We must love one another, because as we do, people will see how we relate to each other and will know that God lives inside us. We each have a part to play in the church. God has given us abilities that will enable us to outwork His purposes. The work that the preacher does is in no way better or of more value to God than the work of a cleaner.
It is important that we love one another.
John 15:12-14
I’m sure that when Peter reflected back on what Jesus spoke to him, this concept of a new commandment was a revelation. The disciples knew of the ten commandments, but now, in this New Testament, is a new commandment. We tend to think of God’s law as the ten commandments. Few people would refer to this commandment.
What I’m saying to you tonight is practical. It affects how you relate to the people around you. From what Jesus said in the Gospel of John, it is how we react to one another that will show people that we are God’s disciples.
1 Peter 4:7-8
The word ‘charity’ there could be translated as love. We must have ‘fervent’ love amongst ourselves, because love covers a multitude of sins. There are echoes here from the Old Testament.
Proverbs 10:12
Proverbs 17:9
Does that mean we have our head in the clouds? Not at all. This means that when you are a brother in Christ with someone else, we are commanded to love one another. We will automatically want to do that because Jesus Christ lives inside us. This doesn’t mean that we are in a holy huddle. We want to be open with each other because we are commanded to love one another. If you hear something about someone, you should not find that as a juicy piece of information that you can pass onto other people; that’s not the way we live.
Jesus spoke specifically to Peter here:
Matthew 18:21-27
There was a master who had a debtor who owed him, in today’s terms, a billion dollars. We see here that the person who owed the money begged the lord, and the lord forgave him.
Matthew 18:28-30
You see how Jesus was conveying to Peter the fact that, this guy who had been forgiven the billion pound debt, turned round, caught sight of someone who owed him ten pounds, and threw him into prison. The impact on Peter was that he could not believe that someone, who had been forgiven so much, could behave like that.
Matthew 18:31-35
This is to do with forgiveness. The parable means that when I’m in a situation in my life where there is immense pressure, and I’m asking God for help, I can’t be like that and then effectively ‘throttle’ my brother because of my own situation. You cannot take your anger out on your brother. Peter knew that there was severe persecution on its way to these people he was writing to. So this message was pertinent to them. It’s significant for you and me to find ways of loving one another. You should make the effort to have fellowship with others. Have ‘fervent charity’ among yourselves; the charity shall cover the multitude of sins. This ‘love’ will transcend age groups, cliques and inviting new people into the church.
The local church is the churches that are here in Brentwood. We are also part of the church worldwide. We will see that what God has been doing in our midst is this: inevitably, since March 2008, every one of us has had to re-examine what we believe in, and every one of us has discovered that God by His Holy Spirit has caused each one of us to develop our relationship with Him more than ever before. Prayer and Bible study has become more of a feature of this church. This is all to do with you and me fulfilling what God has for us to do in our lives. As each of us has had to examine ourselves and what is the foundation of our lives, the end result is that we are more confident in what we believe in. The end result will be whatever brings glory to God. I do not know how that will work out, but I know that God is in complete control. I know that God is working by His Holy Spirit in all of us. All of us have become more aware and what God wants to do is to develop that relationship with you, so that you can look up and know that you are a new creation in Jesus Christ.
Acts 18:1-4
Here’s an example of Paul linking up with a couple.
Romans 16:3-5
Acts reveals, in the growth of the Gospel, how God by His Spirit linked people up. There was a love between them in that common cause of spreading the Gospel.
1 Peter 4:10
What’s ‘the gift’? The gift is whatever ability God has given you to outwork His purposes in the church. Paul gives a list of what this ‘gift’ can be:
1 Corinthians 12:28
‘Helps’ is a good word. The work that you do in the church, as unto God, is of equal value to me working up here. It could be that God has organised you to be a ‘help’ in the church. Someone who works in the car park is doing a work of equal value as to a preacher up preaching on the stage. Peter writes: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” It matters how we go about what God has given us to do in the church. I am confident that, if there is something you will do, we will make contact because I know that you want to fulfil God’s purpose for you in the church. We want to carry on fulfilling God’s will, and each person plays their own part. I am not building my empire. As every person plays their own part people will notice how we relate to each other. Every person has received a gift.
1 Peter 4:11
2 Corinthians 10:17-18
1 Peter 4:11
In other words, it’s all to do with God. The ability we have came from Him and they are to be used for outworking His purposes in the church. When Peter said this, he knew that persecution that was coming to the people, and he knew that it was important that they continued to fulfil God’s purpose for their lives.
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Showing posts with label purpose. Show all posts
Friday, 24 April 2009
Friday, 27 March 2009
Stand Fast in the Freedom in God
1 Peter 2:9
This letter was sent around a number of areas, and the whole point was the persecution that was arising from Nero in Rome. There were tough times ahead for these people.
1 Peter 2:11
Verse 11 is extremely clear cut. Fleshly lusts, or desires, definitely do war against the soul. If you give in to fleshly desires, that war will intensify. Freedom in God is the freedom not to sin. That’s one way of expressing it. You’ve been set free from the power of sin. You’ve been set free from the penalty of sin. Prior to being a Christian you cannot but sin. That is the nature. If we’re free not to sin, that freedom can be exercised in the wrong way. That is why Peter says to be careful not to give in to fleshly lusts.
Judges 16:18
James 4:1
There’s a submission, and these few verses in 1 Peter are all to do with who you are submitting your mind to. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you.
1 Peter 2:11
1 Peter 2:13
There is a way of living as a Christian where you abide by the rules.
Acts 5:17
The angel had told Peter to go and teach. But when he said you ought to obey God rather than men, that doesn’t mean to cut across man’s law entirely. When God specifically wanted him to do something, that overrode everything else, but in the normal course of life we should obey the law.
1 Peter 2:13
Actions speak louder than words. The way we go about things and the way we treat people and talk to people is important. God is not unaware of the stand you are making. Keep making that stand. You are who you are before God.
1 Peter 2:16
Freedom in Christ is to be cherished. I am free to be the person God wants me to be. I’m free as a result of what he has done inside me to walk in the spirit.
Galatians 4:31
We need to stand fast in that liberty. I’ve talked to a number of people who have rediscovered that freedom in God. There’s been an excitement that’s growing. You know that you are walking to things that God has prepared for you that are miraculous. God is working out his purposes in reaching out through you to other people.
1 Peter 2:13
Our only agenda is lifting up the name of Jesus Christ, loving each other, and preaching the Gospel to help those outside who need it.
This letter was sent around a number of areas, and the whole point was the persecution that was arising from Nero in Rome. There were tough times ahead for these people.
1 Peter 2:11
Verse 11 is extremely clear cut. Fleshly lusts, or desires, definitely do war against the soul. If you give in to fleshly desires, that war will intensify. Freedom in God is the freedom not to sin. That’s one way of expressing it. You’ve been set free from the power of sin. You’ve been set free from the penalty of sin. Prior to being a Christian you cannot but sin. That is the nature. If we’re free not to sin, that freedom can be exercised in the wrong way. That is why Peter says to be careful not to give in to fleshly lusts.
Judges 16:18
James 4:1
There’s a submission, and these few verses in 1 Peter are all to do with who you are submitting your mind to. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you.
1 Peter 2:11
1 Peter 2:13
There is a way of living as a Christian where you abide by the rules.
Acts 5:17
The angel had told Peter to go and teach. But when he said you ought to obey God rather than men, that doesn’t mean to cut across man’s law entirely. When God specifically wanted him to do something, that overrode everything else, but in the normal course of life we should obey the law.
1 Peter 2:13
Actions speak louder than words. The way we go about things and the way we treat people and talk to people is important. God is not unaware of the stand you are making. Keep making that stand. You are who you are before God.
1 Peter 2:16
Freedom in Christ is to be cherished. I am free to be the person God wants me to be. I’m free as a result of what he has done inside me to walk in the spirit.
Galatians 4:31
We need to stand fast in that liberty. I’ve talked to a number of people who have rediscovered that freedom in God. There’s been an excitement that’s growing. You know that you are walking to things that God has prepared for you that are miraculous. God is working out his purposes in reaching out through you to other people.
1 Peter 2:13
Our only agenda is lifting up the name of Jesus Christ, loving each other, and preaching the Gospel to help those outside who need it.
Friday, 6 March 2009
Fulfilling God's Purpose
I want to look at you and me fulfilling God’s will. In the same way as Jesus said in the garden of Gethsemane, “Nevertheless not my will, but your will.” He led the way fulfilling his Father’s will.
It’s so important that you and I fulfil what God wants us to do on this planet. There’s no point doing anything else because in the end, we will be judged and it’s going to be looked at: “Was it your will that governed your life or God’s will?”
Matthew 7:15-20
The fruit of a life stems from the nature of that life. What is fruit? I think, as we’ll go on to see in verses 21-23, the fruit of a good life is the one that fulfils Father’s will.
Matthew 7:21-23
So the iniquity is not some list of horrendous sins, it’s the problem of when someone doesn’t fulfil Father’s will for their life, because at birth, our will is contrary to him. The transition in a life, when Jesus Christ comes into that life, is that the iniquity of self-will is replaced by the desire and the fulfilment of doing the will of the Father which is in heaven.
Never underestimate the significance of you on your knees, but in your heart, what I want to do in my life is your will. It’s the most significant thing that an individual can do and it’s a wonderful thing that an individual like you and me can be open and say “Lord, all I want to do in my life, the life you’ve given me, is to fulfil your will in my life. That’s what I want.” And I know there are certain decisions that have to be made. Will God make his will clear for you? Yes 150% he will.
How will he do that? He makes it clear through the preaching of his word possibly, or through what someone else says. Is it the case that you will know inside that you are doing God’s will? Yes you will. What if I have a niggle about something, where I’m weighing something up but I’m not sure; don’t go that way. God is a faithful witness.
Matthew 22:1-3
So we’ve got those who know that they have already been invited to the wedding. This was an important feast; this was the king, it was his son, “you’re invited”. Incredibly, they would not come.
Matthew 22:4-6
So we’re in a situation here where the invitation is repeated yet again. I know the parallel here, that it’s first to the Jewish nation, they rejected them and then he went to the Gentiles. But then it’s also you and me in our lives. There’s an invitation from the king to the feast. “I’ve got everything ready.” But they made light of it. They didn’t care. They went their ways and the rest of them killed off the servants (the prophets of old, as it were).
Matthew 22:7-10
The extension to the Gentiles is paralleled here. “My wedding feast is ready. There’s no way that aren’t going to be people not to enjoy this feast. As many as you can find, get them in”. So they all came. This is the interesting bit.
Matthew 22:11-12
He couldn’t say anything. It was a shock. Somehow, this man had come into the gathering; he wasn’t wearing a wedding garment, but there was some way that the king immediately noted who this man was. He stood out from the crowd. Often robes speak of manner of life. There was something about this man’s heart who wanted the benefits of the meal, but inside he was doing his own thing. He came to the wedding feast for the food, not to witness the bride and the groom.
What does that mean for you and me? It means that when push comes to shove in our lives, it matters what our relationship is between the King and his will. It matters. Father’s will is where it’s at as far as our futures are concerned. His will is paramount, it’s perfect and what we need to do is to prove that acceptable will of God in our lives. It’s a wonderful thing to prove the outworking of God’s will in your life.
That man didn’t come to celebrate what was going on. This whole parable is to do with the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is the church of God.
With some of you, there’s been a realisation that you, on your own, end speechless. You’ve been surprised at that self will that God has revealed. And for some of you also, it’s been a case of clearing out “rubble” to get to the point of “ok, what’s the foundation of my life” and you know it has to be God.
Some of you have been weighing up careers and projects for God. Why the hesitation? I don’t want to be there in that day where I can quote the phraseology of church and the Bible and He says to me “that’s good but did you fulfil what I wanted in your life or was it a talking away of the convictions of what you know to be right in your life?”
This guy stood out a mile. Look how important verse 13 is.
Matthew 22:13-14
We still have the freedom to preach and we have the opportunity to be able to fulfil both individually and together corporately what God has for us. Everyone is happy and wants to have a good time at a wedding; there is not a ripple of discontent in heaven or a wondering about the future. In heaven, the king reigns supreme; our father who art in heaven THY WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven, because that’s where it’s at. He loves you and me to open our hearts to let him reign supreme in our lives.
Romans 12:1-2
Why is God transforming your mind? So that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. These verses accentuate completely what God is prepared, is doing, loves to do in your life. We present our bodies a living sacrifice, our reasonable service. He’s put in our hearts that we don’t want to be conformed to this world. And he’s transforming our minds so that we can prove what is good, acceptable and the perfect will of God.
Ephesians 5:8-11
Don’t get involved with people who are going to take you the wrong way.
Ephesians 5:12-17
The will of God for your life will never go contrary to this word. His will is the most significant thing you can focus on. Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
There is no way God won’t equip you and me to do his will in our lives. And by his Holy Spirit in our lives, that you and I can fulfil God’s will for our lives, if so be we remain sensitive, walking the path and keeping the principles that are laid before us but most of all allowing him to live through us. It’s a wonderful thing to mirror the kingdom of heaven with a wedding feast. And you and me are the bride of Christ.
Don’t do your own thing and then cover it up by saying “oh that’s God’s will”. Don’t be like that. I know you don’t want to be speechless at a wedding speech. God is faithful. Fulfil his will for your life and for your family.
It’s so important that you and I fulfil what God wants us to do on this planet. There’s no point doing anything else because in the end, we will be judged and it’s going to be looked at: “Was it your will that governed your life or God’s will?”
Matthew 7:15-20
The fruit of a life stems from the nature of that life. What is fruit? I think, as we’ll go on to see in verses 21-23, the fruit of a good life is the one that fulfils Father’s will.
Matthew 7:21-23
So the iniquity is not some list of horrendous sins, it’s the problem of when someone doesn’t fulfil Father’s will for their life, because at birth, our will is contrary to him. The transition in a life, when Jesus Christ comes into that life, is that the iniquity of self-will is replaced by the desire and the fulfilment of doing the will of the Father which is in heaven.
Never underestimate the significance of you on your knees, but in your heart, what I want to do in my life is your will. It’s the most significant thing that an individual can do and it’s a wonderful thing that an individual like you and me can be open and say “Lord, all I want to do in my life, the life you’ve given me, is to fulfil your will in my life. That’s what I want.” And I know there are certain decisions that have to be made. Will God make his will clear for you? Yes 150% he will.
How will he do that? He makes it clear through the preaching of his word possibly, or through what someone else says. Is it the case that you will know inside that you are doing God’s will? Yes you will. What if I have a niggle about something, where I’m weighing something up but I’m not sure; don’t go that way. God is a faithful witness.
Matthew 22:1-3
So we’ve got those who know that they have already been invited to the wedding. This was an important feast; this was the king, it was his son, “you’re invited”. Incredibly, they would not come.
Matthew 22:4-6
So we’re in a situation here where the invitation is repeated yet again. I know the parallel here, that it’s first to the Jewish nation, they rejected them and then he went to the Gentiles. But then it’s also you and me in our lives. There’s an invitation from the king to the feast. “I’ve got everything ready.” But they made light of it. They didn’t care. They went their ways and the rest of them killed off the servants (the prophets of old, as it were).
Matthew 22:7-10
The extension to the Gentiles is paralleled here. “My wedding feast is ready. There’s no way that aren’t going to be people not to enjoy this feast. As many as you can find, get them in”. So they all came. This is the interesting bit.
Matthew 22:11-12
He couldn’t say anything. It was a shock. Somehow, this man had come into the gathering; he wasn’t wearing a wedding garment, but there was some way that the king immediately noted who this man was. He stood out from the crowd. Often robes speak of manner of life. There was something about this man’s heart who wanted the benefits of the meal, but inside he was doing his own thing. He came to the wedding feast for the food, not to witness the bride and the groom.
What does that mean for you and me? It means that when push comes to shove in our lives, it matters what our relationship is between the King and his will. It matters. Father’s will is where it’s at as far as our futures are concerned. His will is paramount, it’s perfect and what we need to do is to prove that acceptable will of God in our lives. It’s a wonderful thing to prove the outworking of God’s will in your life.
That man didn’t come to celebrate what was going on. This whole parable is to do with the kingdom of heaven. The kingdom of heaven is the church of God.
With some of you, there’s been a realisation that you, on your own, end speechless. You’ve been surprised at that self will that God has revealed. And for some of you also, it’s been a case of clearing out “rubble” to get to the point of “ok, what’s the foundation of my life” and you know it has to be God.
Some of you have been weighing up careers and projects for God. Why the hesitation? I don’t want to be there in that day where I can quote the phraseology of church and the Bible and He says to me “that’s good but did you fulfil what I wanted in your life or was it a talking away of the convictions of what you know to be right in your life?”
This guy stood out a mile. Look how important verse 13 is.
Matthew 22:13-14
We still have the freedom to preach and we have the opportunity to be able to fulfil both individually and together corporately what God has for us. Everyone is happy and wants to have a good time at a wedding; there is not a ripple of discontent in heaven or a wondering about the future. In heaven, the king reigns supreme; our father who art in heaven THY WILL be done on earth as it is in heaven, because that’s where it’s at. He loves you and me to open our hearts to let him reign supreme in our lives.
Romans 12:1-2
Why is God transforming your mind? So that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. These verses accentuate completely what God is prepared, is doing, loves to do in your life. We present our bodies a living sacrifice, our reasonable service. He’s put in our hearts that we don’t want to be conformed to this world. And he’s transforming our minds so that we can prove what is good, acceptable and the perfect will of God.
Ephesians 5:8-11
Don’t get involved with people who are going to take you the wrong way.
Ephesians 5:12-17
The will of God for your life will never go contrary to this word. His will is the most significant thing you can focus on. Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time.
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
There is no way God won’t equip you and me to do his will in our lives. And by his Holy Spirit in our lives, that you and I can fulfil God’s will for our lives, if so be we remain sensitive, walking the path and keeping the principles that are laid before us but most of all allowing him to live through us. It’s a wonderful thing to mirror the kingdom of heaven with a wedding feast. And you and me are the bride of Christ.
Don’t do your own thing and then cover it up by saying “oh that’s God’s will”. Don’t be like that. I know you don’t want to be speechless at a wedding speech. God is faithful. Fulfil his will for your life and for your family.
Tuesday, 10 February 2009
Acts (Part 1 of 4) - The Early Church
This is a very significant time to be studying the book of Acts.
I obtained a book called the Outline Bible some time ago. It gives a synopsis of each book of the Bible. The author says that Acts is the only unfinished book in the Bible.
Tonight we’ll look at Luke, the author of the book, and then we’ll look at the theology. We want this to be relevant to our lives.
Acts 28:30-31
The book ends up with the fact that there was no hindrance to the proclamation of the Gospel. We are here because this is the church age. Time will end when the church is complete.
It’s exciting to study the book of Acts, because it is primarily about the church. This book should be called the Gospel of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel of the resurrection, the Acts of the ascended and glorified Lord.
Acts talks much about Paul. He wasn’t an apostle who met with Jesus. But the book is to do with the acts of the ascended and glorified Lord. It deals with the early church, with the coming of the Holy Spirit, how God moved, how evangelisation took place, how the Gentiles were included, and the emergence of the early church.
We’ll take themes from the book of Acts, and we’ll focus on the Holy Spirit. We need to be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit wants to do in us individually and collectively.
In the Old Testament, we are mainly aware of the activity of God the Father, in the creation, the flood, the calling of Abraham etc.
Then we have the four Gospels, mainly about God the Son, manifesting God in the flesh.
Acts looks mainly at the activity of God the Holy Spirit.
We need to be careful how we refer to the Holy Spirit. We readily assume God the Father, and then the Son – down a bit from the Father. And the Holy Spirit is just “somehow” there. We’re aware of the Trinity, but if you put God in front of each one – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, it helps put the Holy Spirit in His rightful place. That’s why when you read the verse about grieving the Holy Spirit, it allows for that respect and dignity.
In acts we look at the activity of God the Holy Spirit.
We know the Spirit was present in creation. He moved through key individuals, and caused men to write the scriptures. 66 books all inspired by God’s Holy Spirit – God the Holy Spirit. The prophecy running through the Old Testament was that a day was coming when the Spirit of God would be poured out on all flesh.
Joel 2:28-32
That day was coming. It was prophesied. And in Acts we come to the occasion in time when the Holy Spirit was given.
John 7:37-39
There you have it again – the fact of the Spirit being promised and given.
Luke 24:45-49
And again – the promise of the Spirit. And God the Holy Spirit is the one who makes you emboldened, secure, as a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Acts we’ll see how when the Spirit came they were emboldened to be that witness.
Who wrote Acts? It was written by Luke. He wrote the Gospel and the Book of Acts, and you could treat them as one book. He wrote 40% of the New Testament. Luke and Acts are a two-part volume of one book.
We think of the Gospels as being written by those who walked with Jesus, but Luke didn’t. He was a doctor, an educated Greek. He was careful to pinpoint in history where everything happened.
Luke 3:1
You can’t get more specific than that. He intended to make things accurate and careful. This was the method by which the documents in the first century were regularly dated. Luke/Acts is the first attempt at an historical record of the Christian movement from the inside.
We’ve looked recently at the martyrdom of Stephen, and how vivid the account was. The criterion of the appointment of the seven deacons was that they should be filled wit the Holy Spirit. Elsewhere Luke uses eye-witness accounts. He goes in for thorough investigation, and claims that he was guided by the Holy Spirit.
We have two volumes of one book with a structured account of the life of Jesus, and then the growth of Christianity in Acts.
Luke 1:1-4
The Gospel was addressed to a particular individual and was an account of the life of Jesus. Now let’s look at how Acts starts :-
Acts 1:1-2
Luke was written to Theophilus and so was Acts. Luke refers back to the Gospel in the opening of Acts.
At the end of Acts, there’s an unfinished work. But look at the end of Luke :-
Luke 24:49-53
They went back to the Jerusalem, and it was there they were endued with power.
So you can see the link between the two books.
There are several possible divisions of Acts ...
In the first division, we see Chapters 1-12 dealing with the beginning of the church around Jerusalem, where the focus is on the leadership of Peter and John. And then the rest of the book deals with the expansion into the Roman empire, focusing on Paul and Barnabas.
Another division is to see Acts 1-7 referring to Jerusalem, 8-10 to Samaria and Judea, and 11-28 to the ends of the earth. You’ve thrown a rock in a pool and the ripples are spreading out, and the ripples are still happening, and one of them is here tonight. It’s exciting to study this as a church in the 21st century, each wanting to do what God wants in our lives.
A third division sees the book as six panels, each divided by the Holy Spirit bringing a close to that section, and at the end of each you change up a gear. More people join the church ... and more ... and more. You get a sense of what God is doing to establish the bride of Christ.
Under this division, the first section runs from 1:1 to 6:7, where we have a description of the primitive church in Jerusalem, its preaching, common life and the opposition. Everything is Jewish. The early believers continued in association with the synagogues – and you can understand that.
But now it was to go out from Jerusalem to the Gentiles – and a completely different mindset was required. Peter was required to eat something which he had always seen as unclean, but God said it was clean, and Peter realised he was caught up with the maelstrom of the church reaching out to the Gentiles.
In your own life, be careful if God brings across your path someone who you thought was beyond salvation. Woe betide us if we pigeonhole people. These people are those for whom Jesus died. Be open to what God wants to do through you in sharing the Gospel.
Acts 6:7
That marks the end of the first section, and things go up a gear. The number of disciples multiplied.
The next section runs from 6:8 to 9:31. Here we go out geographically to those activities carried out by the Hellenists, the Greek-speaking Jewish Christians. It includes the conversion of Paul who was a Hellenist Jew.
Acts 9:31
The ripple goes out again – Judaea, Galilee and Samaria.
The next section is 9:32 to 12:24, and gives a description of the first expansion to the Gentiles. The key is the conversion of Cornelius. His conversion was through Peter, not through the Hellenists. Peter was Jew, and it was a direct intervention of God.
Acts 12:24-25
Again the Word of God grew and multiplied.
Did this multiplication take place only in the early church to launch it? Is it a thing of the past? Obviously there was a start. But what are we looking for now in this church? We’re looking for what God wants to do here. That will involve preaching this Word so that faith will be engendered in others and so that others will come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. The problem will be finding room for all the people.
The next section runs from 12:25 to 16:5. It describes the first geographical expansion into the Gentile world with Paul as leader. The church meets in counsel and does not reject its Gentile brothers, nor does it lay Jewish ritual practices on them. They had to come to terms with what was going on. Did they force these practices on people, or did they accept that God was pushing things out to the Gentile world? It shook their thinking.
Acts 16:4-5
Increased – multiplied. At the end of each section, there’s gathering momentum.
The next section runs from 16:6 to 19:20 and shows the expansion into Europe.
Acts 19:20
The final section runs from 19:21 to the end of the book, and describes the events which moved Paul and the Gospel on to Rome. Three times Paul is declared innocent of any wrongdoing.
The key to understanding this book of Acts is Luke’s interest in this momentum, in the switch from Jerusalem out to the uttermost parts of the earth.
Something similar happened with the Moravians, with them moving ever outwards, and you end up with Moravian missions in the Pacific islands. I believe people will go out from this church, and missionaries will go out.
Luke’s interest in the growth of the church means he doesn’t go into things you might have expected. He doesn’t go into biographical details. He doesn’t talk about church organisation. There are no details about how the deacons were appointed. We have principles in church organisation, but it’s not written down. He doesn’t explain how leadership passed from Peter to James. There’s no talk of Crete, etc, etc. He seems to know what he was going to write, and it was a direct line from Jerusalem to Rome. He’s not interested in standardisation of conversion. Sometimes baptism comes first. Sometimes it comes later. Sometimes he mentions tongues, sometimes not. There’s no indication that the Gentile churches had the same communal life as in Jerusalem.
But Acts is to be seen as a model – the joyful progress of the Gospel, changing lives. And because this is God’s purpose for the church, noting can hinder it.
I want now to look at the purpose of the book.
Purpose 1: At the beginning of Luke, Theophilus was mentioned. He was probably a Gentile official, and Luke wanted him to understand more clearly the historical events which underlie the Christian faith.
A handful of people. uneducated men and women, had turned the world upside down.
Acts 17:6
That’s power, when you turn the world upside down in the face of opposition! Whether it’s Wesley and Whitfield confronted with a world soaked in gin ... Within two centuries Christianity became the main force of the Roman Empire, and by the 3rd century Constantine declared it the official faith.
Acts 1:8
The key verse. That’s the ripple effect going out from Jerusalem.
Purpose 2: There are eight sermons of Peter in the book, one of Stephen, one of Philip and one of Paul.
Purpose 3: There are four things which show the continuation of God’s purpose in history.
History 1. The events in Acts are seen as being brought about by the will and purpose of God.
Acts 2:23
Acts 4:27-29
God brought this about and was undertaking what He wanted to do. They were in the path of God’s destiny for them.
History 2. The life of the church is seen as the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy.
Acts 13:46-47
Complete confidence that they were in line with what God wanted. They weren’t wavering. There was an urgency, a focus. You can see the life of the church as the outworking of the Old Testament prophecy.
History 3. The church was directed by God at crucial times.
Acts 13:2
Acts 15:28
Acts 16:6
Acts 18:9
Specific intervention.
Acts 23:11
And again. Specific, clear, definitive, directional. The purpose of God. And that’s what we want in our lives.
History 4. The power of God was seen in signs and wonders.
Acts 3:16
Purpose 4: To detail the mission, which we know about from Acts 1:8.
Purpose 5: To set out the message, which was straightforward – Jesus, whom God raised from the dead is Lord and Messiah. He offers forgiveness of sins, and He sends the Holy Spirit. The main story relates to the spread of this message.
Purpose 6. To describe the progress made despite opposition.
Acts 14:21-22
Purpose 7. To talk about the opposition. This is why you can have confidence in what’s going on in your life. God is working out His perfect purposes for your life. And God will make things clear because He loves you.
There are parallels with the opposition Jesus faced. When Stephen was martyred and persecution came, it was the means of spreading the Gospel. It’s strange how God sees things and how God is in control of any circumstance for your good.
Purpose 8. A big theme is the inclusion of the Gentiles. There were tensions when this took place. Should Jewish practices be continued? Luke shows how the problem was solved. When the Spirit fell on the Gentiles, Peter was prepared to eat with them – but it’s not clear everyone else felt the same way. The Jerusalem council confirmed the point that circumcision was unnecessary, but set other standards.
Then Acts also chronicles the increasing refusal of the Jews to accept the Gospel.
The books does refer here and there to the organisation of the church.
Acts 4:32-37
Acts 2:42-50
It’s quite a lifestyle. Does it mean we sell our houses? I don’t think so. But what’s our heart in relation to our possessions? That’s the key thing.
Small group meetings, the importance of the Spirit, the source of joy and power, who guides the church in their choice of leaders, their evangelistic activity (generally in teams of two or four), based essentially on the lives of Peter and Paul.
What would it be like if I were to start recording the acts of the people of Trinity in 2009? Looking at each one of you who have made the effort to come here tonight. It would be a lovely book to write because of what God will do through you and for you, outworking His purposes.
Friday, 30 January 2009
Nehemiah (Part 3 of 9) - Everyone Working Together
When the walls at Jerusalem were built Nehemiah was careful to record the name of every person who helped so that future generations would know. He did this to bring glory to God because He knew that it was God who had brought them together. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and because of this God has a plan for our lives. We are here to bring glory to His name.
Chapters 1 and 2 told of the strength of Nehemiah’s relationship with God. His prayers were genuine and heart-felt. I know that many of you have identified with that in your own lives. The prompting of God causing us to pray recently has solely been to show you how timely His answers have been or will be. Chapter 3 is all to do with the record of those who built the walls of Jerusalem. There were ten gates in Jerusalem: the sheep gate, the fish gate, the old gate, the valley gate, the dung gate, the fountain gate, the water gate, the horse gate, the east gate and the inspection gate. The gates had to be repaired and so did the walls in between the gates and there were only a certain number of people who were able to do that. Here and there, in chapter three, it becomes apparent how delegated jobs to the people.
Nehemiah 3:1-4
First three verses we come across the fish gate and the sheep gate. The sheep gate had something about it because it was sanctified and was built by the priests. It is very significant that our lives are grounded in the faith of God and what He has done for us. He is the door of the sheepfold. The priest here is recorded specifically by Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 3:4-5
You get the gist of this. There’s a sense in which there’s a joint effort going on here. I want to emphasize the fact that everyone mentioned in this chapter was pulling the same weight. They were aware of the fact that they were doing something that was not welcome by the fraternity, but they knew this was something they had to do. It was like a sort of scrum in a rugby match where the players bind tightly together. The binding together was a distinct purpose born of God. Unfortunately, in v.4 the Tekoites put not their necks to the work of their Lord. The Tekoites were the nobles. There’s something sad and unnerving about the situation where you have a number of people, seventy-two listed here, joined together as one and yet a few decided not to put their necks to the work of the Lord.
Nehemiah 3:6-8
All sorts of occupations. It’s very easy to translate this into our own situation. Each one of us has our own abilities. When we come in here there’s a common bond – the faith of Jesus Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Him. There’s a sense in which where we are at the moment going forward fulfilling God’s purposes for His church. It’s time for us to link up together going forward.
Nehemiah was very aware that family by family they joined together as one.
Nehemiah 3:9-12
There are families involved here; Shallum and his daughters. It came to the point that they were building with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other hand. There was a task they had to do; opposition was not going to stop them. At each gate there was a group of people getting on with what God wanted them to do, it was specific for each person. To the end that the walls would be built. Young and old were involved, there was nobody on the side lines. Everyone together. It must have been a sight to see.
As I thought about these names that are recorded here I began to think about your name and where your name is already recorded. I just want to look at a few scriptures relating to that.
Luke 10:17-20
When Jesus spoke to the seventy He empowered them. The work that God has for you you will do as unto Him, it’s His church. The tasks that He has for us will bring glory to Him. As we lift up His name collectively, so it is He will draw others to Himself. We should not just rejoice in the work that we are going to be getting on with, we should rejoice because our names are written in heaven.
Isaiah 4:2-3
Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. With your name written there, as a result of what Jesus Christ has done for you, you know that our position is secure, seated in the heavenlies. We are seated with Him in the heavenlies. Why? So that we can walk in the ways He has prepared for us and so that we can make a stand for Him. It is as if we are collectively on top of a hill and the enemy of our souls is always trying to come up the hill, and the armour we put on is purely defensive. We are not going down the hill to fight, we are merely defending. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life so that you will bring glory to His name. Each of us has a work to do.
Hebrews 12:18-25
This is the time when our work is to be co-workers with Him. Sharing the good news of the Gospel with others, so that they can become part of His church worldwide. Our situation is secure in Him through His wonderful grace. He wants us to, both individually and corporately, reach out to others in need. It is His love in us reaching out to others. We are here to glorify Him.
Revelation 21:25-27
That’s where security is. Your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life. For the glory that was set before Him He endured the cross. That glory was His church, the heavenly Jerusalem. Tonight I’m confirming to you that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. As a result of that there is a work for you to do. That’s not something we have to work out, we just have to lift His name up. Our lives are going to be a testimony to what He has done. We know the power of sin broken in our lives. There are people waiting for us to share the gospel with them. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
You can imagine Nehemiah carefully recording every name of every person who worked on that wall, because everyone had put their hand to their plough and he believed it was important for future generations to see who had done the work. Nehemiah knew that what he was recording was bringing glory to God because it was God that had brought them together.
Ephesians 4:13-16
Jesus Christ is in charge of His church, He knows what He’s doing. This year we are going to see miraculous things, we are going to see people met. Now is the time when collectively we need to draw together because the enemy of our souls will try to stop us. As, in Nehemiah’s time, there is a specific work which God has for each of you here to do. He is already showing you what that work is. My responsibility before God is to identify and steer, by God’s Holy Spirit, to what collectively we can do. We can have a huge impact on many people in many ways. Is that to build us up? No. It’s to share the wonderful good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will fulfil God’s purpose in this place no matter what loud noises occur off-stage. We will set ourselves to the work that God has given us each to do. When Nehemiah started recording these names I’m sure He was meticulous in recording every single person that got involved. The reason for reading the section in Ephesians is all to do with v. 16: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” We shall be known by the love that we have for one another.
Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It will be that as we go forward together the glory will be to His name. We will see, undoubtedly, that it has been God who has brought things about. The way we have been protected since March last year has definitely been Him. He has things prepared that we will walk into for His glory.
Chapters 1 and 2 told of the strength of Nehemiah’s relationship with God. His prayers were genuine and heart-felt. I know that many of you have identified with that in your own lives. The prompting of God causing us to pray recently has solely been to show you how timely His answers have been or will be. Chapter 3 is all to do with the record of those who built the walls of Jerusalem. There were ten gates in Jerusalem: the sheep gate, the fish gate, the old gate, the valley gate, the dung gate, the fountain gate, the water gate, the horse gate, the east gate and the inspection gate. The gates had to be repaired and so did the walls in between the gates and there were only a certain number of people who were able to do that. Here and there, in chapter three, it becomes apparent how delegated jobs to the people.
Nehemiah 3:1-4
First three verses we come across the fish gate and the sheep gate. The sheep gate had something about it because it was sanctified and was built by the priests. It is very significant that our lives are grounded in the faith of God and what He has done for us. He is the door of the sheepfold. The priest here is recorded specifically by Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 3:4-5
You get the gist of this. There’s a sense in which there’s a joint effort going on here. I want to emphasize the fact that everyone mentioned in this chapter was pulling the same weight. They were aware of the fact that they were doing something that was not welcome by the fraternity, but they knew this was something they had to do. It was like a sort of scrum in a rugby match where the players bind tightly together. The binding together was a distinct purpose born of God. Unfortunately, in v.4 the Tekoites put not their necks to the work of their Lord. The Tekoites were the nobles. There’s something sad and unnerving about the situation where you have a number of people, seventy-two listed here, joined together as one and yet a few decided not to put their necks to the work of the Lord.
Nehemiah 3:6-8
All sorts of occupations. It’s very easy to translate this into our own situation. Each one of us has our own abilities. When we come in here there’s a common bond – the faith of Jesus Christ. We are brothers and sisters in Him. There’s a sense in which where we are at the moment going forward fulfilling God’s purposes for His church. It’s time for us to link up together going forward.
Nehemiah was very aware that family by family they joined together as one.
Nehemiah 3:9-12
There are families involved here; Shallum and his daughters. It came to the point that they were building with a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other hand. There was a task they had to do; opposition was not going to stop them. At each gate there was a group of people getting on with what God wanted them to do, it was specific for each person. To the end that the walls would be built. Young and old were involved, there was nobody on the side lines. Everyone together. It must have been a sight to see.
As I thought about these names that are recorded here I began to think about your name and where your name is already recorded. I just want to look at a few scriptures relating to that.
Luke 10:17-20
When Jesus spoke to the seventy He empowered them. The work that God has for you you will do as unto Him, it’s His church. The tasks that He has for us will bring glory to Him. As we lift up His name collectively, so it is He will draw others to Himself. We should not just rejoice in the work that we are going to be getting on with, we should rejoice because our names are written in heaven.
Isaiah 4:2-3
Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. With your name written there, as a result of what Jesus Christ has done for you, you know that our position is secure, seated in the heavenlies. We are seated with Him in the heavenlies. Why? So that we can walk in the ways He has prepared for us and so that we can make a stand for Him. It is as if we are collectively on top of a hill and the enemy of our souls is always trying to come up the hill, and the armour we put on is purely defensive. We are not going down the hill to fight, we are merely defending. Your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life so that you will bring glory to His name. Each of us has a work to do.
Hebrews 12:18-25
This is the time when our work is to be co-workers with Him. Sharing the good news of the Gospel with others, so that they can become part of His church worldwide. Our situation is secure in Him through His wonderful grace. He wants us to, both individually and corporately, reach out to others in need. It is His love in us reaching out to others. We are here to glorify Him.
Revelation 21:25-27
That’s where security is. Your name is in the Lamb’s Book of Life. For the glory that was set before Him He endured the cross. That glory was His church, the heavenly Jerusalem. Tonight I’m confirming to you that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. As a result of that there is a work for you to do. That’s not something we have to work out, we just have to lift His name up. Our lives are going to be a testimony to what He has done. We know the power of sin broken in our lives. There are people waiting for us to share the gospel with them. Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
You can imagine Nehemiah carefully recording every name of every person who worked on that wall, because everyone had put their hand to their plough and he believed it was important for future generations to see who had done the work. Nehemiah knew that what he was recording was bringing glory to God because it was God that had brought them together.
Ephesians 4:13-16
Jesus Christ is in charge of His church, He knows what He’s doing. This year we are going to see miraculous things, we are going to see people met. Now is the time when collectively we need to draw together because the enemy of our souls will try to stop us. As, in Nehemiah’s time, there is a specific work which God has for each of you here to do. He is already showing you what that work is. My responsibility before God is to identify and steer, by God’s Holy Spirit, to what collectively we can do. We can have a huge impact on many people in many ways. Is that to build us up? No. It’s to share the wonderful good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will fulfil God’s purpose in this place no matter what loud noises occur off-stage. We will set ourselves to the work that God has given us each to do. When Nehemiah started recording these names I’m sure He was meticulous in recording every single person that got involved. The reason for reading the section in Ephesians is all to do with v. 16: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” We shall be known by the love that we have for one another.
Our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It will be that as we go forward together the glory will be to His name. We will see, undoubtedly, that it has been God who has brought things about. The way we have been protected since March last year has definitely been Him. He has things prepared that we will walk into for His glory.
Friday, 12 December 2008
God is Zealous for His Church
There’s a word in the Bible called ‘zeal’. There’s something about the ‘zeal’ of God that I want to examine.
2 Kings 19:30-31
God is zealous for His people; that includes you. He’s zealous for the church. If you have God at the centre of your whole being, for your future, you’ll take root downward and you’ll bear fruit upward.
Isaiah 37:32
Isaiah 59:16-19
You notice at the end of verse 17 that he was ‘clad with zeal’ as a cloak. Putting it on as a cloak. Whenever the word ‘zeal’ is mentioned, particularly here, so it is, as far as God is concerned, that He is zealous for the truth and for holiness. He manages to clean things up. He manages to do this by putting on the helmet of salvation. There is no way that God will have anything to thwart His purpose, which is to create His church which He gave His life for. Nothing will stand in the way of that. As there was a remnant of Judah, so now is God’s life given for you and me. Just after the word ‘zeal’ it says that when the enemy shall come God will lift up a standard against them. It might that you have been disappointed by something. When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against them. You can imagine the zealous fury Jesus had when He cleaned out the money-changers in the temple. Jesus Christ gave His life for a people like you and me.
Isaiah 9:6
The One who is full of zeal for outworking His purposes, which are holy and true. The One who is jealous for what He came here to do, He is who was born that we celebrate at this time of year. It’s possible for you as a Christian to give Him the lordship of your life. The government shall be upon His shoulder. It’s wonderful, at this time of year, to realise the purpose of His coming. His name is full of wonders. There were 400 silent years at the end of the Old Testament, but Isaiah had prophesied of Jesus’s coming. In every book of the Old Testament you can trace the coming of Jesus. God hadn’t spoken for 400 years and then ‘bang’. The fulcrum of time now revolves around His coming. In our lives, particularly during this year, I know that it has been a re-evaluation and reassessment of what our lives are based on. I know that God has been faithful to all of us. He has been the counsellor. Whenever there’s been figuring out what to do going forward His name shall be called wonderful, counsellor. For the youngsters here, He is your counsellor. You’ve got to want to do what pleases Him. We must be equipped for what God wants us to be and do. He is the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7
Ever thought about that? Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. We’ve had an election this year, soon we will have one here. Of the increase of His government there is no end because what He’s doing is sorting out things in our lives so that we become compacted together in His church as the bride of Christ. It’s wonderful that each one of us are brothers in Christ as part of His body. One verse which has been on heart this year is that we’re to walk humbly, love mercy and do justice. In this government, of which there’s no end, He establishes it with judgement and justice. ‘The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ This may seem a strange thing to say. Do you know He’s so careful about each one here? The zeal God has for his church is supreme. That’s why things happened recently.
Ephesians 5:25
So the reason why Jesus came here and gave His life was for the church.
Ephesians 5:26-27
It’s His zeal which is preparing everything. By that I mean He’s preparing you day by day. So it is together as we take our part in the church, so it is that we can confirm the fact that He is presenting it to Himself a glorious church. Please don’t underestimate God’s zeal to get everything right in the church. We’re the bride of Christ and we’re to take our part in the church. It’s important that as we love one another so others will be drawn to God. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. It doesn’t matter if anyone is planning anything against God, the zeal of God will perform this. You can’t stop Him. He’s a wonderful heavenly father.
2 Kings 19:30-31
God is zealous for His people; that includes you. He’s zealous for the church. If you have God at the centre of your whole being, for your future, you’ll take root downward and you’ll bear fruit upward.
Isaiah 37:32
Isaiah 59:16-19
You notice at the end of verse 17 that he was ‘clad with zeal’ as a cloak. Putting it on as a cloak. Whenever the word ‘zeal’ is mentioned, particularly here, so it is, as far as God is concerned, that He is zealous for the truth and for holiness. He manages to clean things up. He manages to do this by putting on the helmet of salvation. There is no way that God will have anything to thwart His purpose, which is to create His church which He gave His life for. Nothing will stand in the way of that. As there was a remnant of Judah, so now is God’s life given for you and me. Just after the word ‘zeal’ it says that when the enemy shall come God will lift up a standard against them. It might that you have been disappointed by something. When the enemy shall come in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against them. You can imagine the zealous fury Jesus had when He cleaned out the money-changers in the temple. Jesus Christ gave His life for a people like you and me.
Isaiah 9:6
The One who is full of zeal for outworking His purposes, which are holy and true. The One who is jealous for what He came here to do, He is who was born that we celebrate at this time of year. It’s possible for you as a Christian to give Him the lordship of your life. The government shall be upon His shoulder. It’s wonderful, at this time of year, to realise the purpose of His coming. His name is full of wonders. There were 400 silent years at the end of the Old Testament, but Isaiah had prophesied of Jesus’s coming. In every book of the Old Testament you can trace the coming of Jesus. God hadn’t spoken for 400 years and then ‘bang’. The fulcrum of time now revolves around His coming. In our lives, particularly during this year, I know that it has been a re-evaluation and reassessment of what our lives are based on. I know that God has been faithful to all of us. He has been the counsellor. Whenever there’s been figuring out what to do going forward His name shall be called wonderful, counsellor. For the youngsters here, He is your counsellor. You’ve got to want to do what pleases Him. We must be equipped for what God wants us to be and do. He is the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7
Ever thought about that? Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end. We’ve had an election this year, soon we will have one here. Of the increase of His government there is no end because what He’s doing is sorting out things in our lives so that we become compacted together in His church as the bride of Christ. It’s wonderful that each one of us are brothers in Christ as part of His body. One verse which has been on heart this year is that we’re to walk humbly, love mercy and do justice. In this government, of which there’s no end, He establishes it with judgement and justice. ‘The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.’ This may seem a strange thing to say. Do you know He’s so careful about each one here? The zeal God has for his church is supreme. That’s why things happened recently.
Ephesians 5:25
So the reason why Jesus came here and gave His life was for the church.
Ephesians 5:26-27
It’s His zeal which is preparing everything. By that I mean He’s preparing you day by day. So it is together as we take our part in the church, so it is that we can confirm the fact that He is presenting it to Himself a glorious church. Please don’t underestimate God’s zeal to get everything right in the church. We’re the bride of Christ and we’re to take our part in the church. It’s important that as we love one another so others will be drawn to God. Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform this. It doesn’t matter if anyone is planning anything against God, the zeal of God will perform this. You can’t stop Him. He’s a wonderful heavenly father.
Friday, 1 August 2008
Dwelling in God
‘God’ and ‘love’ are synonymous. Dwelling in God and dwelling in love are the same thing. Nothing will prevent God working out His purposes for you. So when you’re trying to figure things out, remember the context of the life He’s given you and what He’s done already. Will anything prevent God from blessing you? No. Is there any circumstance in my life that God cannot sort out for the good? No. He will make provision – God is love.
God is love. It is worth confirming to your heart constantly, the fact that God loves you because that’s who He is – He can’t but love, that’s His nature.
1 John 4:15 - 16
‘God’ and ‘love’ are synonymous. Dwelling in God and dwelling in love are the same thing. You are a special human being because of what God has done in you. His love for you is so great that He sent His Son to earth to die for you.
Romans 8:28
All things work together for good to those who are the called, according to whose purpose? His purpose. When you become a Christian, your aims and ambitions are changed and your life is lived out for Him.
Romans 8:29
In a church you are brothers and sisters because you are united by that common purpose, to serve God and live according to His purposes.
Romans 8:31 - 32
There is no stint to God’s provision for you. It’s inevitable – you can’t stop it. For those looking for it, it’s on its way.
Romans 8:33 - 34
He is still involved in your life, minute by minute, constantly re-affirming what He has done for you on the cross.
Romans 8:35
Nothing will prevent God working out His purposes for you – He is love. So when you’re trying to figure things out, remember the context of the life He’s given you and what He’s done already. Will anything prevent God from blessing you? No.
Romans 8:36 - 37
The way He conquered things for you was that He conquered sin in your life. He took away the power of it and the outworking of it that was all wrong. Sin causes death but He conquered death. That is why the cross is empty – He was buried, put in a tomb and rose from the dead. Now Paul writes, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us”. So when you are involved and immersed in God’s love, inevitably you are more than a conqueror, because God is love and there is nothing on this earth that can prevent you from being blessed by God; there is nothing that can get in the way of God’s love for you.
Romans 8:38 - 39
It’s impossible for you to be separated from God, who is love. If you let this sink in in your situation it makes things different because you see things from a perspective of God in your life, not of you trying to work out the circumstances in your life. I’m a Christian – a Christ-one, as a result of what He has done for me. Is there any circumstance in my life that God cannot sort out for the good? No. Is there any provision that He can’t make for my needs? No. He will make provision. Why is it that sometimes I want things to be done sooner that it happens? Let me confirm to you that the timing of God’s provision in your life will be perfect and inevitable and certain and sure. God is love, and the more you think about who God is, the more it is imperative that we are open to allow His provision to come forth.
Don’t be bitter, don’t regret, don’t think He has missed you out, don’t think, “He always blesses that person but never me”. Don’t think like that. Rejoice in what is happening to another person because you can see how faithful God is and who He is to them. You may say, “Well that is all very well but you don’t know the circumstances of my life”. I don’t but I know that these words are timely for you. Why are they timely? Because anything which causes us to realise once again that you are a child of God, that He has called you: He’s given you faith and you can confess Him as the Son of God; as we read in 1 John 4, it is a result of what He has done. By rights we shouldn’t be involved with Him, but He persevered, fulfilled what God wanted, went obediently to the cross, gave His life so that I could be preaching here, conveying to you who He is.
Sometimes things happen and it throws you: step back. Who is in control? God is. He has started in my life something eternal. Is He going to finish what He started? Yes, by taking us through circumstances where each time, it will be a discovery of how much He loves you. That is what He does.
For Paul, everything that happened to him was evidence of how God would provide for him through every circumstance – and the same applies to us.
Sunday, 27 July 2008
Changed on the Inside
Pastor Peter Linnecar shares from John 9, from the story of the man born blind, where we see that Jesus is interested in all our lives, and knows what we need. He is the one who seeks us out, even when we are in our darkest moment, and changes everything.
As we look at scriptures today, you’ll see that God is interested in your life, and wants to change you on the inside for the better. Sometimes when we think about God, we forget His ways aren’t our ways, and that His thoughts aren’t our thoughts. He’s good and He loves us – God is love.
Isaiah 55:8 - 11
Whenever God speaks, the word has a purpose which will be fulfilled. He never says something He regrets. He will always work out His purposes.
Mark 10:27 says things impossible with man are possible with God. He works out things in His way in His time.
Who sinned?
John 9:1 – 2
Jesus and the disciples saw the same thing but reacted differently. To the disciples, it was a blind man, and they wanted an answer as to why he was blind. Sometimes we can’t work out why certain things happen. I don’t claim to have the answer to everything. But as far as God is concerned, we may be trying to get answers to questions we shouldn’t be asking, because Jesus’ answer was completely the opposite of what they expected.
John 9:3
There are circumstances happening in your life because God wants to get your attention and reveal more of Himself than you have ever known before. He’s interested in your life. He was so interested that He came to this earth to seek and save that which was lost. He wanted to change you on the inside. The way you started off in life was wrong. We are sinners, and we know we are.
I am the light of the world
John 9:4 – 5
Jesus Himself is the light of the world, and He’s come to dispel the darkness and sin within us. The disciples couldn’t figure it out. There was a situation and something must have caused it, because things shouldn’t have been that way. But Jesus said the works of God would be manifest in the blind man.
John 9:6 – 7
It didn’t happen there and then. The clay was put on his eyes and he was told to go and wash and when he did, his eyesight was given.
John 9:8 – 12
Jesus made the clay, touched his eyes, sent him off, and while he was away, Jesus went on His way. The man returned having had his miracle, able to see for the first time in his life – and he didn’t know where Jesus was.
John 9:13 – 34
“And they cast him out.”
What a reaction. The Pharisees doubted the man who claimed that he was born blind and that Jesus had healed him. Those five words, “And they cast him out,” struck me, because our sin has shut God out. When we start off in life, we’re against God, and we do not want Him. We want to do our own thing. But we try and try, and it doesn’t work. It’s as if we’ve cast ourselves out – our sin has brought a shutter down between us and God.
Romans 5:6
At the right time God sorted things out, to break through the shutter and get hold of us. He wants to change the sin and wrong thought life with His life inside you.
This man who was given sight for the first time in his life, was asked about Jesus and was trying to work it out – He must be of God because look at what’s happened to my eyes.
When you were at your wits’ end, Jesus heard you when you prayed. God is organising things to increase that relationship with Him - He is your heavenly Father. He loves you and provides for you.
I wonder who told Jesus what had happened to the man.
John 9:35 – 38
“Lord I believe.” The reason you can say that is as a result of Jesus finding you. Through the Cross of Calvary, you were on His mind, and at that point He took in Himself your first life, your sin. It was then a case of God’s Holy Spirit speaking to you and drawing you. He’s brought you to this point in time where He says, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” What do you say?
Romans 10:8 – 10
Lord, I believe
All Jesus asked was, “Do you believe on the Son of God?” The man answered, “Who is He?” I am the one who healed you and the one who is speaking to you now. “Lord, I believe. I’ve been trying to sort things out on my own, and I’ve made a mess.”
Is it fair that some people come across this truth and others don’t? Don’t think like that. I’m talking about God in relation to you. Why did things start out as they did in Israel all those years ago? Why am I preaching like this there in England? I don’t know. But it’s how God speaks to you, how you realise that He gave His son so that you could be born again. You could be thinking, I know I need that. I try to lead a good life, and time and again I fail. There are some things I’ve given up on because I can’t overcome them. Jesus knows that, and He wants to point out you can’t do it on your own. Your sin is preventing the life you want to live. The only way to live that life is when Jesus Christ comes inside and causes you to start again with His life inside you.
This man, born blind, got his sight back and by the end of this encounter with Jesus, he could also see spiritually.
John 9:39 – 41
God loves an honest heart. I know some of you are being honest with yourselves, and realise inside right now that God is speaking to you. Respond to that voice. Say “Lord I believe. Sort me out. Change me from the inside.” And He will.
God has already made provision for what you need. He loves you and He will reveal Himself to you through His provision.
Jesus gets very personal because He loves you.
Friday, 27 June 2008
My place in the Bride of Christ
God has set us in His church, and He has a unique place for each one of us.
Hebrews 12:2
The one focus we have had, and will continue to have, is to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. God doesn’t start something He isn’t going to finish. He knows the ends from the beginning. And His initiatives are inviolate and certain. He knows what He is doing. He is preparing the Bride of Christ, the church.
I want to talk about the church – you and me as part of the Bride of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
Everything has been sorted. He is seated at the right hand of God. Christ, in a sense, is made up of the members of His body worldwide. We’re part of the worldwide church of God.
1 Corinthians 12:13-18
Everybody has their part to play in the church of Christ. It’s exciting to examine the blossoming of an individual as they realise their potential to fulfil their place in the body of Christ. It’s marvellous, because, for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. He conquered death and the power of sin. The prime thing on His mind was that you would be set free to be part of the Bride of Christ, the church. And you have a unique place in the church.
We looked with the children yesterday at careers and education. But the long term thing is for you and me to be functioning members of the church, fulfilling what God wants us to do.
1 Corinthians 12:18
It’s His pleasure to get it right, to fulfil His purposes in your life. And it’s as it has pleased Him for you to fulfil the part God wants for you in the living church. I’m not talking about any specific task. Each of us has our own specific part to play. The point is that everyone is a part of the church, and each of us has a part to play. There is definitely a specific role for each of us to play as we go forward as part of the worldwide church. But it’s as it pleases Him, and I want each of us to find what it is He wants.
1 Corinthians 12:19-26
The emphasis in verse 18 is that all this happens as it pleases Him. The emphasis in verse 25 is that the members should have the same care one for another. So when it comes across my path that Claus is fighting cancer and is due to have another operation in the week is to gather together and help.
Prays for Claus.
There is no schism in the body, no division. Think of your own body. You’re not going to fight yourself.
1 Corinthians 12:26-29
Collectively the body of Christ. In particular, members. And each person here is of value in the kingdom of God because He thought of you and gave His life for you. That’s how valuable you are to Him. He didn’t just pronounce a blessing. He gave His whole life so you could become part of the Bride of Christ and a member in particular.
It’s a tremendous time we’re living in – God is building His church in His way in His time, and He knows what He’s doing. He loves you, and more will come here and be part of His church. We’re not the only church in the world – we’re part of His church worldwide.
Hebrews 12:2
The one focus we have had, and will continue to have, is to look unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. God doesn’t start something He isn’t going to finish. He knows the ends from the beginning. And His initiatives are inviolate and certain. He knows what He is doing. He is preparing the Bride of Christ, the church.
I want to talk about the church – you and me as part of the Bride of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:12
Everything has been sorted. He is seated at the right hand of God. Christ, in a sense, is made up of the members of His body worldwide. We’re part of the worldwide church of God.
1 Corinthians 12:13-18
Everybody has their part to play in the church of Christ. It’s exciting to examine the blossoming of an individual as they realise their potential to fulfil their place in the body of Christ. It’s marvellous, because, for the joy set before Him, He endured the cross. He conquered death and the power of sin. The prime thing on His mind was that you would be set free to be part of the Bride of Christ, the church. And you have a unique place in the church.
We looked with the children yesterday at careers and education. But the long term thing is for you and me to be functioning members of the church, fulfilling what God wants us to do.
1 Corinthians 12:18
It’s His pleasure to get it right, to fulfil His purposes in your life. And it’s as it has pleased Him for you to fulfil the part God wants for you in the living church. I’m not talking about any specific task. Each of us has our own specific part to play. The point is that everyone is a part of the church, and each of us has a part to play. There is definitely a specific role for each of us to play as we go forward as part of the worldwide church. But it’s as it pleases Him, and I want each of us to find what it is He wants.
1 Corinthians 12:19-26
The emphasis in verse 18 is that all this happens as it pleases Him. The emphasis in verse 25 is that the members should have the same care one for another. So when it comes across my path that Claus is fighting cancer and is due to have another operation in the week is to gather together and help.
Prays for Claus.
There is no schism in the body, no division. Think of your own body. You’re not going to fight yourself.
1 Corinthians 12:26-29
Collectively the body of Christ. In particular, members. And each person here is of value in the kingdom of God because He thought of you and gave His life for you. That’s how valuable you are to Him. He didn’t just pronounce a blessing. He gave His whole life so you could become part of the Bride of Christ and a member in particular.
It’s a tremendous time we’re living in – God is building His church in His way in His time, and He knows what He’s doing. He loves you, and more will come here and be part of His church. We’re not the only church in the world – we’re part of His church worldwide.
Sunday, 15 June 2008
The Lord’s Supper
As we come to the Lord’s Supper, we need to come worthily, mindful of the things He purchased for us on Calvary.
I want to talk about aspects of Holy Communion. When Jesus Christ comes into a person’s life to change them, there is a complete and utter transformation. It’s the difference between death and life.
God takes note of different things ...
Malachi 3:16
Jesus referred to something that has a bearing on each one of us.
Luke 10:17 – 20
There is a recording which is eternal. For those who are Christians, your name is written in Heaven.
Revelation 20:12
God is establishing His purposes, outworked by the recording of our names in the Lamb’s Book of Life, solely as a result of what Jesus Christ has done for each one of us.
Hebrews 10:9 – 17
“Their sins will I remember no more.” What He is remembering is that He has recorded your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life. On the other hand, things are actively being forgotten. God is active in not remembering our sin. He chooses not to remember. Some people are concerned about their past, and keep replaying things they have done wrong. The enemy delights in that. Whereas God in Christ has said, “Their sins will I remember no more.” Sometimes we dredge up things which someone else may have done, and we regard ourselves as superior. God has forgiven them, but sometimes we take part in conversations where the whole thrust is to pull someone else down. That’s not what we’re about as we partake of the bread and wine. The Psalms tell us how beneficial it is when the people dwell together in unity.
Previously I talked about how the Passover was a memorial of the angel of death passing over the houses of those who had eaten of the lamb and had the blood sprinkled on the door post. We saw how the Passover lamb became Jesus – behold the Lamb of God. And 1 Peter talks about the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
When Jesus spoke of His body being eaten, He instituted something we were to do to remember Him until He came again. Taking the bread and wine helps us remember what He has done for us until He comes again.
The Corinthian letters were very practical. There were four and we have two left.
1 Corinthians 5:6 - 8
You need to be sincere and conduct yourself in truth – no malice or wickedness.
1 Corinthians 10:16 - 21
You can’t serve God and mammon – there’s a difference between being a Christian and not being a Christian. And when you take the bread and wine, you are identifying with Christ and saying, “You have given me life. You are my life. I’ve forgotten those things which went before. I’m identifying with who You are and what You’re doing in me.”
In the Corinthian church, there were people supposedly going God’s way and people going the world’s way. Impossible! Here, we are identifying with what God has done in us.
In the Corinthian church, people were coming together, not having eaten at home, and making the most of it as a meal.
1 Corinthians 11:22 - 23
Luke 22:19 – 20
1 Corinthians 11:23 - 27
It’s possible to come unworthily. People were treating this like any old meal. Think about what it means to take things unworthily. It wouldn’t be a good idea to take part if you don’t have a clue what Christianity is all about, or if you aren’t a Christian. That can be remedied, though. What is the situation with you and God? You know all about Him, and maybe today God is saying, “What I did on the Cross was done for you and it doesn’t matter if there was no one here apart from you”. You were on Jesus’ mind when He went to the Cross and died for you. He didn’t want you to be bound in sin, to have those habits you can’t overcome because there is a power of sin which hasn’t been broken. He wants you to live clean, because He wants to give His life inside you, to take the power and penalty of sin. He wants to give you His life.
1 Corinthians 11:28 - 30
If we sorted ourselves out and got things right, we’d be ok.
1 Corinthians 11:32 - 34
We are taking part in something instituted by Jesus Christ – “This do in remembrance of me.” How frequently should we do this? It doesn’t say. But periodically, we need to do it, to remind ourselves of what Jesus Christ did for us on the Cross, and how He rose from the dead to break the power of sin. When I eat, I thank God for what He has done for me.
He loves you. He’s concerned about you. He wants you to be secure. He wants you to know that what He has started in you by giving you His life, He will complete, until that time when He meets you.
I know what God instituted by taking the bread and wine. It was a tangible thing so we would remember who He is and what He did until He comes again. And the love He expressed on Calvary for each one of us isn’t just a quick phrase in the Bible – God is love, and He didn’t want you to live your life on an impossible pathway which doesn’t work. He wanted you to live your life to fulfil His purposes, which are the best for you and will bring glory to His name.
The church is the Bride of Christ, and is fulfilling the purposes God has for His people. And there are lots of other people who will become Christ-ones through what God will do. He is acting throughout the world, and we are part of the church worldwide. It’s not my church – its God’s church. It’s all to do with an expression of God’s love for mankind. “Behold how they love one another.” You need to examine yourself right now. But as we identify with what Christ did, so it is that we are one body, one faith, one baptism.
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