Going forward in God

By Pastor Peter Linnecar
God has been causing us to examine the foundation of our lives. But the message we are receiving over and over again is that we now need to turn away from those things which are behind, to give and receive forgiveness, and to go forward in His will for our lives.
Last weekend we looked at how God has been clearly speaking both through Charles Green and through David Matthews. It's a particular truth about what it means to forgive, to be forgiven, to move on, not to look back but to go forward.
Charles Green referred to "forgetting those things which are behind". David Matthews talked about not concentrating on the Poll of Bethesda, but on Jesus Christ Himself.
The end result of the ministry of Jesus was that He gave Himself for the sin of the world, and broke the power of sin. He did something which would allow Jan and her team to stand in front of soldiers, who have known nothing else by the power of a gun and a need to kill. If ever a situation had darkness brought light into it, that was one.
Maybe you think, "It's all very well reaching out across the nations. What about me?" This morning Jesus wants to speak to you.
Luke 9:57-58 (show/hide)

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

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There's a place for foxes and birds to live, but the Son of Man ... where does He live?
Luke 9:59-60 (show/hide)

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

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It's just as relevant to us, what God wants to do through your life in Brentwood as it is for other people who have gone to foreign countries. The bottom line is, "Whatever you want me to do, wherever you want me to go ..." I'm available for whatever you want to do in my life.
At this time, God is causing each one of us not only to examine the foundation of our life, but after that examination to move forward with what He wants us to do. The enemy of our souls wants to keep us so much in self-examination that we don't move forward. Jan says how now she sees that things in her past were a preparation.What has God done in your life to date?
For some of the people Jesus was talking to, they were attracted to Jesus – "I'll follow you wherever you go."
Luke 9:61-62 (show/hide)

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

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"Family is where it's at. Let me sort this out, and then I'll follow you."
Once you've put your hand to the plough, and got underway, the only way you'll get a straight furrow is if you keep your eyes fixed on the destination. If you look back, you'll wander and go in different directions.
Last weekend and today we've heard God speaking to us. "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."
This is what Jesus said. Let's remind ourselves of what He did.
John 12:26-27 (show/hide)

26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

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There's self examination if you want it! We tend to forget that when Jesus spoke of putting your hand to the plough, in His own life He worked it out. But His soul was troubled.
John 12:27 (show/hide)

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

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There are some sitting here who think that their life is a treadmill, and they're trapped. The enemy is saying "All those years were wasted. It's time you got out of the treadmill." And the result is a paralysis.
Here we have Jesus talking about things. But by God's Holy Spirit, Jesus lives in us, and as a Christian I want to go forward fulfilling His purposes in my life.
The moment Jesus spoke these words, a voice came from heaven :-
John 12:27-33 (show/hide)

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.
29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.
30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.
31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
33 This he said, signifying what death he should die.

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Lifted up on a cross, giving His life so that the power of forgiveness reigns supreme – forgiveness for anyone who lives contrary to God's way, for anyone who, by sin, has wronged the living God.
God who, "gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Don't speak to me of a treadmill! It's a life going forward with joy to fulfil the works He has set before you. What is this idea of a treadmill, that the enemy of the soul has put in your minds?
Hebrews 12:1-2 (show/hide)

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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We've looked at what Jesus said and did. The resurrection powerfully dealt with all the power of sin, in such a way that we live a different life. Let us lay aside every weight – sin. Let us lay aside every weight.
What causes some to feel burdened, to feel shackled, to be people looking forward in such a way that you don't know how you're going cope – "What's happening to me?" The enemy causes you to swirl about in your thoughts, and the end result is you do nothing.
Come on! Let us lay aside every weight. I'm not going to think that way. If you're running in a race you make sure there are no encumbrances.
What's our destination? Who are we looking at? We're looking to Jesus in the sense that He's the author and finisher of our faith. What does Jesus have for you to do in your life in Brentwood at this time?
Jesus Christ is the one whom we serve, love, with whom we are open and transparent, and it's Father's will in our life that we do this.
Is doing Father's will a treadmill? The complete opposite. Doing Father's will simply means we're open and sensitive to what God wants to do through us to make an impact in this earth. And it's as real in Brentwood as in Dafur.
The enemy would make you think that the wonderful things we've heard about don't happen here. "I've been so caught up with self-examination that I don't know the way forward." But here is the way forward :-
Hebrews 12:1-2 (show/hide)

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Later in chapter 12 we have this :-
Hebrews 12:25-27 (show/hide)

25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

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There's a shaking going on. And its purpose is to reveal the foundation of your life – Jesus Christ. I'm going to do what He thinks, fulfil His purpose. Things fall away until ...
Hebrews 12:28-29 (show/hide)

28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.

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The challenge of this morning from Jan, and from what we've just read, and from what we heard last week ... is that in our shaking we wake up to what God wants to do through us. And we'll fulfil His purpose and do what He wants and think the way He wants us to think.
He's a wonderful saviour, and He's been faithful to each one of us.
If you just look ... just close your eyes. Look inside, and just think to yourself how faithful God has been to you. Think back just for this moment at how careful He's been to bring you to this point in time when we can be free to say, "How faithful You have been to me. There hasn't been a day when You haven't been there. There hasn't been a time, even when I've felt washed up on a beach ... You've been faithful."
We thank You that we can acknowledge how faithful You've been and will be. We thank You for Your goodness to each one of us. I thank You that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, it doesn't matter who is here ...

Forget those things that are behind

By Pastor Peter Linnecar
It doesn't matter what anyone says, we focus on Jesus Christ. We need to forget those things behind and press towards the mark of the high calling in Jesus and we don't go back.
As we go forward, and as we lift up his name, and as we get used to the openness of sharing our faith that God has given us, so it will be that others will discover the life of Jesus Christ and who he is, for themselves.
Without God, without his life inside by the power of his holy sprit, there's nothing. There's an attempt to get the answer for Christ. There's an attempt to fill up that emptiness inside but you haven't. Inside it is only Jesus inside, that sets them free.
Acts 3:1-11 (show/hide)

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.
11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering.

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It dawned on Peter that the holy spirit, the spirit of truth and power, to be a witness was inside him. And God in the way he worked things out, caused that man to be a living testimony.
Acts 4:13 (show/hide)

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

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Acts 4:14-22 (show/hide)

14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.
18 And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.
20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
21 So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.
22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

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If you're a Christian here tonight, we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
Acts 5:17-18 (show/hide)

17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.

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They had to act. There was no way they could shut these people up. And they thought right we'll put them in prison'. Don't think that only happened then. Jesus Christ is alive today; he's a miracle working God. It's the same God, the same father, the same holy spirit.
And they put them in prison.
Acts 5:19-20 (show/hide)

19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.

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"All the words of this life". What are we talking about here? We're talking about the difference between life and death. "Tell them all the words of this life". In your life, what God is going to be doing more than you've ever seen before, is create those opportunities where you will share with someone or other, or someone will come to your mind. Why? Because God's alive. Because he's building his church because that's why he died and rose again. He died for the sin of the whole world.
The angel was definitive: "Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life."
Acts 5:21-33 (show/hide)

21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.
25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.

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Acts 3:14-15 (show/hide)

14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

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The Jesus Christ who is inside you and caught your attention and made you stop going this way; he's shown you his salvation, and you're walking the other way; it's chalk and cheese. I think we sometimes underestimate what is going on in our lives.
Acts 5:33-39 (show/hide)

33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought.
37 After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

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You can't overthrow what God does. You can't stand in the way of his purposes. You can't overthrow something which God has initiated. The work that God has started in your life, he's going to complete. He doesn't take you on and then just leave you. Not at all! That which he starts, he finishes. His whole life, 30 years, and then the 3 years, when he gave up his life on the cross, it was as if that was it; failure! Ah, but his mission was complete. And yet, when he rose from the dead, he conquered death and sin in your life, he conquered the power of death and by his holy spirit, the prince of life is alive, right here, tonight. And that which he begins he completes. If it be of God, Gamaliel said, you can't overthrow it, lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Acts 5:40 (show/hide)

40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

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Don't think "I've done my bit for God." Not at all.
Acts 5:41-42 (show/hide)

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

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Who is it God is bringing across your path? God has given you the faith to give to others, anyone that God draws across your path. No way did they sit down and think "that's it". They didn't pray for the opposition to be silenced, they prayed for more boldness! What is that foundation? It's Him. Wow, so if he's my foundation, he has purposes for me to walk into. He has good things for me to walk into and I want to do what he wants in my life. And I want to be committed to his word.
They rejoiced, that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
No greater love hath no man than he who lays down his life for his friends.
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He intercedes for us at the right hand of God and he always will do. There is coming a time that Jesus is coming for his people and his church.
What God has started in your life he is going to complete. And what God has placed in your life, life itself, he is going to use you to be the channel to reach out to others. Don't ever think "Well, he can't be saved." No! When he hung on the cross, he thought "You weren't too bad or an impossibility for him to reach to." He took into himself everything that would oppose your going forward in life. He took away everything that would thwart you from being a person that would outwork his purposes in his life.

My Spiritual GPS

By Rev Charles Green

Through the years you get familiar with God and his word and there seems to be one defining portion of scripture that in the midst of trials and test, you find yourself wanting something short and snappy and fits all circumstances.

Colossians 1:19-22 (show/hide)

19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell,

20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

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Tonight I stand in a position of grace bacause God loves me.

Paul the apostle changed his whole view about everything after he met Jesus Christ on the Damascus road. He was a man who was against God and the church. He went into people's houses and sent people to prison. He was on his way to persecute Christians. He was actively against what God is doing. But when he was n the road, he said he saw a light brighter than the noon day sun. He heard a voice saying "Saul, why do you persecute me" and he heard these words "I am Jesus, whom you persecute". This was one who had actively worked against God. It does not take him 6 hours or 6 days or 6 minutes. He instantly said "what will you have me do, Lord?" Instantly, everything was changed.

I believe that everyone of us at this moment, we need a touch from God that will instantly begin to change our life, our sense of direction, everything about us. I wake up early in the morning and I walk through the house and I start saying "God what would you have me do today?" It's like I'm asking for my instructions. I would have a spiritual GPS, "What am I going to do today".

I'm sitting on a plane and I say, "What will be my assignment today?" I get people saved sitting next to me.

You have an assignment every day you wake up. It's time for you to say "God, I'm read for duty."

Philippians 3:7-14 (show/hide)

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

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Simply stated, Paul is saying "All of the things that I treasured before I met Christ, became absolutely like nothing. I counted them loss in order to have Christ in my life." We have many things that we count as valuable and we just stand on something that we think is right. "That's our right, that's our position". Paul had everything in the natural going for him but in one moment in time he was instantly willing to give that all alone. I was not only willing to call them loss but also for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Not just a casual knowing of Christ Jesus.

Paul said I pushed everything away for the excellency of the knowledge; not just a casual understanding. Whatever it takes he says...it takes my wealth, my human knowledge my reputation. Whatever it takes, I count it all as loss, if I can only have Christ in my life. He is saying to them but also to us, "What I really want in my life more than anything else, is the righteousness of God." If you have God's righteousness in your life, you are the luckiest person in all the ages.

My life has been a marvellous life, but the greatest thing in the world is that I have one Christ in my life. In my life, the most important thing, is I have found Christ. I found Christ just by believing him and trusting him.

It was so real to me when I met God. Even in my teenage years and when I put on my uniform for my country and went out to Texas, God was with me then. I witnessed to people when I was there, I helped people. I sang in the middle of the storm. I walked with God every step of the way. Every step of the way, everywhere I have gone, God has been in my life.

Paul wanted to know everything about God.

Philippians 3:10-13 (show/hide)

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

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This one thing I do... I don't have to jump through any religious hoops... forgetting... and that's hard to do. Your only hope is in the ability to forget. It isn't easy to forget. WE have to forget the past and forget your mistakes, failures and sins and the stuff that nobody else knows about you, except God. But the most important thing that you and I have to forget is our bitterness. We have to forget the bitterness. And the only way in the world to get over bitterness is to tell God that we're willing to become like waste; we're willing to become absolutely nothing except what god wants us to be. But God I am willing to lay down the bitterness in my life.

When I was a young man, I belonged to a religious organisation which was the only one that I had ever known. I grew up with these people. I grew up knowing them like I know a lot of you but better. I grew up with them as children, and they suddenly began to say things about me which were only not true, but they were highly inflammatory.

If you want to change things in your life, it starts with you confessing that you're not doing everything right and you're not acting everything right. And the first thing you say is "God, forgive me. And I confess that I've acted in a way that is against you."

You can't pick out the ones that will be destroyed by bitterness. What do you do? You do what I did long ago. First of all you say "God I have been bitter. Forgive me." The very moment that I stopped saying those hateful things about those who had said horrible things about me, it was as if God Almighty blew a horn and told everyone, "Charles Green has repented. Stop talking about him." It was if there was a sign put in the heavens. From that moment until this, I have never heard of other words that they said about me.

You don't have to go back and act like you did before, but you do have to say God I'm not going to be bitter anymore. You won't ever be what you used to be, but whatever God wants you to be in the future, you will be. We can take our past and give it to Him. Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth to those things which are before.

When we reach forth, we must not do it casually. Paul said I am pressing towards the calling. When we reach out, let there be a push towards the future. The objective that God has for us is that prize, far more than that peace prize that Obama got.

Did you know that we have a higher calling?

God is a God of Judgdement

By Pastor Peter Linnecar

God is a God of judgement, but He is also a God of mercy. We must not have a heart like Jonah, harbouring bitterness and resentment against those who we feel God should have punished. God, by His Holy Spirit, is a faithful witness, and you know if you have bitterness inside. You need to hear God's call, forgive and repent. If you turn, as the Ninevites did when they heeded God's words, God will be merciful.

Peter Hall from Cancer Research

It is lovely to worship and share with you all at Trinity here. It is my first visit here and I was struck by the warmth. I'm here to share with you some really good news.

I want to share about my journey and why I am working about Cancer Research UK now. Who are Cancer Research UK? We are actually a relatively new organisation. We came out as a result of a merger between two cancer research organisations, who were doing a very good job but were actually working against each other. Through the merger we have an increased financial support system so that, this year, we were able to spend a lot of money on research. World class research makes a huge difference.

In the 50s, 60s and even 70s, if you were diagnosed with cancer, the prognosis was not good. I am pleased to say that now, the average 10 year survival rate has doubled in the last 30 years. And the number of people who die from cancer has fallen by 13% in the last ten years. Part of Cancer Research UK is to celebrate with those who have overcome cancer. Over 8 out of 10 children, diagnosed with leukaemia, now survive. The death rate from bowel cancer has fallen by over a fifth in the last decade, and the death rate from lung cancer in men has fallen by a quarter in the last ten years. All this is only made possible by Cancer Research UK. In short, there will be people walking around your community today, who are alive because of the research we have done.

But people ask why we have not completely cured the disease, if we are spending so much money on it? The problem is that there are over 200 different types of cancer. We are all living for longer these days, and thanks to the NHS, more cancers are being picked up earlier. The incidence of cancer is actually predicted to increase, but that is simply because cancer will be diagnosed more often.

I work full-time for the charity, and when I wake up in the morning, I think that I am going to save lives today. Although things are getting better, we can't be complacent.

Just to finish, I want to share with you how I survived cancer. I was diagnosed as terminally ill from 1999 – 2001. I received care at a Christian hospice near the end of my struggle. At that time, although I was aware of Jesus in my life, I didn't have a full experience with Him. But, although I didn't know it, He was near me, and I know that now. I very much believe in miracles. But while I'm here on earth I am going to do what I can to save lives and give people hope for the future.

Chibugo Okafor

I'm going to talk about what made me want to join Cancer Research UK. Prior to my joining, my family was affected by cancer, and this, although it was a great emotional blow for us, made me think about volunteering. So, I looked at the Cancer Research UK website and saw that I could volunteer as a public speaker. I love speaking to people, so this really attracted me, particularly since I wanted to help and give hope to people affected by cancer..

Cancer Research UK has shown me that there is actually hope for people with cancer. I think joining Cancer Research UK was actually one of the most fulfilling things I have done, so I would really encourage you to be a part of it.

Pastor Linnecar

For those who were here last weekend and on Friday, I think it has become apparent to you that the book of Jonah is entirely about the salvation of God. There are certain themes within this book which God wants us to think about today. There are only 48 verses in the book of Jonah, but throughout God is mentioned many times, it is one of the most 'God' referenced books in the Bible.

In chapters 1 and 2 it refers to the fact that Jonah was called by God to preach to Nineveh: "Arise, go to Nineveh and cry against it for their wickedness if come up before me." This is an historical book, these things happened. After Jonah was called, his reaction was that there was no way he was going to go there; instead, he was going to in the opposite direction. He opted to go down to the sea port of Joppa and set on his way to go as far as he could away from Nineveh.

Previously, there had been an occasion where Jonah had told a man called, jeroboam, what God had told him to say. But, in this situation with the Ninevites, he refused to do what God told him to. There was, from his decision to disobey, a sequence of going down and down. When the great storm came, the crew of the ship cried out to the their gods. They figured out that there was something wrong because the storm had come about too suddenly. So, the captain of the crew went down to Jonah and asked him to call upon his God. Lots were drawn to see who was the cause of the storm, and the lot fell upon Jonah. His reaction to this was interesting. Even though he refused to go to the Ninevites, he told the crew to throw him into the sea, in order to calm the sea. He knew that the tempest was to do with his disobedience to God. The crew threw Jonah into the sea, and the downward spiral continued as he went down into the depths of the sea

There is something about someone who decides that they have had enough. God organises things in such a way, for that person, so that they come to themselves, as Jonah did in the fish's belly, and call upon God. Throughout Jonah's prayer, when he was in the whale, we can see how he knows that, regardless of how far he went down, God was still with him.

However, in Jonah's heart, something was still not quite right. There are some sitting here this morning, where God in His mercy and His love and has kept bringing you back to square one. What is that question? The question to some of you is: "You can trust me." You may seem so confident in your life without God, but actually if you're honest in your heart, you know your only solution is God Himself. Why has He got you to that situation? Because He loves you. We are going to see in a moment about the judgement and holiness of God, but we are going to see more about the mercy of God. God wants us, as we go through our lives, to be mercy.

Jonah's prayer in chapter 2 shows that God answers in spite of how guilty we might feel. It shows how God answers to win our loyalty and thanks and He answers to make us merciful like Him.

Jon 3:1-3

I read on Friday about the experience of a sailor who was swallowed by a whale in 1891. He was swallowed by a whale for two days. He could easily breathe inside the whale, but the heat was terrible. He recovered fully however, although his skin became bleached from the enzymes in the whale.

In Nineveh at that time they worshipped a god who was half-man half-fish. There is no doubt in my mind that Jonah, now possibly bleached, came to the Ninevites in a form that the people already believed in. They believed in a half-man half-fish that came out of the sea, so the people would have taken heed of what Jonah said.

Jon 3:3

So Nineveh was a great city, excavations suggested that it was seven miles across. In fact, one reason why Jonah didn't want to go there, was because there another prophet, Amos, who had said that the Syrians were going to conquer the Israelites.

Jon 3:4

That was it. His appearance convinced them. The words that he said, yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown, were powerful. In this post-modern age you can forget that God is a God of judgement. I just want to read to you what Jesus said:

Jn 5:25-30

There is coming a day when we will be judged as to what we have done with our lives. God is a God of love and His judgement will be just. I want you to realise, particularly those of you in the age bracket of 15-30: you can't mess about with sin. There is a consequence to making choices in life and going the wrong way. There will come a day when we will be judged. When Jonah spoke these words to Nineveh, he knew that God was just and had every right to judge the Ninevites.

That cuts across someone who says that they have had enough of God. If I were to talk to you, in the night when you begin to think about things, you know that the way you are living is wrong. I am merely confirming what you already know in your heart because God is a faithful witness.

Jon 3:5-9

The King was someone who heard, directly from Jonah, that he had to change his ways. Once he did, all the people followed suit, determined to change.

Jon 3:10

It isn't that God is evil, that is simply phraseology to say that He had every right to judge them in that way. They repented and God, effectively, saved them. This is now something I would say: God is closer than you think, He hears your thoughts. If you were here with God alone, you would in all honesty, say that you know you have been going wrong and need to change. God is faithful in His voice to you, in speaking about the way you are living. This morning you can turn inside to God. it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, or what pride you might have in admitting you need to turn; you need to turn.

Jonah couldn't believe what God did.

Jon 4:1-3

He couldn't stand that God let people off and showed them mercy. Sometimes we can get so bound up with the wrong that someone has done, possibly against us, that we see everything in a negative way because we are angry at God for letting us down and now judging them.

Jon 4:4-5

What had happened to this guy? He was a prophet of God but was no completely paralysed with anger at God. He was waiting for God to deal with the people. He was resentful at the mercy God had showed.

It is interesting that when Peter asked Jesus: 'how often should I forgive my brother, seven times?' Jesus told him that it should not be seven times, but 490 times. Jesus then spoke a parable about the man who was forgiven, but then throttled another who owed him a debt. If you are sitting here with resentment at God for what He has not done to someone and refuse to forgive, the person who has done you wrong still has power over you. Jonah was gripped by that, and when Jesus spoke to the disciples about forgiveness, they could not believe it. When they witnessed the crucifixion, some were looking wondering why Jesus, who could with a word have freed Himself, kept silent.

God is trying to help Jonah now:

Jon 4:4-6

So he was up here waiting for the city to be bombed, and God prepared this gourd, which was some sort of plant, to come out of nowhere to shield him from the sun. He probably knew that this was a miracle and that God had provided it. I wonder if it made him think again? I don't think it did.

Jon 4:7-8

That is the second time in this chapter he has said this.

Jon 4:9-11

We are not told what Jonah then thought. Inside he knew it was God who had established the God, and that it was God who had taken it down. God asked him, 'don't you think these people deserve to be spared for their repentance?' It is possible to have the mindset of Jonah in our lives; it is not good. You know as well as I do that in Hebrews 12 it say: "Follow peace with all men. Because bitterness is a root that springs up and defiles many." If you let bitterness remain inside you, you are paralysed. Everything from then on will be viewed in a warped way, because of the way your mind is set without forgiveness in your heart. We have heard a lot about love lately. The key thing about love is that love involves forgiveness.

Lk 13:10-14

Why is that evidence of a Jonah spirit? Because the rule book overrules mercy, love and forgiveness. It got to Jesus because He said this now:

Lk 13:15-17

It is the same phraseology which God used when He spoke to Jonah. Here the ruler of the synagogue told Jesus that He could not heal on the Sabbath day. So the prioritisation was the ruler book, and the vindictiveness of the rule book overriding helping another.

Lk 11:29-32

That is quite something. There is a direct link from Jonah to Jesus. If you are a visitor here and you have wondered about Christianity. I want to confirm to you that God, by His Holy Spirit, is speaking to you because of His mercy and love. There is a way out of the darkness that you have tried and failed to overcome. You may think that that is it, but it is not. In due time Christ died for the ungodly, that there was answer for the darkness of sin. As far as Jonah was concerned, all he had to do was allow the workings of God to operate in His heart.

Today God has brought this word to us. It is for all of us to take heed. A greater than Jonah is here right now in this hall. It seems odd that everything revolves around Him, even our calendar. Jesus Christ is where is at as far as life is concerned. Everyone needs to be a right relationship with Him. We have to be honest with ourselves, if we have harboured bitterness in our heart; we will be paralysed going forward. A greater than Jonah is here, we need to hear His call.

Jonah and the Whale

By Pastor Peter Linnecar

As soon as Jonah decided to set his will against God he went down, as far as the depths of the sea. But, after he had been in the belly of the whale for three days and nights, he cried out to the Lord in his distress and the Lord heard him. God is a merciful God, He answers prayers. If you cry out to God and realise that you are totally dependent on Him, He will hear you and He will answer.

Jonah was a prophet, he had been faithful to deliver the word of God in the type of Jeroboam the 11. But when God spoke to him again, he did not obey but when in completely the opposite direction from Nineveh, where God had sent him.

Jon 4:2

Jonah knew the character of God and he didn't want to deliver God's message because he didn't think God would treat the Ninevites as he thought they should be treated. We saw last weekend how he had crossed the sea, in order to go the opposite way to Nineveh, but during their journey on the sea a storm had arisen, and it had only stopped when Jonah had been cast into the sea. When the lots were taken Jonah knew that he had to be thrown over the side for the sake of the sailors. It is strange that he was not willing to go to Nineveh, but he was willing to be thrown overboard and risk his life for the sailors.

It is interesting to note that since chapter 2 he went 'down', eventually going 'down' to the depths of the sea.

We are going to see how God answers the problems in our lives at the right time for His purposes to be fulfilled.

Jon 1:17

There are examples of other people who had been swallowed by a large fish. One species of fish, the Seadog, is found in all warm seas and in 1578 a sailor was swallowed by one. The captain of the vessel ordered a canon to be fired at the fish, once this was done the fish vomited up the sailor and he was unharmed. Again, another sailor was swallowed by another fish for 48 hours. The whale was harpooned and brought back to the ship and the sailor was retrieved from the whale; after two weeks he recovered fully. These are a few examples of what happened without God. We are talking about what happened to Jonah according to God's purposes.

I wanted to show these examples to make the point that this is a historical story, not just an allegory as some theologians argue. I want to look at what Jesus said about this:

Lk 11:29-36

There's Jesus specifically referring to the story of Jonah and to the fact that what happened to him with Nineveh were true. Elsewhere it refers to 'as he was three days and three nights in the great whale'. The last part of what I just read is to do with a lighted candle not being in a secret place. When Jonah was in the whale it was God that had caused the storm and that he prepared the whale. It was God all the way through who was preparing the way for His purposes to be fulfilled; His purposes were of mercy. God wanted to give Nineveh the chance to repent, even though they did not deserve it. Jonah was the man to go to Nineveh in order that they might repent, and so, God prepared the way for him.

Jesus says here that there is a greater than Jonah here, His name is Jesus. The three days from the cross to the resurrection is greater than the sign of Jonah. Don't be in a secret place as Christian, or someone who has a compromised position about the way you go about things as a Christian.

"No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light."

Some people have asked me this week 'what is God doing?'. He is shaking things so that we might all go together, growing in our relationship with God. You can't be a Christian in a dark room, you're a light, and a light it to provide the means for those who are in the darkness that they can be different. When Jesus died on the cross and three days later rose from the dead, the reason was because you can't keep a light in the grave. Death, where is your victory?

I just want to be briefly look at the prayer that Jonah prayed:

Jon 2:1-2

Everything had gone wrong for Jonah. It might be your sitting here thinking that you don't know how you're going to sort through the circumstances you are in. Jesus Christ is in control, God knows what He is doing in your life, even if you can't see the solution. What matters is the attitude you take to circumstances. Don't be bitter, just have complete dependency on God. God loves it when you realise that you have nothing else, only total dependency on Him.

Jon 2:3-4

It doesn't matter how guilty you might feel, God answers in spite of your guilt. It doesn't matter what judgement you think God should give you, if you cry out to God and turn to Him in your heart, He will answer. He has made a way for you. Why is it those things have happened to you? Because God wants to get hold of you, because He loves you. Each stage is carefully orchestrated. Jonah realised this. He had gone down to Joppa, down to the ship, down to the depths.

Jon 2:5-6

God answers in the most impossible of circumstances. If you don't respond to what God is speaking to you about He has every right not to continue with you. There is a day of judgement. So why aren't you responding? I know there are a few here to night to whom God is speaking specifically through this story. He went down, yet 'has thou brought up my life from corruption, O Lord my God.'

Jon 2:7

Rom 5:6

This sign of Jonah was nothing compared to Jesus. Those three days between Calvary and the resurrection was for you. This is not a theory, or some vague idea, it is for you. It is the difference between darkness and light.

Jon 2:8

If you trust in anything else but God you are forsaking the mercy that He has for you.

Jon 2:8-9

The moment Jonah said that, in verse 10, the Lord spoke to the fish and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. God answers, in stages sometimes, but He answers. He answers to win our undivided loyalty and thanks. God helps us to make us become merciful like Him. Where are we at in our lives tonight? What are the circumstances of our lives like? The end result for each one of us is that God, a God of love and of grace, has a heart to redeem mankind; that is why Jesus came. We don't need to live in the hell of sin, we can live in the glory of the holiness, the righteousness, of Christ.

Jonah, why are you going to Tarshish? Well, actually I'm running away from God. But why would you want to do that? I can't be bothered, if He wants to do what He wants that is fine, but I have done my bit already. What a change when he says: "I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

Jon 3:1

A Prepared Walk

By Pastor Peter Linnecar

The foundation that God has made will result in things being done for his glory. This short story in the Old Testament about Jonah has so much in it that it could be placed in the New Testament. It's all to do with the power of God that can change a life. God's heart is for you and for me to come and be reconciled to him. There needs to be a change in an individual. It could be that you're in a Christian country, but you wouldn't say you were a Christian. You may have postponed your dealing with God. There are elements in this story that are completely relevant to you and me right now.

Jonah 1:1-3 (show/hide)

1 Now the word of the LORD came unto 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness is come up before me.

3 But so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

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Nineveh was an evil place. I'm not sure what the modern equivalent would be, but I suppose it was the red light district of any major city. It was also the capital city of Assyria, the enemy of Israel. Jonah knew that God was asking him to go to the very place where he thought the people needed the judgment of God. In his heart, as far as Nineveh was concerned, they were going to get what they deserved under the law, and there was no way they were going to change. When God told him to go to Nineveh, he could not bring himself to do what God said.

It's imperative that we are open to who God wants to reach in his mercy and love. We must not write anybody off. As far as Jonah ws concerned, in his heart there was prejudice, racism, everything against the people of Nineveh. In this book we can see something of God's heart and how he views people.

Isaiah 42:1-10 (show/hide)

1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.

5 Thus saith God the LORD, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

6 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

10 Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof.

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It wasn't just the Jewish nation, it was the Gentiles as well. He has a heart of love for mankind. He doesn't want us to be going nowhere, or to be gripped with sin inside. What God wants us to look at is something which will release you inside to be the person God wants you to be.

When Jonah was told to go to Nineveh, he knew that God's heart was to speak to the people of Nineveh, and he could not cope with it. It says that he went from the presence of the Lord; that's not a good thing to do. God sovereignly intervenes in people's lives. Jonah would rather have been a nobody in Tarshish than someone in God's ministry in Nineveh.

Do you know what God has spoken to you about? Are you pushing him away? Would you rather be a nobody?

Jonah 1:4-6 (show/hide)

4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But 6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

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Jonah thought that by going in the opposite way to God wanted, he could flee God's presence. What he didn't realise was that God by his spirit had spoken inside him, and he was taking that voice with him. It's not possible to hide from God, because his love is greater than you.

Psalm 89:9 (show/hide)

9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

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Matthew 8:23-27 (show/hide)

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

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God controls everything. He has the power to organise things so that he will get your attention because of his love for you. As far as Jonah was concerned, he thought that he was just sailing away from what God wanted. There was a niggle inside even yet.

Are you asleep, spiritually? Did you get involved with God at the start, but have now stepped back? It's not good for any of us to be going away from what God wants us to do.

Jonah thought that once he was on the ship, he would be on his way to Tarshish and as far away from God as possible. But he didn't know what God was going to do out of his love not only for Jonah but also for the people of Nineveh.

Jonah 1:5-10 (show/hide)

5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But 6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.

7 And they said every one to his fellow, Come, and let us cast lots, that we may know for whose cause this evil is upon us. So they cast lots, and the lot fell upon 8 Then said they unto him, Tell us, we pray thee, for whose cause this evil is upon us; What is thine occupation? and whence comest thou? what is thy country? and of what people art thou?

9 And he said unto them, I am an Hebrew; and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land.

10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.

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He was open about the fact that he was running away from God. He thought he had done his bit in speaking to Jereboam, and that was it. When the lots were cast and sailor by sailor was eliminated, it narrowed down to Jonah. He knew that it was God who had nailed it.

Jonah 1:11-12 (show/hide)

11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.

12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you.

Close

Jonah didn't fully clock into the idea that he was going to fulfil God's will for him. He knew the only answer for these people was that he was thrown into the sea. He expected to die. He was prepared to die for the sailors in the ship because he wanted the ship to be saved. He knew the storm was because of him. He was prepared for them to be saved but he didn't want Nineveh to be saved. They were beyond being saved, in his mind.

We should never harbour things against someone or a group of people. We shouldn't resent people and think they should get what they deserve to get. That's not the way of God.

Jonah 1:13-15 (show/hide)

13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.

14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man's life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.

15 So they took up and the sea ceased from her raging.

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Sometimes the things in life that we experience is God trying to get our attention. He loves you. Sometimes we are so asleep and outside of things that it takes trials for God to get our attention.

When they threw him in the sea, they knew that was it.

Jonah 1:16 (show/hide)

16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.

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Acts 27:22-25 (show/hide)

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

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He was totally in communion with God. The storm was raging all around, but Paul related to the crew his faith in what God had told him. He knew that they would be safe.

What has God put his finger on in your life recently? Each one of us, if we look in the circumstances of life that we're in, behind them is a God of love and a God who communicates with us.

We need to reach out. When was the last time that you brought someone to church? God is changing our heart to reach out more than we have ever done before. For each person, we need to learn from the experience of Jonah. Stop running away from what you know is right. God has his hand on your life. What he wants to do is to reach through you to others. In our hearts, if we harbour bad attitudes towards people, we have blocked everything that God wants to do.

Ephesians 2:10 (show/hide)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

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Individually, and as a group, we need to be awake, alert and sensitive. Be open to people you work with. It could be that there is someone who needs the answer that you have in Jesus Christ. Are you open? Are you awake? Or are you in the depths of the ship being carried to goodness knows where? God has prepared good works for you and I to do. They are before ordained, that we should walk in them.

What we need to do

By Pastor Peter Linnecar

When Jesus was on earth, it was important for him to relay to us what we needed to do.

Mark 16:14-18 (show/hide)

14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

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We need to aim to witness God by his Holy Spirit draw people we know into his kingdom. We should see people as God sees them, not with our prejudices. When Jesus said this to his disciples at the end of his life, it was real.

Matthew 28:18-20 (show/hide)

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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This was a command from Jesus. He knew the Holy Spirit was about to be given, and he knew that those disciples would have the power inside to witness to others of Jesus Christ. And that includes you and me. During the years of Jesus' preaching, there were those who couldn't stomach what was going on.

Matthew 12:38 (show/hide)

38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

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They weren't sincere, but this was the question they threw out.

Matthew 12:39-50 (show/hide)

39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

42 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished.

45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.

46 While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.

47 Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee.

48 But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?

49 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!

50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

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For you and I to be linked as brothers in Christ, the key part is to do the will of the father in our lives. God in his mercy wants you to hear this.

Here Jesus referred to the sign of Jonah. As I have looked at the book of Jonah it is as though it should be in the New Testament. It is all about forgiveness and grace. People look at things in a way that doesn't bring glory to Jesus Christ. There are people who insist on condemning others to a Christless eternity because they don't have forgiveness to those people, and don't think they could ever become a Christian. Jonah couldn't stomach it that God was going to forgive the people of Nineveh.

Jesus was very aware of who Jonah was. His birthplace was within two miles of Nazareth, and all that region knew about Jonah. Nineveh was the pits; it was too evil for God to forgive, so it was thought.

A greater than Jonah is here. Are you going to change? Is it going to be different for you?

Sometimes we don't understand what is happening. Things might be going wrong in our lives, but what God is doing, is fulfilling his purposes in his time, in his way, for his glory. That applies to you in your life.

Luke 11:29-32 (show/hide)

29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.

30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.

31 The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.

32 The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here.

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Jesus Christ lives inside you, and he's all-powerful, all-knowing. He has conquered death. He is alive. As we go forward as a church, I guarantee to you that you will witness the power of God keeping you. Our dependence is totally on him. salvation is of the Lord. I know that what's happening at the moment in your life is happening because God is revealing more of himself to you. There will come a time soon – it might even be happening tonight – when you will know that God is sorting everything out for good.

2 Kings 14:23-27 (show/hide)

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Here is a man who knew the word of the Lord. At some point in his life, God speaks to him again.

Jonah 1:1-3 (show/hide)

1 Now the word of the LORD came unto 2 Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.

3 But so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.

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Who is God speaking to you about tonight? It is God who initiates everything to his glory.

You can't get more opposite than Nineveh to Tarshish, 1,000 miles away. He was not going to do it. Nineveh was the enemy, they had been tormenting Israel.

When God speaks and you know that he's a true and faithful witness, we need to obey. When we think about other people who are in desperate need of a saviour, and who are in need to come to darkness into his glorious light, what we must not do is write off anyone. What we must not do is harbour in our hearts something that tells them they deserve what they get. That isn't God's heart. God's way is one where he will fulfil his purposes of grace, love and truth. He's the God of judgment, but there was a window of opportunity that came to the people of Nineveh that God wanted Jonah to deliver.

Psalm 23:6 (show/hide)

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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It's not time to flee from the presence of the Lord. It's not time for us to get out of focus. The time now is for us to be more focussed than we have ever been before on the Lord.

Love one another as I have loved you

By Garold Anderson

Love one another as I have loved you. The world will know that we are Christians by the love that we show to one another. We have a hope and a future in Him.

Kent Hodge

It's been a very nice time. We are starting a school called Christian Faith Academy. It is for the preschool age. They interviewed yesterday and we have chosen two staff. It is great to be a part of what God is doing there.

Esther Hodge

Susie and I are medical students in London and as part of that year we spend a couple of months working in a hospital somewhere else in the world. So we decided to go to Jos. We went to a hospital called Faith Alive Foundation, which is in central Jos, pretty near to where the riots happened last November. It provides free services to Muslims and Christians. It was started by a Nigerian who trained in a prestigious hospital in America, but God told him to go back to Nigeria, and so He obeyed. He started a clinic and offered medicine and counselling for people with HIV. The main work they do there is fighting AIDS. Almost 10% of the population there have HIV. Only 3% of the people who have HIV actually get drugs to fight it and a lot of them are in Nigeria, because of this hospital. He treats people through the support of English churches and an American relief system set up by President Bush to provide AIDS relief for the people in Nigeria.

I used to think of AIDS as a bad disease because I thought it was their fault. But a lot of the people who came there were Muslim girls who were married at very young ages and had got AIDS either from their mothers or their husbands. So, it wasn't really their fault. This doctor is working so hard to help people. Every person he sees he treats as an individual and will pray for them regardless of whether they are a Christian or a Muslim. They treat them with medicine but also holistically.

Every morning at 8 o'clock they have a devotion and someone will preach to them for about half an hour from the Bible and then give a talk on how to stay healthy. One of the biggest problems out there is lack of education. Three ladies came up to me and told me that they couldn't sleep at night and they were really hot. Basically nobody had told them anything.

So first thing in the morning they preach to these people, Christians and Muslims alike. They tell them that God can heal them whether they are Christians or not. So they use the hospital to spread the Gospel as well as to treat people.

The second morning we were there I was sitting in the devotion, and Doctor Chris told me that I had to get up and preach, which I wasn't expecting at all. So I just had to get up and speak to them. I had to do that three times throughout the week. This has really taught me a lot and I am really grateful for the experience. What really struck me was the people because, regardless of what I 'd said, they'd all come up to me and encourage me. They are all so welcoming and friendly. English people I think sometimes tend to be quite judgemental, but the people there are so open and there is so much opportunity to grow there because you can get up and make a fool of yourself and they will still congratulate you afterwards.

Susie Liniker

The hospital started as a clincic. Basically it treats mostly HIV patients but there are also outpatient and pre-natal clinics. They also teach people how HIV is prevented. It was very interesting listening to the counselling sessions because the people don't know anything about their health. In one session I sat in with a lady who couldn't even read. She had the test done and it turned out negative, but the doctor had to explain what negative meant because she didn't understand it. There was another couple who had been tested a few months earlier, and it turned out that the husband was positive and she was negative. But she didn't believe it because there is period in which the virus for HIV cannot be detected. Anyway, the doctor reassured that she was negative, which was such a good thing for here because it meant that she would be able to have children free from HIV.

I haven't done anything with HIV in this country so it was good to see what they do over there. In the anti-natal sessions they encourage the husbands to get involved. They give the wife an invitation to bring the husband along because if you get the husband involved, he will be more interested in the children. The husband is very important over there because the wives actually have to ask their husbands if they can take the medicines given by the doctor. So having the doctors there means that the wives are more likely to take the medicine.

What really interested me was that this was a Christian hospital, but there were Christians there of all denominations, and they all worked together and prayed together. I think it was more a church than a hospital. They were Christians all with different backgrounds with a common goal: they wanted to reach out and help others. They come together, they have devotion and preaching in the morning, then Dr. Chris prays with his patients, then in the afternoon they pray together. So it is a church, they are group of Christians working together to help others.

We had the chance to go to other areas of the hospital, for example they have clinics outside the hospital. On the second week they had a conference for tribal leaders about preventing and treating HIV. This is very helpful because couples go to these leaders to ask if they should get married if the husband is possible, and they also ask them about using condoms. It was really interesting to see how the Christians discussed this issue.

Garold Anderson

Good morning. Well before I begin I would like to say again how wonderful it has been to be with and Laurie and I truly feel a part of this body of believer. So it's just exciting to be back again after so many years and then after our few visits with you in the last year or so.

I just want to make sure that the things I have said recently have been remembered. With the children at school, we looked at the story of the three little pigs and the building blocks of our lives. Because Jesus told a story that was like that with two people who built their houses on two different things.

I'm going to talk about a very strong building block of our lives, a strong foundation. With the Logos group we talked about a strong issue of foundation. I gave the challenge to think about these next months and take some time to pray. One of the ideas was, what is it that convinces us that God is real? And if not, what is standing in our way to be convinced? What is the foundation of our lives?

As I come to the end I will come into prayer. The building blocks of our lives is a part of what I want to talk about. I'm usually a creative person and I create many things. On Friday we did a play by someone else which was a modern day version of Adam and Eve and the breaking down of a relationship. It was a very painful story and it is at this point that I want to begin today.

The testimonies that we had from Nigeria were so fascinating and it's amazing how God really brings everything together for a Sunday service. We cannot do everything but our God can and we can work together with him.

A promise, a prayer and a command.

I want to begin with a simple prayer.

Ish and Isha, in the play that we did on Friday, it was the use of drama to convey the reality of what sin and brokeness really has done.We often read the story of Adam and Eve it often remains a story on the page. In this play, we really brought it painfully to life, with modern day people and circumstances. This is the beauty of knowing God and this is the beauty of Christianity that there is a way forward.

I want to begin with a promise.

I have been praying for this time with you and this is something God placed on my heart for us. And though this promise was spoken to the children of Israel many years agao but it can still play a part in our lives.

Jeremiah 29:11 (show/hide)

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

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Years ago when I was much more wise than I am now, I would think about the words in scripture that were powerful: oo FAITH! And another powerful word would be LOVE. It's a soft word of God but it's love that brought Jesus to the cross. I thought hope was a weak word. I hope I can...

Listen to this, the promise: I know the plans he has for you, not for disaster..to give you a hope.

I have learnt that it is one of the strongest words in scripture.

There are things in life that happen to people; there are times when people find they have a disease in their body called HIV, Aids. And when people face these things, they lose all hope. There are times in relationships that people see no way forward and they lose all hope. There are times even in churches that we face difficulties together and we begin to lose perspective and we lose hope.

Before we can really come to the place of FAITH we've got to have hope. Hope. Ok, I want to a little theatrical exercise with you. I want you to say the word hope with me. I want you to repeat it the way I say it.

We need to know that we have a future. When we find ourselves hitting a wall and in difficult places, how do we know that we have a hope and a future. Because God is our God. God has a plan for your church and for your life. Even if you find that this church is not where you want to stay, there is a hope for me and a hope for everyone here; here is a future. We're not talking about some kind of social club, we're talking about the living body of Crhist. Whether we are here or in Nigeria or in London; the living body of Chrsit. We have a hope and a future. God knows the plans for you, for your welfare and that are not for disaster.

Jeremiah 29:12 (show/hide)

12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

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There are many things that are before you. There are many things. There are many decisions before you in the very close future of this church. Many important things that this church needs to decide and do. I think the cameras that you have...the facilities are amazing. That's a sideline. With your life, and with the relatiionshiops tha are here, things need to be accomplished.

You have to begin by asking why and what. God says, you will come and you will pray and I will listen.

Can you imagine if I came here to speak to you, and as I was speaking, my feet began to do what they wanted. You see it doesn't work if the body doesn't work together. Communiciation doesn't work if the body doesn't work together. Paul says such a powerful thing: 'How can the hand say to the foot, 'I don't need you'. Paul says, 'No, this is the beauty and the amazing thing about Christianity: it's a body.' Each part is needed. Each part has a very important thing to bring. You have a very important role and part to play within this body. You. But somehow within it, we've got to find a way to work together. So we begin with knowing that God says we have a future. God has plans for us to give us a hope and a future.

A command.

The thing that is on my heart to deposit here today is foundational. It's just solid rock. I really pray that we are able to take this seed because this is the heart of christinaty. I want you to imagine with me, from the gospel of john...

This takes place at the end of the ministry of Jesus. This is the end of his time with his disciples; those he has been mentorying. As he comes to the end, he's going to say, 'guys just remember brush your teeth everyday'. I think he would say something a bit more serious. 'Ok guys, always keep the other guys guessing.' No. What would you do if this was the last day with your family? You know this is the last moment, you would think real hard and say what is the most important seed thatI can plant into their life. And that's exactly what Jesus does.

We've been through a lot together and now it's coming to the end...

John 13:31-34 (show/hide)

31 Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

32 If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come; so now I say to you.

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

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'A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another'.That is a very powerful command and then He goes on and adds something else: 'That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.'

The Bible is really specific. We know love because love has been defined for us. While we were enemies of God, He extended his love through his Son to us. God proved his love in that way. This is how we know love; that Christ died for us. We don't just have some kind of idea of love. We have a real definition and that is the thing that transforms my life, is that I have a real solid definition of love in the one that I am following.

'Love one another, in the same way that I have loved you.' That brings us hopefully to a place that we heard in a song earlier. We can't love others without him. Remain in me and you can do this. Without him we cannot walk in that kind of love.

I want you to understand how important this was when he spoke these words to his disciples.

John 13:35 (show/hide)

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

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He didn't say, 'if you can stop all conflict...' No. Love one another. We are different. We have different parts to play and it is within us, that Jesus gives us the command to love one another, as he has loved us. It is an amazing command and he expects that we can do it.

This is how people will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.

I just want to accent this by looking at John 15.

John 15:9-10 (show/hide)

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

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John 15:12 (show/hide)

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

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John 15:17 (show/hide)

17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

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It's a thing he keeps repeating to his disiples and something that needs to reverberate in the depths of our souls. Love one another as I have loved you. He says it again. Here's my command, love one another. And then he says it again.

Be so concenered about one another, even if you disagree. Because this is the power. God IS love. The power on this earth that created all things that are is love. God, the power that can stand against the fiery furnace, is love. Christ is about to go the cross, the absolute example of love, and he's talking to his disiples about love.

I want to leave us with a prayer. A promise that God has a future for us. God has spokem to use because God has plans for us. God loved the world so much that he sent his Son, and his own sons and daughters into the world. But this is how it's all going to happen: Love one another.

God gave his disciples a simple format of a prayer. He said 'Our father, who art in heaven, your name is holy. You are the name above all. You are the God who made all things. Holy is your name.' That's where Jesus begins in the prayer to focus on God. 'May your kingdom and your ways come on earth, just as they happened in heaven. May your ways come into my life, just as it happens in heaven. Jesus bring your love and your possibility of loving and giving into my life, just as your will is accomplished in heaven. Today, give me what I need, the depth of my soul and the strength to do what is before me today. And I ask in my own life, that your forgiveness would come. Forgive me. Have mercy on me. So I also say, forgive those who have done something against me. Give me the hope to be able to forgive. Help me to get past my weakness and to forgive those who have done things against me. And I would ask that you would lead us away from the paths of temptation and from the evil. Deliver us. And give us a hope and a future. For thine is the kingdom of love and forgiveness and hope a future. Thine is the power to accomplish these things in my life. And thine is the glory. And as we follow you, we proclaim that it is you who does these things. Amen.'