What’s it all about?

In the first sermon recorded by Luke, Jesus gives us His mission manifesto.

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, Because he anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are downtrodden, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord"

A sermon on this text can be found here.

Central to this proclomation is the idea that Christ’s coming was the dawning of the time of the Lords favor. The poor would have some good news. The struggling ones would find release. The ones who couldn’t see would receive vision. The ones who felt like they were being walked all over would walk free.

We can apply this text to our own lives. Where do we feel in poverty? What are we seeking to be released from? In what areas do we feel life is trampling all over us? Where in in our life are we seeking direction?

To believe that Jesus Christ is a Saviour means allowing Him to save us! To preyerfully seek His perspective on the struggles of our lives. To seek to apply the scripturs teaching to our daily dilemmas.

The promise remains the same. The Holy Spirit is still the Counsellor, Comforter and Guide. Christ’s living love has not lost any of it’s power to renew and refresh our lives.

Prayer: “Lord help me today to apply Your love to the situations I am struggling through. Remind me when I give up on myself that You never give up on me. May this day be a day of the Lords favor! Amen.”

Annual Sports Fest

Sunday, January 31st, 2:30-6:30 p.m. the Church is having its Annual SportsFest . . . Fun and Games Afternoon. There will be bowling for all who are interested (cost for bowling is $8.00 for 2 games and shoe rental) at the Baldwin Bowling Alley on Grand Avenue.

If you don’t bowl, there will be bridge, scrabble and other board games for adults at the Church. All activities followed by a Pizza Supper in Beyer Hall. All are welcome to this fun-filled event!

DID YOU SEE THAT?

John 2:1-11 records for us the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. As you read through the account you become aware that a lot of the people present at the wedding feast missed out on the fact that any miracle had taken place. All they knew was that for some reason the host had saved the best till last. We can so easily miss out on what God is doing around our lives. Miracles can happen and we miss them.

A sermon on that theme can be found here.

Sometimes we sing a hymn or hear a piece of music and we may think ‘Well that’s nice". But so often there is a story behind a song that can take our appreciation to a new level.

Consider a hymn such as Frances Ridley Havergal’s ‘Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee’. Frances was the daughter of a rector in Worcester, England… who was in his day one of the finest church musicians around. She, like her father, was exceptionally gifted but prone to periods of doubt and depression. Though constantly in a religious atmosphere she struggled for many years to accept herself as a child of God. It took a real act of surrender for her to allow Christ to take His rightful place in her life. Having struggled personally to break through into a living faith she was anxious to share her journey with others.

The hymn ‘Take my Life" came out of an experience she had staying with a family where religion was on the back boiler. Aware of her hosts low spiritual expectations when she arrived she prayed "Lord, give me all in this house". Over a period of five days she led every member of the household into a deeper faith with the exception of two daughters.

Retiring to her bed on the last night she was awoken by the governess who told her the daughters were in great distress. She counseled them and led them to faith in Christ. When she returned to her room she was too excited to sleep. She records in her diary ‘I passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own conscecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another …"

She speaks elsewhere in her diaries of how writing for her was praying. Rather like she had, as a child, asked her Father when composing a poem "What do you think I should say next?", so her hymns came out of her relationship with God who gave her, in her own words; ‘not merely thoughts and power, but also every word, even the very rhymes. Very often I have a most distinct and happy consciousness of direct answers."

It’s easy to sing a hymn with the mindset of those who saw no miracle at the wedding feast when Jesus turned water into wine. It is only human to think… well that’s a nice tune or pleasant little rhyme… without realizing that behind the words are often some wonderful stories of the grace and love of God.

As we go through our lives it easy to take so much for granted and miss out on daily miracles taking place all around us. It is the work of God to take the common place and make it into a special place of blessing and wonder. Keep the eyes of your heart open because you don’t want to miss a thing!

Prayer: "Lord forgive me for my low expectations. Help me to be awake to the daily miracles all around my life. Amen"

BE PRAYERFUL

There’s a little detail in the account of the baptism of Jesus that is easily missed. The Holy Spirit did not alight upon Jesus the moment He was baptized, but the heavens opened as He was praying. Luke 3:21 reads; "Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heaven opened".

A sermon reflecting on the timing of the praying and the coming of the Holy Spirit may be found here.

In religious life there things we need to do together and things we can only experience for our selves… on a one-to-one with God basis.

Baptism is one of the together things. So are Communion and Corporate Worship. There are many mission adventures that we cannot embark upon alone. From the start ‘Church’ has been all about community.

But there is also a very personal side. On a personal level we need to develop a living faith in Jesus Christ that is energized through prayer. Time and time again Jesus withdraws to lonely places to recharge His spiritual batteries one on one with God. If such a practice was necessary for Him, how much more so for us!

A wonderful New Year resolution to make is "BE PRAYERFUL". It is as we pray the Holy Spirit transforms our life journeys. It was when Jesus prayed that the Spirit came and empowered Him for the journey ahead. To repeat some words from our sermon…

"If you want to be a real treasure to your church, to your family, to those you love, to your community, and you value your own personal growth and your own well being, then let 2010 be a prayerful year.

This is a win-win resolution to make. You are not being asked to give anything up. You are being invited to deepen your relationship with God. You are being invited to deeper fellowship with God and a deeper experience of God’s love."

Prayer: Lord, help me to make 2010 a year of prayerful journeying. Amen.

A NEW YEAR PERSPECTIVE

Paul writes from the confines of a prison to his friends in the Phillipian Church : "I forget what is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead" (Phillipians 3:13). As we begin a New Year his perspective of leaving the past behind and pushing forward to the future is a great attitude to embrace.

A sermon on that very thought can be found here.

What sort of things might Paul have been leaving behind him?

Resentments: Being in prison does not appear to be the best strategy for launching a world wide mission. Paul could have complained about his lot, even given up on the idea that Christianity had anything worthwhile to offer the world. Yet instead of cradling his hurts, he allows God’s Spirit to put it all behind him.

Worries: There was a lot Paul had to worry about. But that’s not the choice he makes. Instead he simply trusts in God. He has faith and trust in God over and above his worries. He believes God’s love is strong enough to hold his life in His care.

Failures: Paul had been a one-time enemy of Christ. He had stood by and held the coats when Stephen was stoned to death. He had caused a lot of pain and created a lot of enmity towards the church. But that was then and this was now. Yes… he had failed. But now he lived in the freedom of the forgiving grace of Jesus Christ.

What things keep Paul moving forward?

He realizes he is only human. He speaks of doing his best. He doesn’t sit back and wallow in self-pity. He does not regard grace as a cheap commodity without implications. He actively pursues a higher goal.

He finds his strength in Jesus Christ. Elsewhere Paul complains that in his human nature he lacks the power to move on. He rejoices that God’s Holy Spirit grants him a power to travel beyond his own limited resources and achieve things that otherwise would not be possible.

Prayer: Lord, as we enter into a New Year help us to put all our resentments, worries and failures behind us. Empower us through Your Holy Spirit to move forward in faith and in the knowledge that You will walk with us throughout the coming days. Amen.

Youth Event... coming soon

Mission Impossible

**** Youth Lock In ***

for our Middle School/High School Students

Friday 8th January through Saturday 9th January 2010

8:00 p.m. Friday – 8:00 a.m. Saturday.

Games, Movies, Discussion, Mission Project, Snacks, Breakfast!

Bring a Sleeping Bag and a pillow.

See, call or e-mail the pastor to register.

WOW!

Luke 1:37-55 tells us about Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. It was a ‘Wow!” moment. It causes Mary to break into song. “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior!” Life brings along ‘Wow!’ moments to us all. Our sermon can be found here.

As we approach Christmas reflect on some of the “Wow!” moments in your own experience. Think about your earliest Christmas memories, your first job, your first kiss or your first car. Remember those times that have taken your breath away. An unexpected surprise. A precious gift. A milestone that has helped you be who you are today.

Think of the way people around you have blessed your life and helped you through the difficult times. Be thankful for the mentors, the teachers, the family members and friends… who often never realized they were having such a profoundly positive influence on your life.

Above all be overwhelmed for a moment as you consider God’s greatest gift… Jesus Christ. Consider the influence that small bay in the manger was to have, the lessons He bought that have changed the world for the better, the teaching He gave that we still strive to follow.

Think on His sacrifice and the promises Scripture makes regarding His death securing our salvation. Reflect on the mystery of His resurrection and the empowering of the Holy Spirit that can be born into your daily life.

And as you reflect pause for a moment to consider the ‘Wow!’ factor in all of the blessings that God has invested into our lives. It’s Christmas.

Prayer. “Lord, You truly are an awesome God. Thank You for every blessing that has transformed my life and shaped my destiny. Help me never to take such things for granted, but out of thankfulness may I seek to be a means of blessing and joy to others. Amen.”

JOY TO THE WORLD

The prophet Zephaniah ben Cushi is not exactly a household name. He writes words that are mostly gloom and doom to the unfaithful folk of his nation during the reign of King Josiah. But amongst his words are also some tremendous ‘Good News’ verses.

One that stands out is Chapter 3: Verse 17; ‘The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." The Sermon can be found here.

Words of encouragement right here!

God walks through our troubles with us. We may not always sense God’s presence, but the promise remains. ‘The LORD your God is with you’.

God battles on our behalf. ‘He is mighty to save’. Zephaniah pictures God as a warrior who fights for His peoples salvation.

God is crazy, madly in love with us. The prophet tells us that we are the apple of God’s eye. "He will take great delight in you"

God desires that we rest in His love. In the midst of our worlds craziness God invites us to take a breath and find the assurance that our lives are safe when committed to His care. ‘He will quiet you with His love’

God sings a love song over us. God loves us so deeply God has even composed a song in our honor and loves to sing it! Don’t take my word for it… I’m just passing on what the prophet said. ‘He will rejoice over you with singing.’

The song that began with Zephaniah ben Cushi gained new harmony when Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem and angels filled the sky with glorious song. Take some time out during this advent season to thank God for the Good News!

Prayer "Lord, in the midst of the discouraging headlines and Christmas rushing, remind us that You are the God who is for us… not against us, the God who is not trying to catch us out but to catch us up in His arms, the one who comes not to condemn us but to save us, the One whose very name and nature are a love song. Amen."

OUTLASTING THE ENERGIZER BUNNY

My adapted version of Isaiah 40 verse 8 reads; "The Grass Withers, the flower fades, the energizer bunny eventually runs out of gumption; but the Word of our God will stand for ever." The sermon that goes with it can be found here.

Our mortality cannot be avoided. The clock keeps ticking. Even the energizer bunny has a battery that eventually dies. How do we build stuff into our lives that has a lasting quality?

Welcome life’s seasons. We are all just passing through this life. We need to make the most of every step of the journey. Embrace every stage of life for what it is! Each season carries its own special beauty. Every day brings its particular challenges. We recharge our batteries by acknowledging that ‘This is the day that the Lord has made".

Build on God’s Word. According to Isaiah the only thing that really lasts for ever is the Word of God. There is all sort of stuff we can build our hopes on, but a lot of it ultimately leaves us flat. But if we seek to apply the principles of God’s Word to our daily lives then it really makes a difference.

To reiterate some words from the sermon:- "If we seek for our lives to be molded by the teaching of the One who came to us as a baby in a stable in Bethlehem all those centuries ago, then we are allowing principles and forces and dynamics with eternal reverberations to shape who we are and what our life will be and where our lives will take us."

Accept the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We are not called to make this journey alone. Jesus promised His disciples that He would send His Holy Spirit to be their helper and their guide. We fall and fail time after time. By God’s love we are forgiven and renewed. By God’s Spirit our batteries are recharged and... we… saved by grace through faith… can outlast energizer bunnies!

Prayer: "Lord in this season of Advent we can become over tired and down hearted. Our strength and patience can run out. Help us to take the time to build into our lives the eternal principles of Your Word and to turn to You for the renewing power of Your Holy Spirit to refresh and renew our lives for Your Service." Amen.

LOOK DOWN THE ROAD

Our reading for the first Sunday of Advent came from Jeremiah 33:14-16. The sermon that went along with it can be found here.

Jeremiah is a forward looking prophet who was travelling through some difficult days. He realized that things would get worse before they would get better.

When we are in such situations, where can we find hope? Here are a couple of Jeremiah’s suggestions.

Realize that God never gives up on us.

The people were well aware that their desperate circumstances were the result of their own failure. God had spoken but they hadn’t listened. God had directed them and they had headed in the opposite direction. God had called and they had searched for another voice to follow. What they had not realized was that God never gives up on God’s people.

It is the same for us. We mess up time after time. We know the right, yet do the wrong. We get ourselves into situations where we can point the finger of blame at nobody other than ourselves. At such times it is good to remember that though we may just about be ready to give up on ourselves, God never gives up on us. God is always ready to restore us and renew our lives.

Rely on God, not on our own efforts.

Recall Jeremiah’s words of hope to his hopeless ones. ‘Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safely. And this is the name by which it will be called: “The LORD is our righteousness.” (Jeremiah 33:16)

Salvation would come to the people, not because of their own efforts, but because of what God would do. Though they couldn’t see it, the time they were travelling through was not their final destination. They are to look down the road and anticipate God’s deliverance.

Likewise, as we travel through difficult days God calls us to look down the road and see the possibilities that form if we allow His Spirit to lead us and guide us. No instant fix is offered but through sticking with God real change can come. We can join with Jeremiah in declaring “The LORD is our righteousness.”

Prayer: Lord when times are hard, or we have messed up once again, we find it hard to trust in You. Remind us that You never give up on us. Teach us to rely on You, not on ourselves for our salvation. Be our righteousness and so help us to look down the road of our lives with anticipation and hope. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Thanksgiving

May God bless you and yours during this special season. As families get together and time is taken to reflect on our many blessings we are reminded that... if nothing else... we're still alive and kicking! Enjoy.

Christ the King – Music Celebration

This coming Sunday (November 22nd) our worship service will take the form of a musical celebration. Musical offerings of both a formal and informal nature shall ring forth as we celebrate that Jesus Christ is our Lord and King!

FAITH IN CHANGING TIMES

"In a New York minute everything can change’ comes the song over the radio. (The Eagles). A visit to Ground Zero poignantly reminds us the truth of such a statement. In our bible reading from Mark 13:1-8 Jesus speaks to his disciples of how even the great temple that they were admiring would one day soon be nothing but rubble, a prophecy that came true when the Romans ransacked Jerusalem in AD70.

The sermon can be found here

Holding onto faith in the midst of a world that often seems to spiral out of control is a challenge for believers of any generation. Jesus suggests a way through.

Don’t be led astray. In every age there are those who seek to provide us with the answers that will save us all. Atheists suggest religion is the problem, politicians blame each other, economists blame the market, and everybody has an opinion! The challenge for one seeking to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to allow His truth to be the lens through which we view all other beliefs.

Don’t be alarmed. There has yet to be an age that has not been characterized by wars, rumors of wars and other such disastrous events. Such has always been the way of the world, and will continue to be so. Reformed theology relates the chaos to the inherent sinfulness of our human condition. Notice how when a crisis comes along there is always somebody to say; "Here’s yet another sign that the end is near!" Jesus strongly suggests that we need to take care interpreting signs of the times lest we reach the wrong conclusions. The ‘Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy’ offers a great perspective. "Don’t Panic!"

Do be alert. Whilst encouraged to find our peace in God, we are also cautioned to be awake to the changes that are around us. If we are going to put our faith in something, better put it in something that is tried, tested and true. The Christian gospel has proved remarkably resilient. A personal faith in Jesus Christ provides resources that cannot be found elsewhere. God’s Spirit can bring to the center of our existence a hope that transforms our worldview and helps guide us through the maze.

For sure others will come suggesting they have a better way.
For sure there will be wars and rumors of wars.
For sure nothing stays the same. Even temples turn back to dust.
In the midst of a changing world Jesus invites us to hold fast to His love!

Prayer: ‘Lord let us not be led astray, let use not be alarmed. Keep us in Your love and guide us through the changing circumstances we encounter each day. Amen.

THE WIDOWS MITE

It’s one of those stories that whenever you hear it you can’t help but be challenged. The one where the rich person drops some money in the collection box, then along comes a poor widow who puts only two pennies in. Jesus asks the people who gave the most? But I’m ruining the story!

Mark 12:38-44 is the biblical passage and the sermon that goes with it can be found here.

Last week I challenged us to consider our stewardship, particularly in regard to our financial giving. I even suggested that we consider what portion of our income we may give to support our church. Now along comes a passage that tells us that its not about portions!

So what it is about? Well… … mostly THANKSGIVING! (Which conveniently is also the next celebration that will gather families together across the nation). And most of us have a lot to be thankful for.

Even if we didn’t;

• as may have been the case with the widow…


• or certainly was the case with the prophet Habakkuk who declared the crops had failed and the cattle had died…


• and even those hardy pilgrims who after sailing on the Mayflower faced trouble, trouble and more trouble… still we are invited to join with the prophets prayer;

"Yet, I will exult in the Lord, I will be thankful, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. The Lord God is my strength." (Habakkuk 3:18-19)

So as our official stewardship season moves into the season of thanksgiving let me say again what I said in the sermon:- "Giving is a spiritual practice and an expression of a life that knows itself touched by the Grace of God. It is not a duty but a delight. It is not a requirement but a heart response to the love of God … It’s not about ‘making a donation’ but everything to do with ‘overflowing with thankfulness’."

Prayer: Lord, in my heart of hearts I know I have so much to be thankful for. Help me to express my thanksgiving in ways that bring joy to others and which help to grow Your Kingdom. Teach me to be a faithful steward of all that You have blessed my life with. Amen.

THE RIGHT ANSWER

In Mark 12:28-34 a scribe praises an answer that Jesus has given regarding the commands of God. "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'He is one, and besides Him there is no other'; and 'To love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,' --this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

In our church we are currently in stewardship season. Seeing how this answer relates to the use of the many gifts God has blessed our lives with forms the core of this weeks sermon which can be found here.

Some thoughts about Biblical Stewardship.

1. Giving is related to our perception of what we have received. If we feel God has dealt us blow after debilitating blow then we are not likely to be overflowing with generosity towards the things of God. However if we feel our life is abundantly blessed, then we abundantly give in return.

2. Giving is about spiritual growth. The church is neither a social club nor a philanthropic cause. The Church is the family of the people of God. Within that community we are joint heirs of God’s promises as we seek to encourage each other to be faithful servants. Our financial input (along with the commitment of our time and the way we use the spiritual and natural gifts God blesses our lives with) is a barometer of our spiritual progress. Giving is an expression of our devotion.

3. Giving is about our values. The things we value in life are the things we invest in. Nobody throws thousands of dollars away on things they have no connection with! If we believe in our faith community it is the most natural thing in the world to commit ourselves in tangible ways to the growth of that community.

The Stewardship Challenge This weeks sermon invites us to do something specific. To personally consider what portion of our income God is inviting us to be giving in order to enable our Church community to thrive. Such is a challenge for us to prayerfully consider with an open heart and an open bible.

Youth 'Bash' at Baldwin

Sunday Night (1st of November) we held an event for our youth and were delighted with a good turnout of some of our own and their friends. Pizza and Brownies were consumed, time was spent just hanging out and a few wild games ensued! We also were able to talk about things we'd like to commit to in the future. Our next youth meet will be on Sunday 15th November at 7:00.p.m.

Prior to our youth meeting our confirmation class began in earnest with 10 youth embarking on what we hope will be a year long journey towards confirmation.

Some weeks ago I sought your prayers for the development of programs for our youth and children. With Kingdom Kids, Confirmation and a Youth Bash we can surely rejoice that God is good and pray that the works we have begun will prosper and grow! Please keep these ventures and their leaders in your prayers.