Christain Values

On Sunday we shared from Jesus' parable on good fruit in Matthew 7:15-20.

There are many things which determine our behaviour and thus the outcomes in our lives.

One of the most important is VALUES.

Values are gained from personal conviction, upbringing and life experience.

Values need to have positive outcomes for us and the people around us.

Scripture determines Christian values.

Bottom line:

1. If we allow Scripture to determine our values we will experience positive
outcomes for our lives.

2. When our lives are changed, the world changes around us.

THIS HAPPENS BECAUSE IN CHRIST WE BEAR GOOD FRUIT.

Falling Away

On Sunday we shared from Hebrews 5:11-14 & 6:1-12.

The writer warns us about falling away (apostasy) - once believing then denying the existence of God.

It's a scary thought because there is no salvation for those who fall away (6:4-6).

Let's be clear now: falling away is not the same as failing to attend church.

So, how can we ensure we do not fall away:

We need to:
- Grow toward Christan maturity - to learn to discern between good and evil (5:14).
- Be diligent in our lives and doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16).
- To imitate God in love (Ephesians 5:1-2)

My prayer is that we will continue to do so.

The Word

On Sunday we shared from Hebrews 4:12-13.



The writer says that the Word of God:



- Is living and active
- Penetrates between soul and spirit
- Judges our thoughts and attitudes

In short this means:

- The Word is about our relationship with God
- Always allows us to become the people God wants us to be
- Aligns our thoughts with God's will

Awesome

You Are The Kingdom Of God

On Sunday we shared from Luke 17:20-24 - Jesus telling His disciples that the kingdom in is them.

Two weeks ago I sat facing the wake of a motor boat I was travelling in - it made me think of our passage through life.

We have two choices:

- We can be like the boat that leaves behind a beautiful wake near the boat
- Or we can be like the wake that disappears fairly quickly as if it was never there

Jesus encourages us to make a difference in the world.

When we do the Kingdom is advanced.

So what does this mean?

Simple - Live according to God's will in very area of your life!

Dedication Sunday

On Sunday, 31st October 2010, we dedicated our new church building to God's work.

It was awesome!

It was simply a fulfilment of God's promise.

Choose Life & Prosperity

On Sunday there was no sermon - we simply allowed Scripture to speak to us:

Deuteronomy 30:11-20:

Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.

It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, "Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?" Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, "Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?"

No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.

See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.

But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess.

This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.

For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

He is Coming Again

On Sunday we shared from Luke 12:49-53.

Like the wind that sometimes promises rain but waits and then finally delivers, so the return of Jesus is signed and we wait for His return.

So:
- Jesus promises to return
- We rationalise His return in our thinking
- Should we not accept Him or His return, we will have to account for our choice

And:
The best we can do is to make sure our choices allow us to stand before God one day in the best possible way.

My prayer is that we will be able to do so.