can make a difference -Genesis 8:21-22 (NIV) – 21The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. 22”As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.” Because of the righteous way he lived he saved humanity from extinction. Genesis 6:5-8 (NIV) – 5The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. 7So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created – and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground – for I regret that I have made them.” 8But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord.This is what he rescued humanity from.As we run the race with Noah, this giant of the faith, we learn a few important lessons.God knows you and I can make a difference.He saved you to make a difference -Luke 1:37 - For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfilment. When you run with Giants:1.You can make a difference for your family Living a life of integrity and obedience to God. Always have the potential to positively impact others. For the most we don’t see it while we’re fighting the good fight You may think is it worth it all - just keep on. One mans obedience brought in his whole family.Genesis 7:1 - The Lord said to Noah “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.” 2) God knows you can make a difference for the future generation.The story about the 80-year-old man planting an apple orchid. A young man was observing as the old man lovingly and painstakingly prepared the soil - Planting the tiny sapling and watered them.After watching the old man for a while, the young man said, “You don’t expect to eat apples from those trees do you?”“No” the old man replied, “but somebody will”.Because of our actions our, perseverance our, enthusiasm, our counting the cost, paying the price sowing the seeds -We will have an effect on those around us, and those who come behind us.Think of Noah - This earth still receives the benefit from one man’s righteousness.As with Noah our lives also will pass along a chain of impact that will outlive us.3) We can make a difference for God.Too often we fail to realise our importance to God: -The scripture says,2 Chronicles 16:9 - For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are blameless (loyal) toward Him.God is always looking for someone to “stand in the gap”(Ezekiel 22:30) for HimGod desires to partner with people who love Him.As in the case of Noah he found favour in God’s eyes – and so will you.Because of his relationship with God, Noah changed the course of history.I want to say this: - Every time you see a rainbow; I want you to remember that you also can make a difference for your Lord Jesus Christ. (Our only limitation is our expectation) -Let’s begin to dedicate ourselves to things that will still be important long after you and I have gone.Be a Giant of the faith and God help us to make a difference.Close with Hebrews 12:1 (NIV) - Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
The Persevering Christian - By Pastor George Lehman“To me, it has been a source of great comfort and strength in the day of battle, just to remember that the secret of perseverance, steadfastness, and indeed of Victory is the recognition that “the Lord is at Hand”- Duncan CampbellHebrews 10:35-36 (Amp) – 35Do not, therefore, fling away your [fearless] confidence, for it has a glorious and great reward. 36 For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.Fling away – It’s an active action you take, only you can do it.Note Verse 36 gives us the how to do it.Metaphors (Beeldspraak) involving warfare is written all over the Bible.New Testament writers, frequently draw on some form of them to illustrate Christian life.These metaphors remove any doubt that living a Christian life will not be like a Sunday picnic. (We have a real enemy)The focus of these metaphors is on the stresses, struggles and sacrifices we will face as Christians.Just like any soldier at war for his country and loved ones, he must possess some measure of devotion, determination, and dedication for the cause, without it He will have no impact on his mission.The more these qualities in his Character the greater the likelihood that he will endure, persevere, and stay steadfast in the trails of warfare in a hopeful spirit.Get out the feelings zone and get into the Faith zone.Faith dominates the picture of a Christian’s fight with the Spiritual forces that are against him.Ephesians 6:16 (NIV) – In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (The missing ingredient in many people’s lives.)Hebrews 11 is the classic faith chapter in the Bible.It may not be as popular as Psalm 23 (Encouragement) or 1 Corinthians 13 (Love)Hebrews 12:1 (Amp) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of [a]witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,This verse shifts our attention to practical applications of the lessons that come from Chapter 11.Hebrews 11 then is to faith – what 1 Corinthians 13 is to love and what Psalm 23 is to encouragement.Hebrews 11:1 (Amp) – Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].Before Paul wrote Hebrews 11 he introduces faith to the church.Hebrews 10:35-39 (NIV) – 35So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. 36You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. 37For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay, 38But my righteous one will live by faith and if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) – 6In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trails. 7These have come so that your faith- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even through refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. (A strong unshakable faith is important to God)Notice the strong earlier statements the Hebrew writer makes regarding unbelief:Hebrews 3:12 & 19 (NIV) – 12See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 19So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. We talking about the Christian fight as → 1 Timothy 6:12 (Amp) – Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnessesVery clearly the scripture tells us what will strengthen our faith to fight well to end well.2 Peter 1:5-6 (NIV) – 5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness. Hebrews 10:36 (Amp) – For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.The Greek word used is “Hupomone” it means “persevere” or “Endure”Meaning: Constancy (Standvastigheid) and steadfastness indicates that persistent effort is being made under suffering hardships and temptations.In other words it’s a “quality of character “that does not allow one to surrender. Slowing down is not an option, cooling down is not an option.Paul says → 1 Corinthians 2:5 (NIV) – So that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 2 Corinthians 5:7(NIV) – We live by faith, not by sight. (It’s not how bad my circumstances are, but what God’s word says)We need to be fighting the good fight of the faithFaith is so important that Jesus said: Luke 18:8b (NIV) – However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?Galatians 6:9 (Amp) – Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in.1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) - Therefore my dear bothers stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.2 Thessalonians 3:5-6 (NIV) – 5“May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. 6In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.”
God will work it out – by Pastor Kobus Massyn8-1-2023Do you trust God to work it out? Most will worship God, but not trust Him.In all the troubles that we face, He will work it out because we place our trust in Him.James 4:1-10 (NLT) - “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure. You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God?I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit He has placed within us should be faithful to Him. And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.”Many people leave the Church over petty things. Some say that it is because they do not feel at home. Why? What I have learned is that hurt people, hurt people. We need to be the ones to encourage and to make the Church our home.The Church is about getting hurt people together and teaching them that God will work it out. Come as you are.Time is running out and people who are not in line with the word, needs to step up and let God work it out.If God called you by name, He has a plan for you and He will work it out.Here are some Biblical heroesNoah: God told him to build a boat in a time where there they have never heard of rain. God gave him a plan that was not easy to understand.Abraham: God did not give him a careless promise, but humanly impossible. God knew their age, but God had a plan.Gideon: God did not give him a purpose that was safe. He was scared and in hiding. But God told him that he was going to be used on the frontlines.Joseph: God did not give him a dream that was short sited. It took him 12 years to get out of jail. Would you still trust God after 12 years for the dreams or prophecy’s spoken over your live? Do not grow weary.Moses: God did not give him a position that was trouble free. He had to learn how to deal with all the people. But he trusted that God will work it out.Daniel: God did not give him favour that was undisciplined.Job: God did not give him trials that were unnecessary. He lost everything, but the victory was amazing.We are all siting with our own challenges, but how are we negotiating this life?Here are some scriptures to explain that God is the solution to all we face.Psalm 46:10a (NIV) - He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;...Isaiah 55:8 (NIV) - “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.He knows what is in my future. My troubles must seem petty and the solution so easy if God is in control.Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) - For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.You are not heading for a disaster if you can be still and know that God is in control. He knows His plans for you.Galatians 2:20a (NIV) - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.Be still and allow God to download His plans to you. The same Spirit living in me is the one who raised Him from the dead.Acts 17:28a - For in Him we live and move and have our being.’We need to get to a place where His Spirit will show you the way.Allow God’s wisdom to impart and empower you to make the right decisions and take the correct actions even in the smallest things. Allow God to guide you and give wisdom to you so that you will be prepared when the big decisions come your wayThings to remember:1) When God calls us, He will lead the way2) When God speaks to us, He will be specific3) When God needs us, He will call usAllow God to be present and make that impartation in your spirit.
If We Do Not Lose Heart.2 Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Notice: 1. Therefore, what he has just said,2 Corinthians 3:17-18 - 17“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Through God’s mercy: not Grace but Mercy.Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve. Mercy is when He doesn’t give us what we do deserve. We have this ministry: It’s not only meant for people who are employed by a church or a Christian organization. This word actually means: SERVICE and applies to every follower of Christ We do not loose heart.2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. This is what I want to encourage you with for the year 2023 ahead.The prophet Daniel warns of a time when Satan will "wear down the saints of the Highest One" (Daniel 7:25).How this occurs in the final hours of the age remains to be seen, but this battle is already occurring today.The final effect of what seems like never-ending delays of Jesus ‘coming is that believers begin to become worn out.Do you know anyone who is weary with his or her battle?Are you yourself weary? I know many who seem trapped in situations that should have been remedied months and even years ago, but the battle continues against them.Situations and people, often empowered by demonic resistance, stand in opposition to the forward progress of God’s people.As a result of constant demonic opposition (not possesion), many Christians gradually accept a quiet, but weighty, oppression on their souls.This battle to wear out the saints may be rooted in conflicts with children or spouses; perhaps it is some unresolved issue or division within the church or in families.It may be a work conflict or health battle, yet on and on it goes.People seek to resolve the issue.Like a skilled and masterful thief, the enemy daily steals the joy, strength, and passion of Christians, and many do not even realize what they have lost or how much.Consider the various conflicts in the world. Some have continued for generations.We can understand why, even in the midst of great worship and praise by the redeemed, there is a place under the altar in Heaven where the saints continue to ask,"How long, O Lord?" (Revelation 6:10).Fifty-eight times in the Bible, from beginning to end, the phrase how long is echoed by those who grew weary with waiting.Sometimes the delays are God-ordained to perfect our faith and character.On the other hand, there are also occasions when Satan seeks to resist the fulfilment of God’s plans until we grow weary and quit.Satan is the dragon whose goal is to "drag-on" the battle with draining, wearying delays.He persists until we wear out, give up and quit praying.Additionally, as situations stretch beyond reasonably expected conclusions, weariness of soul can also lead to frustrations and irritations,Leading to fleshly reactions or just overreactions, which also will need to be resolved.We lose patience, eventually seeking relief rather than victory. This compromises the standards of God and conscience.PerseveranceThere is a reason the book of Revelation mentions the word perseverance seven times. Over and over again we see those who persevered and overcame.It is one thing to have vision, another to have godly motives, but neither will carry us to our objectives by itself. We must also persevere.The root of the word persevere is the word severe. We must face the fact that enroute to victory our trials may get severe.Likewise, it is with severe faith -- severe or extreme steadfastness -- that we inherit the promises of God.Hebrews 10:36 -“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” James tells us: "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:2-4).Endurance. Perseverance. Steadfastness. These are the qualities that breed character, that transform the doctrine of Christlikeness into a way of life. "Let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect." The key to true maturity, to a life "lacking in nothing," is perseverance.Character Before BreakthroughWe mentioned Daniel earlier as a prophet who warned about Satan’s ploy to wear down the saints.God gave him a vision of the end of the age.Here is what he wrote: "I kept looking, and that horn was waging war with the saints and overpowering them" (Daniel 7:21).This is the nature of the battle. There are times we feel war storming against our souls, overpowering us.But the prophet said the sense of overpowering continued only "until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favour of the saints of the Highest One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom" (Daniel 7:22).There is a principle here that, once understood, will lead to victory in our battles.If we endure, if we climb higher into God, if we refuse to lose our trust in God, a time will come when the Ancient of Days enters our circumstances.Looking at our newly developed character, which has grown strong through perseverance, He will pass judgment in favour of our cause.God looks at our character, forged in the fire of overpowering delays and battle, and says, "Good, this is what I was waiting for."Whatever your battle, whether you are praying for your spouse, your children, whether your cry is for the lost or for the end of some local or personal conflict,remember: it is not enough to sow the right seeds or even have the right soil. We will only reap "if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9 NKJV).
The Holy Spirit #7 By Pastor George LehmanOur enemy does not fear us, he fears what we can become. In fact, he fears what we take for granted – the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.If there’s one person who really believes in your potential and what you are capable of. It’s the devil, He is fighting to keep you from achieving it.This is such an important aspect in our walk with God - living accurately.2 Peter 1:3 (Amp) – For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).God equipped us to: Triumph over the enemy.We must know the truth about deception.God’s word tells us that Satan is both a deceiver and a liar and the truth is not in him.2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 (Amp) – The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels—[all of them] lying wonders— And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.John 8:44 (Amp) – You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic] of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a falsehood, he speaks what is natural to him, for he is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false.He would like for us to believe that he is all powerful, but the TRUTH is his power is limited to his deception.Satan takes scripture out of context in his effort to deceive people into believing ……it is not God’s will for them to be saved, healed, blessed or prosperous here on earthHe presents truth as error and error as truth – either will hold you in bondage.Paul encourages us…2 Timothy 2:15 (Amp) – Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.2 Timothy 2:23-26 (Amp) – But refuse (shut your mind against, have nothing to do with) trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead, he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered [preserving the bond of peace]; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth [that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it], And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will.There are so many people today who are unaware that they are opposing themselves by what they believe. You are your greatest enemy many times.Being willing to accept truth and believe the gospel is the cure for deception.Beware of false truths.Many people have ideas and some beliefs who tend to read things between the lines.Things are not in the context of scripture. The thought or the idea may have originated by reading certain scriptures or by something they heard about the scripture.Doing bible bingo - open up the bible on any page and hopefully you get a scripture from God, the enemy can use this to deceive you.I call this “a false truth”.A false truth is a statement in the bible that has been accurately recorded, but when used or quoted out of context it is not true at all.It is true in the situation stated but quoted out of context it’s not true.This is how many well-meaning people are deceived and it causes lots of problems in their lives.They take scripture out of context.For instance, it’s true Paul made the statement in Romans 8:28 – “all things work together for good…”This statement is true only when kept in the context of the other things Paul said before and after this verse (Go read full passage of Romans 8)Otherwise, it is a false statement, because “all things don’t always work together for good”.Yet many people believe they do, therefore they fail to resist what the devil brings against them.Many people are convinced it is God’s way of working things out for their good and that is not always the case.Many times it’s the enemy who is behind it; Not God!We need to let the scriptures speak to us and not allow our own interpretation to speak into the scriptures.Taking phrases of scripture out of context always leads to a misunderstanding and ultimately deception.People isolate specific verses out of context in order to prove a certain point to suit their theology. It makes Gods word powerless.Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. This verse is connected to verse 12Philippians 4:12 (NIV) – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.Like saying, “God is love”.1 John 4:16 (NIV) – And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.1 John 4:17 (NIV) – This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.People believe God is love – so He overlooks all sin and compromise.Paul said in 2 Timothy 2:25 (KJV) - “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves”.There are many good Christians who love God who oppose themselves by the way they talk, the way they believe and the way they ACT.As discussed before, often you hear people say that Jesus said, “The truth will make you free”.So, if we quote truth, we think that should be enough to set people free.However,…John 8:31-32 (Amp) – So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, if you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.Truth doesn’t just hang on a tree like a fruit and we pick off what we like and what suits us.What a difference it makes when you put scripture in context.Everyone who has a bible has the truth – but the bible won’t set them free unless it abides inside of them.John 15:7 (Amp) – If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.Action brings reaction.James said it this way:James 4:7 (Amp) – So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.Notice the devil doesn’t flee from God – He flees from you! Have you ever prayed and asked God to remove the devil from your back?But first, we must submit ourselves to God, then resist the devil and he will flee from you.submit = greek word hupotasso [Hoop-ot-as-o], meaning be under obedience, to put under.The answer to “triumph over the enemy” is found in our daily discipline.Proverbs 4:19-23 (Amp) – The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. For they are life to those who find them, healing, and health to all their flesh. Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.The Holy Spirit can only lead you away from deception with what you know (truth).*
The Holy Spirit #6 - By Pastor George LehmanJohn 16:7(Amp) – However, I am telling you nothing but the truth when I say it is profitable (good, expedient, advantageous) for you that I go away. Because if I do not go away, the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you [into close fellowship with you]; but if I go away, I will send Him to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. There is no worse screen to block out the Spirit than confidence in our own intelligence. (John Calvin)Reasoning spiritual things with a natural mind, Will only bring confusion.Spiritual blindness births deception. You can have a lot of Bible knowledge and yet be spiritually blind.Nearly every passage in the New Testament that has to do with ‘end of the age’ includes some kind of warning about being deceived.Matthew 24:4-6 (NIV) – Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.Matthew 24:24 (NIV) – For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.The ‘elect’ or God’s chosen ones are not immune to deception.To avoid being deceived, you must be able to identify the truth.Pontius Pilate interrogated Jesus before His crucifixion.Jesus told him…John 18:37 (Amp) – Pilate said to Him, Then You are a King? Jesus answered, you say it! [you speak correctly!] For I am a King. [Certainly, I am a King!] This is why I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the Truth. Everyone who is of the Truth [who is a friend of the Truth, who belongs to the Truth] hears and listens to My voice.Not the deceivers voice – God’s voice.Pilate and philosophers have asked this question for 2500 years…John 18:38a (NIV) – “What is truth?”The co-ordinates of truth, like a GPS, you put in the co-ordinates, and you’ll get to your destination.John 14:6 (Amp) – Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.Jesus is the TRUTH.God’s word, the Bible is also TRUTH.John 17:17 (Amp) – Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.The Spirit is also TRUTH.1 John 5:6 (Amp) – It is the Spirit who bears witness [to Jesus Christ], because the Spirit is truth. The truth is Jesus. The truth is the Bible. The truth is the Spirit.To be sure you’re dealing with the truth therefore, you must ask three questions… Is it true to Jesus? Is it true to the Bible? Does it have the witness of the Holy Spirit.If these questions are answered in the affirmative[bevestigend], you may be confident that you have the truth.How deception displaces the truth.Paul’s warning about deception…2 Corinthians 11:3-4 (NIV) – But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.How quickly we can lose our grasp on the truth – letting go to “put up with” false doctrine, lies, our own suitable interpretations.Paul’s warning to the church in Colossae…Colossians 2:8 (NIV) – See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.Never forget this… To win worshippers to himself, Satan uses deception.Revelation 12:9 (Amp) - And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.Deception is something to which all of us are susceptible *(Vatbaar); no one should assume they are immune to it.Galatians 6:3 (NIV) – If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.Satan uses pride and deception to win people’s worship.I believe pride is the primary door through which deception takes hold of our lives and misleads us.Proverbs 11:2 (NIV) – When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.A proud person is not teachable. They become a ‘know it all’.They become prime target no.1 to the enemy.The result…Psalm 59:12 (NIV) – For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. Pride will cause you to be deceived in the way you serve God. It will be mixed good and evil.God’s view on pride because He knows how it can lead us away from truth into deception.James 4:6 (Amp) – But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).If we are walking the pathway of truth and humility our light should grow brighter daily as we grow closer to God.If your light is not getting brighter then you are in danger of backsliding, of relying on self-made methods of deception.Proverbs 4:18 (Amp) – But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day [to be prepared].
The Believer’s Authority – by Ian September“Authority exercised with humility and obedience accepted with delight, are the very lines along which our spirits live.” – C.S. Lewis Good evening church in the North. I have it on high authority that what you will hear and apply will change your life forever, guaranteed!Because it is (Not only information or revelation but in the application). How do I apply this knowledge in my life?I would like to make a statement by saying that our only hope to reach the lost and change this world one heart at a time, is when we as Christians understand, claim and exercise our authority in Christ.Please note church, that one of the many reasons why people do not grow and mature; overcome and conquer and live victorious lives, can be found in our ignorance to this topic!Did you know that exercising your authority in Christ is faith in action? God’s word is clear that, faith without action is dead and without faith it’s impossible to please God. (Do you see this chain-reaction?) Heb. 11:6Listen to: Colossians 1:13 (NIV) – For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. The Word of God says that we have been delivered from the power (authority, control and dominion) of darkness and are placed into God’s kingdom.So please realize today that Satan has no power over you as a child of God; the only power that the enemy has over you, is what you allow him to have.Take note church that the day that you gave your life to Christ, the day you accepted Him, you were given a new life but also authority and faith, to believe that you’re a child of the Most High!John 1:12 (NIV) – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (Believe this Church!) Aan almal …..Luke 10:19 (NIV) – I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. The Word of God says that you’re not only called to be a child of God, but also to reign and rule in this life; for you are more than an overcomer, because you have the power, might and ability to do so. Amen! You are armed and dangerous!You see, when we fully understand this principle we will be able to proclaim boldly:Philippians 4:13 (NIV) – I can do everything through him who gives me strength. I have His ability, strength and authority to do all things!King David understood this so well, when he said: “For by my God, I can run through a troop and by my God I can jump over a wall.”Psalms 18:29 (NIV) – With your help I can advance against a troop with my God I can scale a wall. Matthew 28:18-19 (NIV) – 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Therefore because of verse 18 that all power and authority belongs to Jesus).Understand that a transferal of authority took place. The authority that was given to Christ was transferred to us as believers! Amen?!Mark 16:17 (NIV) – And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues. Also re-emphasizes the fact that His authority was given to all believers. (Power & authority)Because of His authority in us we can command (just as He did) for authority doesn’t beg or ask, it commands (Imagine a cop begging you to pull over!)We can therefore safely say that authority is exercised through the spoken Word!Proverbs 18:21a (Well known) “Life and death is in the power of the tongue.”We will find many examples where Jesus cast out demons using His authority and speaking life over people, healing the sick and even raising the dead!Luke 7:14b – “I say to you, arise!” - CommandJohn 5:8 – “Pick up your mat and walk!” – CommandMark 1:25 – Jesus commanded the evil spirit to leave; this same authoritative power (authority) was given to us as well.Luke 9:1 (NIV) – When Jesus had called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. It is also important to know church that we can only act under His authority before we can utilize (exercise) our authority.The Roman centurion in Luke 7:2-9 (NIV) – 2There a centurion’s servant whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me, I tell this one, ‘Go’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come’ and he comes, I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Verse 8 he said: I recognize and understand authority, I submit to it and I exercise it... you don’t have to come to my house, Lord, but just say the Word! He understood authority and so should we!This evening I would like to share with you just 5 pointers or reasons why we as believers do not walk in our God-given authority. Sin: The primary reason for many not to reign and rule in this life! When we habitually sin, we give Satan legal right over us until we confess our sins to God and repent! Take note church that wilful, habitual sin will prevent you from claiming and exercising your authority in Christ! Jy moet dit glo … Ignorance: Hosea 4:6 – “My people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge.” Many of us are ignorant to our authority (Ek het nie geweet nie!) Unbelief: Hebrews 3:12 says that to have unbelief is to sin! (We do not really believe that we have the power!) Fear: Luke 12:48 (well known) with authority comes responsibility! Many people do not want to embrace authority because of the responsibility attached to it. Prayerlessness: Ephesians 6:18 encourages us to pray at all times on every occasion, for when I’m prayerful I am sinless! But when I’m prayerless, I’m sinful!When we spend time before God in prayer you will come to the clear understanding of who you are in Christ, and the authoritive power you have in Him. Amen?I would like to conclude this evening by saying: “It is not what you say you believe, but what you do with what you say, you believe!” May God through His Holy Spirit challenge our hearts and make us realize who exactly we are in Christ and the authority vested in us by Christ Himself, so that we can rule and reign in this life.1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) – But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
The Holy Spirit #5
By Pastor George Lehman
Many Christians estimate difficulty in the light of their own resources and thus attempt very little and they consistently fall. All giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His Power and presence to be with them. - Hudson Taylor.
Do you rely on His power to be with you?
The uncompromising, obedient church, filled with the Holy Spirit, is busy making a significant difference in this world right now
This is a Cinderella sermon – if the shoe fits, put it on. However, this is a ‘one size fits all’! Not just for a select few.
Jesus said it:
John 8:31-32 (NIV) – To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Paul wrote:
Galatians 5:7 (Amp) – You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) you’re heeding and following the Truth?
Notice: What hindered them? They mixed the truth with a lie (deception).
We clearly see two types of Christians.
One walking in truth, the other walking in confusion and division.
A mixture of good and evil yields two main results:
Confusion and Division. (You become double minded)
James 1:8 (NIV) – He is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
Mixed messages contain grains of truth and falsehood.
You can focus on the good or true component and still accept the bad along with it.
In either case, God’s truth and purposes are frustrated.
God warns against mixture.
Deuteronomy 22:9 (NIV) – Do not plant two kinds of seed in your vineyard; if you do, not only the crops you plant but also the fruit of the vineyard will be defiled.
Deuteronomy 22:10 (NIV) – Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together.
Deuteronomy 22:11 (NIV) – Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.
Notice, God prohibits[verbied] mixed livestock, sowing with mixed seed and wearing garments of mixed material.
The principal teaching is that when you serve the Lord you should not mix two different types of things… Single minded not double minded
Like a message being partly true and partly of error…there are 574 occurrences of the word “If” just in the gospel
John 8:31(NIV) – To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold tom y teaching, you are really my disciples.”
Like simultaneously living in accordance with scripture and with the pattern of this world…
Like as a Christian mixing with someone that is non-Christian.
(Note, when two different species are bred, the offspring is usually sterile).
Breeding a horse and a donkey you get a mule – an animal incapable of re-producing.
King Saul is a prime example despite his 40 years reign – his victories and successes as a military commander.
There was a time he prophesied in the Holy Spirit and another time in a demonic spirit.
(1 Samuel 28)
Just before a battle, he consulted the witch of Endor - the next day he committed suicide on the battlefield.
We must ask ourselves – are we sowing with mixed seeds?
Galatians 6:8 (Amp) – For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Question: Do I combine truth and falsehood?
Am I living partly the righteousness of Jesus and partly my own fleshly nature?
The blessings of God will not remain on that which is a mixture of purity and impurity.
We cannot be neutral or passive regarding what we accept in our lives.
Proverbs 8:13 (Amp) – The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.
Compromising with evil is wrong and sinful.
Evil = morally bad, to sin, not to please, wrong
The devil enters via the evil with a goal.
John 10:10a (Amp) – The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.
You cannot be a fence sitter when the Holy Spirit comes. He electrifies the fence. No more fence sitting.
Jesus said:
Matthew 12:30 (Msg) – “This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.
Paul gives a very serious warning about the condition of the church in the end times.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Amp) – But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane[no reverence]. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous[dikvellig] and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement[bring no peace; hold a grudge]); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate[excessive, like in the use of alcohol] and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous[faithlessness] [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit[always talking about yourself]. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies[false representation] the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
Revelation 12:9a (NIV) – The great dragon was hurled down – the ancient serpent called the devil or Satan, who leads the while world astray.
The warning of the degeneration of human character and conduct – this behavior at which few people bat an eye today.
Even those who proclaim to be Christians are showing these behaviors. Having a form of Godliness but their conduct denies it.
Final judgment will separate mixtures.
The parable about the Kingdom of God in Matthew 13 speaks about the end of this age.
Matthew 13:24-30 (NIV) – Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time, I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”
The field represents Christianity which includes:
People who bear appropriate fruit (the good wheat).
And others who bear no fruit (like the weeds).
Have you heard someone say the church is full of hypocrites? It’s true. It’s even biblical.
We must just be sure that we are not among them. Be wheat.
We cannot compromise on biblical principles – especially because judgment will begin in the house of God.
1 Peter 4:17 (Amp) – For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?
Walking daily by the Holy Spirit is to be obedient.
Jesus said it:
John 14:15 (Amp) – If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.
John confirms it:
1 John 5:3 (Amp) – For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous).
The antidote to mixture is truth. The pure, undiluted truth of God’s word.
How much more should we as God’s children take a stand for the truth?
Fasting & Praying: Disciplines to personal holiness - By Ian September
“There is power in prayer … But there is more power in a combination of fasting & prayer”
Good evening church, it is my privilege once again to share the Word of God with you, on a very important, but beneficial matter, if you get into the habit of practising it regularly! (promise & condition)
Can I just say that if you’re due for a breakthrough, due for healing & deliverance, due to be empowered, relieved, restored or about to make important decisions, then this teaching is “ tailor made” for you!
Today I would like to share with you on a topic of two spiritual principles that will not only get you closer to God, but also assist you greatly in living a holy life.
So the topic of our teaching today is simply:
Fasting & praying: disciplines to personal holiness:
Discipline (Godly behaviour)
(Read newsletter heading together)
2 Chronicles 20:1-3 & 15 (NIV) – After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to wage war against Jehoshaphat. 2Some people came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Dead Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar”(That is , En Gedi). 3Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
15He said; “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ’Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
Another important Scripture is found in Luke 4:14-15(NIV) – 14Jesus returned to Galilee in the Power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through the whole countryside. 15He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised Him.
It says that Jesus returned from the desert after 40 days of fasting, filled with and under the power/anointing of the Holy Spirit!
Fasting is an Old Testament practise, but even promoted by Jesus in the New Testament.
I firmly believe that this was maybe one of many reasons why Jesus fasted…. To be filled with the Holy Spirit, for the benefit of Himself and others and to have koinonia with ABBA Father!
He said Read Luke 4:18(NLT) “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.” (to do what church?)
So that others can also benefit from the Holy Spirit working in and through me, amen?
We read in Matt. 6:16-18 (whenever or when you fast, not if you fast!) So the assumption is that we will fast, just as Jesus did! Matthew 6:16-18 (NIV) – 16”When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Eph. 5:1 says that we should imitate Christ, or follow His example, so if Jesus fasted….. we should do likewise.
Let me remind you church, that fasting is not a Biblical ordinance, instruction or command, but it is however expected for believers to fast (and pray).
Jesus expected his disciples to fast (Matt. 9:14, Matt. 6:16-18 & Matt. 17-21) and the Bible makes about 87 references to fasting, from the Old Testament & New Testament!
So what exactly is fasting? Well fasting can be seen as the deliberate (moeds- willig), wilful, voluntary abstinence from food, for a period of time, for the purpose of concentrated prayer, and a deeper, more intimate relationship with God! Amen?
Please hear this today church, that fasting is not:
1 An Old Testament ritual
Man-made custom Religious tradition A diet to lose weight
But fasting is a principle or discipline, instituted by Jesus Himself, even in this new dispensation of grace!
You see church, our focus during fasting should not only be to abstain from food, but the purpose of the Christian fast should be that we take our eyes off the physical, the carnal desires, and to concentrate on the spiritual, on holiness & God. (To deny yourself of all carnal cravings).
Please realise church, that the motives of our hearts when fasting (and praying) will determine the success and effectiveness of our fasting. Motive: The matter that I bring to God in prayer during fasting, is more important than food.
Our motive should never be to impress others, Luke 18:12(NIV) – I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. but to be set apart, consecrated & dedicated to a high purpose & to God.
Can I just say that if we as a church undertake to practice this principle regularly, we will experience God’s presence, power and provision in our lives like never before, guaranteed!
So, what is the importance of fasting? You may ask….
Firstly, fasting will help us to concentrate in prayer and will remind us of our weaknesses & dependence on God. Fasting will move you into a new spiritual dimension. (like shifting into overdrive) Fasting will also help you to gain direction from the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:14) and help you to obtain clarity of mind and spirit. Fasting will also make you spiritually sensitive, to hear from God, and to be aware of other people’s needs …. Even to a point where you will fast on behalf of someone else’s needs, trials or tribulations. Amen church! When last did you…?
So, if you’re battling to “hear” from God, or you’re really desperate for God, why not put the principle of fasting in place in your life church? What is preventing you from doing it?
I would now like to touch on a few pointers on praying, because fasting & praying goes hand in hand, and when these two activities are combined, and dedicated to God’s glory, they will reach their full potential in your life, amen?
Realise this evening, that praying is your lifeline back to God, and that a life of prayer, equals a life of power!
If you can show me a person that’s on fire for God, filled with the Holy Spirit & causing havoc in the kingdom of darkness, I’ll show you a praying Christian! Amen
Take note of the fact, church … that if you want to achieve anything substantial (buitengewoon) or of considerable importance in this life, you need to pray! (Stay on your knees, it will keep you standing)
Matthew 21:22 says that prayer overcomes the impossible (i. pray believe iii. receive iv. become) Matthew 21:22(NIV) – If you believe you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer. Prayer also guards against temptation Matthew 26:41(NIV) – “Watch and pray so that you will not fail into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” A prayed-up Christian is one that will overcome temptation, in whatever form it is offered to him! Prayer also brings peace. Do not be anxious about … Philippians 4:5-7(NIV) – 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Prayer changes situation & circumstances (Anybody??)
So this evening, I would like to encourage us all, to pray with humility & confession, pray with thanksgiving & praise, pray with consistency & devotion, pray with pure motives and a clean heart!
Proverbs 22:11(NIV) - He who prays with a pure heart, who speaks with grace will have a king for a friend. (So examine your motive & manner of prayer, church).
I would like to conclude, by saying that there is tremendous power (chain breaking, prison door opening) power in fasting and praying! Amen, church?
These are 2 spiritual principles that will guarantee healing, deliverance & breakthroughs. Yes it will indeed!
The question this evening is simply this, Are you really, living a holy, set apart, consecrated life?
There is always a first time to start fasting and praying, because it will put you well on your way to personal holiness and ensure that you will run well & finish strong, amen!
Well, may God bless this word to our hearts, and may we not only be hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word as well, amen church?
May God bless His word to every heart, amen.
The Holy Spirit #4 - By Pastor George Lehman
Self-control is not control by oneself through one’s own will power but rather control of oneself through the power of the Holy Spirit. - Jerry Bridges
2 Timothy 1:7(NIV) – For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline. (self-control)
The Holy Spirit is not just an add on extra which we tap into once in a while.
The Holy Spirit doesn’t need to equip you for what you’re NOT going to do, so if you’re in rebellion, compromise or lukewarm against Jesus – refusing His right to be Lord in your life, He doesn’t need to send the Holy Spirit to equip you for service and tragically you miss out on the joy and completeness He brings. So let the Holy Spirit deal with anything that’s keeping from putting your feet to obedience. - Henry T. Blackaby
The Holy Spirit breaths inspiration, enthusiasm, and boldness into our lives while our soulish, carnal mind breeds compromise, comfort and seeks convenience!
We need to be so cautious for a decline from our spiritual life to end up earthly to soulish to demonic.
James 3:13-14 (NIV) – Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
A spiritual man declining!
James 3:15 marks the steps of the decline of wisdom.
This decline allows demons to infiltrate the work, of God, the people, and the church of God.
James 3:15 (NIV) – Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual ’soulish’, demonic.
Being earthly (People say I’m just human) it may sound or seem innocent enough, but it takes very little time for a lack of interest and enthusiasm to take root.
Jesus did not save you to be a weak soulish Christian.
This will drag you down to the soulish realm.
And perhaps further still into the realm of the demonic.
An earthly Christian is someone who expects God to provide blessings for this lifetime only – prosperity, healing, power, success, comfort, ease, feather my nest in this world.
1 Corinthians 15:19 (Amp) – If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.
If the purpose of your Christian faith is to receive blessings and comfort in this earthly life alone, you are to be pitied and you’ll be miserable.
So many Christians forget that this world is not our home, we are foreigners passing through this world.
1 Peter 1:17 (NIV) – Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.
That’s why so many Christians are earthly and become soulish.
A soulish man cannot discern spiritual truth because he must do so with the Spirit.
And when you are tuned solely to soulish appeals to your emotions, then it becomes:
All about me, myself and I. My will, I want, I think – these are not controlled by the Holy Spirit.
When it comes to our lifestyle of worship
Soulish people worship God in order to have a good time.
People say, “What wonderful worship service”.
The purpose of worship is not for us to have a good time.
Rather the purpose of worship is just what it says – WORSHIP!
Proper worship praises God. It does not seek to elevate our emotion or to thrill our senses.
I’ve seen people moved by emotions, even to tears, and yet they never change.
A step down from the soulish is the demonic.
The pattern of progression from earthly to soulish to demonic is best illustrated in the Old Testament by Aaron who made a golden calf, an idol.
Exodus 32:1-6 (Amp) – When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, [they] gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods to go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him. 2 So Aaron replied, Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives, your sons, and daughters, and bring them to me. 3 So all the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made it a molten calf; and they said, These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt! 5 And when Aaron saw the molten calf, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord. 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
Note verse 1 – they credited Moses for their deliverance instead of recognizing God’s providence[voorsiening].
Their focus on human leaders lead to idolatry.
It says they, “The people … rose up to play”.
What is incredible about the backsliding of Aaron and the people is how suddenly it occurred.
2 months before Aaron designed the golden calf, Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. The people responded in awe and reverence.
Exodus 20:18-21 (NIV) – When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, “Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” The people remained at a distance, while Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
Within 2 months, the people had abandoned their attitude of fear and reverence and replaced it with an attitude of indifference and idolatry.
Once their physical needs had been met, their appetites satisfied their bodies sufficiently clothed they backslid.
Hebrews 12:28-29 (NIV) – Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
The New Testament example of God’s holy judgment when He struck Ananias and Sapphira dead when they cheated with offerings.
Acts 5:11 (NIV) – Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
The question is – how much awe do you have for God in your life?
We must never lose a sense of awe of God’s Holiness and greatness.
Ephesians 4:30 (NIV) – And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Too often the lack of seriousness of awe gives way to unscriptural frivolity and flippancy.
Frivolity = lacking seriousness, silly, oppervlakkig/onbelangrik
Flippancy = treating serious matters lightly, disrespectful, ligsinnigheid/onverskillig.
One ministry of the Holy Spirit is convicting us of sin.
Where conviction is lacking, the work of the Holy Spirit is mostly lacking as well.
Too many Christians are trying to serve God in an earthly, soulish even demonic way.
You will always have time for what you make time for.
You are right now only as obedient and committed to God as you are allowing the Holy Spirit to have you.
The Holy Spirit #3 - By Pastor George Lehman
Destitute of the fire of the Holy Spirit of God – nothing else counts. Possessing the fire of the Holy Spirit, nothing else matters.
Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work, but when you are filled with the Holy Spirit then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you. -Corrie Ten Boom
This is a clear sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (Amp) – And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane* things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
*profane = worldly, things that disrespect God
The human personality: Spirit, Soul, and Body.
I’m sure we would all agree that spirit, soul, and body make up the complete human personality.
Genesis 1:26 (Amp) – God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.
Notice: In IMAGE and after LIKENESS.
Image refers to outward appearance thus something in man’s outward appearance mirrors the outward appearance of God.
After Likeness refers to the internal structure of the Godhead - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Man’s spirit, soul and body correspond to the three components of the Trinity.
The internal structure of the human personality is traceable to God’s creation of man.
The human spirit proceeds from God’s breath.
Genesis 2:7 (Amp) – Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.
Hebrew & Greek word for Spirit & breath are the same.
The body was clay infused with divine life to become Adam. Fully Spirit, Soul and Body
The soul is perhaps the most difficult component to understand.
The part in us that determines… “I will” or “I won’t”
The soul comprises of Will, Emotions and Intellect and produces 3 corresponding types “I want” “I feel” “I think”
These statements rule the life of the natural, sinful man. It’s all about Me, Myself and I.
Surrendering to these demands of the soul instead of being guided by God’s Spirit – you separate yourself from God.
Sin brings death to Adam – not physical but spiritual death.
When we repent, God forgives our sins and renews our spirits. The Spirit takes up residence in us!
Ephesians 2:1-3 (Amp) – And you [He made alive], when you were dead (slain) by [your] trespasses and sins in which at one time you walked [habitually]. You were following the course and fashion of this world [were under the sway of the tendency of this present age], following the prince of the power of the air. [You were obedient to and under the control of] the [demon] spirit that still constantly works in the sons of disobedience [the careless, the rebellious, and the unbelieving, who go against the purposes of God]. Among these we as well as you once lived and conducted ourselves in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by our corrupt and sensual nature], obeying the impulses of the flesh and the thoughts of the mind [our cravings dictated by our senses and our dark imaginings]. We were then by nature children of [God’s] wrath and heirs of [His] indignation, like the rest of mankind.
From rebellion to salvation
Ephesians 2:4-6 (Amp) – But God—so rich is He in His mercy! Because of and in order to satisfy the great and wonderful and intense love with which He loved us, Even when we were dead (slain) by [our own] shortcomings and trespasses, He made us alive together in fellowship and in union with Christ; [He gave us the very life of Christ Himself, the same new life with which He quickened Him, for] it is by grace (His favor and mercy which you did not deserve) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation). And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
Salvation won’t preserve our physical bodies – but it does make them temples for the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 4:16(NIV) – Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
How we treat our bodies then, is very important, it has an important function.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (Amp) – Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.
When we receive salvation, our spirits are made alive, our souls are reconciled to God and our bodies are made temples for the Holy Spirit.
Functions of Spirit, Soul and Body.
Spirit:
Our spirit is capable of communicating directly with God and worshipping Him, as confirmed in…
1 Corinthians 6:17 (Amp) – But the person who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with Him.
2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV) - For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Neither soul nor body can unite with God. The spirit alone is capable of uniting with God.
John 4:23-24 (Amp) – A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality).
Soul: The soul’s function is to make decisions and, regeneration[vernuwing] enables the soul to make right decisions.
Psalm 103:1 (NIV) – Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
David’s spirit is telling his soul what to do.
His spirit senses the need to ‘bless the Lord’ but it requires activation by his soul to execute this need.
Eg. Like a gear lever on a car. Turn the key, start the engine, but to make it move you must shift it into drive.
It’s often difficult to distinguish soul from spirit.
The ONLY effective and sharp tool is - THE WORD.
Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) – For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
The difference between mature and immature Christians…
Hebrews 5:11-14 (Msg) – I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you’ve picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one-—baby’s milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God’s ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.
Body
There’s a marked difference between “Spiritual” and “Soulish” in relation to the body as described in the New Testament.
Paul says…
1 Corinthians 15:44-50a (NIV) – 44It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45So, it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man. 50I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God,
What does it mean to be an “earthly soulish man”?
From a Christian’s standpoint, earthly individuals focus on our earthly life and nothing more, nothing beyond.
Soulish people are egocentric, concerned exclusively with themselves; it’s about my comforts, my likes my dislikes, my feelings my convenience. “I do it my way.”
It’s about what God can do for me and not what I can do for God.
1 Corinthians 2:14-15 (NIV) – The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,
Spirit-filled believers produce fruit.
Luke 3:8a (Amp) – Bear fruits that are deserving and consistent with [your] repentance [that is, conduct worthy of a heart changed, a heart abhorring sin].
They ask, “How can I glorify God? How can I best serve God?” Pleasing God is their 1st priority. They have a confidence and a boldness that they are children of God.
Romans 8:14-16 (Amp) – For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For [the Spirit which] you have now received [is] not a spirit of slavery to put you once more in bondage to fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption [the Spirit producing sonship] in [the bliss of] which we cry, Abba (Father)! Father! The Spirit Himself [thus] testifies together with our own spirit, [assuring us] that we are children of God.
We can have absolute assurance in this scripture.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV) – May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
Being ready when Jesus comes in Spirit Soul and Body one day is not optional
Unfair Grace – by Pastor Kobus Massyn
To understand unfair grace you need to understand the Kingdom of God.
There is no democracy in a kingdom and if the king decrees something, it is final. How amazing is it to be in the Kingdom of God, where all creation worships Him. And when He says that He loves you, that is an order of the King.
God told Peter:
Matthew 16:19 AMP - “I will give you the keys (authority) of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind [forbid, declare to be improper and unlawful] on earth will have [already] been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose [permit, declare lawful] on earth will have [already] been loosed in heaven.”
The purpose of keys is to enable / authorise and give ownership. To give you the right to enter.
There are three times Peter used the keys:
Acts 2 - Salvation to the Jews
Acts 8 - Salvation to the Samaritans
Acts 10 - Salvation to the Gentiles
Receiving the keys to the Kingdom is like receiving the keys to a new house or motorbike. As soon as the keys are handed over, the deal has been sealed and signed. You’ve got ownership and the responsibility now.
Jesus never preached to the people about His crucifixion except to His disciples, but everywhere He went, He explained and described the Kingdom.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be in the Kingdom?
John 14:2 - My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
In the Kingdom, there is room for us all.
But what does it mean to have this unfair grace? Let us have a look at understanding and not understanding grace.
Jesus vs Jonah
There are a few similarities between Jesus and Jonah
God send both Jesus and Jonah to deliver a message. (Read the book of Jonah). Jonah was told to go to Nineveh to tell them that it is over and that God has had enough. Jonah did not want to and tried to flee the presence of God. Both Jonah and Jesus died.
Jonah 2:1 & 6b - 1Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the stomach of the fish, 2 and said, “I called out of my trouble and distress to the Lord, And He answered me; Out of the belly of Sheol I cried for help, And You heard my voice. - 6Yet You have brought up my life from the pit (death), O Lord my God.
Jonah did not love the Ninivites, but eventually did what God wanted him to do and delivered the message to the people. The people repents to God, but Jonah was upset that God forgave them. He had the knowledge of God’s power but he did not have the understanding of grace.
Jesus was different.
Luke 4:16-30 - 'So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read. The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me (the Messiah), Because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy), to proclaim the favourable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the favour of God abound greatly].”
Then He rolled up the scroll [having stopped in the middle of the verse], gave it back to the attendant and sat down [to teach]; and the eyes of all those in the synagogue were [attentively] fixed on Him. He began speaking to them: “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing and in your presence.”
And [as He continued on] they all were speaking well of Him, and were in awe and were wondering about the words of grace which were coming from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?” So He said to them, “You will no doubt quote this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal Yourself! Whatever [miracles] that we heard were done [by You] in Capernaum, do here in Your hometown as well.’ ”
Then He said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, no prophet is welcome in his hometown.
But in truth I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was closed up for three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land; and yet Elijah was not sent [by the Lord] to a single one of them, but only to Zarephath in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet; and not one of them was cleansed [by being healed] except Naaman the Syrian.”
As they heard these things [about God’s grace to these two Gentiles], the people in the synagogue were filled with a great rage; and they got up and drove Him out of the city, and led Him to the crest of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to hurl Him down the cliff. But passing [miraculously] through the crowd, He went on His way. '
Jesus loved the people even if they did not want to hear it or except grace. Jesus understood the gift of grace
When Jesus spoke about the Kingdom, He spoke with reverence. There was no wondering of what was.
The good news is that we do not deserve grace, but the King declared it.
Grace is found in a Kingdom and given by a King.
Matthew 20:1-16 - ' “For the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of an estate who went out in the morning at dawn to hire workmen for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius for the day, he sent them into his vineyard. And he went out about the third hour (9:00 a.m.) and saw others standing idle in the market place; and he said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right (an appropriate wage).’ And they went. He went out about the sixth hour (noon) and the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.), and did the same thing. And about the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) he went out and found others standing around, and he said to them, ‘Why have you been standing here idle all day?’ They answered him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ He told them, ‘You go into the vineyard also.’
“When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last [to be hired] and ending with the first [to be hired].’ Those who had been hired at the eleventh hour (5:00 p.m.) came and received a denarius each [a day’s wage]. Now when the first [to be hired] came, they thought they would get more; but each of them also received a denarius. When they received it, they protested and grumbled at the owner of the estate, saying, ‘These men who came last worked [only] one hour, and yet you have made them equal [in wages] to us who have carried [most of] the burden and [worked in] the scorching heat of the day.’ But the owner of the estate replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no injustice. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go, but I choose to give to this last man [hired] the same as I give to you. Am I not lawfully permitted to do what I choose with what is mine? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?’ So those who are last [in this world] shall be first [in the world to come], and those who are first, last.” '
The great commission is in our hands. Go out and make disciples and teach them. But are you going to do it like Jonah or Jesus?
When Jesus steps in, everything changes. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. Because when you are in Christ and go through the doors, you are in the Kingdom of God.
The moment we step into the Kingdom we will understand the dimension where the Holy Spirit operates and manifest. Step into the understanding of the Kingdom.
If you are still trying to figure out what is fair, you are not understanding the Kingdom, for God says that His grace is enough.
Seek first the Kingdom of God.
The Holy Spirit #2 - By Pastor George Lehman
Wherever you find the Holy Spirit you’ll find action.
Its like the fuel in a rocket
Action:
Obedience
Change-growth (you cannot remain unproductive and immature)
Power – fire
Healing-deliverance
Joy-peace
Enthusiasm
Perseverance – endurance
Jesus exalted
The Holy Spirit in the church.
2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) – Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. I no longer live in fear, bondage, condemnation, or defeat.
In the New Testament, “LORD” represents the sacred name of God which is “Jehovah” or “Yahweh”. It indicates a divine person.
Paul said, “The Lord is the Spirit”. God the Father is Lord. God the Son is the Lord and God the Holy Spirit is also Lord.
Jesus is Lord “over” the church, but the Holy Spirit is Lord “IN” the church.
Jesus is the Head of His church the body (you and I born again spirit filled believers) make up the body
This is very important to understand: Jesus’ Lordship over the church is effective ONLY insofar as the Holy Spirit is the Lord “IN” the church.
This is a problem to many contemporary Christians. They confess Jesus as Lord but fail to make the Holy Spirit Lord in their lives and in their church meetings. So, they live a fleshly carnal life.
Paul shows us two ways: Writing his first letter to the Corinthians…
1 Corinthians 3:16 (Amp) – Do you not discern and understand that you [the whole church at Corinth] are God’s temple (His sanctuary), and that God’s Spirit has His permanent dwelling in you [to be at home in you, collectively as a church and also individually]?
Note, the “YOU” in this passage is plural in the Greek.
Paul was speaking to Christians collectively as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
He then continued this idea…
1 Corinthians 6:19 (Amp) – Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own,
He is addressing individual believers.
Not only does the Holy Spirit dwell in the church – collective group of believers, but… He dwells within each individual believer.
God wants to take up residence in each of us, inhabiting our physical bodies.
What humility on the part of our Almighty God, creator of the Universe.
Why we need the Spirit.
What does the Holy Spirit accomplish as He dwells in us?
First: He is here to complete the ministry of Jesus.
(Jesus completed the perfect sacrifice on the cross when He left the earth – His task of training the disciples was far from complete.)
John 14:16 (CEV) – Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you.
He didn’t abandon them; He sent the Holy Spirit. God’s intention is a great relationship with Him.
John 14:17-18 (NIV) – The Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
We cannot live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit.
John 14:25-26 (NIV) – “All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
This scripture is important – it confirms that the New Testament did not depend on the apostles’ memories or cleverness.
But upon the Holy Spirit who inspired their records.
2 Timothy 3:16 (Amp) – Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action),
Jesus never wrote a journal for remembrance.
He left to His apostles the task of recording His life and conveying His teachings – we can rely on the accuracy when we read the Bible.
Not because they were smart, infallible authors but because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit who brought Jesus’ teaching to mind.
John 16:12-13 (NIV) – I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit Of truth, comes, he will guide you into all *truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
*We now have the written truth; it’s time we read it!
As God’s children we don’t just struggle along trying to work out our salvation on our own.
The Holy Spirit ministers to us with guidance, leading us daily. He provides us revelation - sharing with us what is to come.
The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus. If anything is from the Holy Spirit, the test is: Does it glorify Jesus?
The Holy Spirit will never glorify a human personality, a doctrine, a denomination. Only Jesus gets the glory.
If we desire the Holy Spirit in our lives in our worship services, the best way to attract Him is by glorifying Jesus.
Church, we must know that we have no hope of victory over sin, doubt and no growth is possible without the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.
Our own strength and wisdom will fail, neither education nor financial resources will suffice.
Only by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit can we live the type of life God expects of us.
Zechariah 4:6b (NIV) – “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty.
Let us make friends with the Holy Spirit.
God changes hearts; Minds; Actions; Attitudes and Destinies - from within to live it out.
Obedience ensures resurrection power - By Pastor George Lehman
The cross is the victory, the resurrection is the triumph.
Victory is an instance of having won a battle; while triumph is a conclusive success following and effort, conflict of obstacles.
Without the cross, there is no resurrection.
1 Corinthians 15:14 (NIV) – And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.
Galatians 2:20 (Amp) – I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
Victory is success – triumph is joy over the victorious success.
Victory is in Christ (ALONE) – to triumph in victory this is our part.
Paul confirms this:
2 Corinthians 2:14 (Amp) - But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,
Despite the difficulties of this life, just like Christ who experienced awful suffering on “Good Friday”…
We can expect God to turn things around just as He did in the resurrection.
Hence, it’s Friday but Sunday is coming.
The resurrection has great implications in the life of a child of God.
It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.
The problem is many believers are still living in “Friday” and Sunday is not coming.
Many are waiting for breakthroughs, and nothing seems to be happening. Many are broke, defeated discouraged and depressed. Couples are waiting patiently for God to heal their marriages. I’ve seen pastors hang on to ministries hoping things will change and eventually leave the church.
What happened?
Do they wait longer? Maybe so. However, this passage of scripture really got me thinking.
Philippians 3:10-11 (Amp) – [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]. That if possible, I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
Paul shared the concept… “It’s Friday but Sunday is coming.”
He wanted to experience the power of the resurrection in his own life.
It wasn’t a physical resurrection because he was still physically alive.
A physical resurrection belongs to those who have died.
Paul is speaking here of “Resurrection Power”.
The truth is… Resurrection power can make alive your dead dreams.
It can turn dead situations you’ve given up on around. It can transform lifeless, empty circumstances into vibrant joy full breakthroughs. It can turn dead desires to a burning passionate fire. It can turn a dead hopeless situation to a joyful hopeful outcome.
Question: Do you need this resurrection power?
Through a life of “obedience” we become like Him in His death.
Notice carefully that Paul says he wanted to know both “The power of His resurrection” and “Sharing in His sufferings”.
It’s at this point in the sermon when people jump off the bus because they want the blessings and NOT the sufferings. People want to go from point A. directly to point T. (Triumph).
Without counting the cost of real life in between.
Here’s the point - you cannot be qualified to experience the power of His resurrection if you have not shared in His sufferings.
You may say, “Hey, wait a minute, I have suffered so, so much.”
Ah!! Suffering is no proof you have “Shared in His sufferings”.
It can be you are going through some tough stuff as a result of your own disobedience and impatience doing things you knew you should not have!
Paul said he wanted to “become like Jesus in His death”.
This is how you share in His sufferings – you become like Him in “His death”.
An obedient life is a crucified life.
Jesus said it…
Mark 8:34 (Amp) – And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].
Your willingness to obediently surrender, disown, forget, ignore and deny yourself.
This is how you become like Him in “His death”.
Romans 6:5-6 (Amp) – For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God]. We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (NIV) – We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
We must incorporate these principles in our own suffering to truly become like Jesus in His death.
Then you will most certainly experience the power of the resurrected life.
1 Simon carried His cross.
Jesus did not suffer without help. He needed Simon to carry His cross. This showed humility.
Do not attempt to suffer alone.
Often people go through suffering times in marriage, finances, sin.
When offered help they push you away.
They don’t want help – they tell you to mind your own business.
Sadly, most times Sunday never comes for these people!
2 Do not weep for me.
Self-pity blocks God’s aid.
Jesus had every reason to seek sympathy. He told His mother and the women not to weep for Him.
So many times, when we suffer, we want the lime-light to shine on our suffering.
Self-pity is really pride. Self-pity says…“I deserve recognition because I have sacrificed so much”.
They are really looking for applause – not for what they have achieved but for the amount of suffering they have had to endure.
Although Jesus suffered, He never sought hero status. Wow!
3 Father, forgive them, they do not know what they do.
No animosity[vyandigheid] toward the thieves on the cross. No hatred toward the soldiers doing their duty. No meanness toward the crowd.
You cannot expect Sunday to come if you continue to disobediently hold onto bitterness (negativity, hate, hurt, bad feelings, unforgiveness).
You cannot claim to suffer with Christ if you do not forgive like Christ forgave on the cross.
Jesus made sure there was no reason for Him not to qualify for the resurrection.
He did not want to be disqualified simply because He held onto unforgiveness.
Can I just say this – you have been given a New Nature. It’s God’s love nature within you.
“You can forgive.”
You can ensure by an obedient life that you will experience the power of His resurrection flowing out of your life.
The “Seasons” in our lives - By Ian September
“Embrace the seasons of life, for it is just that….. a season”
I would like to share with you church, an experience or encounter I had with God, at around 1:45pm, some time ago. And the Lord spoke so clearly to my heart, and I was so excited, that I even woke my wife and told her about what God revealed to me!
I actually wrote it down the next morning, because I knew that I had to share this someday, so here it is….
God spoke to me in such a quiet, gentle tone of voice …. Saying,
“As there are seasons in nature, and as they come to an end and a new season starts, so is the season that you’re in right now, about to end. I will pour out rain on your dry and parched land and your pastures will be green …. And you will eat of the fat of the land again!”
But that’s not all (everybody)
So I pretty much knew what I was about to share with you all, and then last week Sunday, Pastor George prophesized over the congregation, quoting: Isaiah 43:19 (NIV) – “See I am doing a new thing; Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
As I listened to Pastor George, I realised that God mentioned the beginning of a new season, through the prophet Isaiah!
“I’m about to do a new thing” meaning that you’re currently in a situation, a season, that is about to change, amen! Vs. 18 “Forget the former things and do not dwell on the old.” “For I am about to do something new!”
So, I have it on high authority today, that God is about to change your seasons, if you’ll allow Him to! But that’s not all.
Pastor Kobus Massyn then came up to preach the Word, speaking from the Book of Ruth! He also mentioned the season in Naomi’s life, where she left the land of Judah in abundance, with a husband, two sons and two daughter in laws, only to return in a season of emptiness. Ruth 1:20 – “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness, pleasant) but call me Mara (bitterness) for the Almighty has dealt bitterly with me!”
What more confirmation could I ask for, church? In one night two men spoke about the seasons in life.
Please turn you Bibles to Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NIV) – There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
There is indeed a time for anything, a season for every activity under the heavens! I am 100% sure that every human being on planet earth, is in a season right now… every single one in this service or those watching online! You’re in a season, Amen?
Some or many of us are enjoying the “summer season” right now, all is well, with long lazy days of warm sun and carefree days…. Others are in “Spring” with all its awesome colours, flowers blooming, and you have a sense of rebirth and renewal.
Many other people are in their “Autumn” season... You’re beginning to notice the shorter days of sunlight, a colder breeze at night… while others are smack-bang in the dead of winter!! (Anybody?)
But please realise church that seasons represents different times or experiences in our lives… we will experience joy, laughter, and happiness, but also sorrow and grief, loss, and pain! Yes, it is so!
Realise today church, that it takes different seasons in our lives, for God to mould us and make us what He wants us to be, amen? But unlike the only 4 natural seasons, we will face many in our lives!
Today I can mention so many Bible characters, who went from summer, autumn, winter and spring, who endured their seasons, but never gave up on life!
James 1:12 (NIV) – Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
This Scripture reminds me so much of Job (anybody?)
Job was in his “summer season”, he had plenty, he prospered in everything… there was no one like him in the land.
Job 1:1-3 (NIV) – In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2He had seven sons and three daughters, 3and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
Until God gave Satan permission to test Job.
Job went from a place of abundance, to a place of misery and grief. From luxury to an ash-heap, scraping his boils, even cursing the day he was born! But in all of this (seasons) Job did not sin against God! WOW
Well, maybe you’re like Job right now, having lost everything that was precious to you, and people around you are actually surprised that you’re still standing... well church, Job realised that the same God who brought him to it, will also bring him through it, amen! Job realised that every setback, is just a setup for a comeback, and so should we, church!
“And the Lord restored to Job twice as much as he had before.” This promise is for somebody here today… God will restore to you twice as much as what you had before!
Can I just say: that being faithful like Job means that we will endure challenges along the way… we will encounter sad, bad and negative events and emotions… but if we patiently wait upon the Lord, we will see His salvation in every situation, amen church?
I have a strong sense in my heart, that there are people here today present, and you feel like you’re stuck in winter all your life, your life is like a typical Cape Town winter’s day.
Your seasons are just not changing; well
Maybe it’s a result of sinful habits, or offenses that was never dealt with, never confessed, never left at the foot of the cross. Unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin!
Can I just say church, family & friends, that the longer you hold onto your hurt, pain and disappointment, the longer you will be stuck in that season. Let go and let God!
For the feeling of negativity will infect your walk with God, but happy are those who find joy in every season of their lives! Conquerors endures!
But just as God turned Job, Naomi, Ruth, Joseph, David and so many other lives around, so we can’t expect Him to move us from one season to the next, with expectation of what He is about to do in us and through us.
Embrace your seasons, church … for there is a reason for every season in your life. (Yes it is so!) Amen?
Conclude: By saying to you all, “However long the night, or season, dawn will break, seasons will change, if we remain faithful to God and His purpose for our lives, amen?
Come let us pray!
“My worship relationship” - by Pastor Kobus Massyn
Intro: The golden thread we get is God’s love story through the bible.
Sermon:
Ruth ( a story about Naomi)
The names in this story plays a role in the setting of the scene
Elimelech (meaning My God is King)
Naomi (meaning Pleasant one / sweetness)
Moab (the desirable land)
Mahlon (Meaning sickness) Ruth (meaning companion / friend)
Chilion (meaning Finished, complete, perfect) Orpah (meaning neck)
Boaz (strength)
Obed (worshipper)
19So the two of them went on until they came to Bethlehem. And when they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole city was Bethlehem was a small city where everyone probably knew everyone else, and Naomi’s husband may have been a prominent man in the city.stirred because of them, and the women asked, “Is this Naomi?” 20She said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness. 21I left full [with a husband and two sons], but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
Please note that:
Making their own plan to move to the Desirable land failed. ( not accepting God as your King, save place, refuge is dangerous) The comforter / Friend will always remain with you. Making new opportunities available. Only Naomi felt Bitter but to God she was still Sweetness. Boaz /Strength Bought her form hopelessness and restored her again.
Closing:
Ruth 4:17
The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son (grandson) has been born to Naomi.” They named him Obed (worshiper). He is the father of Jesse, the father of David [the ancestor of Jesus Christ].
Our worship is a lifestyle in relationship with the Lord.
Measure your life by obedience - By Pastor George Lehman
The ship that will not obey the helm, will have to obey the rocks. - English proverb
How many shipwrecked Christians do you know?
How do you determine your growth? You measure it by your willingness to obey God.
Obedience is not optional. You either ARE or AREN’T.
Obedience has to be the measure we use.
When the Holy Spirit is in full control of our lives, He will expect our obedience to the written word of God. But it is part of our human problem that we would like to be full of the Spirit and yet go on and do as we please. – A.W. Tozer
The way you’re conducting your life right now is a very clear indication of the level of your obedience to God and His commands.
All true knowledge of God is born out of obedience. -John Calvin
Obedience to God is the most infallible[onfeilbare] evidence[bewys] of sincere[opregte] and supreme[hoogste] love to Him. - Emmons
When we study a particular truth in the bible, it helps to examine the place it takes in scripture or the context of the word.
I.E: Where it is used, how often and in what connection it is found and its importance.
To prepare the study of ‘obedience’ in scripture we must go to scripture to find the mind of God.
Taking the scripture as a whole we start with paradise which in the beginning was the Garden of Eden.
It also refers to where the saints will dwell forever with God in eternity.
In:
Genesis 2:16 (Amp) – 16And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;
Genesis 2:17 (NIV) – 17”But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” (Notice the consequences of disobedience)
And later...
Genesis 3:11 (Amp) – And He said, Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat? (Read v 24)
24So [God] drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden the cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep and guard the way to the tree of life.
Please note how obedience is the one virtue* (behaviour showing high moral standards; strength and courage) of paradise.
It was the one condition of man’s abiding there – the one thing his Creator asks of him.
Nothing is said of faith or humility or love – OBEDIENCE covered it all.
The one thing that decides man’s destiny… “to obey” is the one thing required.
We go now from the beginning of the bible to the end. In the last chapter we read:
Revelation 22:14 (NKJV) – Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city.
From the beginning to the end, from paradise lost to paradise regained, the law is unchanged.
“It is obedience that gives access to the tree of life and the favour of God”.
Question: How was the change affected? Through - The Cross of Christ.
From disobedience at the beginning that closed the way to the tree of life, to obedience at the end that gained entrance to it again for all those who are obedient.
Romans 5:19 (NIV) – For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by ONE MAN’S obedience many will be made righteous.
Hebrews 5:8-9 (NKJV) – though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
The beauty of His salvation consists of this that He brings us back to the life of obedience.
Paradise, Calvary, Heaven ALL proclaim with one voice:
“Child of God, the first and last thing your God asks of you is simple, universal, unchanging obedience”.
I want you to notice in the Old Testament with any new beginning in the History of God’s Kingdom: “Obedience always comes into special importance”.
As Noah who became the new father of the human race.
We find written in scripture…
Genesis 6:22 (NIV) – Noah did everything just as God commanded him.
Genesis 7:5 (NIV) – And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.
Church, it is the one who does what God commands to whom God can entrust HIS work.
Think of Abraham, the father of the chosen race.
Hebrews 11:8 (NIV) – By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
It had to be obedience that kept him for 40 years in the school of faith.
It had to be obedience when he bound his son Isaac on an altar.
God said:
Genesis 22:16-18 (NIV) – and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Moses at Mount Sinai – God gave him a message for the people.
Exodus 19:5 (NIV) – Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
After 40 years wandering in the wilderness, we see the terrible fruit of disobedience.
We read about the story of Saul – his disobedience to God.
Samuel’s response:
1 Samuel 15:22-23 (NIV) – But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”
Jeremiah 7:22-24 (NIV) – 22For when I brought your forefathers out of Egypt and spoke to them, I did not just give them commands about burnt offerings and sacrifices, 23but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in all the ways I command you, that it may go well with you. 24But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward.
Looking at the New Testament…
If we turn to the teaching of Jesus, we find that it was obedience He lived and the same He required of everyone who would be His disciple.
The gateway to finding salvation was obedience.
Jesus said:
Matthew 7:21 (NIV) – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Jesus sharing His farewell words and reveals the spiritual character of true obedience born of love.
John 14:15-16 (NIV) – “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever.
John 14:21, 23 (NIV) – 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.” 23 Jesus replied, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
There are many teachings we need for growth - like prayer, faith, study of scripture. But obedience has to be the key.
Obedience is the key to pleasing God’s heart.
Our Christian life is first and foremost ‘Obedience”.
1 Peter 1:2 (Amp) – Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) ...
Does obedience take that place in your heart and life?
Are you giving obedience the place of authority that God intends it to have in your life?
Let us ask God to help us and show us how far we fall short in our Christian life of obedience.
May God make obedience, the one sacrifice He asks of us, the sacrifice we freely offer Him.
Philemon 1:21 (NIV) – Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.
Obedience to the last command of Jesus - By Pastor George Lehman
If your gospel isn’t touching others, it hasn’t touched you.
Curry R. Blake
Matthew 28: 16-17(NIV) – 16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.
Matthew 28:18-20 (Amp) - “Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, all authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
John 17:18 (NIV) – Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
These words of Jesus were nothing less than the Spirit of a great world conquest. This was the beginning call to obedience to “GO”
All the nations, all the world, every creature, to the uttermost part of the earth.
The heart of Christ was set on claiming His rightful dominion over the world that He had redeemed and won for Himself.
He counts on His disciples to obediently undertake and carry out the work.
Our walk with God begins with the word “follow” and ends with the words “GO”.
The devil shakes when he hears us say, I’ll do as You say Lord.
His promise to us.
Matthew 28:18 (Amp) – “......All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”
Matthew 28:20 (Amp) – Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).
I have won, so you now can “Go” with confidence and authority and win back the world for God. Go and plunder hell and populate heaven.
Notice: Christ does not teach or argue, ask, or plead, He simply commands; “GO”
He has trained His disciples in obedience. He can now count on them. Can He count on you?
They accepted the command and passed it on to those who through them believed on His name.
Within a generation, simple men, whose names we do not even know, had preached the gospel, and covered the whole of Europe. We are the fruit of their obedience.
This command is for each one of us too today.
There exists in the church of Christ NO privileged group to which alone belongs the honour, or the duty of carrying the Gospel to every creature. - Andrew Murray
We are His body. We now occupy His place on earth. His will and love carrying out through us the work He began in winning the lost back to Him.
How miserably the church has failed in obeying the command!
How many Christians there are who don’t even know such a command even exists!
How many Christians there are who hear of it but do not wholeheartedly try to obey it!
Many Christians seek to obey it but only when it’s convenient, comfortable, easy, with no persecution and when they have time available.
We need to accept these 3 commands and place ourselves at God’s disposal.
1 Accept His command.
There are so many factors that weaken the force of this command.
The impression is that a command that is general in its nature and given to all - Its not as binding or as important as one that is personal and specific.
If it’s not easy to ‘go’ and circumstances are difficult, then we believe absolute obedience cannot be demanded. We think God understands.
These attitudes are not obedience. This was not the spirit in which the first disciples obeyed.
Over the past 100 years the Barna research claims that 42% of born-again Christians are obedient to this command and share their faith. 58% are disobedient.
Why not make up your mind even if no one else does. You will by His grace give your life to live for His Kingdom.
You make the choice to accept His command.
2 Place yourself at His disposal. (Isaiah 6:8 – “Here I am send me.”)
Many times, the great command has been strongly linked with missions - like to go to China or Africa. We think it’s meant for others.
Matthew 28:19 (Amp) – Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
What is the calling for every child of God?
“Nothing less than to make every man a true disciple – living in Holy obedience to all of Christ’s will”.
So many Christians are always waiting to be spoon fed and never realize that they are called to make disciples.
Let God know He can have you completely.
You are a student in the school of obedience. Study the great command. Accept it with your whole heart and place yourself at His disposal.
3 Begin at once to act on your obedience.
In whatever circumstance you find yourself, it is your privilege to have within reach souls that can be won for God. Andrew Murray
The day you got saved, you were called into service.
2 Timothy 2:4 – No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of (civilian) life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.
God requires of you to boldly and humbly take up your life’s calling of helping in the great work of winning back the world to God.
Remember these words preceded the command to make disciples… “I am with you always”.
Christ’s power in heaven and His presence on earth – between these two pillars lies the gate through which the church enters the conquest[oorwinning] of the world.
How obedient have you been to the Great Command?
Jesus said:
Matthew 24:14(NIV) – And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
You may want to recommit your life to the great command.
Then pray this prayer with me:
Blessed Son of God. Here I am. By your grace, I give my life to the carrying out of your last great command.
Let my heart be as your heart. Let my weakness be as your strength.
In your name I take a vow of complete and lasting obedience.
The Fear Factor - By Ian September
“No God, know fear……. Know God, no fear!”
Today I would like to share with you on a negative emotion, that will from time to time, rush into your life, with the potential to harm you, either physically, emotionally or spiritually!
Many of us are so aware of this negative “fear factor”, this emotion that will render us useless for God’s kingdom, yet we allow the enemy to control our minds with fearful negative thoughts!
You see church, fear is perverted faith, as someone once said that you can’t have them both, you can’t have faith and fear at the same time, amen church?
Even as we realise that fear is a human emotion or instinct, we are reminded in God’s Word not to fear anything!
Psalm 27:1-3 (NIV) – The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall, I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? 2When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. 3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You see church, fear has a way of limiting us, holding us back, preventing us from growth & reaching our full potential in Christ!
Fear has a way of preventing many from overcoming, being conquerors, and thus playing right into the enemy’s hands.
How many times would we rather choose to believe the lie that we cannot achieve or accomplish, that our dreams will never materialise, and we allow this lie to rule our lives & simply don’t do anything about it!
We are ignorant to God’s Word! Phil. 4:13(I can do all things...)
Today I would like to touch on a few “types” of fear that are so prevalent, predominant in many lives!
Fear of man: When we are being intimidated with what people may say & think of us, or what we may say to them!
“I don’t care what people say about me, it’s alright, they’ll get it someday” (Song)
You see church, I would rather be obedient to the calling on my life than be offended by what people will say about me!
Proverbs 29:25 (NIV) – Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe.
Another negative fear is the emotion of what others can do to me.
Psalm 118: 6 (NIV) - “The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid, what can mere mortals do to me?” What can people do to me?
Psalm 56:4 (NIV) - “In God, whose Word I praise, I put my trust and are not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
This includes almost anything that people can do to harm one another, but God’s Word in Romans 8:31b - “If God is for me, who can be against me?”
Luke 12:4 (NIV) – “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.” After killing me, they can do no more, so why should I fear what man can do to me?
The 3rd fear (negative) emotion: Fear of the future/unknown
You will find this in the lives of many, even Christians!
“But because He lives, I can face tomorrow, all fear is gone” (song)
Because of the uncertainty of tomorrow, we tend to worry & fear the future. (Did I do enough to save up for old age, what will happen if my health should fail me? Etc.)
But in the meantime, we miss out on what we already have…. The present with all God’s blessings & favour, amen.
Yesterday is gone, nothing you can do about that, tomorrow is not guaranteed.
All we have is today, so make it count!
Psalm 54:4 (NIV) – Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.
4th Negative fear: Fear of the past
Many people are so past possessed, that they cannot be future focused! They have a fear that the past failures & mistakes will repeat itself again!
You are so intimidated by the past that you refuse to step out, be who God created you to be, your past (with all its mistakes & failures are actually ruling over you) Eina.
We live with this “what if” mentality: What if I fail again, what if I get hurt again, what if … what if?
Well not “what if” ….”But if” God is for you, you have no past amen?
Dis vir baie mense moeilik om op die toekoms te konsentreer want hulle focus is nog op die verlede!
God says clearly in His Word Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) – 18”Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19See, I am doing a new thing, now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
Leave your past, in the past!
Many people are so haunted by the past failures, sin & transgressions, but 1 John 1:9 (NIV) – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
I would now like to share on the only healthy fear we’re supposed to have, Anybody? Proverbs 10:27 (NIV) – The fear of the Lord adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
Proverbs 1:29 (NIV) – Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
This fear of the Lord is not in “afraid” but in reverence, om God-vresend te wees, om God eerbiedig te wees.
How sad is it in our modern society, where we have a complete lack of this daily? On TV, newspaper, social media, etc. There is little or no respect for God and His name is being used as an expression of anger & bitterness!
The reverent fear of God should be an integral part of every Christian’s life, amen church? It is then that we can put our faith, hope & trust in Him completely….
It is then when He really becomes the “limitless” God and we can say with confidence Ps. 27:3 … even then will I be confident (not fearful).
Isaiah 41:10 (NIV) – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 43:1 (NIV) – But now, this is what the Lord says- He who created you, Jacobs, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are Mine.”
God Himself is giving us the assurance that we don’t have to fear anything. No fear of death, fear of man, fear of the future or failure. NOTHING AT ALL
Because God did not give us a Spirit of fear …
All we need to do is to stand on His Word, believe in it & apply it in our lives (God is “n waar-maker van sy Woord).
May God bless this Word to us all, so that we can go into this world, knowing fully, that we don’t have to fear anything!
Amen
Obedience the challenge - By Pastor George Lehman
(The natural life the old man) knows that if the spiritual life gets hold of it, all its self-centeredness and self-will are going to be killed and it is ready to fight tooth and nail to avoid that” C.S. Lewis
Obedience is not just a word, it’s a lifestyle of a child of God.
God has a plan for a victorious life with MAN. We were not saved to live defeated lives.
1) 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) – This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
In other words, all men are NOT saved.
2) Ephesians 4:13 (LB) – Until finally we all believe alike about our salvation and about our Savior, God’s Son, and all become full-grown in the Lord - yes, to the point of being filled full with Christ.
Would you all agree that it is God’s will that we be SAVED and GROW in the grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ?
2 Peter 3:18(NIV) – But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
If it is God’s will, why is it so hard for most Christians to live obedient lives?
If God is working with us, should this not be easy? Why the challenge?
Your response may be: - Well, I guess it’s just that I am so evil. - I’m just human, it’s our nature we aren’t perfect yet. - I’m so bad God doesn’t hear my prayers.
What I have seen and experienced over many years is that Christians get so weary with the difficulty that they say, “God will just have to except me as I am”.
All these justifications may indeed be factors. But they are NOT precisely correct.
Because most of us have some besetting (persistent) SIN or SINS that we fail miserably to overcome and deal with time after time after time. Why?
If it’s God’s will why do, we not overcome them more easily?
The sin need not be easily recognizable to others.
You know what’s in your heart and so does God. We are all aware of it.
Paul writes to Timothy…
1 Timothy 5:24-25 (Amp) – The sins of some men are conspicuous (openly evident to all eyes), going before them to the judgment [seat] and proclaiming their sentence in advance; but the sins of others appear later [following the offender to the bar of judgment and coming into view there]. So also, good deeds are evident and conspicuous, and even when they are not, they cannot remain hidden [indefinitely].
It can be hidden sin, though you are well aware of it, you know it is wrong or evil. You feel a constant guilt and self-condemnation because of your weakness before it.
It can be: unforgiveness; bitterness; pride; lust; secret habits; drug abuse; selfishness; rebellion.
The key to understanding why spiritual growth appears so hard.
Think about the day you were converted – why did it even happen to you?
Romans 2:4 (Amp) – Or are you [so blind as to] trifle with and presume upon and despise and underestimate the wealth of His kindness and forbearance and long-suffering patience? Are you unmindful or actually ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repent (to change your mind and inner man to accept God’s will)?
This happened only because God revealed Himself and made us conscious of our sinful lives. We realised we needed a Saviour.
The only answer was to throw ourselves on His grace and mercy.
We realized we were powerless to save ourselves – it was the only way.
Therefore: The key is our awareness of our powerlessness as the first element to spiritual growth.
2 Corinthians 12:10 (Amp) – So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
Paul adds to this in…
2 Corinthians 13:4 (Amp) – For though He was crucified in weakness, yet He goes on living by the power of God. And though we too are weak in Him [as He was humanly weak], yet in dealing with you [we shall show ourselves] alive and strong in [fellowship with] Him by the power of God.
Just as a requirement to conversion is recognizing and acknowledging our utter failure in the face of sin and death…and we can’t save ourselves!
So too is a deep consciousness of our frailty is required in the face of overcoming and growth in following God’s way and glorifying Him with and obedient life. Without God we are not going to live obedient lives.
Without this overriding sense of dependence, we will never turn to God in the first place.
Without this sense of need, we will not continuously turn to Him because our refusal to co-operate in this will show in our lives.
Like the Laodiceans…
Revelation 3:17 (Amp) – For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Deuteronomy 28:45-47(NIV) – 45All these curses will come upon you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees, he gave you. 46They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. 47Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity.
Like the great Apostle Peter, boasting he said, “He will not, unlike others, dessert Christ”, immediately fell flat on His face in spiritual failure.
The secret of growth and overcoming the challenge of disobedience in the life and character of a Christian largely lies in realizing our powerlessness and acknowledging it before God.
When you attack the roots of sin, fix your thoughts more on the God you love and desire, than on the sin you abhor. Walter Martin
If I keep doing what’s right, what’s wrong will leave my life.
Perhaps John 15:5 will now have more meaning, Jesus says…
John 15:5 (Amp) – I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
It does not mean that without Him we could never design motorcycles or send rockets to the moon…
It means we can produce nothing of a true, godly, spiritual, fruitful nature within the calling of God that truly glorifies Him.
We cannot play church anymore. Time is short. Judgment is now on us.
1 Peter 4:17 (Amp) – For the time [has arrived] for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will [be] the end of those who do not respect or believe or obey the good news (the Gospel) of God?
We must constantly keep in mind that God is the Potter with the Power to mould and shape as He wills.
As the clay, our job is to yield, realizing even the power to submit comes from Him.
1 Corinthians 15:34 (Amp) – Awake [from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God’s presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame.
The entrance into a life of full obedience - By Pastor George Lehman
“The golden rule for understanding in spiritual matters is not intellect but obedience.” - Oswald Chambers
We only begin to see a change when we apply what we know!
Philippians 2:8 (Amp) – And after He had appeared in human form, He abased and humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!
NOTICE: Jesus was already obedient, but he took His obedience to a deeper level, how far are you willing to take your obedience before you will give up?
Giving your life to Jesus is the 1st step, from there we must grow deeper in obedience.
The secret of a successful spiritual race is to have the goal clearly defined and to have it as your aim from the ‘outset’. Determined to finish strong.
Hebrews 12:1b (NIV) – And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Notice… He became obedient to the point of death.
There is no other Christ for any of us; no other obedience that pleases God; no other example for us to copy; no other teacher from whom to learn.
Many Christians suffer because they DO NOT from the ‘outset’ accept this as the only obedience for which they are to strive.
They just plod along, dabble in continuous sinful habits, and hardly think much of the deep obedience that God requires of them!
Psalm 119:59 (NIV) - “I considered my ways; I turned my feet to (OBEY) Your testimonies” - David looked at his way and made a choice.
We are living in times when many people accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
All they are willing to do is to make a few adjustments but not a 180 degree turn around.
OH, they turn around but continue in that turned around position and carry on backward in the same old way.
AND … continue in a life of continued sin and dis-obedience.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship; grace without the cross; grace without Jesus Christ. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Cheap grace means living as though God ignores or condones our sin.
Cheap grace means living without the demand from God for obedience upon us.
Where there is no call for obedience, then all things are tolerated; do your own thing; anything goes; eternity is not important.
1 John 2:4 (Amp) – Whoever says, I know Him [I perceive, recognize, understand, and am acquainted with Him] but fails to keep and obey His commandments (teachings) is a liar, and the Truth [of the Gospel] is not in him.
The question is: Do you obey because God demands it? Or Do you obey because you want to please God?
We might think that God wanted simple obedience to a set of rules, whereas He really wants people of a particular sort. - C.S. Lewis
And the sort of people that God wants us to be… are those who desire to conform themselves to the image and character of His Son.
God’s delight in our obedience is good news because everything God commands us, is for our good.
What God is delighting in is our obedience to willingly offer ourselves to Him.
Deuteronomy 10:12-13 (LB) – And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you except to listen carefully to all he says to you, and to obey for your own good the commandments I am giving you today, and to love him and to worship him with all our hearts and souls?
Obedience to God’s commands is not hard or a burden.
1 John 5:3 (GNT) – To love God means that we obey His commandments, obeying His commandments isn’t difficult.
If people were true to the first commandment, obedience to the remaining nine would follow naturally. It is because they are unsound in this that they break the others. - D.L. Moody
Deuteronomy 30:11 (Amp) – For this commandment which I command you this day is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.
Is there something still holding you back from ‘entering into a life of full obedience’?
God sent Jesus into the world to restore obedience to its rightful place in our hearts and lives so that the child of God has a very clear guideline how to shape his new life in Christ entering in and continuing to grow into a life of obedience.
Jesus gave His all. How much are you willing to surrender? How obedient are you willing to be?
Romans 16:25-26 (MSG) - All of our praise rises to the One who is strong enough to make you strong, exactly as preached in Jesus Christ, precisely as revealed in the mystery kept secret for so long but now an open book through the prophetic Scriptures. All the nations of the world can now know the truth and be brought into obedient belief, carrying out the orders of God, who got all this started, down to the final detail.
Faith versus Feelings – Pastor Leonard Stone
Am I going to allow my feelings to dictate my life or am I going to look beyond my feelings and live by faith?
Romans 1:17 – “The just shall live by faith.”
Matthew 6:25 – “Do not worry about your life…”
Matthew 6:27 – “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
Matthew 6:30 – “Why do you have such little faith?”
Romans 10:13 – “Whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:17 – “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the word of God.”
Isaiah 54:13 – “I will reach all your children and they will enjoy great peace.”
Psalm 112:1 – “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth…”
Another version says;
Psalm 112:1 – “Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of Godly people will be blessed.”
2 Corinthians 5:7 – “We walk by faith and not by sight.”
Matthew 21:21-22 – “Then Jesus told them. ‘I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can pray for anything and if you have faith, Yu will receive it.”
Another version says;
Matthew 21:22 – “Whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
Obedience the key.
Whoever strives to withdraw from obedience*, withdraws from grace. Thomas A Kempis
(You’ve got to want to dis-obey)*
By Pastor George Lehman
What’s in my power to do; is in my power not to do.
What is it you want to achieve in your walk with God?
Question:
What do you have to do? What needs changing? What must you lay down? What must you pick up… to live a live of obedience?
Obedience unites us so closely to God that in a way transforms us into Him so that we have no other will but His. If obedience is lacking, even prayer cannot be pleasing to God. St .Thomas
Paul teaching the Romans about time leaving the old life:
Romans 6:16-17 (Amp) - Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)? But thank God, though you were once slaves of sin, you have become obedient with all your heart to the standard of teaching in which you were instructed and to which you were committed.
God and His word are intensely practical – all of the great general principles in the Kingdom of God are specific. God is never vague He doesn’t play hide and seek.
God leaves no room for mere slack, compromising Christianity.
A feel-good message won’t help you if you’re not obedient.
Jesus’ most harsh words were not to the broken and degraded sinner who was judged and condemned by society.
It was for the self-righteous and self-deceived people whose lives did not prove their claims to holiness, love and a real relationship with God.
They spoke obedience but lived dis-obedience.
Jesus called such people fools, hypocrites, snakes, whitewashed tombs. Seven times He referred to them as blind. Three times He called them vipers.
Clearly these were strong words for those who failed to practice their professed spirituality.
Perhaps the best illustration of this is the bible’s emphasis upon obedience. An importance highlighted in both the Old and the New Testament.
The message of God is plain… Measure your life by how much you obey…
Not how much you know, how much you do, how much you read the bible.
Measure your life by what you actually do.
Obedience the key.
1 Obedience is the key to cleansing and holiness.
There is NO other way to maintain a holy life except to walk constantly in God’s light. (The light is obedience.)
1 John 1:7 (Amp) - But if we [really] are living and walking in the Light, as He [Himself] is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].
Keep clean by obeying God.
To claim to have fellowship while deliberately disobeying God is to walk in darkness and lie.
1 John 1:6 (Amp) - [So] if we say we are partakers together and enjoy fellowship with Him when we live and move and are walking about in darkness, we are [both] speaking falsely and do not live and practice the Truth [which the Gospel presents].
2 Obedience is the key to confidence in prayer.
1 John 3:21-22 (Amp) - And, beloved, if our consciences (our hearts) do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God*, 22. And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we [watchfully] obey His orders [observe His suggestions and injunctions, follow His plan for us] and [habitually] practice what is pleasing to Him.
*Before God – we maintain a clear conscience by walking in obedience to God.
‘Oh’, how we, by failing to walk in the light cripple our prayer.
‘Oh’, the unanswered prayers because the praying person is not living in obedience to God’s light.
3 Obedience is the key to blessing.
Do you want to be blessed in every part of your life?
God pours out His blessings on those who are eager and active in obedience.
James 1:25 (Amp) - But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
Job 36:11 (Amp) - If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy.
Proverbs 10:22(KJV) – The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.
There are so many Christians who are fruitless in ministry – dry and unproductive:
Because of disobedience in practical matters like tithing, disciplining their lives to find time to pray and read the bible.
No promise is automatically fulfilled – scripture is clear on this: “Obey and you will receive”.
Jesus gave us an example of a life of obedience.
Hebrews 10:7 (NIV) - Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.’”
The obedience of Jesus was not an act of obedience now and then or even a series of acts. It was the spirit of His whole life.
The one all-controlling power of His life was obedience.
There are two forms of obedience.
You and I are responsible for two forms of obedience.
Obedience to God’s general commands. 2. Obedience to God’s personalized commands.
God’s requirements, as taught in His word, are for every person.
We are responsible to obey them.
Can I just say this, “If it is in God’s word, you need no further guidance. That settles it!”
Forgiveness of others. Living in purity and holiness. Loving others. Speaking no evil of others. Tithing Children obey your parents.
These and many more are matters of obedience according to God’s word for every believer.
Some of God’s requirements, on the other hand, are very personal.
God may give you personal convictions about things or something.
He is calling you to obedience that He requires of you, not of everyone.
He may call you to a special time of prayer and fasting.
Maybe a sacrificial giving to God’s Kingdom or to bless someone.
Maybe God has called you to lay down something so you can give your full attention to His work.
Abraham’s obedience was tested in an intensely personal manner by demanding that he offer Isaac to God.
The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Jonah...
Isaiah 6:8 (Amp) - Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Jeremiah 1:9-10 (Amp) - Then the Lord put forth His hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. See, I have this day appointed you to the oversight of the nations and of the kingdoms to root out and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.
Jonah 1:1-2 (Amp) - Now the word of the lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim against it, for their wickedness has come up before me.
Jonah 3:1-3 (Amp) - And the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and preach and cry out to it the preaching that I tell you. So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city of three days’ journey [sixty miles in circumference].
They key to a victorious, significant, effective, joyful, guilt free, condemned free life is...
Daily obedience to do the will of God in every detail of your life.
Are you going to Take up the KEY of Obedience? And your final answer is?
Matthew 28:18-20 – 18Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Obedience ensures your destination
Obedience is the Christian’s crown. - Shiller
Obedience to the cross ensures the Victor’s crown.
Obedience is to hear God’s word and act accordingly.
By Pastor George Lehman
Once again, we impress the absolute importance of “obedience” on the hearts of God’s children.
There are many Christians who believe in the doctrine of eternal security. I.E. “Once saved, always saved”.
When you begin to look at scripture it becomes clear and evident that this is not so and gives people who continue to live habitually in an ungodly lifestyle after being saved false hope!
2 Peter 1:9-11 (Amp) – For whoever lacks these qualities is blind, [spiritually] shortsighted, seeing only what is near to him, and has become oblivious [to the fact] that he was cleansed from his old sins. 10 Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. 11 Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
This passage of scripture is difficult to dispute because it exposes the idea of once saved, always saved.
It states a simple command that God asks us to obediently carry out.
The opposite is also true – if we fail to do what Peter advises then our calling and election may not be sure.
If we stumble, an entrance will not be supplied to us into the Kingdom of God.
Consider this - God has done His part. - He called or elected us out of all the billions on this planet. - He forgave us – granted us repentance - Gave us His Holy Spirit. - He opened up the truth to us. - Revealed Himself and His way of life to us. - He made a new covenant with us. - Took us out of darkness and brought us into the light.
There is no end to what God has done for us.
Nevertheless, if we do not reciprocate [wederkerig] the relationship He begun will fall apart.
Our calling and election are not certain without us doing our part.
The bible is very clear that we can fall away and not make it into the Kingdom of God.
Please consider this:
Tell those faithful committed obedient people who gave up their lives for Jesus.
Hebrews 11:37-38 (NIV) – 37They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated – 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
Tell them it’s okay to live a disobedient, careless compromising life of sin.
Tell them you can live just the way you want to and you’re on your way to heaven.
Without Holiness we won’t see God
Hebrews 12:14 (NIV) - Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
Why did Peter write this to the church?
Because the church was experiencing various false teachings, turning people away from an obedience to God.
2 Peter 1:12 (Amp) – So I intend always to remind you about these things, although indeed you know them and are firm in the truth that [you] now [hold].
Why would Satan put false teachers in the church if there was no chance for the people to fall away?
Question: Why would Peter have to remind the church of their calling and election to make it sure?
When something is acceptable and valid[van krag], it is determined to be genuine, true, real, authentic, or legitimate.
How do Christians show themselves to be valid to their calling and election?
The answer is simple: Jesus describes it in:
Matthew 7:16-21 (Amp) – You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. 18 A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration]. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. 20 Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits. 21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.
We show our true, genuine, legitimate life by the fruit we produce.
Jesus also said in:
John 15:1-2 (Amp) – I am the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser. 2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
*God has called us to an obedient fruit-full growing life.
John 15:4-6 (Amp) – Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing. 6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
This destroys the “once saved, always saved” teaching.
Colossians 1:21-23 (NIV) – Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Jesus wants to present us holy, blameless and irreproachable to the Father in His Kingdom.
But we have a part to play too! - If we uphold our part of the covenant!
Paul says…
Philippians 2:12 (NKJV) – Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;
The point is, if a Christian commits sin, he is guilty even though God’s grace has covered him in the past (unconfessed sin is unforgiven sin).
If a Christian continues in the sin until it becomes a habitual way of life, he is in danger of losing his salvation promised to him.
Paul makes this very clear statement…
Hebrews 10:26-29 (NIV) – If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27 but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. 28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
Jesus warned us…
Matthew 24:12-13 (NIV) – Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Lukewarm Jesus spits you out)
Peter says…
2 Peter 2:20-22 (NIV) – If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and are overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. 22 Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.”
“Obedience determines our end destination”.
John 8:51 (Amp) – Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.
That’s why John wrote…
1 John 1:9 (Amp) - If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
James gives the path to restoration.
James 4:7-10 (Amp) – So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. 9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins]. 10 Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].
May we be found every day being teachable, changeable, moldable and walking in OBEDIENCE.
I don’t believe there is anyone listening to me now, who wants to be disobedient on purpose. Who wants to just scrape into heaven by the skin of your teeth?
No, we want to finish strong and hear the words of Jesus say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”
IS JESUS ENOUGH?
If God never answered any one of our prayers ever again, would we still live for Jesus? The desperate state of the human condition leaves us heavily dependent on God’s graces. However, is the person of Jesus Christ, enough to keep us loyal, simply because of what He’s already done? So, what is the human condition? This verse tells us:
JEREMIAH 17:9(NLTSE) “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?
The good news is that God can change a willing yielded heart:
EZEKIEL 36:26(NLTSE) And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.
The apostle Paul had no expectations or sense of entitlement based on the promises of God. As long as he had Jesus:
PHILIPPIANS 3:7-8(NLTSE) 7 “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”
It’s good that we have an expectation of faith, trusting in God’s supernatural provision, but let’s consider the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 Vs7 by faith Noah, vs8 by faith Abraham, vs11 by faith Sarah, vs20 by faith Isaac, vs21 by faith Jacob, vs22 by faith Joseph, vs31 by faith Rahab
HEBREWS 11:13(NLTSE) All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth
These heroes are inspirational, but the real challenge to our hearts is from vs 35-39
HEBREWS 11:35-39(NLTSE) 35 “Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. 39 All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised”
Jesus told Paul that His grace was all Paul needed, not His provision:
2 CORINTHIANS 12:9(NLTSE) Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me
For us to have a sense of sufficiency in Jesus, well have to have a depth of relationship in Him, that comes from personal experiential knowledge of Jesus. Something we’ve learnt and experienced for ourselves and not just taught to us by someone else:
COLOSSIANS 3:3(NLTSE) For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with learning from others, but what do you have that you’ve learnt from Jesus personally? May God help us to find contentment in Jesus for what He’s already done, while trusting for future needs
1 TIMOTHY 6:6(NLTSE) Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth
Are you an encourager?
A disciple will strengthen you with his prayers; bless you with his love and encourage you with his hope.
By Pastor George Lehman
There is no greater exercise for the human heart than reaching down and lifting someone up. It will make you spiritually fit.
The engine of encouragement is love. If there is no love, there is no encouragement.
Love is the one ingredient of which our world never tires, and of which there is never an abundance. The world will never outgrow its need of love.
If you love, you will always be effective and accepted and never be out of a job.
1 John 4:11-13 (Amp) - Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. No man has at any time [yet] seen God. But if we love one another, God abides (lives and remains) in us and His love (that love which is essentially His) is brought to completion (to its full maturity, runs its full course, is perfected) in us!
Hey!!!! disciple you are God’s representative in the flesh to reflect His love.
The bible in the New Testament commands us to love at least 55 times.
If it only said LOVE once in the bible, then you could end up debating it and have an excuse to be unloving...but 55 times???
It’s one of scriptures most repeated, inescapable commands for the believer.
What our world needs to see is love in action.
Love is like the five loaves and two fishes - it doesn’t start to multiply until you give it away.
Shad Helmstetter’s poll statistic:
As much as 77% of everything we think is negative and counter-productive and works against us (be transformed by the renewing of your mind). Only 23% positive…
People who grow up in an average household hear “NO” or are told what they can’t do more than 148 000 times by the time they reach the age of 18.
The result is unintentional, negative programming that must be overcome, or you’ll live a defeated, discouraged, lack of confidence life.
How many Christians are disengaged from fellowship today because they have given in to feelings of discouragement?
David experienced this:
Psalm 142:4 (LB) - No one gives me a passing thought. No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me.
We can see now; how important it is for a disciple of Jesus to be an encouragement to people.
We should seize every opportunity to give encouragement. Encouragement is oxygen to the soul.
The days are always dark enough. There is no need for us to emphasize the fact by spreading further gloom. George A. Adams.
Is it possible that we are so focused on the outside of the church reaching the lost, that we have neglected our responsibility to each other? We are commanded to ENCOURAGE one another.
The dictionary defines encouragement: ‘parakalein’ = Greek: The act of inspiring others with - Renewed courage; Renewed spirit or Renewed hope.
The triune(trinity) God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit places a priority on encouragement.
2 Corinthians 1:3 (Amp) - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of sympathy (pity and mercy) and the God [Who is the Source] of every comfort (consolation and encouragement).
Paul says Jesus Christ is also at the very core of His ministry, an encourager.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (Amp) - Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word.
John 14 & 16 Jesus talks about the Comforter the Holy Spirit.
Translated is ‘paraklete’ which means ‘encourage’.
We too need to be encouragers because encouragement is one of the primary ministries of our triune God.
Paul reminds us that God’s word, the Old Testament, was provided to encourage us today.
Romans 15:4-5 (Amp) - For whatever was thus written in former days was written for our instruction, that by [our steadfast and patient] endurance and the encouragement [drawn] from the Scriptures we might hold fast to and cherish hope. Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
Throughout the bible, the theme of encouragement is everywhere.
Correction does much, but encouragement does more!
Proverbs 12:25 (LB) - Anxious hearts are very heavy, but a word of encouragement does wonders!
Isaiah 50:4 (Message) - The Master, God, has given me a well taught tongue. So, I know how to encourage tired people. He wakes me up in the morning, wakes me up, opens my ear to listen as one ready to take orders.
Timothy’s mission: 1 Thessalonians 3:2 (NIV) - We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God’s fellow worker in spreading the Gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith.
Paul tells the church: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) - But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
Being involved in the church is not only biblical, but also a place of encouragement.
Many of us are like the little boy who was afraid at night. When his father told him that God was with him, he replied, “Yes, but I want someone with skin on.”
The point is - we want to be encouraged by people we can see and touch.
When God saved you, He had others in mind to “encourage”.
Someone said, “there are 2 kinds of people in the church - the pillars and the caterpillars.
The pillars hold up the church and the caterpillars crawl in and out every week.
Sadly, those who fail to get connected, there is a price to pay in needs that go unmet.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (Amp) - And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.
10 Commandments of friendship:
Speak to people. There is nothing as nice as a cheerful encouraging word of greeting. A smile of encouragement at the right moment may act like sunlight on a closed-up flower – it may be the turning point for a struggling life. Smile at people. It takes 72 muscles to frown, but only 14 to smile. Call people by name. The sweetest music to anyone’s ear is the sound of their own name. Be friendly and helpful. If you would have friends, be friendly. Be sincere. Speak and act as if everything you do were a real pleasure. Be genuinely interested in people. You can love everyone if you try. Be generous with praise, cautious with criticism. Try for a ratio of 7 praises to each criticism. Insults should be written in the sand and praises carved in stone. Be considerate of the feelings of others. It will be appreciated. Be thoughtful of the opinions of others. People love their opinions as they do their own children; calling them ugly won’t get you anything but anger. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others.
A true disciple of Jesus Christ is a committed person whose life is an encouragement to others.
What about you?
Taming your tongue will improve your relationships and your life #5.
Watch lest your negativity begins to
destroy your positivity.(Your tongue is a powerful tool)
The positive tongue.
We need to train our tongues – forming good habits so that what comes out of our mouths will be:
Positive Up-lifting Up-building Encouraging Exhorting Inspiring A blessing Just “Ooze-positive”
Will it be like this 24/7? I’m sure you won’t but we need to train our tongues to be positive at least 80% of the time.
Proverbs 22:11 (Amp) - He who loves purity and the pure in heart and who is gracious in speech - because of the grace of his lips will he have the King for his friend.
We really need to tame our tongues in the area of our confession.
Matthew 12:34b (NIV) - … for out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The word of God conceived in the human spirit, formed by the tongue and spoken out of the mouth will become a creative power that will work for you.
Our tongues should always rise to the level of the Word of God.
As Christians we should be known as people who speak positively – speaking the Word of God into situations.
Story of the man that joined the monastery:
They were allowed to speak only 2 words every 7 years.
After the 1st 7 years, he met with Father Superior who asked him what his 2 words were.
“Food’s bad”, said the man.
After another 7 years, he was asked what are your 2 words?
“Bed’s hard”.
Another 7 years pass (21 years in the monastery) he was asked for his 2 words.
“I quit!”
Well, I’m not surprised”, said the disgusted Father Superior. “All you’ve done since you got here is complain!”
The power of our words:
A careless word may ignite strife. A cruel word may wreck a life.
A bitter word may he instil. A brutal word may smile & kill. BUT A gracious word may smooth the way. A joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress. A loving word may heal and bless.
Contrary to what we’ve heard: “Talk is not cheap” Talk is very expensive.
Our words are powerful.
What we say affects what we get from others and what others get from us.
A list of POSITIVE ways to train your tongue each day - if you make these a habit in your life, you & others will see an awesome life change!
Pray Share your faith Express gratitude Tell the truth Admit a mistake Confess your faults or weaknesses Comfort someone who is hurting Give a sincere compliment Pledge your support and carry it through Defend someone against negative criticism Discourage gossip Express appreciation Express hope or enthusiasm Encourage someone to persevere Express concern for another Speak of God’s goodness
A positive tongue is a sure sign of true spiritual growth and maturity.
James 3:2 (Amp) – For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
Our ultimate aim is: 1 Peter 2:21-22 (Amp) – 21For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. 22He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips.
*Guile – Dishonest / Underhanded / Devious
Make a godly decision for your life to speak positively. Only you can do it.
Maybe you have held onto your weakness and failures because of having an untamed, negative tongue.
God’s message to you today:
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Ephesians 3:20 (Amp) – Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]
God wants you to trust Him.
His strength is just waiting for your positive confession.
You are what you say and the confession you make.
Revelation 12:11 (NIV) – They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
“If we understood the power of our thoughts, we would guard them more closely. If we understood the awesome power of our words, we would prefer silence to almost anything negative. In our thoughts and words, we create our own weaknesses and our own strengths. Our limitations and joys begin in our hearts. We can always replace negative with positive.” – Betty Eadie
My Never again list:
Never again will I confess “I can’t,” for I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil.4: 13) Never again will I confess lack, for my God shall supply all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.(Phil.4:19) Never again will I confess fear, for God hath not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim. 1:7) Never again will I confess doubt and lack of faith, for God hath given to every man the measure of faith. (Rom 12:3) Never again will I confess weakness, for the Lord is the strength of my life (Ps 27:1) and the people that know their God shall be strong and do exploits. (Dan 11:32) Never again will I confess supremacy of Satan over my life, for greater is He that is within me than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4) Never again will I confess defeat, for thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ. (2 Cor 2:14) Never again will I confess lack of wisdom for Christ Jesus has made unto me wisdom from God. (1 Cor 1:30) Never again will I confess sickness, for with His stripes I am healed (Isa 53:5) and Jesus Himself took my infirmities and bore my sicknesses. (Math 8:17) Never again will I confess worries and frustration, for I am casting all my cares upon Him who cares for me (1 Peter 5:7). In Christ I am “carefree”. Never again will I confess bondage, for where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Cor 3:17). My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Never again will I confess condemnation, for there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). I am in Christ :therefore, I am free from condemnation.
- o 0 o -
Taming your tongue will improve your relationships and your life #4.
What is in the well of your heart will show up in the bucket of your mouth.
Jesus said: Matthew 15:18-19(NIV) – 18But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ 19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.
Wisdom is divided into 2 parts: - Having a great deal to say; - and NOT saying it.
The boastful frog:
Two geese were about to start southward on their annual autumn migration, when they were approached by a frog to take him with them.
One of the geese expressing their willingness to do so if a means of conveyance could be devised, the frog produced a long stalk of grass, got the two geese to take it one by each end, while he clung to it by his mouth in the middle.
In this manner the three were making their journey when they were noticed from below by some men.
The men loudly expressed their admiration for the device and wondered who had been clever enough to discover it. Whereupon the vainglorious frog opened his mouth to say, “It was I,” lost his hold, fell to the earth and was dashed to pieces.
Moral: When you have a good thing going, keep your mouth shut.
As a child of God, God wants for us to bring our tongue under the control and authority of the Holy Spirit. It’s not an optional extra – that’s the model Jesus died for.
Have you ever wondered why when you tell your doctor you are tired and exhausted, he immediately looks at your tongue?
Why do you view patients’ tongues as part of your practice?
Answer: I use the tongue to gather information about a patient’s health and well-being. It’s a way to get clues about what’s going on in your body before it erupts.
1 Peter 3:10 (Amp) - For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good-whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit).
treachery = break trust
deceit = dishonest
How important to God is the quality of our tongues?
Isaiah 6:1-8 (Amp) - In the year that King Uzziah died, [in a vision] I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and the skirts of His train filled the [most holy part of the] temple. 2Above Him stood the seraphim; each had six wings: with two [each] covered his [own] face, and with two [each] covered his feet, and with two [each] flew. 3And one cried to another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory! 4And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who cried, and the house was filled with smoke. 5Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone and ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts! 6Then flew one of the seraphim [heavenly beings] to me, having a live coal in his hand which he had taken with tongs from off the altar; 7And with it he touched my mouth and said, Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity and guilt are taken away, and your sin is completely atoned for and forgiven. 8Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send? And who will go for Us? Then said I, here am I; send me.
When your tongue is touched you will be anointed for service.
In the book of James 3 – 2 things James warns us about in this chapter: 1. That we are revealed by our mouth. 2. That our mouth has tremendous potential for disaster.
Proverbs 18:20-21 (Amp) - A man’s (moral) self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words, he must be satisfied (whether good or evil). Death and life are in the power of the tongue and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it (for death or life).
It’s our tongue that sets us apart from the world. Children of God need to have a different tongue.
That’s why God calls us to have a Tamed Tongue.
If we do: - It will be clear evidence that we are Christians. - It’s evidence we’re walking in obedience.
Here are some more tongues we need to consider in our daily walk with Jesus.
The belittling [afkraak] tongue.
Ephesians 4:29 (Amp) - Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it.
If you belittle, you’ll be little!
Do people feel better about themselves after spending time with you, or do you focus on their shortcomings rather than their good points?
If someone speaks well of a person you’re not to fond of, do you reply with a negative response and run the person down – belittling them?
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NASB) - Therefore ENCOURAGE one another and BUILD UP one another, just as you are doing.
During a building operation a hammer is used for demolition as well as the construction process. Our words are like that – they can tear down or they can build.
How do you use your words mostly? Is it your normal behaviour to build? If not, ask God to help you to change your heart. Make a quality choice to form a habit to be an encourager who builds up!
May we choose to be big, not be little.
The cynical [sinies] tongue. (Distrustful – Not sincere)
Cynic: Always finding fault; making comments disrespectfully; making something important less so.
They criticize acts of kindness; Always critical of peoples motives
Afrikaans: skerp / sinies
Eliab, David’s oldest brother was a true cynic. David knew who his God was and that he had a covenant with Him.
He could have destroyed what God wanted to do.
1 Samuel 17:36 (Amp) – Your servant killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God!
Obviously, this was not for Eliab.
1 Samuel 17:28-29 (Amp) - Now Eliab his eldest brother heard what he said to the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, why did you come here? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your presumption and evilness of heart; for you came down that you might see the battle. And David said, what have I done now? Was it not a harmless question?
Eliab whose name meant “God is my Father” - imagine one with such a name running from the giant and being cynical about David’s confidence and his motives.
A person, who is cynical, scorns [spot] the motives of others. It’s like venom; it poisons the atmosphere wherever it is present.
Find a cynical tongue – it can drag weaker minded people down.
We must really observe our comments wherever we are.
If you identify things coming out of your mouth that you know ought not to be coming out of your mouth… When bitter water comes out of your sweet fountain…
This will be the key: To your spiritual strength or weakness. To your spiritual effectiveness or ineffectiveness. To your spiritual victory or defeat. To your spiritual power or being powerless.
James 1:26 (LB) - Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn’t control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn’t worth much.
Your spiritual success and maturity ‘gauge’ is your tongue.
- o 0 o -
Taming your tongue will improve your relationships and your life #3.
If your mind should go blank*, don’t forget to turn off the sound.
Blank*is when= you go into the flesh when you just vent, become ugly, angry, abusive, negative, destroy, and hurt people with your Tongue
By Pastor George Lehman
Begin to speak to yourself. Ask yourself, “How am I doing with my tongue? Do I need to change?”
With a look of satisfaction on her face a woman said to John Wesley: “My talent is to speak my mind.” John Wesley said:
“Woman, God would not care a bit if you buried that talent.”
James 1:26 (LB) - Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn’t control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn’t worth much. (What is your religion worth)
The clever people have worked out: In 1 week the tongue speaks enough to fill a 500 page book. In a lifetime = 3 000 volumes = 1, 5 million pages.
Jesus understood the problem and says in: Matthew 12:36-37 (Amp) - 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, non-working) word they speak. 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.
Clearly Jesus is saying we are going to be very accountable for the way we use our tongues.
Proverbs 10:19 (Amp) - Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely.
No one ever got into trouble for what they never say.
Let’s continue to consider some more aspects of taming our tongue:
5 The slandering[laster/kwaadpraat] tongue.
Slanderers make malicious, false or even true statements about others.
The intention is to damage their reputation, character or good name.
The truth is, given certain circumstances, anyone can be tempted to slander (run someone down). Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting their thumbs on the scales. You’ll never move up if you’re continually running somebody down.
Proverbs 10:18 (NLT) - To hide hatred is to be a liar; to slander is to be a fool*.
*Fool – someone who disregards God’s word.
One thing is that slanderers don’t have a place in heaven:
Psalm 15:1-3 (Amp) - Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.
Some people are so insecure and easily threatened, they need to run others down to make themselves look better in the eyes of others.
Resorting to slander is clear evidence that this person is not secure in God’s promises.
Think about a time when you made slanderous remarks about someone:
What was your motivation for doing it? Why did you feel the need to blacken another’s character?
When we attempt to slander others by running them down with our tongue, we sow evil seeds for which we will surely reap the consequences.
I therefore remind you:
Proverbs 13:3 (Amp) - He who guards his mouth keeps his life, but he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
6 The gossiping tongue.
The difference between a slander & gossip.
GOSSIP SLANDER
DEFINITION Gossip refers to idle talk or rumor, especially about personal or private affairs of others Slander refers to the act of spreading rumors or lies about a person to cause damage purposely
PURPOSE May not be to cause hard deliberately Done with intention of harming one’s reputation
DAMAGE Merely involves talking about someone who is not there and is not as damaging as slander Damages one’s reputation and good name
PUNISHMENT Not punished by law Punishable by law
Proverbs 18:8 (Amp) - The words of a gossip are like ‘choice morsels’; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.
Do you sometimes engage in idle and malicious talk about the personal affairs of another person?
Gossip is like a delectable ‘choice morsel’ that we find impossible to resist. It’s like a chocolate you can’t say ‘no’ to it when it’s being offered.
I’m certain every one of us has been guilty of this pastime; as a bearer or a hearer at one time or another.
The downside of such behaviour is that it lowers your sense of self-worth, because when you gossip, you tend to realise you’re not walking in integrity.
You see, a true child of God feels best about himself when he does things that are pleasing to God.
Gossip does not usually start with the intention of harming someone; whereas
Slander is a deliberate attempt to harm someone’s reputation.
What’s the solution? How do you stop gossiping?
Catch yourself before you indulge. Ask yourself why you are being a bearer of such news. Do you need to be the centre of attraction? Do you feel superior to know something bad/negative about somebody that the hearer doesn’t know? Why make your ears a dustbin by receiving gossip?
It’s been my experience that people who are serious about growing spiritually, spend time with God in prayer are less likely to waste time gossiping about the affairs of others.
It is very difficult to gossip about someone you love and care about.
Here’s a warning:
Proverbs 20:19 (NLT) - A gossip tells secrets, so don’t hang around with someone who talks too much.
As I said before: Nobody ever got into trouble for something they never said.
If you’re serious about being OBEDIENT to God and eliminating from your life…
A lying tongue A hasty tongue A divisive tongue An argumentative tongue A slandering tongue and A gossiping tongue
… you need to get a positive, effective action plan in place.
Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you when you get out of line.
Psalm 141:3 (Amp) - Set a guard O Lord over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.
A great idea:
Maybe get a friend who you will be accountable to.
Make an effort to only speak that which is positive; that which builds up; encourages and motivates.
Romans 14:12-13 (Amp) - And so each of us shall give an account of himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God. Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.
-o0o-
Taming your tongue will improve your
relationships and your life #2.
A tongue was intended to be a divine ORGAN,
but we often allow Satan to play on it.
by Pastor George Lehman
Consider this word in the light of building loving, serving relationships.
We need to have an active program of change in place. We need to be improving in our spiritual lives otherwise there’s a serous problem in our walk with God.
Opposite of progress is regress (vordering is agter uitgang) To regress means to return to a former stage of life or a less developed state.
Proverbs 12:18 (Amp) - There is one who speaks rashly like a piercing of a word; but the tongue of the wise heals.
Clearly the unwise use their tongue to hurt, to breakdown, to destroy
We are going to look at the various ways our tongue affects our daily lives.
Proverbs 21:23 (Amp) - He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from troubles.
2 The hasty tongue.
Proverbs 29:20 (Amp) - Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a [self-confident] fool* than for him.
*Fool – someone who behaves without discipline
Have you sometimes offended someone because you did not engage your brain before shifting your tongue into drive?
Have you ever made a commitment to God or man without giving it much thought or consideration and then went back on your word?
What does this say about our growth development?
James 3:2 (Amp) - For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.
How we need to depend on the Holy Spirit to direct our speech so that we don’t innocently offend others by what we may hastily say.
Proverbs 18:13 (Amp) - He who answers a matter before he hears the facts – it’s folly and shame to him.
If we are going to promote unity, we need to practice NOT being easily offended. Give others the benefit of the doubt when they have a hasty tongue. Don’t you also have one?
God wants us to have integrity and keep our promises. Not make hasty commitments and fail to deliver.
1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV) - I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with INTEGRITY. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent…
Ecclesiastes 5:2 (Amp) - Be not rash with your mouth and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; Therefore, let your words be few.
If you are a person with a hasty tongue you need to STOP, THINK and PRAY before you speak.
James 1:19 (Amp) - Understand this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear (a ready listener), slow to speak, slow to take offence and get angry.
3 The divisive [onenigheid] tongue.
Matthew 5:9 (Amp) - Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
One of Satan’s most effective strategies for hindering any effort which two people undertake is divide and conquer.
He knows the power and blessing that results from unity. His plan is to bring division which destroys unity and harmony.
Sadly, if we don’t guard our tongues, we can so easily be peace-BREAKERS.
The bible warns against being a divisive person:
Proverbs 6:14-15 (Amp) - Willful and contrary in his heart, he devises trouble, vexation, and evil continually; he lets loose discord and sows it. Therefore, upon him shall the crushing weight of calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken, and that without remedy.
Contrary – opposite of what is expected.
Vexation – Frustration
Paul calls the church to pursue peace. Not only must we refrain from causing division, but we must also become active agents of peace.
Ephesians 4:3 (Amp) - Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit, and so be at PEACE with one another.
Stop being over sensitive. Stop being offended over harmless statements. Stop reading more into comments than what was intended.
4 The argumentative [skoorsoekerig, twisgierig, stryerig] tongue.
Proverbs 20:3 (NLT) - Avoiding a fight is a mark of honour; only fools insist on quarreling.
Unlike a divisive tongue whose actions destroy unity between people an argumentative person enjoys looking for opportunities to have an argument with anyone who may have a different viewpoint from theirs; always getting people on the defensive, causing unending quarrels.
The quarreller's goal is not to add value to someone’s life, but rather show people up.
Proverbs 17:14 (NLT) - Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.
What an awesome responsibility we have as God’s children to guard what comes out of our mouths.
Say this to God but beware of a HASTY tongue!
Psalm 39:1 (Amp) - I said, I will take heed and guard my ways, that I may sin not with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth as with a bridle while the wicked are before me.
-o0o-
The power of YOU’RE WORDS
“The words we speak today, will determine the lives we live tomorrow.”
Today I would like to share with you, on a subject that not many pay much attention to! (Non chalant) about it.
Topic: The power of your words
Please realise today church that your words have energy & power with the ability to help, to heal, to hinder, hurt, harm & humiliate, and destroy! Yes, it does!
That is why it is important that we carefully consider our words, church!
Proverbs 18:21 (Amp) – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
That is why we need to discipline ourselves to speak only in a way that conveys respect, gentleness, humility & encouragement!
Jesus clearly set the standard as we read of His many encounters with people. Not once did He judge, criticise, or condemn!
Ephesians 5:1 (Amp) – Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. Amen or Enia?
We read of many examples in the word where Jesus spoke to & commanded demons to flee & by His words, He calmed the seas & rebuked the storms.
By His very words, people received their healing & deliverance and He even commanded (by His words) Lazarus to be raised from the dead!
We also read in the Old Testament, how God our Father, spoke the world into existence “Let there be light”……………….
By God’s words, the heavens were created, and night and day were separated.
Would you agree with me then, that there is indeed power in the words that we speak? Amen!
Why then, is it that our tongues are so difficult to control, and that it will leave us with regret if we do not use it, wisely?
Psalm 19:14 (Amp) – Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer.
1 Peter 3:10 (Amp) – The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good-whether apparent or not], must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).
So, what is God trying to say to us, church, visitors?
I can almost hear Him say: “Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out, because you may have to eat them sometime”
Or: Think twice before you speak, for the words you say can only be forgiven, but not forgotten.”
Ephesians 4:29 (Amp) – Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
Edify people with your words!
And be selective in what you say, put your brain in gear before you put your mouth in action!
(Think before you say something)
(You get my drift, church?)
Realise that kind words can be short & easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless! Amen
Question is: When last did you say something kind to anybody?
How many times will you find that people just needed a kind word, or a word of approval & praise? “Well done,” “Thank you.”
When last did you encourage somebody church?
Listen: It may seem insignificant to say a word or two, but when we give encouragement, what wonders it can do!” Amen?
How many kids out there crave (verlang) for some small sign of approval, or even a word of recognition, and an honest expression for the good we see in them & the work they do!
Realise church, that a word of encouragement can make the difference between giving up or going on to succeed!
Examples:
God’s word is clear church, that our words have incredible power to bring blessings & life, or curses & death!
Today I would like to pose a few questions to you all:
Are you intentional with your words?
(Do you mean what you say?)
Is it true (lying lips) necessary (really) c. is it kind (or salted with sarcasm) Do you speak from your heart, or your head? Is your communication honest (opreg) and your motives pure or do you flatter (smooth talk) people? “sugar-coat” Does your words inspire & uplift others to greater heights, or are they forever negative & critical? Do people seek & enjoy your company & conversation, or do they avoid & dodge you because of what is coming out of your mouth!
Psalm 141:3 (Amp) – Set a guard, O Lord over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips [to keep me from speaking thoughtlessly].
James 3:4-5(Amp) – 4And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!
You see church, our words have a lasting impact, long after we speak to them (anybody remember?)
You see, people may say of you & me:
You will never amount to anything, you’re a drop-out just like your dad or mom…….
Your reply should be: I choose to believe what the Word of God says about me….
“I am more than a conqueror, a royal priesthood, a holy nation!”
Created in the image of God.
You can’t do this, or that & life is hopeless.
Your reply: “I can do all things through Christ & life is full of possibilities!!
Your birth was never planned & it was a mistake.
Your reply: God knew about me before the beginning of time, even when I was formed in the secret depths of my mother’s womb!
So, as we conclude today & as you reflect back on your own life, what has been coming out of your mouth lately?
Do you find yourself: judging, nagging, complaining, criticizing, moaning, negative & miserable all the time?
Or are you an imitator of Christ…. That can & will use the power of your words to speak & declare:
Healing & restoration to the sick & needy Proclaim freedom to those in bondage Salvation to those who don’t know Christ yet
Quote Joel Osteen: “The power to see change, in your life, can be found in the words that you speak. You have the power to set the destination of your life, by the words that comes out of your mouth” Amen.
You are the sum total today, of the words that you’ve spoken over yourself, yesterday!
Amen.
Taming your tongue will improve your
relationships and your life. #1
The Christian should learn two things about his tongue –
how to hold it and how to use it.
If you can master this your life will improve greatly
By: Pastor George Lehman
Story of butcher:
The mother was waiting for the butcher, who was late. This was back in the days when butchers made house calls. She told Johnny, "I'm going upstairs, if the butcher comes, let me know. I want to talk to him."
Johnny forgot who his mother wanted to see, so when the minister called, he shouted upstairs, "Ma, that man's here now." The mother answered, "I can't come now, give him the money out of my purse, and tell him we didn't like his tongue last week, and we're going to change!"
Story of the Board meeting:
The pastor announced that there was to be the Board Meeting at the conclusion of the service. When he saw a complete stranger standing in the front of the pulpit shortly after the closing prayer, he asked him if he could help him in some way. "I'm here for the meeting," he announced. The pastor replied, "Oh, that's only for the Board members." The answer: "If there's anybody more bored than me, I'd like to meet him."
Well I trust you won’t be bored with this word BUT CHALLENGED
We need to know this, “We cannot consistently perform and use our tongues in one way and expect a different result.
Our lives need to be in a constant process of change for the better.”
How true - some people have eyes that see not, ears that hear not, but there are very few people who have tongues that talk not.
It’s said that teachers often teach what they need to learn themselves.
Well, I am firstly speaking to myself. I don’t know about you, but I want a tongue that always speaks what is pleasing to God.
Psalm 19:14 (LB) - May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to You, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.
James 3:8-10 (Amp) - But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in God's likeness! Out of the same mouth come forth blessing and cursing. These things, my brethren, ought not to be so.
Our only hope for the tongue is the Spirit of God. It must be brought into subjection by Him on a daily basis.
We need to actively ask God to help us become sensitive to any negative uses of our tongue.
Unless you make an active, wilful decision to having something in place to guard your tongue, you will never taste victory or fully develop into what God has purposed for your life.
Isaiah 50:4 (Amp) - [The servant of God says] The Lord God has given me the tongue of a disciple and of one who is taught, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary…
A changed heart should house a changed tongue.
Words are the vehicle through which we communicate our thoughts and attitudes. The tongue is the driver.
Therefore, moving into spiritual maturity requires that we learn to speak the right words in the right season and for the right reason.
If you find you are constantly at war with your tongue, then this word on the tongue is especially for all of us who want to become spiritually empowered; to transform our tongue into a God pleasing wellspring of life.
How we choose to use our tongues will have consequences:
Proverbs 18:21 (Amp) - Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
It can make or break; Create or destroy; Encourage or discourage; Build up or break down; It will either propel you into your purpose to soar like an eagle or it will cause you to crash land and be like a turkey.
Over the next few weeks, we are going to discuss important aspects of taming our tongue.
1 The lying tongue.
Proverbs 12:22 (Amp) - Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight.
As God’s children everything we say and do must be based on truth. Lies make a shaky foundation for our relationship with God and others.
1 Peter 3:10 (NIV) - For whoever would love life and see good days must keep [operative word] his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
Why do people practice ‘deception’ Lies, half truths, exaggeration?
Many do it for financial gain – you lie on your tax return; For social advantage – you lie about who you are to try to impress people - you make out to be something you are not; To hide some sinful act – you lie to cover up sin so you won’t be caught out; Or to obtain other benefits – lying to get any advantage, i.e. a job application.
In Genesis 27 we see Jacob, whose name was “trickster”, deceived his father to get his brothers’ birth right blessing.
Engaging in deceitfulness is a slap in God’s face and has dire consequences.
Here’s a truth I don’t think we really want to know - God has sealed the
destiny of every liar.
Proverbs 12:19 (Amp) - Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
Revelation 21:8 (Amp) - But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practicers of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all LIARS (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed)--[all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.
The Psalmist knew the consequences of lies and deceitfulness. He asked God to deliver him out of this pit:
Psalm 120:20 (Amp) - Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips from a *deceitful tongue.
*bedrieglik
Are you really trusting God through the inner working of the Holy Spirit by always speaking what’s pleasing to God? Or do you need to join in this prayer? Ask God to help you so that this proverb will become a reality to you.
Proverbs 8:6-8 (Amp) - Hear, for I will speak excellent and princely things; and the opening of my lips shall be for right things. For my mouth shall utter truth, and wrongdoing is detestable and loathsome to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous (upright and in right standing with God); there is nothing contrary to truth or crooked in them.
Psalm 12:1-4 – Help, Lord, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men. 2Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception. 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue 4that says, “We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips -who is our master?”
Giving it your “All”
(Obedience sums up our entire duty)
By: Pastor George Lehman
This is a “positioning” message.
I don’t generalise here, but never has there been a time such as this that well-meaning Christians say one thing and live out something else.
They proclaim their need and dependence of God at church and in front of other Christians, but at home and at work and if you look at their social life it’s another story.
When it comes to giving our “All”, we will have to obey God’s call before God will make a move on our behalf. It’s all about positioning ourselves in OBEDIENCE.
1 Corinthians 3:16(NIV) – Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20(NIV) – 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.
2 Chronicles 7:11-15(Amp) – 11When Solomon had finished the temple of the Lord and the royal palace, and had succeeded in carrying out all he had in mind to do in the temple of the Lord and in his own palace, 12The Lord appeared to him at night and said; “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locust to devour the land or send a plague among my people. 14If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, 15then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
There are 4 very clear commands for an “Giving it your All” life:
1 - Humble yourself 2 - Pray 3 - Seek God’s face 4 - Turn from your wicked* ways.
Wicked ways [Hebrew] - Rah,raw-aw: A wrong way; bad ways; do harm; displeasing ways; good for nothing.
If the root is not right, the fruit won’t be right. Let’s look at what God commands:
1 Humble ourselves (humility)
Humility: Free from pride; dependant on God; honest concern for others. There is no place for: Me-Myself-I.
They that know God will be humble, they that know themselves cannot be proud. ‘Flavel’
The bigger I grow in God, the smaller I become. ‘Allen Bond’ (descending into greatness)
It’s important that we understand Jesus did not condemn sinners. He condemned hypocrites [false humility]. There is nothing more prideful than a person who excuses his sin while condemning the sins of others.
There is nothing more awful than conscious humility* – it’s the most satanic type of pride. ‘Oswald Chambers’
*Conscious humility - To act humbly or put on false humility. It’s covering up your pride with an act of humility
An “All” life is a holy life and it’s the product of GRACE. And God gives grace ONLY to the humble.
James 4:6(Amp) - But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty[arrogance] but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).
James 4:10 (Amp) - Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].
Humility serves God and others.
1 Peter 5:5b-6(Amp) – 5b “…..Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)-[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives favor, blessing) to the humble. 6Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you.”
2 Pray
Pray: Speaking / communicating with God.
For a person to pray and really commune with God, you must:
- Acknowledge God’s existence. - Know that God really cares and knows about your every need. - Expect that God is able and willing to respond to your prayers.
Jeremiah 33:3 (Amp) - Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).
The key is prayer – “call on me”.
No matter what your circumstances, the bottom line is PRAY!!!
When in doubt – pray. When in a problem – pray. When it’s going well – pray. Need guidance & don’t have an answer – pray.
The devil smiles when we make plans, he laughs when we get busy, but he trembles when we pray.
The truth is you will NEVER rise above your prayer life. You are as powerful spiritually as your prayer life.
Colossians 4:2(Amp) - Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.
3 Seek God’s face
Seek: To look for; go in search of; to try find or obtain.
Deuteronomy 4:29(Amp) - But if from there [Promised Land] you will seek (inquire for and require as necessity) the Lord your God, you will find Him if you [truly] seek Him with all your heart [and mind] and soul and life.
Seeking means, giving it your “ALL”. I’m fully sold out to Jesus (Mt 6:33 – Seek 1st His kingdom and righteousness, all will be added)
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (Amp) - 11For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. 12Then you will call upon Me, and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear and heed you. 13Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
The principal Jesus was teaching in Luke 11:10 ”… and he who seeks and keeps on seeking, finds.”
If you want the Jeremiah 29:11 promise, you will have to live a life that continues to seek God. “Seek” is the valve that opens the promises.
Psalm 34:10(NIV) - The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
God knows the awesome benefit there is for us when we seek Him.
4 Turn from your wicked ways
(or turn from your wrong ways; bad ways; displeasing ways; good for nothing ways)
This has to do with: Obedience, growth, and maturity.
Do you realise how many Christians live with deliberate sins in their lives and thinking it won’t affect their communication with God.
Isaiah 59:1(Amp) - Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened at all, that it cannot save, nor His ear dull with deafness, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
1 John 3:9 (LB) - The person who has been born into God’s family does not make a practice of sinning, because now God’s life is in him; so, he can’t keep on sinning, for this new life has been born into him and controls him - he has been born again.
You cannot stay the way you were and proclaim Jesus saved you.
If there is no change, there is no Jesus
It’s like the story of the guy who was going fishing one time and he went up to the dock to an old man. He wanted to know how deep the water was and he asked in a kind of a strange way. He said, “Sir, if I was to fall off right here would I drown?” And the old man said, “No you wouldn’t drown if you fell in. You’d drown if you stayed under.”
It’s not our occasional stumble with sin that hinders our breakthroughs and victories. It is staying under. You need to confess immediately to God and tell him you’re getting rid of that sin.
A wife goes with her husband to the doctor. The doctor tells the wife that her husband’s prognosis is not good and that he has only one week to live. But his time may be extended if she would cook for him, rub his feet and back and take him golfing and fishing etc. and if she would be as affectionate to him as she was when they were first married. So, when the husband asked his wife what the doctor had said, she replied, “He said you have one week to live.”
You see, many people do not get healed spiritually, emotionally and sometimes even physically, not because their condition is incurable, but they’re not healed because they do not want to follow the doctor’s orders.
Before we see or hear from God (our heavenly doctor who knows what’s best for us) we need to make up our minds, are we Giving it your “All”?
Our All calls for All these 4 commands to be obediently followed. You can’t just do 2 out of 4 and expect to hear from God. It doesn’t work that way.
When God gave us these orders it was for a good reason.
Humble yourself – be free from pride. - Pray - talk with God (all the time) - Seek God’s face – go and search, go after God. - Turn from your wicked ways – repent daily; change; live a holy life. How willing are to give your “ALL”?
- o O o -
Whenever…well what about now?
The scriptures make the danger of delay clear. We may discover we have run out of time. God who gives us each day as a treasure will require an accounting. - Henry B. Eyring
by Pastor George Lehman
Delay is the enemy of progress. You can’t keep putting off what you already know is the right thing to do!
There’s a website called “Mother of all excuses”.
It was set up so people could share excuses they used or for anyone to use them as required.
Excuses for missing work, school, appointments, family functions and yes, missing church.
Some excuses listed for not coming to church:
Well, I could not come to church last Sunday because there was a sermon on You Tube. I had to miss church because the kids wanted to sleep in. I couldn’t go to church today because I had a flat on the car and didn’t think we could all fit in the truck. Mysterious sounding, “I just had this feeling I shouldn’t be there. I’ve worked all week so I’m too tired to go. The preacher moves around so much. There are not people my age so I’m not going. They don’t meet my needs. There are too many hypocrites in church. There are too many sinners in church. I’m too young – I’ll go when I’m too old to have any more fun. It’s boring. I’m not good enough. I’m still a sinner. I’ll go to church after I stop smoking / drinking / cussing. I still go to the bars on Saturday night. I like to party.
We read about a man Jesus goes to him, we don’t know much about him except the excuse he gave for not following Jesus.
Jesus obviously saw him follow the crowds. He was certainly a FAN of Jesus.
Luke 9:59-62 (NIV) – 59 He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” 62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
The same words were spoken by Jesus to Matthew and the other disciples.
A 2-word invitation that has been offered to you and me – “Follow Me”.
The man was willing. Most people are willing, but here comes the excuse…
Note verse 59 in the Amplified – And He said to another, “Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury (await the death of) my father.”
Note: His father is still alive and well. He was actually saying, “Whenever my parents die, I will follow you”. Jesus was saying; well what about now?
Maybe he was afraid of what they may say.
Maybe he would get a great inheritance to make it easy to follow Jesus.
Like so many people, it’s not that you’re unwilling, it’s just not good timing for you right now!
There are so many fans (enthusiastic admirers) who feel okay about a half-hearted relationship with Jesus.
Because one day they have every intention to be completely committed!
God’s not looking for fans He wants followers.
That’s why they don’t feel convicted about not following Jesus as they should because in their minds, they know one day they possibly will.
They justify a lukewarm faith because they’re not saying “NO” to Jesus – they’re waiting till later.
Please note Jesus’ response to this man’s excuse:
Jesus did not say, “I understand”, go pray about it, you’ll know when the time is right”.
He did not say, “I don’t want to put pressure on you. Take your time and think it over”.
He didn’t say, “Whenever you’re ready, I’ll be waiting for you”.
What did Jesus say? “Let the dead bury their own dead”.
Luke 9:62 – No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.
This gives some indication of how Jesus feels about our excuses and delays to follow Him.
Note: The contrast in the response of the first disciples that Jesus called to follow Him.
Matthew 4:18-22 (NIV) – 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 20 At once they left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Note verse 22 says, “and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him”.
That is the commitment Jesus is looking for in His followers.
On the invitation Jesus gives us to follow Him is an RSVP date and it reads “TODAY”. Not Whenever… what about now!
Hebrews 3:15 says, “today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts”.
2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (NIV) – As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. 2 For he says, “In the time of my favour I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” I tell you, now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation.
Stretch your life. Not whenever. Say TODAY.
Time is now:
Don’t tell yourself, ‘tomorrow I’m going to surrender that secret sin’.
Don’t tell yourself, ‘tomorrow I’m going to share my faith with others’.
Don’t tell yourself, ‘tomorrow I’m going to be more committed – I’ll pray more and read my bible more’.
Today is the day to make a life changing commitment to follow Jesus.
Matthew 16:25 (NIV) – For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
Luke 14:15-27 (NIV) – 15When one of those at the table with him heart this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” 16Jesus replied; “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18”But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’ 19Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’ 20”Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’ 21”The servant came back and reported this to his master. ‘Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ 22” ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ 23”Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.’ “ 25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26”If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he can not be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
- o 0 o -
Our Part is to become mature
Which door do you go through daily?
Maturity comes when you stop making excuses and start making changes.
By Pastor George Lehman
2 Peter 1:12 (NIV) – So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
This is one thing NO child of God is exempt from - “MATURITY”.
Maturity is a process that every child of God must go through - it’s inseparable from your calling.
Here’s a promise from Jesus - this is His part!
John 6:37-40a NIV - “All those the Father gives Me will come to Me, and whoever comes to Me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do My will but to do the will of Him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given Me but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life…”
What a promise, but we have to do our part to ensure Jesus’ promise is fulfilled in our life
Colossians 4:12 (NIV) - Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer* for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
*Note: not just praying but wrestling in prayer –think of what a wrestler does?
He finds it important – to wrestle in prayer for the people to come to maturity.
When God gave us the bible it was meant for more than keeping us from sin or doing wrong or living wrong, it was given to mature us!
The truth sanctifies the sinner: John 17:17 - Sanctify them (set them apart) in the truth; your word is truth.
Living the truth - Brings growth and maturity and results in a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit.
How mature are you? Here’s the test check your fruit, If you are living in the Truth.
Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness,
self-control: against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Only one way – become Mature)
When it comes to maturity:
Hebrews 6:1 (NLT) – So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely, we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. (You should know this by now)
If we would just have followed through and put into practice all the sermons, we have been discussing since October 2021 when we started to gather in church...
I can assure you - the reward will be: ‘maturity’.
Like two people go to gym – one train’s, the other doesn’t a year later guess what the difference would be?
Maturity is doing what you are supposed to be doing, when you’re supposed to be doing it, no matter how you feel. Don Capers
The key to mature successfully, is action. Too often we want to feel our way into acting...
When instead we need to act our way into feeling! Don’t put the cart in front of the horse.
When you do the right things, you will eventually feel the right feelings and become aware that you are busy ‘maturing’.
“If you wait till you feel right you will never do anything”
Maturity comes as the result of learning to develop... ‘Good habits’
There are So many grown up baby Christians:
Hebrews 5:12 (NIV) – In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!
Hebrews 5:14 (NIV) - But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use (habit) have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
The only difference between those who are maturing and those who remain immature lies in the difference of their habits.
We first make our habits and then our habits make us. John Dryden
Our habits are developed over time and are reinforced through repetition.
Colossians 2:6-7 (Amp) – As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.
To many Christians are shallow and wide, but maturity is narrow and deep.
Maturity comes to those who, even if they fail and mess up, they rise up immediately, and stay on course to ensure they finish strong.
Proverbs 24:16 - For a righteous man falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
The point is – we all fall and fail but it’s the mature Christian that gets up and moves on.
People naturally tend to adopt behaviours and habits that make them feel good.
Let’s be honest – everyone likes comfort, ease, pleasure and entertainment and we tend to focus on re-experiencing them. This becomes a habit and priority.
If we repeatedly do this, we can become addicted or even bored and end up seeking even greater pleasure. This keeps you from maturing.
Immaturity like this, says Jesus isn’t enough.
A person who cannot count the cost and make sacrifices will never mature.
They will always belong to whatever they are unwilling to give up. It will hold you in bondage.
To grow and mature we need to learn to give up some things today for greater gains tomorrow.
That’s why so many well meaning Christians are so slack ineffective and immature TODAY, – it’s because yesterday they were not willing to give up and make sacrifices.
The result: Today they live immature lives.
Maturity is measured ONLY by the standard of Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29 (Amp) – For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be moulded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.
Herein lies the journey – the race we are to run to maturity.
Luke 6:38 (Amp) – For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him Who sent Me.
To be like Jesus is not just about committing fewer obvious sins, such as gossiping, cheating, lying or thinking impure thoughts.
To be maturing is to become more like Jesus, to always seek to do the will of the Father.
Maturity is coming to the place where we delight to do the will of God however sacrificial or unpleasant that may seem to us at the time.
Simply because it is God’s will for us. Our part is to become mature.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (Amp) – Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love.
You have an important part to play in the promise of Jesus
Your maturity helps grow the baby Christians.
How serious are you about wanting to become more MATURE?
And ensure Jesus will for your life.
1 Timothy 4:15-16 (NIV) – 15Be diligent in these matters: give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Progress to perfection – Our Journey #5
It may be the end of the series, but it doesn’t stop today.
It’s a life of disciple to progress to perfection
Our lives must be devoted to progress.
If you know that God loves you, you should never question a directive from Him. It will always be right and best. When He gives you a directive you are not just to observe it or debate it. You are to obey it. H. Blackaby
By Pastor George Lehman
Joshua 1:8 (NIV) – Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be carful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
We don’t just enter each new day hoping we may by some miracle progress today.
No!! We must be mind made up – we need to live on purpose to achieve perfection in Christ. It doesn’t just happen.
We have been looking at Peter’s instruction to the church. How to ensure you are able progress to perfection.
2 Peter 1:5-7 (NIV) – 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
7 steps – add to your faith:
Goodness (excellence) – No slackness / half-hearted Knowledge (biblical revelation) – Understanding spiritually Self control (self discipline, victory over self is the greatest victory) Perseverance (long obedience in the same direction) Godliness (let your actions do the talking) – Reflect the character of Jesus Brotherly kindness (our attitude toward one another) Love
NB!! I want to encourage you to commit these 7 steps to memory.
It will give you a spiritual measuring stick to check up our own “progress to perfection”.
7 Love (The pinnacle and most important point you add to your Faith)
Ephesians 3:16-17(NIV) – 16I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love.
None of the 6 steps will work without No. 7 Love.
There are a number of Greek words in the New Testament that can be and sometimes are translated “LOVE”.
4 main ones:
Eros: is a passionate and intense love that arouses romantic feelings. Storge: It’s a kind of family and friendship love Phileo: Refers to an affectionate, warm and tender love. It’s a committed and chosen love. Agape: This is associated with God Himself. It’s an unconditional love.
This is the love Peter is describing in the 7th step to add to our faith.
Make sure it’s a part of your whole life.
This love can only proceed from God. It flows in us and through us.
The divine demonstration of God’s love as seen in:
Romans 5:6-8 (NIV) – 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Love put Jesus on the cross.
There are 3 words that describe the kind of people for whom Jesus died:
Powerless: Means we couldn’t help ourselves. Ungodly: Means our whole make up, our character was alien and strangers to God. He could have looked away from us. Sinners: We were rebels, we were at war with God.
It was for such people as these that God gave His Son Jesus to die for us (that’s God’s love).
It’s a love on another plane that we could never achieve out of our own fallen nature.
The expression of this Agape love is “Total self giving”.
John 3:16 (NIV) – 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.
Divine love is a giving love: This is Agape in action
1 Corinthians 13:1-8; 13 (NIV) – If I speak in tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I have nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Please understand this – this is the climax of our spiritual development. Its not an add on extra!
Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV) – 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Listen to what Peter says before he gave us the step to progress to perfection.
2 Peter 1:4 (NIV) –Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
God wants you and I to participate in His divine nature. His divine nature is LOVE. Genuine “LOVE” is perfection.
1 John 4:16 (LB) – We know how much God loves us because we have felt his love and because we believe him when he tells us that he loves us dearly. God is love, and anyone who lives in love is living with God and God is living in him.
Galatians 5:22a (NIV) – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, …
Romans 5:5 (NIV) – And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
NB!! Therefore: This love is not just a temporary feeling that comes and goes, but……something that becomes our very nature and our conduct.
This brings me back to the reason for this teaching – “Progress to perfection – Our Journey”
Matthew 5:48 (NIV) – Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) – “Aim for perfection.”
That’s why Peter closes off with some very important instructions as he looks back at the 7 steps.
2 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) – 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
In closing:
2 Peter 1:10-11 (NIV) – 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Progress to perfection will ensure you receive a rich welcome into the eternal Kingdom.
Progress to Perfection – Our Journey #4
Clearly growing in the direction to perfection involves a spiritual construction project.
By Pastor George Lehman
Matthew 5:48 – “ Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is Perfect” - The reason for the sermon series.
We are all a project under construction.
The construction process to “progress to perfection” is:
2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) – 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,
love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Before you build to penthouse level, you need to first have a solid foundation.
Hebrews 10:38 (NIV) – “But my righteous” one will live by faith, and I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.
Add to your faith.
Progress means: Moving forward not backward, not idle but onward movement toward a destination; improving.
Question: Are you improving?
Matthew 5:15-16 (NIV) – 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
I bring this up because this very important area of spiritual progress to perfection, and it is extremely important in your growth of the final two steps.
Note what they are:
Brotherly kindness extends to the members of God’s family.
Love extends to the entire human race.
6 Brotherly kindness
The definition of brotherly kindness:
The Greek word for brotherly kindness is “Philadelphia”, involving 2 words:
“Phileo” (love) and “Adelphos”(brother).
It literally means “the love of brothers”.
As used in the New Testament, “Philadelphia” describes the love which Christians cherish for each other.
Romans 12:10 (LB) – Love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other.
One big area we have given the enemy a foothold.
Reminder: It lies with you and me to be a person that is loveable.
Have you ever thought people need to love you then, how lovable are you or are you always miserable, critical, Mr. know it all, complaining, criticizing, no control over your bad attitude, being divisive?
This verse warns us:
Titus 3:10-11 (NIV) – 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
Therefore, it’s brotherly kindness that provides a true sense of family, belonging as members of the Lord’s body.
God commands brotherly kindness.
Without sincere love for our brothers and sisters…
the Apostle John says…
1 John 2:9-10 (LB) – 9 Anyone who says he is walking in the light of Christ but dislikes his fellow man is still in darkness. 10 But whoever loves his fellow man is “walking in the light” and can see his way without stumbling around in darkness and sin.
1 John 4:7-8 (LB) – 7 Dear friends, let us *practice loving each other, for love comes from God and those who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God, and that they are getting to know him better. 8 But if a person isn’t loving and kind, it shows that he doesn’t know God—for God is love.
*practice = practice doesn’t make perfect, perfect practice makes perfect. It’s about how you conduct yourself with others.
1 John 4:20-21 (LB) – 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but keeps on hating his brother, he is a liar; for if he doesn’t love his brother who is right there in front of him, how can he love God whom he has never seen? 21 And God himself has said that one must love not only God but his brother too.
This is a command I believe the church take very lightly.
Jesus also made love the identifying mark by which the world can know we are His disciples.
John 13:34-35 (LB) – 34 “And so I am giving a new commandment to you now—love each other just as much as I love you. 35 Your strong love for each other will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
2 John 9 (LB) – For if you wander beyond the teaching of Christ, you will leave God behind; while if you are loyal to Christ’s teachings, you will have God too. Then you will have both the Father and the Son.
The world doesn’t pay too much attention to what they may perceive as minor doctrinal difference. However…
What people do notice is love in a world filled with hate…
…especially when such love is seen among individuals who come from various social, economic, and racial backgrounds!
Attempting to proclaim New Testament Christianity will fail unless it is accompanied by a visible demonstration of true brotherly kindness.
Galatians 5:13 …Rather serve one another in love.
We must care for one another.
Galatians 6:2-3 (LB) – 2 Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command. 3 If anyone thinks he is too great to stoop to this, he is fooling himself. He is really a nobody.
God requires that each of His children will be unity-lovers, promoting unity, living unity.
Philippians 2:1-4 (Msg) – 1-4 If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
The amount of dis-unity that we often see within the body of believers – shocking!!!
Back-stabbing, grudge-carrying, gossiping and slander and unforgiveness.
This is all rooted in three simple words, “ME” – “MYSELF” – “I”. (PRIDE)
When I’m focused on “ME” – “MYSELF” – “I”, I neglect the love of the brotherhood.
Unity starts with “ME”.(Humbled, Surrendered and Obedient)
Ephesians 4:2-3 (LB) – 2 Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Try always to be led along together by the Holy Spirit and so be at peace with one another.
Develop brotherly kindness.
Progress to perfection in this area of your life.
1 Peter 1:22-23 (LB) – 22 Now you can have real love for everyone because your souls have been cleansed from selfishness and hatred when you trusted Christ to save you; so, see to it that you really do love each other warmly, with all your hearts. 23 For you have a new life. It was not passed on to you from your parents, for the life they gave you will fade away. This new one will last forever, for it comes from Christ, God’s ever-living Message to men.
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 (LB) – 9 But concerning the pure brotherly love that there should be among God’s people, I don’t need to say very much, I’m sure! For God himself is teaching you to love one another. 10 Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christian brothers throughout your whole nation. Even so, dear friends, we beg you to love them more and more.
When we fully realize how Jesus loved us and gave Himself for us…
…we have no excuse to behave in any other way except adding to our faith, brotherly kindness.
Hebrews 13:1 (Amp) – Let love of your fellow believers continue.
This is an important part of your progress to perfection.
Tithing 24/04/2022
We’re going to look at a story from 1 Kings 17, it’s the story of a prophet and a widow and a miracle. Three keys to the miracle.
The Prophet was Elijah, and he was in trouble because the stream where he was camping in the desert had dried up.
God said to him: Go to the little town called Zarephath and there you will find a widow who will take care of you.
I can imagine him grabbing his few things all excited thinking; Here’s my breakthrough, I’m out of here, I can’t wait to see what God is going……
in his mind’s eye he can already see the widow’s mansion, Jag in the drive way, nice big pool outside, manicured garden, poodle strutting …
As he reached this little town God said; There she is!
But he can’t see her, all he can see is this little old lady battling along with her walking stick and he’s thinking; Where’s this wealthy widow?
Who knows sometimes God’s answers don’t look like what we had in mind?
Shame Lord, look at her bony legs, she can’t even take care of herself!
Is that her shack over there? Are you sure this is the one?!
That’s the one, go ahead, speak to her.
So, he walks over to her and asks her for some water.
When she turned to get him water he asked for a piece of bread as well.
That’s when she told him she didn’t even have enough for herself.
He’s thinking, Lord, I told you…
Then she reveals her situation; I only have a handful of flour and a little oil.
She was about to use her last flour and the last few drops of oil to bake the last loaf for her and her son and that would be their last meal, and then were going to die.
1Kings 17:12 “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
Notice there was no hope …… She doesn’t say, we’ll eat it and hopefully we’ll find something else. She knew she didn’t have enough.
That’s why she says; That we may eat it and die.
Miracles are born out of need.
If there’s no need, there will be no miracle.
If you could solve that need, you wouldn’t need God.
Here’s my point; God uses the need to stir our faith.
So, she says to him, I’m going to eat it and die.
He says, OK, go ahead and die, but before you die first bake one for me.
Is that what he said?
Well kind of, but there’s a small part that we’ve forgotten……let’s go back to the text to check it out.
1Kings 17:12b “I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”
13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.”
How could we forget that part ….Don’t be afraid….. that’s the key!!
If he never gave her that assurance and he just said to her go and bake me one first she may have said; Get lost, voetsek, take a hike!!
I want to remind you that God has said the same to us in scripture over and over again and yet we forget it.
Scripture is full of …. ‘don’t be afraid’ …. ‘Fear not’ …. ‘Be strong and courageous’
Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Matthew 10:30 Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
God is saying the same thing to us today;
Don’t be afraid.
Even though you may not have enough of this or enough of that, I’m more than enough.
Don’t be limited by what you see.
What was being tested in this woman?
Her respect for God’s word and her faith. She obeyed the word of the prophet even though she didn’t understand how it was going to work out, but she respected it.
The human mind says; This is crazy, this is foolish, I don’t have enough.
The spiritual mind says; It may seem foolish, but I respect God’s word enough to obey it without understanding it.
Faith will require us to move forward without understanding.
God doesn’t always offer us understanding, He offers His word.
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.
Jesus said; Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away.
God doesn’t always offer us understanding, He offers His word.
You and I need to decide whether we respect His word enough to obey it.
Leviticus 27:30 A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.
Notice these two things; it belongs to the Lord…it’s not ours.
It is holy……….. don’t touch it, don’t spend it, don’t save it.
The question is, do we respect God’s word enough to obey it?
Let’s get back to the story
She gave to God first.
It’s not just that she gave to the prophet, it’s that she gave to him first. That’s what unlocked the miracle.
If she had said; OK, I tell you what, may son and I are going to eat, and if there’s anything left over …….
She probably wouldn’t have had her miracle.
The miracle was not only connected to the promise, it was also connected to priority.
The fact that she gave priority to God’s word and giving to him first.
God wants to be first in our lives, He wants to be priority.
So often we give God our leftovers – left over time, left over money…
if I have time I’ll go to church, if I wake up in time I’ll have a quiet time, if I have some money left over at the end of the month.
Gods not interested in our leftovers, He wants to be first.
That’s why scripture says; Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
It’s not just about seeking God; it’s about seeking Him first…. God wants to be first.
Think about it, don’t you get ticked off when you’re an afterthought?
When they’ve already made the mess and they’ve tried to fix it and they’ve gone to someone else and then they come to you. When they’ve already invited everyone else and only when someone else cancelled, now you get invited.
No one wants to be an afterthought, and our God is no different!!!
Proverbs 3:6 “In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
What an incredible promise!
God promises us success if we’ll put Him first.
***One of the keys to the miracle is putting Him first, giving Him priority.
Exodus 23:19 Bring the best of the first fruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God.
The bible talks about first fruits or the tithe, which basically means a tenth.
The first fruit doesn’t mean your leftovers!
It means it’s the first EFT that you do.
One of the reasons I think God tells us to give our first fruits is to remind us where it all comes from.
Every time you do that EFT you’re saying;
God if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have a business or a job or an income or a cent, I wouldn’t have anything. If it wasn’t for your grace O Lord, I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed in the morning. Thank you, Lord.
Tithing is gratitude to God, expressed in giving to His house.
Let’s get back to our story – she says to Elijah, I don’t have any bread… He says to her, don’t be afraid. Just do what I’ve told you.
Bake me a bread first ……….then he gives her the promise;
1Kings 17:14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.”
I want you to notice something ……. he didn’t say your oil and flour will run over, he said it will not run dry…….big difference!
Maybe that’s you, you haven’t had overflow, but let’s be honest, you haven’t run dry either.
One of the ways that God provides for us is not with overflow but preventing us from running dry.
Many people don’t see this because they are looking for overflow, they are looking for abundance.
Has it ever occurred to you that one of the ways God provides for us, is on a daily basis?! Give us this day our daily bread….
Instead of giving us more than enough, He gives us just enough.
I think one of the reasons God does that is to keep us dependent on Him. He knows if we have too much stashed away, we’ll lean on that rather than on Him.
God wants us to develop a dependence on Him ….the just shall live by faith.
He wants us to trust Him and make Him the priority and not our investments.
I’m not saying don’t have investments, I’m saying lean on Him.
Remember there are three keys to the miracle
Her respect for God’s word. She gave to God first. She used what she had
Just as the widow used what she had, you and I need to use what we have. i.o.w. You’ve got to learn to be faithful with little.
If you can’t be faithful with a little, you won’t be faithful with a lot.
If you can’t master, it on a small scale you won’t master it on a big scale.
Have you noticed how there are people who are broke with no money and there are people who are broke even though they’re earning a lot of money? What’s the problem?
They’ve never learnt to master the little, then when they get more they still can’t handle it.
God made her a promise if she put Him first.
But do you know God makes us a promise as well?
Proverbs 3:9 Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops,
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
Malachi 3:10 “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the Lord Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
I’ve had people say; But Leonard, I’ve tried tithing, but it doesn’t work.
I’ve tried to tithe, and God hasn’t opened the floodgates of heaven.
Here’s how it works – the promises aren’t a quick fix, it’s not a case of if you’ll do this then immediately, I’ll do that.
The Promise say; If you’ll stay on this road, it will eventually lead to that destination.
The principle is this;
If you’ll give the first 10% the other 90% is blessed.
90% with God’s blessing is better than 100% without.
There is no doubt that God gives us a formula for greater blessing.
The principle of tithing is not about gambling at church and saying; Well let’s try this and see what happens.
No, it’s about priority. It’s about saying……..
God, I respect your word, you’ve told us to give 10% to your house. I’m going to put you first; I’m going to give you priority. I’ll be faithful with what you’ve already given me.
This is what the widow did, she went away and baked the bread.
Think about it, probably the two best smells in the world is braai vleis and fresh bread!
Do you know that she resisted the urge to take some for herself and she gave to the prophet first?
1Kings 17:15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So, there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.
This is what I want you to see ……… even though the drought was not over, her drought was over!
Even though nothing had changed in her neighbourhood, everything had changed in her home.
God provided for her day after day right in midst of that drought.
I’ve got a feeling this may be for some of you today.
Maybe you’re going through a tough time;
Not enough finance, Not enough business, Not enough……
God is saying to you;
I don’t need the drought to be over in order to bless you.
I don’t need the pandemic to be over and the economy to be booming.
All I need is your obedience.
If you’ll do what I’ve told you to do, I’ll do what I’ve promised to do, and that’s to open the floodgates of heaven and to bless you.
God is the great giver, and His heart is to bless His children.
If you’ll take His word seriously – the tithe belongs to him and it’s holy If you’ll put Him first in your finances and not give Him leftovers… If you’ll give God what you have, He’ll give you what you don’t have.
Amen.
Sunday 17th of April 2022.
Sermon Notes: Easter a Time of Introspection.
By Robin Spengler
Paul in writing to the church in Rome and then Ephesus states that we are saved by grace and justified through faith in the work and person of Christ.
Read Romans 3:21-28 (ESV) - 21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it- 22the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. 26It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
This is the Easter Message and the heart of the Gospel.
Without genuine faith in Christ we are doomed. But with Christ I have eternal life and the promises of God. However, today I would like to look at Easter from a slightly different perspective. Let’s call it a bit of introspection.
Our scripture reading is Romans 8 and verse 28.
Romans 8:28 (ESV) - 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
This scripture should be read in the broader context of Romans 8. It is part of a larger argument and in particular verses 29-30, which we will look at later.
There are however several qualifying statements in this passage:
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It applies to those who love God.
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That all things includes both good and bad things, work together for good.
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That bad things remain bad, but all things work together for good.
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That it applies to those who love God.
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It applies to those who are called by God.
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That this calling is to fulfil the purpose of God.
Today we will look at just three elements of this statement.
1) Those who love God.
2) The call of God.
3) The purpose of God’s calling.
With this in mind let’s look at the first point.
1) Those who love God.
James (James 2:19) writes that even the demons believe and shudder.
So, to believe is not what Paul is saying. Paul specifically uses the word love, not believe. So what is it to love God?
I would like to start with what it is not.
It is not an intellectual acceptance of the truth about God. It is not simply being religious. It is not a matter of sentiment or feeling. It is not an emotional experience.
So what then is it to love God?
John, I believe, hits the nail on the head with this statement. (1 John 4:19 (ESV) - We love because he first loved us.). No man in his sinful state can love God in a saving way.
This word love, translated from the Greek word agape, is a love that God gives us.
It is a gift of the Spirit.
We may try to love God in our own strength, but this is doomed to failure. The only way to receive this love is through genuine faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. That’s how God has planned it! So let’s do some introspection.
The 10 - point test of agape love.
How do I react in adversity? Do I trust God in all situations? Do I believe that Jesus is Lord over the whole of creation? Do I grumble and complain when things go wrong? Do I experience the hand of God in my circumstances? Am I able to praise God in all circumstances? Do I see the hand of God in creation, in others, in the world around me? Do I make every effort to live in a way that pleases God? Do I make every effort to keep from deliberate sin? If I sin unintentionally, do I show genuine remorse and ask forgiveness?
Remember, no one is perfect, but if you are a Christian you are progressing towards genuine love.
To me a beautiful example of agape love is given by Polycarp, Bishop of Smyrna.
When being forced to deny Christ, it is recorded of him saying; “86 years have I served him, and he has done me no wrong. How can I blaspheme my King and my Saviour?”
Can you identify with this?
2) The call of God.
The call of God can be divided into two parts.
1) The general (Gospel) call of God.
2) The effectual call of God.
The general call of God refers to all who hear the Gospel Call. But not everyone who hears the Gospel responds to the message. Some hear but continue with their life, maybe with some knowledge of the Gospel, but there is no change in them. They have not found Jesus.
The effectual Call of God refers to those who hear the Gospel and respond to it, they have found Jesus.
Let’s do some more introspection.
The 12-point test of effectual calling.
Can you say, I am what I am because of what God has done? Are you interested in the things of God? Do you see Church as part of God’s plan and that you are a functioning part of it? Are you amazed by the love you have for Jesus? Are you amazed at the way you have changed? Do you have an inner conviction that you know God? Do you have a desire to know what the bible teaches? Do you want to be with other Christians? Do you have a different outlook on life? Are you convicted by your previous sinful lifestyle? Do you have a desire to change your ways? Can you look back and say, “All that has happened to me is good because I see God’s plan in it”?
If you can say yes to most of these questions, then you have found Jesus.
3) The purpose of God’s calling.
Dear friends Easter is not without a purpose. So what is the purpose of God’s calling?
We have already looked at Romans 8:28. However, this verse can’t be read in isolation. It is part of a much broader statement.
Read Romans 8:28-30 (ESV) - 28And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 29For those whom he foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom he called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.
There is so much here that it could take weeks to uncover.
But what it does show us is that God has an ultimate purpose for those whom he has called. Romans 8:28 is not simply a random statement. It is part of God’s masterplan.
Note! It is God who is doing the work.
Read Romans 8:29b (ESV) - ...be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
It may be said that the purpose of God’s calling is for us to be conformed to the image of His Son. This begins with the calling of God and continues until we are finally glorified. God has chosen a people, to be His people in a new creation, which will be perfect in every respect.
This great plan of God is summed up in the theological Covenant of Redemption.
“The covenant of redemption is the agreement made between the members of the Trinity (before the beginning of time) in order to bring us salvation. The Father plans redemption and sends the Son in order to save His people. The Son agrees to be sent and to do the work necessary to save the elect ...” -R. c. sproul.
Note this was God’s Plan, before the beginning of time!
Easter, dear friends didn’t just happen, it was always part of God’s great plan of redemption!
I close with this reminder. Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) - 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Have you received this Easter gift of God?
Progress to perfection – Our Journey (Series #3)
They say that nobody is perfect. Then they tell you practice makes *perfect. I wish they’d make up their minds. - Winston Churchill
*It’s about daily disciplines
By Pastor George Lehman
Aristotle wrote: We acquire a particular quality by acting in a particular way.
We have been looking at Peter’s teaching to the church…
“How to progress to perfection”.
2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) – 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was given for application not just information.
The steps - adding to your faith:
Goodness (excellence) Knowledge (revelation – Pr 12:1) Self-control (Appetite, thoughts, tongue) Perseverance (go through the unpleasant, difficult, trials, temptations) Godliness Brotherly kindness Love
Just want to say God is working out all these levels all the time in your life. Like clay on the potter’s wheel.
NB!! Make every effort to add to your faith
5 Godliness
It’s not very fashionable today for people to talk about Godliness. People have their own gospel.
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NIV) – 2Preac the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and carful instruction. 3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
Myths: is something that is untrue; its with out an author.
But the truth remains: It is something God holds in high value and requires from His children. The Bible makes this very clear.
To define Godliness…it’s a life that would be meaningless if there is no God. “It comes from God”.
Quote:
Godliness: True Godliness does not turn men out of the world but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it. - William Penn
It’s “living the God life”
Godliness: Living in obedience to God’s commands.
Paul uses this powerful example:
2 Corinthians 2:14 (Amp) – But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him.
2 things:
The victory of Jesus worked out in our lives. And the fragrance of Jesus.
Colossians 2:15 (Amp) – When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities [those supernatural forces of evil operating against us], He made a public example of them [exhibiting them as captives in His triumphal procession], having *triumphed over them through the cross.
*triumphed = triumph means “I have won”
Paul says in 2 Corinthians 2:14 that we triumph over the enemy. Christ has enabled His church to be Triumphant.
We should show off the victory to all who come into contact with us.
Out of this Godliness we spread the fragrance* of Jesus.
*Fragrance – a pleasant, sweet smell; an aroma scent; perfume.
Fragrance is a beautiful thing.
True scientific fact:
If a woman puts a few drops of perfume on her skin your nose can pick up that fragrance that no scientific instrument can detect.
Fragrance stimulates memory. Smells can bring back a beautiful memory.
Even a backslider longs back for4 his First love Jesus.
Godliness is spreading the fragrance of Jesus – like a perfume.
Everywhere you go people will ask, “What is that beautiful fragrance?”
Three practical factors in Godliness.
A godly person draws everything from God.
No self-reliance, self-confidence. No trusting in the flesh, but only on the grace and mercy of God.
Godliness refers everything to God before making decisions. It waits on God.
A godly person sees God in everything.
In the great, overflowing, blessed, joyful times and in the worst and difficult times.
They don’t complain and blame when things go wrong, or things aren’t working out.
A life of Godliness says, “He is my Father, He has got this. He is working all things out for the best”.
Let’s look at ungodliness. The bible speaks about the end of this present age.
Jude 14-16 (NIV) – 14 Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men: "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones 15 to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.16 These men are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.
Notice – 4 times in one verse(15) the sign of the end times will be ungodliness.
A clear sign of ungodliness is grumbling and faultfinding.
Whereas the positive side of Godliness is praise and thankfulness!
The positive alternative – these are the basic requirements of Godliness.
Jude 20-21 (NIV) – 20 But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.21 Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Build yourselves up in your faith. Add to your faith - 2 Peter 1:5. Pray in the Holy Spirit. That we keep ourselves in God’s love.
Close:
How much progress are you making to be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect?
Matthew 5:48 (NIV) – Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Keep making progress to perfection.
Progress to perfection – Our Journey Series#2
Progress means getting nearer and nearer to the place God wants you to be.
God met you as you were; but does not leave you as you were.
John 15:2&5 (NIV) – 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
5”I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
By Pastor George Lehman
This word digs deep into our core as disciples.
C.S. Lewis says:
If you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about turn and walking back to the right road; and in that case the man who turns back soonest is the most progressive man.
You may not be where you need to be, but far better than you use to be.
Every child of God needs to live everyday with a goal, an aim, a target to ensure they are on the road to perfection. It won’t just happen!
Steps to progress toward perfection. (The Journey)
2 Peter 1:3-10 (NIV) – 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control;14 and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall
*divine nature = Jesus said be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect
-Matthew 5:48(NIV)
The steps. Add to your faith:
Goodness (excellence) Knowledge (not intellect or man’s wisdom – Revelation knowledge) Self control Perseverance Godliness Brotherly kindness Love
3 Self control
Salvation is from God. BUT as we progress, He requires our co-operation with Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (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— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Philippians 2:12-13 (LB) – 12 Dearest friends, when I was there with you, you were always so careful to follow my instructions. And now that I am away you must be even more careful to do the good things that result from being saved, obeying God with deep reverence, shrinking back from all that might displease him. 13 For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.
We see 2 sides Paul talks about.
God works “IN” so far as we… Work “OUT”
If we stop working OUT we give God no more opportunity to work IN.
Self control is a part of our working out. It takes strict training.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (LB) – 24 In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. 25 To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. 26 So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around. 27 Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside.
3 areas we need to have self-control:
How will others know I have self-control? By my actions!
A: Physical appetites.
What feeds you Spiritually. What do you hunger for - is it more of God?
Your priorities will tell you.
Philippians 3:17-19 (LB) – 17 Dear brothers, pattern your lives after mine, and notice who else lives up to my example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again now with tears in my eyes, there are many who walk along the Christian Road who are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their future is eternal loss, for their god is their appetite: they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is this life here on earth.
Our ways are clear to others; Good or Bad.
B: Thoughts
Everybody seeks real happiness and there’s one sure way of finding it: That is by controlling your thoughts. Happiness doesn’t depend on outward conditions. It depends on inner conditions. Dale Carnegi
Philippians 4:7-9 (LB) – 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. 8 And now, brothers, as I close this letter, let me say this one more thing: Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.
C: Tongue
James 1:26 (LB) – Anyone who says he is a Christian but doesn’t control his sharp tongue is just fooling himself, and his religion isn’t worth much.
If you claim to be a Christian, you have to have self control of your tongue.
The only one who controls your tongue is you.
4 Perseverance or(endurance. Patience) It has got to be active and working in your life
Possibly the least attractive step to progress to perfection.
Firstly, it’s because you’ll need self control. No self control – no real perseverance.
You’ll always fail at your point of weakness. You are as strong as your weakest link.
However, if you will persevere; your strength grows out of your weakness.
Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) – 1 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 rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
*also rejoice in our sufferings = We persevere and endure and press on no matter how hard things become – we remain joyful and faithful.
This hope builds our character which is built on (endurance) perseverance. (No perseverance, no character.)
How important then is perseverance to make progress to perfection?
To achieve perfection, we cannot bypass perseverance. (Add to your faith perserverance)
It’s easy to make big bold statements about wanting to please God and grow in your relationship with Him.
But are you willing to go through tough stuff? “Suffering produces perseverance” – Romans 5:3
James 1:2-4 (LB) – 2 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy,3 for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete.
Patience = perseverance, endurance
Please notice again the goal is that we may be perfect, lacking nothing.
Jesus said, “Be perfect as your Heavenly Father is perfect”.
– Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
Paul said, “Aim for perfection”. - 2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV)
That is why you need to make sure you always have the goal in mind and your aim on the target to progress to perfection.
This will supply your motivation when things are not so easy.
James says, “Count it all joy” and yet most of us complain, give up and accuse God – “why did You let this happen?”
You see, there’s only one route to perfection and that’s the Bible route.
We cannot bypass these steps. God cannot promote you from Grade 4 to Grade 5 until you’ve passed Grade 4.
May God come and stir our hearts to stay focused on the end result for our lives - “Perfection” in Him.
Keep making progress to perfection, after all its part of our journey.
Let me remind you:
John 15:2&5 (NIV) – 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
5”I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”
Progress to perfection - Our Journey (SERIES #1)
Don’t mistake activity for achievement. - John Wooden
by Pastor George Lehman
Every child of God needs to have a goal, an aim, a target of what you want to achieve in Him. You cannot be born again and be indecisive about your Christian life.
Achievement – so busy with God’s things but how is my life changing? Am I achieving growth?
How easily we can get sucked into believing things that sound good but aren’t even biblical.
Eg., Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. - Harriet Brailer
(How can it be demoralizing to want to be like Jesus?)
No one is perfect, that’s why pencils have erasers. (Just an excuse to stay the same.) There are no perfect men in this world, only perfect intentions. – Robin Hood, Prince of thieves. Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it. - Salvador Dali
(Stay as you are – give up.)
If there were no such ability within man, Jesus would never have said, “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” -Matthew 5:48
Psalm 138:8 (KJV) – The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
Paul understood this:
Philippians 3:12(NIV) – Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
The apostle Peter brings great guidance and instruction to the church to aim for perfection.
Perfection is not:
Becoming better than others; Outdoing someone else; Being smarter or having more knowledge of the bible than others.
No, it’s about you becoming more like Jesus.
I want to start with Peter’s ending of the process to perfection before we look at what he said: Start with the end result and work our way back!
2 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV) – 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
What he taught was very profound and easy to understand but without the Holy Spirit helping us, verse 8-9 will apply to your life.
Steps to progress to perfection.
2 Peter 1:3-7 (NIV) – 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
Firstly Peter gives 2 goals:
Positive goal: Is that we can participate [deel hê] in the Divine Nature. (Jesus reminds us in Matthew 5:48 about that divine nature).
Matthew 5:48 (NIV) - Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Negative goal: To escape the corruption and ungodly ways of this world.
The truth is – the more we become partakers in His divine nature, the further we escape this world’s corruption.
Note verse 5: For this very reason, ‘MAKE EVERY EFFORT’.
Church of Jesus – it will take ‘EFFORT’.
The steps to a life of perfection:
Goodness (Excellence) Knowledge Self-control Perseverance Godliness Brotherly kindness Love
To let love, operate as it should we need to go through a process of perfection.
It all starts with FAITH.
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) – 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.
It’s the foundation from which we build.
Galatians 5:6 (NIV) – For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
It’s about the faith that’s alive and active in us – not about doctrine faith.
It’s not WHAT you believe – it’s IN WHO you believe.
2 Timothy 1:12 (NIV) – That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
1 Goodness
Greek word is “areté” meaning excellence.
It means excellence in any and every area which you find yourself doing something.
That’s what faith is about – you live out what you believe with excellence.
James 2:17 (NIV) – In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
Real faith will always produce.
People testify but don’t produce.
Peter is saying, “add to your faith”, make it work, show people that what you believe works in your life. (How? By my excellent life.)
In your ministry, at home, at work, in your social life - in fact, everywhere!
2 Knowledge.
It’s knowledge of God’s will.
It’s not achieved by education and study of books – it’s spiritual.
You can have great intellectual knowledge and zero spiritual.
Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV) – 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding. 10And we pray this in order so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
It’s spiritual, not intellectual.
The kinds of knowledge as Pauls describes:
Knowledge - wisdom, insight, not intellectual (I understand it by revelation). Increasing knowledge - it’s always moving forward, increasing (never stagnant). Discernment or sensitivity towards God’s will (as you acquire His knowledge, you want to please Him). Produces fruit in our lives which bring glory to God.
Jesus said, “let me see your good works, it will glory God”, Matthew 5:16.
This knowledge has only ONE source – God’s word (The Bible).
Psalm 119:9 (NIV) – How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
Psalm 119:11 (NIV) – I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
Psalm 119:130 (NIV) – The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
With - No plan, no strategy, no goal, no aim, no effort.
Don’t expect to ever attain any kind of perfection.
I would rather aim for perfection and miss - than aim for imperfection and hit it.
STRESS is a part of life series #5
“Stress is Profitable” [winsgewend]
No matter what you ‘Go through’; with God you will always benefit in the future.
By Pastor George Lehman
For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but *godliness is profitable for all things since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. - 1 Timothy 4:8
compared to*
**godliness = living in obedience to God’s commands
The things we go through will be profitable – the test becomes a testimony.
We have seen over the past few weeks that:
Stress is predictable Stress is problematic Stress is paradoxical Stress is purposeful
James 1:9-12 (NIV) – 9The brother in humble circumstances[poor] ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wildflower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls, and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
It’s been said “That a Christian is like a teabag” – he is not worth much until he has been through some hot water.
James illustrated this fact with his descriptions of the person:
With poverty With plenty and the person with pressure
Trials have a way of bringing all of us to the same level of need.
Take a not so well-off person with poverty.
James 1:9a (NIV) – The brother in humble circumstances…
James here is describing a person who is low on the socioeconomic level, relatively poor and powerless.
While the world might think little of him…God thinks much of him.
James encouraged this believing person to take pride in his high position.
He is of great worth to God and can rejoice in spiritual things he can never lose. So many feel I don’t have much – Look what God is doing to me.
Jim Elliot, a missionary, martyred by the Auca Indians, wrote this in his diary:
“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”.
James then turns his attention to a person who has plenty.
James 1:10 (NIV) – But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wildflower.
Stay humble or you’ll trust your own resources.
The beautiful thing about the church is that it is made up of all people.
The early church, just as in the church of today, is blessed with people of wealth, such as Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and Barnabas…
…people blessed with material possessions may take pride in them.
But knowing that earthly treasures will one day fade away.
Poverty and plenty are temporary.
No matter how much you have - someone else has more.
No matter how little you have someone else has less.
Jesus said:
Luke 12:15 (Amp) – And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.
No matter what your stressful trial, whether in abundance or poverty, your behaviour will ensure you profit greatly in this life and will be rewarded in the next.
James switches the focus a bit:
James 1:12 (NIV) – Blessed is the man who perseveres[endures] under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Satan attempts to use our stressful trials to cause us to stumble.
But the Lord allows them in order to strengthen our faith muscles so we can stand strong.
James chose the word ‘endures’ to indicate staying power.
Blessed is the person who endures under stressful trials. Why?
Because he knows he will receive the “crown of life”.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) – 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
God has a special reward for those patient sufferers who endure their stressful trials.
They win in the end.
Story:
Little boy who found a cocoon. When the beautiful butterfly started to struggle to escape from its prison, the boy took a scissors and cut the cocoon to help release the butterfly. It came out but couldn’t fly. Having avoided the struggle of coming out of the cocoon, its wings never properly developed. The boy’s good intentions robbed the butterfly of its ability to soar.
Stress has never been an easy experience.
5 Fascinating facts about stress.
1 It is predictable.
It is a question of when, not if and it’s not going away.
2 It is problematic.
Left ignored, it can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually destructive.
3 It is paradoxical[teenstrydig].
We can count it joy knowing that the outcome will be for our good and His glory.
4 It is purposeful.
The stress we now feel is there for a God-allowed purpose. It’s often a time of testing of stripping ourselves of false priorities.
5 It’s profitable.
Just think ahead – we win in the end.
James 1:4 – Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Hebrews 10:35-36 (Amp) – Do not, therefore, fling away your fearless confidence, for it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.
STRESS is a part of life series #4
“Stress is Purposeful” [doelgerig] (showing determination for what you need to do)
There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen
By Pastor George Lehman
Job 23:10-11 (NIV) – 10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. 11 My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.
James 1:3-8 (Amp) – 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] *perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. 7For truly, let no such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, 8[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
- This wasn’t written as a nice story but to encourage us on our spiritual journey.
Once again, we are reminded that stress is not simply Predictable, Problematic and Paradoxical.
Stress is also Purposeful. We can benefit from stress.
Job 14:1 (NIV) – “Mortals, born of woman, are of few days and full of trouble.
To be specific, stress can help produce purity in our lives. Job said, “I will come out as gold”.
James spoke of the “TESTING” of your faith that happens in the process of stress.
1 Peter 1:7 – Peter used the same word to say that various trials come our way so “that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes (though it is tested) by fire, may be found to praise, honour and glory at the revelation of Jesus”.
This same word is also translated “purging”.
Example: Precious metal being heated till the impurities rise to the top and are scraped off. Only pure metal remains.
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 (NIV) – 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
James was indicating that our stressful trials are for a purpose.
They have their own way of refining us.
Stress also has the purpose of producing “perseverance” in our lives.
The word perseverance literally means “to stand up under”.
Only trials of our faith can prove the depth of our faith and the strength of our character. When we are squeezed – what comes out of us?
Another purpose of stress is to lead us to perfection.
Jesus said:
Matthew 5:48 (NIV) – Be *perfect therefore, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.
*perfect = some translations have changed the word ‘perfect’ to complete, put things in order, grow to maturity)
Paul said:
2 Corinthians 13:11 (NIV) – Finally, brothers, good-bye. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
The goal is perfection.
James 1:4 – so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The word ‘perfect’ here means, “to carry to its end; to become fully grown; to mature”.
Our goal as Christians is to come to full maturity (from surrender to fully surrendered). Notice the process
Purposeful, purity, perseverance, perfection.
Stress can also prompt prayer – that’s why its purposeful.
James 1:5 (NIV) – If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.
There’s a difference between wisdom and knowledge.
Knowledge is accumulation of facts.
However, wisdom is the ability to take the facts (the knowledge we have) at hand and using heavenly judgment and apply what we know to our situations around us.
This was Paul’s point to Colossians:
Colossians 1:9-10 (NIV) – 9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in order that you may live (1)a life worthy of the Lord and may (2) please him in every way: (3) bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.
There it is again stress is purposeful it produces:
That is purity That is perseverance That is perfection.
Most times when we are in stress mode, prayer is our last resort instead of our starting point for dealing with stress.
Psalm 118:8 (NIV) – It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
James also said:
James 1:6-7 (NIV) – 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.
Not everyone receives wisdom who ask – It comes to those who believe.
Mark 11:24 (Amp) – For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it].
Where do we find this faith?
Romans 10:17 – Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
Prayer without the truths from the bible has no direction.
The person who lives with doubt in times of stressful trials is ”double-minded … unstable in all his ways” – James 1:8.
James says the doubter is trying to serve two masters. Part of them says “yes, I believe” and another whispers, “I doubt”.
Stress can be purposeful if we dare to trust God.
So, what is our greatest need in times of stress? WISDOM for how to deal with the issues of life.
How do we get wisdom? We ask for it by faith.
Remember…
Hebrews 11:6 (Amp) – But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].
Stress is purposeful.
What we go through God uses to perfect our faith.
Yes, your stress and trials do serve a purpose.
It is for us to draw closer to the Lord and strengthen our weak faith into a strong, courageous, unwavering walk with Jesus.
1 Corinthians 16:13 – Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
STRESS is a part of life Series
“Stress is Paradoxical [contradictory][teenstrydig]”
People want freedom without responsibility of enduring.
Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find freedom. Frank Herbert
(When you apply the word not avoid it, freedom comes)
By Pastor George Lehman
Paradoxical means – at first glance it appears wrong, but upon closer thought reveals a deeper spiritual truth.
How can a bad situation turn out to be good for me?
So many want answers and victory, but the way they want it to be.
Here’s the paradox:
It’s trying to side-step or avoid trials that we actually find ourselves in deeper stress. More problem-focused than solution-focused.
However… When you seek to discipline yourself in the word of God, that’s where you find the peace, joy and true freedom.
James 1:2 (Amp) – 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
James insisted we should “count it all joy” when we face stressful trials of many different kinds.
How much JOY? ALL JOY. (This is really not a misprint. It’s a conscious decision.)
We are to counter stress with joy.
James’ firm instruction seems directly opposed to the way we tend to look at life’s challenges and difficulties.
On the surface this advice appears strange because most of us would say, “Count it all joy when you escape trials of various kinds”. This is paradoxical. It’s like the opposite to what we feel.
James’ main thought is that stress should not be looked upon as our enemy.
We should let go of the misconception that we can avoid stress. “It’s part of life”. It’s Predictable and problematic.
For those of us who believe in the supernatural power of Christ… our times of stress should be times of making sure we are in the will of God. (Handling life God’s way)
Stress is not really the problem – it’s the way we react to it.
Jesus speaking about the importance of our reaction. The sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5 through 7. Gives some paradoxical statements:
If we get a slap on the cheek we are to “turn the other check too”.
If someone sues you for a piece of clothing, you should give him your coat as well.
If you want to lead, you must first serve.
If you want, you must first give.
Greatness if found in your low position.
These are hard sayings, but so is dealing with stress.
It’s important to note James wasn’t saying the trial itself should be considered a joy. It’s my attitude and reaction in the time of stress.
The word ‘consider’ literally means “to think ahead”, to “think forward”.
This is exactly what Job was doing. Job didn’t consider the severe trial he went through.
But he did look forward to the joy he knew would follow his trial. Something great would come of this, because of his trust / faith in God.
Job 23:10-11 (Amp) – 10 But He knows the way that I take [He has concern for it, appreciates, and pays attention to it]. When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous]. 11 My foot has held fast to His steps; His ways have I kept and not turned aside.
Here is endurance, steadfastness and patience.
Joseph is another example. He was thinking ahead, looking beyond the trials.
Genesis 50:20 (Amp) – As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day.
God has a plan for a man and a man for His plan.
Joseph “counted it all joy” to be abandoned and sold by his own brothers, to be accused falsely and sit in a prison. How do we know? By his attitude to his hardship.
You see, Joseph trusted the Lord – he was thinking ahead.
What about our Lord Jesus Himself?
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) – Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We too, like Job, Joseph and Jesus need to think ahead with focused hearts during our stressful situations.
James was not telling us to try to find some kind of superficial joy during life’s trials.
He was saying – look ahead to Jesus.
Psalm 30:5 (LB) – His anger lasts a moment; his favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning, there is joy.
Paul says it this way…
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (Amp) – 17 For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory [beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease!], 18 Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.
James’ approach to stress is a family secret. It belongs to the born-again children of God.
It is ridiculous to tell a man without a spiritual life to ‘count it joy’ when trials come.
Romans 8:9 (Amp) – But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].
The world doesn’t know this!
Romans 8:28 (LB) – And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.
Note – “we know”
Stress is paradoxical but……every stressful trial can become an opportunity for growing in the likeness of Jesus Christ.
“Every humiliation, everything that tries and grieves us, is God’s way of cutting a deeper channel in us through which the life of Christ can flow.” - Roy Hession
Deeper the channel the more of Christ.
God must break us to make us. (Like the Potter)
James went on to say…
James 1:3-4(Amp) – 3Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.
Next week we talk about “Stress is purposeful”
Oh the benefit of stress is truly awesome.
Stress is a part of Life Series
“Stress is problematic” [difficult, hard, thorny] – making great mental demands
James 1:2 – My brethren, count it ALL JOY when you fall into various trials.
By Pastor George Lehman
Trials and the stress they bring are Predictable – all of us will encounter them, they can be Problematic.
For many people it can be one of your worst enemies.
It has ruined many lives and relationships.
Stress hurts (its unpleasant)– it has cost people their health and happiness.
Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) – Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.
With no self-control you are an open target for the enemy.
We will have to take self-control of our lives - when we face the trials and hardships, because if we don’t, we will live defeated lives.
Yet, James said to consider “Various trials to be ALL JOY”.
James’s term for “various trials” is an interesting word in Greek.
The phrase can be literally translated as “many-coloured trials”.
James knew that not all trials are alike and how we all react to stress differs.
Some people’s response to stress may be purple.
They allow stress to so beat them up that they end up bruised and battered.
Some responses are blue.
They allow stress to lead them into a state of depression where they feel blue.
Some responses are green.
They see others seemingly living carefree, stress-free lives that they become green with envy.
Still others deal with stress with the colour red.
Stress builds up within them, they react with anger, even rage, toward those around them.
Then there are those who deal with stress with the colour yellow.
They simply retreat, give up in cowardice [lafhartigheid] into their own little world.
And some deal with stress with the colour black.
For these people, everything in their experience becomes dark.
James was reminding us that there are many different kinds of trials and different kinds of reaction to the trials.
Some trials are natural.
They result from sickness, accidents, disappointments, or many other painful circumstances.
They occur because we live in fleshly bodies in a sinful world.
Other trials are supernatural in origin. They come our way because of our faith.
1 Peter 4:12-13 (LB) – 12 Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. 13 Instead, be really glad—because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterwards you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory in that coming day when it will be displayed.
For whatever reason a trial comes and in whatever form, the stress it causes can be Problematic.
NB!! The top medical aid claims and prescriptions are for ‘preventable diseases’.
Caused mainly by stress:
Excessive smoking. Drinking of alcohol. Drugs (upper and downers) Obesity – stress induced eating.
It’s easy for us to read about the trials that Job faced. The stress he must have gone through – we can only read about it.
Job 1:19-22 (NIV) – 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 2:9-10 (NIV) – 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
James 5:11 (NIV) – As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
If we look at Job’s end because of counting it all joy…
Job 42:12a (NIV) – The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.
For as much as stress can be Problematic, it can also have great advantage to our spiritual growth and development.
If you are willing to allow yourself to trust God to fulfil His promises to you in His word…you will get through every trial victoriously.
Trials, hardships, difficulties, like the seasons, do not last forever.
This phrase is used in so many places in the bible – “And it came to pass”. Stay in season with God.
James 1:2 (Amp) – Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Stress is a part of life Series
“Stress is predictable” [voorspelbaar]
We know by real life experience that stress is real
If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.
Warren Wierske
By Pastor George Lehman
We are talking about the first of the 5 fascinating facts about stress.
James 1:1-2 (Amp) – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)! 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
What??? James tells us to count it all joy when we fall into various trials.
I think most of us count it joy when we escape the trials of life - not when we fall into them. We count it as misery.
Experiencing stress is not “if”, it’s “when” it will happen
Stress is predictable, it is inevitable [onvermydelik], inescapable and unavoidable. Stress happens and God through His word encourages us.
God does not want us to be defeated He wants us to be Hopeful – Victorious.
In fact, you can read the bible from cover to cover, and nowhere will you find the promise that life will always be trouble free or that we’re immune to stress.
There are those who teach falsely that if we’re living the Spirit-filled life…
…we’ll have only smooth sailing on the sea of God’s will.
John 16:32 (NIV) – “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. (We need to learn this)
Jesus Himself warned us:
John 16:33 (LB) – I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows; but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.”
It’s not just a promise to know it’s a truth, but to believe it by faith.
Yes, Stress is predictable. We can’t avoid it, but it can actually be good for us. We know it’s real; so, let’s make the best of it.
Stress can, for instance, be a motivating factor:
To make changes in our life. To change our habits or our lifestyles. – Sin contributes greatly to stress
However, too much stress coupled with not knowing how to deal with it can be detrimental - mentally, spiritually, and physically.
We see this in Elijah’s life (1 Kings 19). After boldly calling fire from heaven and destroying 450 Baal prophets.
Queen Jezebel in…
1 Kings 19:2-4 (LB) – 2 she sent this message to Elijah: “You killed my prophets, and now I swear by the gods that I am going to kill you by this time tomorrow night.” 3 So Elijah fled for his life; he went to Beersheba, a city of Judah, and left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, travelling all day, and sat down under a broom bush and prayed that he might die. “I’ve had enough,” he told the Lord. “Take away my life. I’ve got to die sometime, and it might as well be now.”
High stress levels in our bodies over long periods of time can cause high blood pressure, ulcers, heart disease, headaches, and many other health issues.
Although stress is predictable, it can have negative outcomes.
But stress can be a friend not a foe.
Consider that God never calls on us to work harder than He did in the creation event……He took the seventh day off.
Many of our physical challenges are the result of our own bad decisions, bad habits or negative thoughts.
Isaiah 26:3-5 (LB) – 3 He will keep in perfect *peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! 4 Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength. 5 He humbles the proud and brings the haughty city to the dust; its walls come crashing down.
*Peace is the natural neutralizer for stress
Philippians 4:4-5 (NIV) – 4Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Philippians 4:6-7 (LB) – 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. 7 If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.
No matter who we are or how long we have journeyed in the Christian faith, we will face stress.
The sooner you realize this fact, the sooner you can learn to deal with it biblically.
The New Testament writers constantly reminded us that trials are a part of life. They are predictable.
Peter put it like this:
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) – 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Paul really understood the trials of life.
Acts 20:19 (NIV) – I served the Lord with great humility and with tears, although I was severely tested by the plots of the Jews.
Our Saviour, Jesus, knew stress - even He wasn’t exempt from trials.
Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) – For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin.
Just before His crucifixion He said to His disciples:
Luke 22:28 (NIV) – You are those who have stood by me in my trials.
Yet we never see Jesus anxiously pacing up and down with His hands in His hair, stressed out.
Rather we see Jesus go spend time in prayer with His Father - a lesson for us.
As followers of Christ, we will encounter two basic kinds of trials:
Trials of correction. Trials of perfection.
God allow them both.
Ask Jonah – he got into a major storm of correction.
He learned his lesson, corrected his way and was used mightily by God.
What about the disciples who obeyed Jesus – got in the boat and sailed across to the other side?
They were caught in a storm of massive proportions and feared for their life.
Jesus walked on the water, stilled the storm, and strengthened their faith.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:13 – These stressful situations are ‘common to man’.
Once we realize stress is predictable [voorspelbaar], as in unavoidable, we can learn to deal with it.
Jesus’ words:
Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) – 28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
STRESS is part of life
In every success story, you will find someone who has made a courageous decision. - Peter Drucker
By Pastor George Lehman
God is concerned about you and what you go through.
We are not a David, Abraham, a Daniel, or Moses, but we are more than equipped to be all God wants us to be and get through what we are going through.
Can you say this with confidence…?
“I’ve grown up a lot, I’m on my way and I’ve learned some valuable life lessons”. I’m teachable and still learning. Getting through tough stuff is in direct proportion to your spiritual growth.
If you’re like me, your challenge is not knowing what Christ calls us to do, but to actually do it.
As James said:
James 1:22 (Amp) – But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. (Many justify their behaviour)
Stress: Five fascinating facts.
James 1:1 (Amp) – James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered abroad [among the Gentiles in the dispersion]: Greetings (rejoice)!
STRESS! Perhaps no other word is used as much to describe the culprit, the scapegoat, the excuse of modern man.
Many of our problems in our homes, businesses and our health seem to be related to the stress factor.
Stress has been around through the ages.
Notice, James is writing to Christians who were scattered abroad.
These were Christians who faced persecution so severe that we can only read about it.
Hebrews 11:36-38 (NIV) – 36Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. 37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted, and mistreated. 38The world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
They had to flee from their homes, their jobs, their possessions, even families. The first sign of discomfort and inconvenience we stop, give up and drift.
“TALK ABOUT STRESS”.
Yet, God permitted these early believers to experience the scattering and the resulting stress for a purpose.
If they stayed in Jerusalem, the Gospel would not have spread in just one generation throughout the Roman Empire.
James was writing to people facing ‘various trials’, ‘hardships’ and ‘fears.’
And so, God allowed this letter to be included in His word for you and me.
Romans 15:4 (NIV) – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
James is instructing us how to deal with stress – this word of James was written long before thousands of books on the subject was written.
Stress is often God’s way of telling us that our life is out of balance.
In fact, James was teaching that stress is a warning signal that can be one of life’s greatest tools to live a joyful, victorious life.
Learning to effectively deal with high anxiety when [not if] it comes will result in longer, happier, and even healthier lives.
We will see how relevant this word from James is to the 22nd Century Christians.
In the initial paragraphs of his letter, James revealed five fascinating facts about stress.
1 Stress is predictable [te verwagte].
We all know stress happens and it’s not going away.
2 Stress is problematic[problematies].
If we don’t deal with stress, it can be detrimental and even destructive to your health, your home, your happiness and your hope.
3 Stress is paradoxical [teenstrydig] (Save money by spending it)
(If I know one thing; it’s that I know nothing)
James 1:2- said to “count it all joy when you fall into various trials”.
4 Stress is purposeful[doelgerig].
Some of us go through the furnace of stress and come out like refined gold.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NIV) – 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
5 Stress can be profitable[winsgewend].
God can use stress for our good and for His glory – and He always does.
I want you to see, that behind the hand of James is the “Hand of God” Himself writing to you and me at a point of personal need.
James saw victory in the tragedy; abundant life through the pain and hurt.
James 1:2-4 (Amp) – 2 Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. 3 Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. 4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. (We can’t separate our lives one with God; the other in the world)
*enveloped = completely surrounded, enclosed
*Bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience = it will make you fit for the long journey of growth and victory
Over the next weeks we are going to look at each of these…
Five fascinating facts from James.
Psalm 34:19 (NIV) – A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord [But God factor] delivers him from them ALL.
YOU CAN DO IT!
God rejoices over you.
Rejoice: To make joyful – to gladden – to exult
It’s an impartation (oordrag)
Man was the only thing in creation that God touched to create.
By Pastor George Lehman
The true price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
Story of poorly dressed man:
A poorly dressed man came into a church that had fancy ceilings, oak pews, stained glass windows and a plush carpet. The congregation was uncomfortable about the situation. After the service the minister greeted the humbly dressed man and asked him if he enjoyed the service. Then the minister asked him to pray and ask Jesus how he should dress if he came back the next Sunday.
The next Sunday the man returned dressed the same as the week before. The congregation was really upset about it! After the service the minister asked him, “What did Jesus say about your dress for church?” He said, “I spoke to Jesus about this, but He said He didn’t know how I should dress because He’s never been here before.
It’s not how you dress your body; it’s how you dress your heart.
We are so conscious about how we dress – what about your heart?
You are not insignificant.
Revelation 3:19 (NIV) – Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
Think of it, from the day that you received Him, Jesus Christ, the Son of God lives in you! He lives in you mightily. You not only serve a mighty God, but His might is with you and in you this very moment.
Never view your life as if Jesus did nothing for you. We try sort out our own problems. When things go well, we hardly connect with God.
If you are living in a way that is causing you to be LESS THAN you are capable of, being you will bring unhappiness, misery, and negativity to the rest of your life; you’ll live in consistent defeat, failure and fear.
You were created for greatness and achievement. You have been given the seeds for greatness.
What is achievement? What is greatness? Doing what God wants you to do and being where He wants you to be.
Christians are new creations, not re-built sinners. (we live as if God put a body over an old engine an chassis)
God has placed His divine seed in you!
2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) - His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Note: “The seed” locked up within it, has the power to be a fruit bearing tree of its kind. We should be producing His divine nature.
Like an apple seed has an apple orchard locked up in it.
In the same way we have received the seed of God’s word in our hearts.
There is no limit to what God can do for you.
In that seed is locked up His Devine Nature which must show forth its fruit.
God rejoices over you!
Not many of God’s children realize that He rejoices over them with singing.
Zephaniah 3:16b -17 (Amp) – 16bIn that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear not, O Zion. Let not your hands sink down or be slow and listless. 17The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.
Luke 15:10 (NIV) – I tell you there is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents.
The question is not, ‘Does God delight in His children?’ He does.
Psalm 149:4 (NIV) – For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.
The question is, ‘What is it about us that He delights in?’
Notice the condition attached to God’s delighting in us:
Psalm 147:11(NIV) – the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 37:23 (NIV) – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV) – Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.
The answer is, at root, what God delights in about us is, that “We delight in Him”.
Psalm 70:4 (NIV) - But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, “The Lord is great!”
Clearly from scripture God values our valuing Him. God delights in our delighting in Him.
We need to understand why ‘God rejoices over us.’
It is because of our delight in Him.
I trust that God is on our side, but it is more important to know that we are on God’s side. - Abraham Lincoln
(The proof is that we delight in Him)
The key to a victorious overcoming, passionate life is right living!
God approves of what is right. Our right living, our right acting, right thinking and right speaking!
This is what delighting in Him means.
God is faithful and is fully committed to our success. He wants to rejoice over our lives.
However:
Psalm 37:23-24 (NIV) – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumbles, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Notice the condition ‘If’.
Numbers 14:8 (Amp) - If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Remember the Lord did not delight in the Moses generation, and they never entered into the promised land.
Many times, because of our sinful, selfish nature, self-centred attitude our desire isn’t for God, but for so many other things.
Never forget this: The things we mostly desire and dwell upon is where we end up.
The greater the influence of the flesh, the less your desire for God will be.
Proverbs 11:20 (NIV) – The Lord detests men of perverse heart, but he delights in those whose ways are blameless.
If you want to experience the blessing, favor, and God’s delight in your life…
1 Timothy 4:16 (NIV) – Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
Our delighting in God and His rejoicing over us is determined by our feeding on His life daily.
Creation 1 Does it matter? There is no chapter in the Bible that is more under attack by the enemy than Genesis 1. Why?
Genesis 1 is foundational to God being God and why He has authority over us. He made us and owns us – which is exactly why so many people would prefer it not to be true.
God reveals Himself through His creation (Psalm 19:1; Rom 1:20) so Satan needs to provide an alternative explanation.
People don’t want to be accountable to God, e.g. “I don’t want to serve a God who…” But if God is God, He makes the rules and what you would like the rules to be is irrelevant
People understand that they cannot prescribe to a real God, so they must argue He does not exist. If you want to do your own thing you have to deny God. And to deny God you have to deny creation.
Without a creator God
There is no one to be accountable to You can be your own God There is no basis for morality Is it any wonder that the decline of all values coincided with evolution teaching replacing creation?
See Romans 1:18-32 for the results
Does it matter whether Genesis 1 is historic truth? Yes, if the enemy can convince people that Gen 1 is not literal and true, it becomes easy to doubt and throw out the rest of the Bible as well. At the very least it opens the way to picking and choosing which parts of the Bible you want to believe. How can you evangelise and disciple from the Bible if it is unknown whether the verses you are using are true?
Satan uses the evolution theory as a very effective means to destroy children’s faith, to keep people from accepting Christ, and to rob God of the glory due to Him (compare Psalm 19:1). A survey found that acceptance of the evolution theory is the number one reason for college age young people to lose their faith, but that those who were able to defend the creation account coherently were likely to thrive in their faith.
Rejection of the creation account is also arguably the biggest stumbling block to evangelism:
If the Bible is fictional, why would anybody listen? How can fiction be an answer to my problems? It is no longer relevant There is no sin to be saved from. What would you need a saviour for?
Many Christians attempt to ignore the issue or compromise by trying to reconcile the Bible with evolution theory, through interpretations such as the gap theory[1], day-age theory[2], etc. This is futile, dangerous and unnecessary.
Such attempts inevitably contradict the Bible. For example, if “God created through evolution”, there must have been death before Adam sinned – contrary to Romans 5:12 and 1 Cor 15:21-22.
Christians are not expected to leave their brains at the church door. Clear answers are available, and Creation is a better, more logical and more scientific explanation of the evidence we observe.
1 Peter 3:15 says “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” You may grit your teeth and believe without evidence, but will the person you are trying to evangelise? You have a duty to be able to answer objections. 2 A clash of world views Atheists need to explain the universe and the plant and animal kingdom without a god. Theories such as evolution and the Big Bang theory fulfil this need. Because of their unwillingness to accept God as a cause, they have to be willing to accept evolution despite evidence to the contrary. For example, evolutionist prof. DMS Watson wrote[3]: “Evolution [is] a theory universally accepted not because it can be proven by logically coherent evidence to be true, but because the only alternative, special creation, is clearly incredible.”
Professor Richard Lewontin, a geneticist (and self-proclaimed Marxist), is one of the world's leaders in promoting evolutionary biology. He wrote this very revealing comment (the italics were in the original). It illustrates the implicit philosophical bias against Genesis creation — regardless of whether or not the facts support it:
"We take the side of science in spite of the patent absurdity of some of its constructs, in spite of its failure to fulfil many of its extravagant promises of health and life, in spite of the tolerance of the scientific community for unsubstantiated just-so stories, because we have a prior commitment, a commitment to materialism. It is not that the methods and institutions of science somehow compel us to accept a material explanation of the phenomenal world, but, on the contrary, that we are forced by our a priori adherence to material causes to create an apparatus of investigation and a set of concepts that produce material explanations, no matter how counter-intuitive, no matter how mystifying to the uninitiated. Moreover, that materialism is an absolute, for we cannot allow a Divine Foot in the door."
There is so little evidence for evolution that based on normal scientific principles the theory should have been rejected long ago. Evolutionists resort to changing the definition of science so that only evolution fits their definition. In reality, their theory has become so unscientific that it should rather be seen as an alternative religion.
It is therefore not a clash of Christianity versus Science, but rather a clash between two different world views. In normal operational (“true”) science, theories can be tested via repeatable laboratory experiments – this leads to inventions such as lasers, cell phones, etc. When it comes to “historical” science (theories of origins) such experiments are not possible and one has to rely on speculation and conjecture to explain that which can be observed. The theory depends on your point of departure or world view. The Christian scientist observes the Grand Canyon and sees evidence for a Global Flood; the evolutionist scientist observes it and sees evidence for slow processes over incredibly long ages. Neither can be proven correct directly, but the Christian view better explains the evidence and explains more of it. For example, if the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon water must have flown uphill in the past! (The top of the canyon is higher than the origin of the water flowing through it).
Within both Christianity and atheism there are different theories, but the Christian will (or should) search for an explanation that is consistent with the Bible, while the atheist will inevitably search for an explanation that excludes any divine influence.
It is deceiving and dishonest for evolutionists to claim that their theory is scientific, while creation is not.
The Bible contains amazing scientific insights that were totally unknown at the time, e.g. Isaiah 40:22 – the earth is round and Job 26:7 – the earth is suspended in space without support.
Evolutionists resort to many intellectually dishonest stratagems to punt their theory. For example, they would claim that evolution means “descent with modification” via natural selection, point to examples such as bacteria developing resistance to antibiotics as examples, and then claim that that proves that all living matter could have arisen from nothing in the same way. In the process they usually simply ignore the question how the DNA that drives the trait natural selection selects for could have arisen, where the first cells came from, where the building blocks of the first cells came from, and even that descent with modification almost always involves a loss of genetic information, while their “pond scum to man” theory involves an astronomically staggering gain of genetic complexity and information that is statistically so impossible the believing it really requires blind faith. 3 A few of the problems of the evolution theory DNA contains the instructions (recipe book) on how to build cells, organs, etc.
It is the best information storage known. Each human cell contains about 3 Gigabytes of data at a density of 1000 terabytes per square millimetre. Error correction machinery keeps copying errors down to 1 per 100 million letters. Natural selection can only select for a trait that already exists. That is coded for in the DNA. But where did the first DNA come from? How the DNA that causes the traits that natural selection can select for arose is an insurmountable problem for the evolution theory. Evolutionists have to resort to mental gymnastics – even including a proposal that life came to earth from aliens! But that merely moves the problem of the origin of life to elsewhere in the universe.
The evolution of complex structures (eye, ear, flagellum motor etc) would require massive increases in genetic information. But how? For the evolutionist, random mutation is the only game in town. But there is no example where a mutation has increased genetic information. Natural selection eliminates stuff that does not confer an advantage, so evolution of complex structures should not be possible to arise over generations as they have no benefit until late in the process. An impossible number of mutations is required in short succession. And evolutionists recognize that eyes must have arisen independently at least 30 times because there is no evolutionary pattern to explain the origin of eyes from a common ancestor. In other words, the impossible happened at least 30 times…
Example: Flagellum motor. Certain bacteria use this like a propellor to swim. It runs at up to 100 000 rpm. The motor comprises a stator, rotor, drive shaft and bushing that guides the driveshaft out through the cell wall. Plus a clutch. And forward and reverse gears. All of them needed for it to function. And a non-functioning motor would be a liability so all the components must arise simultaneously. The flagellum could not work without about 40 protein components all organized in the right way. To expect that you would have all that arising through simultaneous random mutation defies belief. Even if the 40 parts existed (which it did not) it would be like saying if you disassemble a motorcycle engine and put all the parts in a box, the engine will assemble itself if you shake the box long enough.
Another example: Sexual reproduction – how could that have “evolved”? The egg is specifically designed to be fertilized by the seed, and the seed has to match the egg perfectly. But here’s the problem: The seed and the egg specifically made for each other must by pure chance randomly through an undirected mutation process arise at exactly the same time! And they must know to go and look for each other. And then what is supposed to happen with the fertilized egg? Going from vegetative reproduction to sexual reproduction on a random basis is clearly impossible.
The scientific method says that if you come up with a theory you must test it with the available evidence and if it no longer explains the evidence it must be rejected. There are so many problems with the evolution theory that it should have been rejected long ago. With what we know today acceptance of the evolution theory requires blind faith. The theory has become a religion! 4 How old is the earth? Evolutionists need an old earth because in their theory totally random events had to lead to the complexity of life we see today, and for that to have any semblance of possibility requires a very long time for the random events to take place. Millions of years is the fudge factor in evolution. Somehow the impossible becomes possible if you give it enough time.
But even ignoring that, long ages do not solve the evolutionist’s problem. If plants and animals changed slowly over long ages one would expect to find many fossils of transitional forms. However, there is a notable lack of such fossils. So the idea of “punctuated equilibrium” was born to explain this lack. Basically, it boils down to saying that for vast amounts of time plants and animals stay the same – then they suddenly change a lot. So suddenly that there is no time for transitional fossils to form. But that then leads back to the original problem: How could so much change have occurred in a time that is so short that it leaves no evidence?
Fossil dating usually involves circular reasoning – the rocks in which the fossils occur are dated by the fossils found in them and the fossils are dated by the rocks in which they are found. There are many other problems as well, such as the same single fossil being partly in one layer and partly in another which are supposedly millions of years apart. It is more reasonable to assume that the bulk of fossils originated during Noah’s flood.
Although a “young earth” as the Bible teaches is ridiculed by evolutionists (end even by many Christians) there is actually a LOT of evidence that point that way. For example, if the earth was old the sea should have been saltier, the earth’s magnetic field should have been weaker, etc. etc.
Evolutionists often claim that it takes vast amounts of time for dead trees to be petrified and for stalactites and stalagmites to form. However, trees blown into a lake by the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens petrified within a few years and amazing stalactites are often found in mine tunnels that were recently abandoned and even in a military bunker that was only decommissioned after the end of the Cold War.
Canyons do not necessarily require a long time to form. At Mount St. Helens a 40m deep canyon was carved in one day!
Dinosaur remains are found where the tissue is still soft, containing blood cells and from which scientists were able to isolate the DNA – and this from a species which was supposed to have become extinct 65 million years ago.[4] Dinosaur tracks are found in riverbeds where erosion would certainly have removed them after a few million years!
It is much more logical to accept the Bible account of an earth that was created recently.
A last aside: It is also interesting to note that ancient art contains depictions that appear to match known dinosaurs. Is it possible that the artists observed these animals? The Bible also contains descriptions of animals not known today e.g. Job 40:15-24, Job 41 and Isaiah 27:1. Is it possible that these refer to now extinct animals that were still around in Job’s time? 5 Resources www.answersingenesis.org
www.creation.com
Don Batten: The Answers book
Jonathan Sarfati: Refuting Evolution
Jonathan Sarfati: The Greatest Hoax on Earth
Kent Hovind videos are available on Youtube 6 Summary
Creation is a reasonable belief Is not unscientific A better explanation for observed evidence than evolution Answers to challenges are available The debate is important Compromise is dangerous and unnecessary Remember this website: www.creation.com
[1] Basically that there is a gap of millions of years between Genesis 1:1 and 1:2.
[2] That the days in Genesis 1 are really long periods of time rather than actual days
[3] The following are extracts from the book Refuting Evolution by Dr Jonathan Sarfati
[4] See http://creation.com/dino-dna-bone-cells
Victory in the Valley of Elah
“Valleys are impartial, inevitable and purposeful.”
(Impartial - Onpartydig)
(Inevitable - Onvermydelik)
(Purposeful - Doelgerig)
Tonight, I would like to share with you a well-known story, or event that took place in the Valley of Elah (Anybody?)
Many of you will know this story well, but I really believe that God will, through the power of the Holy Spirit reveal something new to you tonight, Amen? Are you ready to receive from God Church?
So, I would like to take you back to that day that will forever be carved in history, and one of the most significant battles ever, in the Valley of Elah.
1 Samuel 17:16 (NIV) – For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
For 40 days and 40 nights Goliath came out from the Philistine camp and taunted and provoked the Israelites with insults and remarks.
Goliath almost 3meters tall, not only challenged the army of Israel, but also mocked them, saying: “This day I defy the ranks of Israel give me a man and let us fight each other.”
1 Samuel 17:24 (NIV) – Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
They all fled from him with great fear. Saul and his army were dismayed and terrified.
And like King Saul, we will all find ourselves in a valley at some stage. Guaranteed!
Can I just say, church, that everyone here tonight and those watching via the media will have to face a giant sometime in your life! It’s biblical church.
James 1:2 (NIV) – Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters, whenever you face trails of many kinds.
It’s inevitable (onvermydelik), impartial, but part of God’s plan for each and everyone of us.
Isaiah 43:1-2 (NIV) – But now this is what the Lord says- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
The Bible teaches us that no-one in the whole of Israel was prepared to take on this giant of a man Goliath. Until…
UNTIL SOMEBODY DECIDED TO FACE THE GIANT!
After hearing and listening to the insults of Goliath, David asked, 1 Samuel 17:26b (NIV) - “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine?”
“Wie dink hy is hy?” Who gave him the right or authority to “defy the armies of the living God?”
Can I just say: that many times we give the enemy the authority and right to taunt us and to run havoc in our lives… yes?
1 Samuel 17:37 (NIV) – “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.”
David decided (he committed himself) to face and deal with the giant. It’s time that you face and deal with the giant in your life, church! For if you don’t deal with it, it will deal with you! No two ways about it.
You see church, David was so filled with faith (and confident assurance) that God will give him the victory in the valley of Elah!
He was not intimidated by the size of Goliath but motivated by the size of his God! (Not going to rally in the valley)
He was not going to camp in the valley but go through it.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV) – Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
There was no time for a “pity-party” no! He was on a mission, focussed, it was his intention to get it over and done with. His mind was made up, amen!
“Tot hier toe, en nie verder nie; genoeg is genoeg!”
One of the things about this confrontation that I love most, is the fact that David took 5 stones why? Goliath had 4 brothers!
A stone for Goliath and each of his 4 brothers. He was going to take them all out. Fuelled by faith in his God who “will never leave you, nor forsake you!” (Take them out, not for lunch, but kill and destroy) and then, that famous conversation between David and Goliath.
1 Samuel 17:43 (NIV) – He said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV) – David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.”
Its time that you address your giant, church
Do not allow the enemy, the giant a seat at your table, church!
What came to mind as I prepared was that Goliath was a dead man, even before the stone pierced his skull.
You see David defeated Goliath not because he had a superior weapon or military strategy, but because he had a supreme confidence in the Lord, to give him the victory!
He made a commitment, fuelled by faith to overcome to be victorious. To be a “giant-slayer” and so should we church!
Goliath taunted and haunted the Israelites for 40 days and 40 nights and maybe you’ve been haunted and taunted by the giant for longer than that, maybe even years!!
Or maybe you’re in a position like the army of Israel, with no plan or way out of the valley of Elah! You cannot see yourself overcoming this challenge, this constant attack, this unbearable lifestyle, this ungodly and unholy habits, you’ve allowed them to become giants and you’re about to throw in the towel…
Its time to draw the line, give it your best shot and if at first you don’t succeed, try again and again.
Like Sir Edmond Hillary said to Mount Everest after failing to summit its peak: “You cannot grow any bigger, but I can, and I will be back.”
And we know the rest of the story… he faced and conquered the giant! Amen!
Like King David and so many others, he left a legacy of achievement, that will live on in the hearts of many, forever! So, what about you tonight, church?
Even as many of you made new years resolutions to face and fight your giant; can I just say that it will stay a resolution (voorneem) until you commit to face and overcome, because you can!
You are destined to Reign, child of God. You are more than an overcomer a royal priesthood and a conqueror of note. Amen church!
Conclude: By asking you to listen to a song and make this your war cry; that the God of the mountains is still God in the valleys too!
Sermon for 16 January 2022
Eddie Roos
Thankful to serve!
Eddie Roos
Good evening church.
Once again, it is a privilege and honour to stand here and share the message with you all. I thank the Good LORD and pastor George for entrusting me with this huge responsibility.
GOD is Good and we can rejoice because of his Goodness. We all started this new year with so many good and well thought out new year’s resolutions and intentions. Yes it’s great to set new goals, however, I want to remind and urge us to look back at the past year and think of everything we can be grateful for.
Just listen to this statement by John Henry Jovett. He was a protestant preacher in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s he was also called the Prince of Preachers.
Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic. This is a most searching and true diagnosis. Gratitude can be a vaccine that can prevent the invasion of a disgruntled attitude.
As antitoxins prevent the disastrous effect of certain poisons and diseases, thanksgiving destroys the poison of fault-finding and grumbling. When trouble has smitten us, a spirit of thanksgiving is a soothing antiseptic.”
I trust that this quote and the message will serve as ointment to our spiritual well-being
Let’s read Psalms 100: 1-5 (AMP):-
1Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2Serve the Lord with gladness and delight; come before His presence with joyful singing. 3Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves [and we are His]. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name. 5For the Lord is good; His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting, His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.
We all have reasons to give thanks to the Lord, yes, think about it. What are you thankful for today, I will list a few of mine for you:
Our beautiful country, with the most amazing wild life and landscape diversity in the world. Our family and friends present in this church tonight, and those that are not here. We are all very rich. Our freedom in this country, just look back at how the rest of the world was treated through their lock down periods. I was amazed how the countries we desired to move to “first world countries” (because they were better countries with better futures and governments) treated their people, shocking, actually appalling I’d say old chap. For opportunities, new ideas and innovative solutions given to us by God. Many of our people were suffering, however there are many who are much better off than before. I have read some articles and heard some news reports of companies making much better profit margins during the lockdown period. For our health, we have lost many loved ones, however we are healthy and we can rely and trust in God for our healing. For God’s providence, we are all well provided for. I don’t know about you guys. It was actually a battle for me to keep my normal weight through the past year. Would you agree with me when I say that God’s grace and mercy is sufficient?
There is many more I can highlight for us, but I will stick with these for now.
Let’s give God some praise and honour, let’s give unto Him a proper clapping of our hands and a shout of praise. On my count of three, let’s all shout hallelujah Thank you lord.
Count to three… 1, 2, 3
I want to ask: How can we give back to our lord God almighty? Yes, by our worship, by our good works, by our unselfish love and service to others and to Him, by our tithes and love offerings. That’s how we can give back to our God.
We need to remember, all this comes through our obedience to the holy spirit, as it’s written, our victory is through Jesus Christ only.
I am reading from 1 Corinthians 15: 57 – But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 5 :16 (AMP) JESUS says the following: Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
You see our victory comes through Jesus Christ by what he has done for us on the cross. We are Victoriuos through our faith.
I have a question though. The question only we ourselves can answer is: are we living righteous obedient lives to our Lord, are we content with having the Holy Spirit with us as our healer, councillor, advisor, our ever-present helper, our God?
I have a feeling I know what all of us will answer, but let me remind you of Adam and Eve, they lived in paradise with our Almighty God, however, after the serpent deceived them, they were not happy to live with God in paradise, sin created in humanity an ungrateful spirit, hands up from you that would agree with me.
We as born-again believers need to guard against living unhappy and ungrateful lives.
Let serve in and through our gratitude. Ian September mentioned the word Elevate, at our old year’s eve service during the announcements, how is this relevant to this message you might ask, let me share what I received from the holy spirit while preparing for tonight. I started these preparations way before Christmas.
God almighty will elevate us through our service to him. Allow me to share scriptural confirmation on this statement.
Let’s read Mark 9: 35 (ESV): - And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “if anyone would be first, he must be last of all, the servant of all”
This Jesus said to his twelve disciples in Capernaum. While travelling to the town, they were arguing amongst themselves as to who the greatest was, this verse was his answer to them.
And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “if anyone would be first, he must be last of all, the servant of all”
I want to encourage us to serve our Lord, instead of setting goals. Through our unselfish and unconditional serving, God will lead us to our next step, goal or fase in life. Don’t set goals that we can’t fulfil and then be demoralized by not achieving, rather serve God. He is as we sang: our life giver by His breath!
I want to say to us all, instead of making lists of things we should and should not do. Let’s rather focus on our bad habits and replace those with active service to our King. Every time we serve with honour and integrity, we will glorify our Lord, and may I say, that is true achievement.
Just listen to what David wrote in Psalm 34:1-9
1I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul makes its boast in the Lord; The humble and downtrodden will hear it and rejoice. 3 O [a]magnify the Lord with me, And let us lift up His name together. 4I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. 5They looked to Him and were radiant; Their faces will never blush in shame or confusion. 6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him And saved him from all his troubles. 7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience], And He rescues [each of] them. 8O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him. 9O [reverently] fear the Lord, you His saints (believers, holy ones); For to those who fear Him there is no want.
You see, our desire is to be with God almighty when we graduate one day, my question is: are we serving others and him in such a way that we qualify to be elevated to sit at his feet on the day of our graduation?
I believe all of us can improve our level of service to our almighty master. Serving with excellence matters for everything in life. If you agree with me, I want you to stand with me and allow me to pray for us all.
An Attitude worth having
Have you ever said; That person has a bad attitude.
(Instead of counting their blessings many people magnify their problems.)
by Pastor George Lehman
Will 2022 have difficulties, hardships and tough to bear times…Well brace yourself the answer is yes!!
Thesaurus: Attitude A feeling or opinion about something or someone
His attitude towards authority has often got him into trouble. If you say that someone has an attitude, you mean that the person seems unwilling to be helpful or polite, especially when this shows in your behaviour. You can’t hide a bad attitude.
If you say that someone has good attitude, you mean that they are very confident and positive, kind, and helpful.
It’s a matter of focus and heart attitude.
Philippians 2:5 (NIV) - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Do you believe this is possible?)
We are discussing hurdles and obstacles that cause us to not have a great Attitude.
What does God say about us having Trials & Troubles in this life?
1 Peter 4:12 (NIV) - Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (Have a great attitude)
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) - And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
(A great reason to have a great attitude!)
1 Peter 1:6-8 (NIV) - In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy (This is an attitude worth having)
The subject is ONE word – PROBLEMS! How to overcome problems with a great, positive attitude.
We all might as well face our problems. We can’t run fast or far enough to get away from them all.
An advert in a golf magazine:
Tiger Woods is about to line up his putt. He is highly focused on the hole. At the top of the page are the words “Waiting for ideal conditions is rarely an option”. Then there’s a picture of a man in a heavy rain suit, squeegeeing lots of water off the putting green.
The story is:
Tiger Woods is playing his sport in the midst of a rainstorm and it’s not putting him off at all.
Example of riding a training bicycle:
As you increase the resistance, the harder it becomes - the easier it is to stop or give up. Problems – hurdles, obstacles put pressure on us but a High-Flying Attitude keeps us peddling and brings a great benefit.
Problems are simply inescapable. If you’re a human being and you’re breathing, you will have problems.
Our perspective on the problem with the right attitude, determines our success or failure.
Right and wrong approaches:
A wrong perspective A right perspective
Problems are: Unsolvable PermanentNot normal Make us bitter Control us Stop us Problems are: Solvable Temporary = “This too shall pass” Normal part of life Make us BETTER Challenge us Stretch us
Many times, we become so involved and close to our problems. We will only see the right perspective but by standing back with an attitude of Jesus.
Then you’ll get a better perspective.
There is a difference between problem spotting and problem solving.
People are so quick to find any kind of problem and point it out. I call them the “triple C” people – they complain, criticize, and condemn.
Remarks taken from actual registration sheets at a wilderness trail camp:
Trails need to be wider so people can walk holding hands. Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill. Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests. Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them. A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Escalators would help on steep hill sections. A McDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead. The places where trails do not exist are not well marked. Too many rocks in the mountains.
To become someone who overcomes problems, you need to become a problem solver.
The size of the person is more important than the size of the problem, and it has nothing to do with your weight!
You can tell the attitude and caliber of a person by the amount of opposition it takes to discourage them.
What small thing brings out the worst in you?
You see, obstacles, hurdles and problems will be large or small to you if you are large or small in your Attitude.
There is a world of difference between a person who has a big problem and a person who makes a problem big.
The truth is that most people are more comfortable with old problems than new solutions.
Story of a young girl telling her father all about her problems in life:
The father puts 3 pots on the stove. In one he puts carrots, in the second eggs and in the third ground coffee beans. After a few minutes, he drains off the water and places the carrots in a bowl, peels the eggs and pours the coffee into a cup.
Moral of the story – each one tells us how we handle problems:
The carrots started out hard – the boiling water turned them soft and mushy.
The eggs went in fragile and came out hard and rubbery.
The coffee beans changed the water into something better.
We can choose how we will respond to our problems. They can either make you WEAK or make you HARD or use them to ADD VALUE to your life.
Our attitude to any problem will determine the outcome.
When people face problems, hurdles, and obstacles, they make ONE of these 4 decisions:
Flee it – they try to get away, but problems always follow.
Forget it – they hope the problem will go away, but problems left alone only get worse.
Fight it – they resist, but the problem still persists.
Face it – they look at the problem realistically and trust God to help them get it sorted out.
Joke of elderly lady:
She gets tried for the murder of her 3rd husband. They ask her how her 1st husband died – she said due to mushroom poisoning. Then they asked her how her 2nd husband died – she said due to mushroom poisoning. Thereafter they asked her how her 3rd husband died – she said due to brain concussion. So they asked her why from brain concussion – she said, “Because he wouldn’t eat the mushrooms!”
The moral of the story is that there is always more than one way to solve a problem.
Let me encourage you - Problems too will pass.
Choose to work on your attitude – it’s the “Difference Maker”.
1 John 4:4 (NIV) - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
You’re never alone, especially when you make Philippians 2:5 your aim.
Philippians 2:5 (NIV) - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
No problem, no matter how big or small, will get you under.
You’re equipped to OVERCOME and CONQUER!
Keep a lid on your well – don’t let the devil or anyone else try poison it.
“GO”
This is more than a Theme for a year; it’s a life time commitment.
The most effective way to do it, is to just “do it”
Matthew 28:19 (NIV) - 19 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,
This instruction is very clear; however, it would appear the problem lies by the implementation of this command, not a suggestion.
Acts 4:12 (NIV) - 12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
If we don’t “Go” how will mankind be saved?
What is God’s heart toward the lost?
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) – The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
1 Timothy 2:4-5 (NIV) – 4Who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.
John 3 :16-17 (NIV) – 16For 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. 17For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
The question is, why would God delay the coming of the Lord, when I’m sure He knows it is impossible that the whole world will repent?
The only answer can be, that God knows it is POSSIBLE
This is where you and I come into God’s great plan of salvation
We have been called to “GO”
2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NIV) – 19That God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as through God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
I thought about calling this message “It’s Time to Go” but I was afraid you’d get up and leave.
But one thing is for sure: We have reached a great crossroad as a church…
We have come to a STOP sign - and pause for the cause.
We look right and left and consider God’s will, we must not just sit and idle, we should rather turn the throttle and say,
it’s GO time!
Mark 16:15 - “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
What are the first 2 letters of the gospel? GO!
Psalm 126:6 - Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy carrying sheaves with them.
Nothing happens until we go! If no one reaches no one get touched
Acts 5:20 - Go, stand, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
Most Christians are standing, but you must stand out. Many Christians are breaking some ground; but you must breakthrough.
Not many are going, don’t you be one of them!
God reminded me of the Prophet Jonah.
How similar this story is to many Christians today?
Jonah 1:1-5 (NIV) – The word of the Lord cam to Jonah son of Amittai: 2”Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me.” 3But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. 4Then the Lord sent a great wind on the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship threatened to break up. 5All the sailors were afraid, and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship. But Jonah had gone below deck, where he lay down and fell into a deep sleep.
NOTICE GOD called him!!
When God said GO to Nineveh – Jonah decided to Go to Tarshish
Verse 2: You must be aware that God sees the ungodly world and how desperately they need to hear about the Saviour.
What we learn from Jonah is that there are consequences to our disobedience
Verse 5: Notice the indifference of Jonah
The sailors were struggling for their lives, and Jonah had the answer -- he was taking a nap!
Romans 13:11 (NIV) – And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber. Because our salvation is nearer now that when we first believed.
Is Jonah’s life a reflection of your life.
How many people will end up in hell because you didn’t go What are the regular excuses you make because you are not Going? Jonah 4:2 (NIV) – He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. What are you allowing into your life that is causing you to choose comfort, convenience, avoidance? What are you afraid of when it comes to sharing your faith?
2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV) – On fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Do you really believe that you are called to GO?
Christmas comes with good news “Christmas is the day that holds all time together” - Alexander Smith
by
Pastor George Lehman
Story about a married woman who decided to go on her own private vacation to Europe. She went from the Midwest to London and then she was planning to go to Paris, Rome, and Vienna. When she got to London, she called her husband back home in the Midwest and said, "How are you doing?" Her husband said, "I'm doing fine but our cat Lucy died. "So his wife starts bawling her eyes out on the phone.
But when she regains her composure, she says, "You insensitive brute of a man, why did I ever marry someone like you? You just have no concern about my feelings." The husband said, "Well, what was I supposed to have said?"
The wife thinks for a moment, and she says, "Well, when I got to London and I called you as I just did, you could have said, 'Lucy, our cat is on the roof.' When I got to Paris you could have said, 'Lucy, our cat fell down from the roof.' When I got to Rome you could have said, 'Lucy's not doing so well.' When I got to Vienna you could have said, 'Lucy died.'" Then the wife said, "By the way, how is mother?" The husband responded, "She's on the roof." That wife thought her husband had bad timing insofar as delivering news
Well!!! all I can say is delivering a Christmas message is never bad timing 1 John 5:11-13(Amp) – 11And the testimony is this: God has given us eternal life [we already possess it], and this life is in His Son [resulting in our spiritual completeness, and eternal companionship with Him]. 12He who has the Son [by accepting Him as Lord and Savior] has the life [that is eternal]; he who does not have the Son of God [by personal faith] does not have the life. 13These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God [which represents all that Jesus Christ is and does], so that you will know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that you [already] have eternal life. The good news of Christmas:
The Bible puts it like this:
“God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” - 1 John 5:11-12
Luke 2:10 (NIV) – But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
So, “If Jesus’ coming at Christmas isn’t the best news you have ever heard in your life you can be sure you’ve misunderstood it”
So, what is this great news about?
So many people know about the events of Christmas, but many don’t fully understand the meaning.
As we celebrate the Real Reason for Season – what is it exactly that we get when we have the Son?
1) It means we now know what God is like
The coming of Jesus gave us a living image of the Invisible God
Colossians 1:15-16 (NIV) – 15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
God came to earth wrapped in a human body – His gift to us
Paul’s puts it this way: 2 Corinthians 9:15 (Amp) - "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
The God of heaven came to live among us that we might know what He is truly like
Matthew 1:23 (NIV) – “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us.”)
2) He came to teach us The Way – The Truth and The Life
3) He came to die for us so we might be forgiven (Sin Deformed us – Jesus came to Transform us)
4) He rose from the dead to help us know that we too will be
raised
5) He promised us that He will return so we can have eternal
hope burning in our hearts
Just hear what His word says to us
1 John 3:1 – “See what (an incredible) quality of life the FATHER has given (shown, bestowed on) US that we should (be permitted to) be named and called and counted the children of God” – All because of Jesus
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 15:11 – “I have told you these things that My joy and delight may be in you and that your joy and gladness may be of full measure and complete and overflowing.”
(Story of the Christmas Bird)
Paul Harvey tells the story about a family on Christmas Eve. This family had a tradition where the mother and children would go to the Christmas Eve service, and the father would stay home and read the paper. When the family returns home from Church, they would all gather to open up their presents.
The Father was not an evil man, but he just couldn’t believe in the childhood stories anymore of God coming as baby in a manger. As the family left for Church, he opened the evening paper, and he began to read by the fireplace. Suddenly, he heard tapping on the window.
It was a bird flying against the glass of his window trying to get out of the snow into the warmth of his home. The man had compassion on the bird, and he went outside hoping to bring it in.
As he approached the bird, the bird just flew against the window even harder. Pretty soon, the bird flew into the bushes below the window, half frozen, yet too afraid to be caught by this huge man. The more the man tried to reach for the bird, the more the bird flew frantically into the snow and thorns of the bushes.
After a few minutes in the cold and seeing the bird continue to injure itself, the man yelled out of frustration, “Stupid bird, can’t you understand that I’m trying to help?” The man paused and thought, “If only you understand you wouldn’t fly away … if only … if only I could become a bird and get you to understand.”
Just then, the Church bells rang, as they always have on the hour. But when the man heard the bells this time, he fell to his knees and began to cry, saying, “Oh, God, I didn’t understand. Oh, God, I didn’t understand.”
God’s Son came in human form that we might understand from where we have come, for what reason we were separated and how we could be restored and transformed back to God.
He became as we are so we can become as He is.
Each one of us is valuable and extremely precious to God – just look at the price He paid
That is why we can sing – (Matthew 1:23) “Emmanuel” – God with us
2000 Years ago He was with us – in 2021, He is still with us – on this 25th of December 2021
Because of His birth we can live eternally in heaven
We also have a gift of heaven – it is still wrapped – but it has your name on it
We know it and it awaits us, it is ours
Without Christmas we would never have had this gift
2 Peter 3:13 – “But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of the Righteous.”
Rather be a wet water walker than a dry boat sitter Be an active God glorifying Christian, step out of your comfort zone.
Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation
– Andrew Murray
I can not “But God” can
By
Pastor George Lehman
Oral Roberts (the important thing is not the size of your faith
It’s the One behind your faith – God Himself
Never try to have more faith – Just get to know God better and because God is faithful, the better you know Him, the more you’ll trust Him. Your faith will increase!!
Matthew 14:27–33 (NIV) – 27But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28”Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29”Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why do you doubt?” 32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Note this: Peter would never even have considered climbing out of that boat if it wasn’t for his complete trust and faith in Jesus.
Example of a little girl whose daddy says jump into the water I’ll catch you.
The size of her trust determines her response.
Trust says – Jump; Fear says – No
You see, it’s more than just her fears or confidence – (you must want to!!) Get out of your comfort zone
It’s the spark of the will, which determines her destiny.
The moment you and I take the step towards your heavenly Daddy you’ll find “He is more than able”
Your confidence will grow, your faith will grow, and the size of your God will grow.
Matthew 14:27 – “Take courage; it is I.” The words Jesus used here: - Matthew wants us to understand. - The actual Greek translation used, the – Self Revealed Name of God – “I AM who I AM”
Exodus 3:14 - And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, AND I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE.”
Revelation 1:17B – 18
17B Do not be afraid; I AM the first and the last.
18 I AM the living one; I was dead, and behold I AM alive for ever and ever, and I hold the keys to death and hell.”
Hebrews 13:5 “I AM” will never leave you nor forsake you, or fail you, nor give you up nor relax My hold on you (assuredly not).
I want you to think about this: - (you will be able to take this with you for the rest of your life)
The size of your God you serve right now: -
Is directly proportional (verhouding) to your
a) Trust in Him b) Commitment level c) Prayer life d) Bible reading plan e) Worship of God f) And may I say your obedience to God as well.
I really strongly believe that: -
The way you and I live our Christian lives is a consequence (uitwerking) of the size of our God.
The problem many of us have is: -That our God is too small.
We are not convinced that we are:
Absolutely safe in the hands of a fully competent all knowing all powerful ever present more than enough God.
Do you know what happens when you wake up in the morning and begin to live with a small God? You’ll be a dry boat sitter
You live in fear, uncertainties, defeat, anxiety, constant failure. and live in lack of victory. We are called to have an abundant life
Because everything depends on you and not God.
They say when you are all wrapped up in yourself you make a pretty small package
Our moods are governed by our circumstances. When our God is small
If things go well – you’re well
If things are great – you’re great
If things are difficult – you’re miserable and negative.
We even become very un-spiritual.
We actually shock ourselves to hear what comes out of our mouths – many times.
Even further, if our God is small, we cannot give generously because our financial security depends on us.
The fact is when we shrink God we offer
Prayer without faith Work without passion Suffering without Hope We lose vision We fail to persevere and endure Giving up is always an option
Joshua and Caleb with the other 10 Israelites (12 men go into the promised land) “10 boat sitters, 2 water walkers” 10 saw big giants Joshua and Caleb saw a Big God Israel saw a giant – David saw a Big God This same Joshua at the huge walls of Jericho They saw the walls were the height of 3-story building and 2 chariots could ride side by side on top op it. But Joshua’s God was bigger than any problem he faced –
His God with him was bigger than life
We have One with us who says – courage - I AM don’t be afraid
Jeremiah 20:11 (LB) - The Lord stands beside me, like a great warrior.
“I AM” a Big God who really Loves you – and cares for you.
Just attending church once a week or even having a daily quite time, little bit of on and off bible reading
(Will never grow a close relationship with God)
Friendship with God is built by sharing all your life experiences with Him.
God wants more than an appointment in your daily schedule
He wants to be included in every activity, every conversation every problem.
He wants us to meditate on His word (Focussed thinking).
Psalm 25:14 (LB) - Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence Him. With them alone He shares the secrets of His promises.
Once again right now is your chance of a lifetime.
Decide to get out your boat and ask your Great Big, wonderful God to strengthen your faith to see Him as He is in your life.
As He wants you to experience Him – The Great “I AM” –
Question is: -
“How Big is Your God?”
How long have you been a dry boat sitter?
You’re saved, you know Jesus but that’s all you can say.
There’s no real faith actions, no real growth.
God’s Purpose changes the way you live If your life has not changed since you met Jesus, I doubt you have met Him.
1 Corinthians 10:31 “Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory.”
The purpose of your life and my life is to give Him glory.
We spoke about 10 ways to give God glory last week!
We’re going to look at a few practical steps to fulfil our purpose.
Keep growing Spiritually (This was not a friendly request – “Do it if you want too!”)
If God is the centre of our lives, then growing spiritually and to keep growing will be a priority in our lives.
The reason I say keep growing is because it’s an ongoing process.
God wants us to become more like Jesus, and we never get to the place where we’ve arrived, or we’ve achieved spiritual maturity.
Paul said – Philippians 3:12 (NIV) – Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
It’s a lifelong process. (Don’t stop growing)
1 Peter 2:5 (NIV) – You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 “Continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.”
Hebrew 6:1 “So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.” It’s a process
God wants us to not only grow in the things we think and say and do,
but also, in who we are, our character.
He doesn’t want us to put on a show or to pretend, He wants to fundamentally change who we are, to change our character.
Some people think character and maturity come with age, but I’ve found that for many age comes alone!
We’ve got to be intentional about growing and developing our character.
You can sit under good teaching week after week, and walk out every Sunday unchanged, you keep battling with the same bad habits.
Or you can sit here with a teachable spirit and say;
I need to grow in this area, I need to apply this in my life.
I’m not going to keep functioning in my dysfunction.
When a follower of Christ doesn’t grow up and become mature, it’s tragic. They are in the Way not on the Way.
Maturity doesn’t automatically come with age.
Just because you come to church every week doesn’t mean you’re going to grow and become mature; you’ve got to apply God’s word to your life otherwise you’ll remain a baby Christian.
We only grow when we apply God’s word to our lives.
Not when we know it or talk about it
How do you know if someone is mature?
When they’re constantly growing and changing. When they can help others live the Christian life.
When you’re applying God’s principles in your life, in your marriage, in your business, and ministry life - now you can help others do the same.
Hebrews 5:12 “By now you should be teachers, instead you still need someone to teach you.”
God doesn’t give the gift of teaching to everyone, He only gives that gift to some people, but He does expect all of us to teach others at some point or another.
You may have to teach your children or a friend or a colleague.
God is counting on you to make a difference in people’s lives.
Some people never grow up to help others, instead they always need someone to help them, to look after them, to encourage them to motivate them.
But when you grow up, you’re able you become an effective instrument in God’s hands.
** Maturity is not the goal; maturity is for you to be an effective tool in God’s hands.
That brings us to the next point – how do we glorify God?
Growing Spiritually
Representing God well
Unless you and I keep growing spiritually we are not going to represent Him well.
Like walking into a company and the salesperson ignores you and keeps chatting on his phone to a friend….
What’s your first reaction? This is really a terrible company.
You don’t say, this is a terrible salesperson.
You say this is a terrible company. Why?
Because he represents the company – it’s as simple as that.
In the same way, you and I represent Almighty God.
People are looking at our lives and they need to see Jesus in us.
Many people may never come to church, they may never read the bible, but they are reading your life every single day.
God wants them to see Jesus in and through our lives.
**How you live your life (good or bad) will affect the people in your life.
Because how you and I live our lives will either be a stumbling block or a steppingstone closer to Jesus.
That means, before we go out and do whatever we want to do, our attitude should be:
Lord, everything I do today, I want it to glorify you.
Everything I say, I want it to glorify you.
Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Let’s look at the third point – how do we glorify God?
Growing Spiritually Representing Him well
Putting God first
Remember we said, to glorify God simply means to make Him the centre of your life to put Him first.
If God is first in our lives, we need to give Him the first place at the beginning of each day, during the day and end with God.
It’s so easy to get up in the morning and rush straight into our day.
We’re all busy, we’ve got to do this and do that and call this person and email that person.
There are a lot of things competing for our time and our attention – but if God is first, we want to give Him the first few minutes of our day.
That simply means you take your bible and a cup of coffee or tea, and you go and spend quality time with God.
You talk to Him, you pray, and you allow Him to talk to you.
Matthew 6:6 (NIV) – But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
I’ve found when I start my day spending time with God,
It’s almost like there’s a greater clarity and focus for the rest of the day.
If I get those first few minutes right, the rest of the day goes right.
Proverbs 3:6 “In everything you do, put God first, (listen to the promise) and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.”
What an incredible promise!
God promises us success if we’ll put Him first. Why then wouldn’t we?
Putting God first is a lifelong process, the more we do it. It becomes easier and easier.
It’s like exercise, when you start off exercising it’s really difficult, until you get into that routine or lifestyle.
I close off and ask you to reflect on what you have just heard:
1 Are you growing Spiritually?
2 Do you represent God well?
3 Does God have first place in your life?
WAYS TO GLORIFY GOD
“The more God is glorified the more man is passionate and enthusiastic and the more Satan is weakened”
The more I live a God glorifying life, the more the enemy is defeated.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (LB) – 19Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. 20For God has bought you with a great price. So, use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.
We all have the same calling: to glorify God in everything we do.
This is why we are here.
Scripture says, God created us for His glory Isaiah 43:7 (NIV)
and instructs us to “do everything for the glory of God” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
But how? How can we give glory to “the King of glory” Psalm 24:8a (Not only a King but the King of glory!)
Glory belongs to God - Acts 7:55 (NIV) – But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.
God reveals His glory Psalm 19:1 (NIV) – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. (It’s easy to live a God glorifying life – just look around you)
We can observe His glory John 1:14 (NIV) – The word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth
But how do we give Him glory?
NB - We will be without excuse after hearing this word.
To glorify God is not to bestow glory on God or add to His glory, but to recognize and acknowledge His glory.
The basic meaning of the word glory is “heavy in weight.” It is the “weighty importance and shining majesty that accompany God’s presence.”
The verb glorify means “to give weight to” or “to honour.” Thus, to glorify God is to recognize God for who He really is and to respond appropriately.
Here are scriptural ways we can glorify God:
It’s not a switch; it’s about a lifestyle behaviour
Praise Him with your lips.
Psalm 63:3 (NIV) – Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.
The noblest use of our tongues is to give praise to God. (What is coming out of my mouth?)
Obey His Word.
“Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that when they slander you as evildoers, they will observe your good works and will glorify God on the day he visits” - 1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)
Our obedience to the word is the same as our obedience to God and it’s a true sign of our love for Him,
Pray in Jesus’ name.
“Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” - John 14:13 (NIV)
To pray in Jesus’ name is to align our prayers and desires with God’s purposes.
Produce spiritual fruit.
“My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples” - John 15:8 (NIV)
The fruit that we bear out of obedience to Christ brings God glory.
Seek the good of others.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV) The context is Paul’s discussion of whether it was right for believers to eat meat offered to idols.
He stated the guiding principle in verse 24, “No one is to seek his own good, but the good of the other person.”
When we make lifestyle choices for the good of others, we glorify God.
Give generously.
The result of the Corinthians’ giving to the poor believers in Jerusalem would be that 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NIV) – Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
Live honourably among unbelievers.
Colossians 4:5 (NIV) – Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Be faithful when persecuted.
“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed but let him glorify God in having that name” 1 Peter 4:16 (NIV)
If we want to glorify God, then we’ll not be ashamed of the name of Jesus.
James 2:19 – Demons tremble at the name of Jesus.
Face death with faith.
Jesus predicted Peter would die as a martyr and “would glorify God”
Let our lives glorify God even in our death
Make up your mind to be a God glorifying person
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (LB) – 19Haven’t you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that he lives within you? Your own body does not belong to you. 20For God has bought you with a great price. So, use every part of your body to give glory back to God because he owns it.
From what you have heard today, is your life a God Glorifying life?
Are you living out your purpose: Does your life bring glory to God?