God revealed in your community, Godly accountability, Godly leadership.

Four practices can help you focus on heaven here now: STRIVE, ELIMINATE, QUESTION, and INVITE.

Looking back on God's faithfulness and provision over the last 20 years and looking ahead to something even better.

Justification, sanctification, glorification

Good Friday - 2024

Our tendency is to put our confidence in ourselves. Our confidence is ONLY to be found in Jesus Christ. Rejoice in the Lord; serve (worship) God by His Spirit; boast in Jesus.

God's mercy is for all people and is too vast to remain in us, but overflows to those around us.

To build relationship with God we must first understand our sin, God's remedy for that sin and, that He has something better in store for you.

The pursuit and embrace of God is full of amazing benefits, as Jesus brings us to our Abba Father God. 

Stop living in the dark, get into the light and consider the big picture.

Positional and practical sanctification; God's part, our part; personal and relational implications.

The source and response of his exaltation; our response to His Lordship

The steps to humility are human, servant, death, and the cross.

Becoming like Jesus requires me to die to myself.

Are we learning from Jesus, in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and sowing seeds of unity?

6The Lorship of Jesus defines our conduct, relationships and our suffering.

God is a God of order. Godly order in His church - pastors, small groups, elders, and congregants.

God refines our faith, leads through faith and God is always there.

Christmas Eve 2023

Why was Joseph God's choice? Joseph was a righteous man, he was faithful, he was gentle and compassionate; Joseph's choices came with a cost; Joseph loved and cared for the body of Christ.

Broken silence; the significance of Bethlehem; unlikely messengers; the Heavenly proclamation; joy amidst the ordinary; the application of great joy.

Mary was familiar with God's voice.

Lk 1;28, 19:26; Mat 5:6,8; Mk 4:24-25.

Mary had an attitude of expectancy.

Lk 1:37.

Mary was willing to be interrupted.

Lk 1:38, 46-54, 2:35; Duet 22:22.

Will you give Jesus your hopeless list today?

Hope is expectation and it is action. The object and basis of hope determine the strength and certainty of the act of hoping. The biblical reality of hope is based on Almighty God Himself - who He is, what He is like, His word, His promises and how He acts in the world. We can have a certain and sure hope because of Jesus.

When you realize Jesus brings unexpected hope to unexpected places, you can become hope full in a hope less world and that hope to unexpected places. 

Lord Jesus, I'm asking You to bring Your hope to this person, place, or situation today.

We grow to be like Jesus when we give our body as a living sacrifice, shake off the worls by shaping our mind and allow God to work.

Paul's dedication (v21)

(Col 3:3, Gal 2:20, Phil 3:7)

Paul's Dilemma (vv 22-24)

Paul's Decision (vv 25-26)

My Funeral Plans:

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Paul's source of strength is prayer, the Spirit of Jesus Christ, and confidence from a healthy relationship with God.

How is Paul or how is the Good News? The Good News will not be deterred - everyone here; believer confidence. The Good News advances despite...  No Greater Joy.

Start with my heart

(Ps 51:17, 78:8; 1 Pet 3:15; Mat 6:19-21,24)

Give willingly and generously

Experience God's joy

Fellowship in common identity in Christ. Fellowship through participation with Paul. Fellowship through a shared future hope of God, faithfully completing what He had begun in them. Fellowship together starts with loving in the right way, continues through priorities, and culminates as it bears good fruit which glorifies God and brings unity in the Church.

Level One Gratitude - God, I'm thankful for ...

Level Two Gratitude - I'm thankful even though ...

Level Three Gratitude - I'm thankful because ...

Following Paul’s example, we should speak words of blessing and grace to one another, thank God for one another, and pray for one another … with JOY.

We are made;  we belong; we're called out; it stretches us.

We're centered on Jesus; we're focusing on a purpose that really matters.

Battle #1 - the devil (vv 16-18)

Battle #2 - the world (vv19-24)

Battle #3 - the flesh (v25)

Victory #1 (v26)

Victory #2 (vv 27-34)

The Author of Philppians

(Phil 3:5-6)

Joy In All Circumstances

(Jam 1:2-4)

A Surrender That Satisifies

(Phil 1:21) 

Be ready! (vv 2-4, 24-27, 32-37)

(Mat 24:3)

Pay attention! (v 31)

(Mat 24:37; Gen 6:5, 11-12; 2 Tim 3:1-5, 4:1-5)

The second coming. (vv 24-25)

(Rev 8:10-12, 6:16-17; 1 Thes 4:16; 1 Cor 15:52)

You can experience a real, fruitful, vibrant and flourishing life through Jesus.  

You can be outwardly fruitful by prayer, sacrifice and forgiveness towards other people. 

You can be inwardly vibrant with bold faith in God.

You can be flourishing at the roots because you belong to your heavenly Father.

Hell is very real, very serious, and we need to avoid it at all costs. Assess, admit and act.

As we near the end, there will be birth pains (deception, wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilence), persecution and we need to learn how we are to respond.

Marriage is God's idea.

(Gen. 1:26, 2:18, 21-24)

Divorce is not God's intention.

(Mal 2:13-17, Mat 19:9)

Remarriage should be approached with caution.

(1Cor 7:8-9, 12-16, 39-40; Mat 19:10-11)

Growth starts small.
(Mat 10:42)

 Growth takes time.

Growth requires faith.
(Mat 17:20, 1 Cor 3:6-7)

The temple will be judges (vv 1-4) (Mat 24:3)

The end will be marked by deception (vv 5-6, 21-23). (1Cor 6:9-10, 1 Tim 4:1)

Understanding deception. (Gen 3:1-6)

Satan casts doubt on God's word (v 1).

Satan uses people to spread lies (v 1). (2 Cor 11:3-4, 13-15).

Satan takes advantage of ignorance (vv 2-3)

Satan tries to get us to remain independent and self-sufficient (v 5).

The cure for deception. (prov 9: 8-9)

Jesus is God; He transcends all who oppose Him and is far greater than anything we can imagine Him to be. And we see from Mark 9:1-13 that Jesus is indeed who He claims to be - the Son of God.

06In our seemingly impossible situation...

Jesus knows all circumstances. (Ps 147:5, Mat 10:29-30, Is 46:9-10, Ps 139:4, 1 king 8:39)

Jesus always has a plan. (Jn 6:5-6)

Jesus` way will often surprise us. (Is 55:8-9)

Jesus not only provides, He gives an abundance. (Mk 6:42-43, Ps 132:15, Jn 6:35)

God's provision is intentional, purposeful and abundant. (2 Cor 9:8)

God's mercy is patient and undeserved. (Mat 21:41, 43; Act 4:11-12)

The torch has been passed to us.

We are to love God, the one and only true God, with our
whole heart, soul, mind and strength.  Love your neighbour as yourself.

Jesus' greatness outshines everything else and everyone else. (Mat 11:11)

Your greatness shines the brightest when Jesus shines the most through you.

Prepare the way for Jesus' greatness by looking at your life. (IS 40: 3-5)

Prepare a pathway for the greatness of Jesus to shine through your life.

Greatness comes when we bring some stuff low. What must come low in oyur life?

Greatness comes when some things rise up in your life. What must rise up?

Greatness comes when you face the challenges in your life. What challenges are really there? (Mat 11:1-6)

Greatness comes when you keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Will you prepare a pathway for the greatness of Jesus to shine through your life?

6The mark of a true follower of Jesus is not knowledge, power or attendance, but it is a transformed heart.

Knowledge

Pharisees

Power

Herod/Herodians

Attendance

Disciples

Transformed Heart

(Jn 6:35)

Exercise your faith.

Faith sees opportunity.

Faith persists.

Faith responds.

Faith asks.

Faith saves.

Faith follows.

Serving others is our TRUE calling!

Are you serving others?

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross.

The Holy Spirit comes to bring His power and presence. The work of the Holy Spirit can be diminished or driven out of our lives. How do I receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit in my life?

In this passage in Mark, we learn about the tithe, the offering and extravagant or sacrificial giving.

Owners 

Stewards

God doesn't want  your money; He wants your heart.

Do you have your money or does your money have you?

Good Friday Service

The Truth... amazes us, demands a response and sets us free. 

Our Choice: The Jesus we want is the One who is easy to follow. The Jesus we need is the One who is worth following at any cost.

Our Response: Repent. Remember.

If Jesus is God then He has to get all of your life. Abandon all of your masters and embrace the Lordship of Jesus: internal, external and spiritual masters. Next step: sign up for and attend Encounter God.

To fully submit to God's will, we must first fully abandon our own will. God's plan will probably have difficulties, but if you obey, God's purpose will be fulfilled. God usually calls us to things that are bigger than our humanity can accomplish. The Son of man will help us to overcome our humanity if we as Him.

Serving others is never beneath you. Serving others is never about who they are; it's about who Christ is, and how He wants us to follow His example. Humility is seen in not only how we serve others, but how we allow others to serve us. When you see how Jesus loves and serves you, you'll love and serve like Jesus.

Who is this Jesus and who did people want Him to be?

Being great isn't about expecting to be served; it is about serving to expectation: each of us is created to do good things, serving is discovering and Jesus-like or not so Jesus-like. 

What is our conscience, how does Satan attack it and how do we get and keep a good conscience?

Satan attacks our will with pride, with pride so that we ignore the best path for life, we fight back with the humility of Jesus and we can choose humility with Jesus' help.

Why does Satan attack our bodies and how does Satan attack our bodies?

Satan attacks our minds with lies and we can fight back with God's truth.

Jesus takes care of an unclean spirit, because He has authority and gives us spiritual authority

The war we're in happens to everyone, it is in two realms, it is between two kingdoms, it is won by Jesus, and it can be fought with weapons God gives us. 

Sabbath is a gift from God; Jesus is the author and fulfillment of Sabbath; Jesus is the source of Sabbath restoration and new creation.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Service

Who did Jesus say He is? What did Jesus' family say about Him? What did the religious leaders say about Him? Who do Christians say Jesus is?

Acknowledge the pressure. Pray for power in pressure. Walk through pressure with God's power.

What do we learn about Jesus, what is our response to Him, and by what should our lives be marked?

Jesus' need to be baptized; Jesus needed the Holy Spirit, and Jesus needed the affirmation of the Father.

The identity of Jesus and our response to the storm.

A straight path in life means appropriate the Good News, be baptized and immerse yourself in the Holy Spirit

Serving together... Takes intentionality and effort. Fosters enthusiasm and creativity. Results in more than we often anticipate. Creates an environment for Jesus to shine.

What is fasting? Why is it effective? Fasting helps push back the darkness. Fasting helps us draw near to God. Fasting helps when we seek revelation or direction.

What are your barriers to healing? Does Jesus want to heal you? Can Jesus heal you? Will you come to Jesus for healing? Will you talk freely about the goodness of Jesus?

Why is there sickness? What are causes of sickness? What are God's purposes for sickness?

Jesus didn't come to patch something old; He came to offer something brand new. The true Gospel cannot be mixed with a false system of works - righteousness. Jesus didn't come to patch up your old life, but to do something brand new in you.

Discipleship starts with God calling us. Discipleship requires a willing response. Discipleship results in us investing in others. 

Jesus is ... The King of Kings. The servant King.

Does God's silence mean He is weary of something? God was preparing the way. God was aboout to pout out His grace.

Life is tough for everyone; let’s make it better by praying for each other. Do you really believe that your prayers can make a difference? Do you need to grow in how you pray for people? Do you realize the benefits of praying like this?

What is the role of a leader? They keep watch and they give an account.  What is the role of a follower?  They need to submit, be obedient and pray for their leaders.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise - the fruit of lips that confess His name.

Marriage needs to be honoured.  Keep the sexual relationship pure.  Realize God will judge.

Live free.  Be content.  Trust God.

Love one another; love strangers; love those in need.

God's discipline is designed to make us the best we can be. What should our response to God's discipline look like? What do we gain from God's discipline?

Persecution - what is it? Why is it a part of our lives? How should we respond?

Rahab's old and new identity.

Will you choose the hope of heaven to change your everyday life?

In order to run well, we need to throw off everything that hinders, throw off the sin that easily entangles, run with perseverance and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Sin; deliberate sin; deliberate sin brings judgement.

Our position and practice.