Archives

Annual Christmas Musical

December 13, 2009

Director – Melissa Franson
Choir Director – Rob Studiman
Stage Manager – Shaylene Starchuk
Production Manager – Corrie Franson

Gabe Messenger has a unique essay assignment from his English teacher: to interview people and ask them about their favorite Christmas memory or tradition where it took place, when it happened, and why it remains so special. So Gabe and his dad head to Tan N. Baum’s Christmas Tree Farm run by Tan, his brother, Dan, and their sister, Nan which is sure to be a terrific place to gather stories from people coming to buy their Christmas trees. While at Tan N. Baum’s, Gabe bumps into two school friends, Holly and Ivy, and, together, they interview a crazy mix of characters, hear many different tales of Christmas, and make some very special memories of their own

 

 

 

Cast of Characters
Tan N Baum – Nick Toews
Dan Baum – Lydja Wagner
Nan Baum – Siena Wagner
Hot Appul Ci-der – Soren Wagner
Pay-Per – Ben Lowell Jr.
Josephine Messenger– Melissa Franson
Gabe Messenger – Logen Berrigan
Holly – Gillian Orsted
Ivy – Laura Biggerstaff
Belle – Celeste Avila
Evan “The Sneezer” Crews – Jason van der Hulst
Ms. Grace – Wendy Wagner 
Children’s Choir
Madison Franson, Eleanor McLeod, Ryder Janzen, Ava Studiman and Jasmine Avila
Pacey Nelson, Dawson Nelson, Madeleine Janzen, Kaden Janzen, Megan MacDonald,and Nicole Cummings
Cassidy Abernathy, Morgan Warren, Hannah Berrigan, Benjamin Lapka, Joel Orsted, Caleb Pilgrim and Cole Studiman
Middle School Vocals - Xuxa Avila and Cole MacDonald
Creative Worship Dance – Christy Lowey
Background Vocalist – Rachel Avila
Honorary Choir Members - Charlie Franson and Kyhara McLeod
Special Thanks to
Steve Hunter – set design
Karen Bush – projection
Ben Lowell Sr. – sound and lights
Sandra Gruenhage – worship leader
Karen Bush – graphic design
All who donated Christmas trees
New Life Christian Reformed Church
The Salvation Army Abbotsford Thrift Store
The Salvation Army Mission Thrift Store
Chief Dan George Middle School
 Special Thanks to Our Choir Moms
Natalie McLeod, Wendy Nelson, Heather Simpson

………………………………………………………..

Emmanuel: God Before Us, God for Us, God with Us

November 29, 2009,  Mike Cumiskey

Isaiah 7:10-14
Again the LORD spoke to Ahaz, “Ask the LORD your God for a sign, whether in the deepest depths or in the highest heights.”
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.”
Then Isaiah said, “Hear now, you house of David! Is it not enough to try the patience of men? Will you try the patience of my God also? Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.

Deuteronomy 34:4
Then the LORD said to him, “This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it.”

Isaiah 7:2
Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.

Isaiah 7:4
Say to him, ‘Be careful, keep calm and don’t be afraid. Do not lose heart because of these two smoldering stubs of firewood—because of the fierce anger of Rezin and Aram and of the son of Remaliah.

Isaiah 7:12
But Ahaz said, “I will not ask; I will not put the LORD to the test.”

C.S. Lewis
“Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised [by God], it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak.

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Emmanuel.

Micah 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”

Malachi 3:1
“See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.

Deuteronomy 8:12-18
Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
15 He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. 16 He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you. 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

November 22, 2009,  Ross Hailes

The Call to Worship

Values Statement 8: 
We believe worship is honoring and celebrating God through praise, thanksgiving and holy living.

 … therefore we will worship God in all we think, say and do

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1-2 (New International Version) 

“God blesses our fellowship and our shared experiences – we were created to praise God: At church God desires for us to embrace and be happy to see one another, but when worship begins, God wants us to push the hold button on our fellowship with one another and give him 100% of our attention. He wants us to do what we came to do.”
~ Beth Moore (Psalms of Ascent Study Series)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.
Romans 12:1

“To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God,
To feed the mind with the truth of God,
To purge the imagination by the beauty of God,
To open the heart to the love of God,
To devote the will to the purpose of God.”
~William Temple

 Matthew 28: 8-10 

 Psalm 95:1-7 (New International Version)

Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
       let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.

Let us come before him with thanksgiving
       and extol him with music and song.

For the LORD is the great God,
       the great King above all gods.

In his hand are the depths of the earth,
       and the mountain peaks belong to him.

The sea is his, for he made it,
       and his hands formed the dry land.

Come, let us bow down in worship,
       let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;

for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture,
       the flock under his care.        

………………………………………………………………………………………………….  

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

November 15, 2009  Agnes Hailes

The Call to Service

So let us learn how to serve and in our lives enthrone Him,
Each other’s needs to prefer for it is Christ we’re serving. 
This is our God the Servant King,
He calls us now to follow Him,
To bring our lives as a daily offering of worship to the Servant King.

Matthew 20:20

“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.’” 
Matthew 20:25-28

WHEN WE SERVE, WE HUMBLE OURSELVES

John 13:1-5  
‘Do you understand what I have done for you? You call me ’Teacher’ and ’Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

WHEN WE SERVE, WE CAN HELP OTHERS BECOME SERVANTS TOO

Core Beliefs and Values Statement #6

We believe the church is a community of believers who serve others, lead people to Christ and make disciples
… therefore we will actively participate in and contribute to church life.

Everybody can be great because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.
~ Martin Luther King Jr.

WHEN WE SERVE, WE SHOW OUR LOVE FOR GOD
                                    or
WHEN WE LOVE GOD, WE SHOW THAT LOVE BY SERVING……

The  Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve

“The Church has earned the reputation of being concerned only for itself.   Others have concluded this because the answer to every question is to do something else for ourselves; let’s pray more, let’s conduct another city-wide prayer and worship event, let’s build another building, let’s tell people what we think about this issue, and so on.   It is always about us.   If we are going to become an agent of spiritual and social transformation it is going to have to be about them!”
~ Jack Dennison

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

November 8, 2009  Ross Hailes

The Call to Embracing the Cost

Core Belief and Values Statement 1, says:
 We believe in One eternal God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit
…therefore we will put God first

Read Luke 9:51-62

Read Luke 14: 25-33

Read Matthew 13:44, 45 (in full)

“To be crucified with Christ means 3 things. First, the person who is crucified is facing only one direction; she is not looking back. Second, the person who is crucified has said goodbye to the world; he is not going back. Third, the person who is crucified has no further plans of his own. He is totally in God’s hands.”
(David Watson)

…what I have learned is that it is not about embracing the cost or giving up any-thing. It is about giving yourself entirely over to God, which is self-denial in the most complete sense. When you embrace God with your whole being, you have given up “everything,” because you have nothing more that you can give. Things Are Not Us.
(Wayne Horne)

 Another cost to be considered is the life of obedience in Christ where we are called to proclaim the Good News, to make disciples. This may bring rejection from others, even persecution. It also brings anguish at times because when we are in authentic relationship with others, there is often hurt and disappointment. This is where we must put our trust in Christ and His love for us to help us work through our earthly relationships, to forgive one another.
(Derland)

The Call to Embrace the Cost Reflection and Prayer

Can you think of ways in which it “costs” you to be a follower of Jesus today?

 What do you think it means to “carry your own cross”?

 Is it possible to give up everything to follow Jesus?

 Maybe we have to start with just giving up something for Jesus! What might that something be for you?

 Who do you know, alive or in heaven, who gave up pretty much everything to follow Jesus?

………………………………………………………………………………..

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

November 1, 2009  Ross Hailes

The Call to Stewardship

“Do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, to all the souls you can, in every place you can, at all the times you can, with all the zeal you can, as long as ever you can”  ~ John Wesley

 “… stewardship is based on the belief that God is the true and ultimate owner of each person’s possessions, and that one is accountable to God for the acceptable care and use of those possessions. Stewardship can also refer to Jesus Christ’s accountability to God the Father for the Christians that have been entrusted to Him or how to use your resources for God.” ~ Wikipedia

“the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care, stewardship of our natural resources.” ~ Websters

Matthew 25:14-28

Matthew 19:16-23

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
       the world, and all who live in it;
Psalm 24:1

Melchizedek the Priest

This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything.
Hebrews 7:1,2

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to hisfaith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of  others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:4-8

The Call to Stewardship Reflection and Response

 Reflect on your willingness to share what you have to advance God’s Kingdom.

Have you buried some or all of your God given talents and resources or are you developing and using them?

Read Matthew 19:16-23. Are you moving away from God in sadness, or moving towards Him in joy?

Read Psalm 24:1. If you agree with the psalmist, how will you live from now on?

Take a step of faith and decide to start using your gifts/talents to serve God and others.

Share your responses with a trusted friend.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

October 25  Mike Cumiskey

Worship Song: Asleep in the Light Keith Green

The Call to Bring Others to Christ

 1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. 2 He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. 3 He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”
I said, “O Sovereign LORD, you alone know.”  4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath [a] enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.’ “
 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.
9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ ” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.
11 Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: O my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. 13 Then you, my people, will know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. 14 I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the LORD have spoken, and I have done it, declares the LORD.’ “
Ezekiel 37:1-14

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
Proverbs 3:5

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
Matthew 6:34

 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Mark 16:15

Video Clip:  That’s My King Dr. S.M. Lockridge

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

12  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10: 12-15

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
John 14:12

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28: 18-20

Ways to Share Christ with Others

Here are some suggestions on sharing Christ:

1. Be intentional. Invest your time in people and be willing to step out and encourage others.

2. Listen. Sometimes listening is better, rather than “just being heard”.

3. Ask. Pray for people that God may open their eyes and ears to salvation.

4. Serve. Find ways to reach out in your community.

5. Hold your tongue. The things we say represent who we are. Be conscious of what you are saying to others.

6. Model. Make sure that your Christian walk exemplifies Jesus.

7. Invite. Small group and Sunday meetings are safe place to invite friends and family who don’t know Christ.

8. Invest. Be willing to hold people accountable, meet regularly and talk about something other than the weather.

9. Discern. Find out what your gifts are and use them to reach others.

10. Pray. Hold fast onto prayer, this is our direct line with God! Be bold…pray for others!

 ………………………………………………………..

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

October 18
Agnes Hailes

THE CALL TO THE WORD OF GOD

We believe the Bible is God’s inspired word of Truth revealing Himself, His plan and His purpose for all people.…..therefore  we will study and teach the Bible, living by its truth.

Every part of scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another – showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.   Through the Word of God we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.  2 Tim 3:16,17  The Message  

The value of this God-breathed scripture comes to life as we search the pages and ask God what it means for us.

Some of you would have heard of Paul Baloche – Christian songwriter.   He tells his story of how the bible has changed his life.  View video.

Paul states that he was brought up to love the Lord, but reading the Bible wasn’t part of his life.   Why?  Didn’t anyone ever guide him to this book? Why wasn’t the bible included in his walk of faith?

Is Bible reading part of your life? If so, great.  If not, why not?

When you open a book what do you hope to find?  Do you look for adventure, truth, excitement, guidance, hope, love, wisdom?  These can all be found in the word of God.  

Commander Jim Knaggs  (leader of The Salvation Army in southern Australia) states “Our lives are filled with so many words and conversations.   Most days are filled with reports, articles, books and all types of readings.   The media confronts me in most of its forms from the computer to the television, billboards, newspapers and all.  The choices as to what to focus on or read may just be some of the most important decisions one can make in their travels.

My day begins with a reading of the Word of God, the Bible.   In this word I find life in many forms.   My soul is invigorated.   My hopes are realigned.   My understanding and relationship with God is nourished.  Let me recommend a regular reading of the Bible for you.”

JESUS AND THE WORD OF GOD

Luke 2:46 – 50

Matthew 4:1-11   

When we find ourselves in a difficult situation, where do we turn?   Is the scripture so much part of our life that we can draw from it to see us through trying times?

Maybe, like Paul Baloche in his younger years, reading the Bible hasn’t been part of your everyday living. How can you change this?    The best advice is to open your Bible. Pray about what you will read.  Ask God to show you what the verses mean for you personally.  Begin with the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. Read from the Psalms.  

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16 

………………………………………………………………………………

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

October 11, 2009

Ross Hailes

The Call to Life in the Spirit

John 3:1-9

One essential feature of a person whose life is being transformed is that he or she is inhabited with the presence of the Holy Spirit

A disciple of Jesus is living partly in the realm of the natural and partly in the realm of the supernatural

How can we know this life lived in the Spirit?

We need to experience spiritual birth, followed by spiritual growth. We need to open our lives to receiving spiritual gifts and the power that only the Spirit can bring.

Spiritual Birth

 “I come back to the Christian notion that man’s efforts to make himself permanently happy are doomed to failure. He must indeed, as Christ said, be born again…as far as I am concerned it is Christ or nothing.”

~ Malcolm Muggeridge

We cannot begin to experience life in the Spirit until we are experience a spiritual birth brought about by the Holy Spirit of God, the One whom Jesus promised would come.

Spiritual Growth

Now the Lord is the spirit, and where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:17

Spiritual Gifts

The Holy Spirit has many special gifts for each of God’s children. There are various lists of them in the New Testament: 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4. When He comes into our lives he gives us gifts, gifts that are appropriate just for us. As we grow, He entrusts us with new gifts for the good of the church, for the good of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 Spiritual Power

The Holy Spirit still gives His power today. It is up to us to open ourselves to receive this power so that we also can be bold witnesses and proclaimers of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 “We need urgently to recapture the vision of living daringly for the Lord, throwing ourselves totally upon the power of his Spirit, without whom we are nothing. This is the greatest and most pressing need of the church today. Everything else we do is liked trying to sail a boat when the tide is out, and the wind is still.”
~ David Watson (Discipleship, p. 115)

……………………………………………………………………………………………….

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

October 4, 2009

Agnes Hailes

The Call to Prayer

We believe prayer is an intimate conversation with God through which we align ourselves with His will, enjoy His blessing and release His power.

… therefore we will make prayer a natural part of everyday living.

The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Matthew 6:5-13

Prayer was a natural part of everyday living for Jesus.

Matthew 14:22-24 

Matthew 26:36 

Mark 1:35  Mark 14:35  John 17

Prayer keeps us trusting God for everything, opens the way for the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus and enables God to touch the lives of others whom we meet.

The purest form of love is given with no expectation of return.   Measured by this standard, earnest prayer for others is a magnificent act of love.  ~ David Hubbard

… therefore we will make prayer a natural part of everyday living.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

September 27, 2009

Ross Hailes

The Call to Community

 David Watson (Discipleship, p. 36) states that “we live in an age not only of personal insignificance, but also of great loneliness. More than ever the church needs to recapture the priority of community in Christian discipleship.”

A Community of Covenanted Love

Jesus says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  Luke 13:34, 35

“The basis of covenant love is commitment. It has nothing to do with natural feelings and desires. We commit ourselves to our brothers and sisters because we see Christ in them. We give ourselves to them in loving service, laying down our lives for them, thinking first of their needs and interests rather than ours.”
~ David Watson (Discipleship, p.59)

A Community of Radical Defiance

A Community that Stays Close to the Cross

Jesus declared in that “If anyone should come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Matthew 16:24

“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
Galatians 6:14

 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

The Call to Discipleship

 Ross Hailes
September 20, 2009

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:5-11 NIV

For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Corinthians 4:5 NIV 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:17 NIV

CS Lewis rightly understood the purpose of the church was to draw people to Christ and make them like Christ. He said that the church exists for no other purpose. “If the church is not doing this, then all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the bible, are a waste of time.
~ Frost and Hirsch, The Forgotten Ways

“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die,” said Dietrich Bonheoffer. In this startling statement we have the essence of true Christian discipleship. Certainly there are different forms of dying; not every Christian is called to literal martyrdom, as Bonheoffer was himself. But every Christian is called to a clear and dedicated discipleship, whatever the personal cost may be.
~ David Watson, Discipleship

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
Matthew 4:18-22 NIV

…when we see ourselves as disciples who have been personally chosen by Jesus, this should alter our whole attitude towards him and motivate us for the work he has given us.
~ David Watson, Discipleship

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
1 Thessalonians 1:4

Discipleship is never easy; often there may be pains and tears, and frequently we shall have to re-think our values and ambitions as we seek seriously to follow Christ. But we are not called to face this challenge on our own. Alongside the inward power of the Holy Spirit, God wants us to experience the encouraging, supportive love of other disciples of Jesus. It is in the strength of our relationships together in Christ that we can win the battles against the powers of darkness and help one another to fulfill the task that God has given us.
~ David Watson, Discipleship

When Buddha was dying, his disciples asked how hey could best remember him. He told them not to bother. It was his teaching, not his person, that counted. With Jesus it is altogether different. Everything centres  around him. Discipleship means knowing him, loving him, believing in him, being committed to him.
~ David Watson, Discipleship

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Philippians 3:17-21 NIV

 …we need to constantly go back to our Founder and reset our faith on Him. It all began with Jesus, it will all end with Him, and to Jesus we must constantly return if we are to re-find ourselves again.
~ Frost and Hirsch, The Forgotten Way

……………………………………………………………………………………..

TRANSFORMED PEOPLE
LOVING GOD AND OTHERS

Ross Hailes
September 13, 2009

We want to see people powerfully transformed to follow Jesus Christ, to live in obedience to God and to serve others in freedom and love

 A people powerfully transformed

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:1, 2

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24

A people following Jesus Christ

 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 NIV

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Matthew 19:27 NIV

To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21 NIV

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26 NIV

A people obedient to God

Through him and for his name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
Romans 1:5 NIV

Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men!”
Acts 5:29 NIV

I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—
Romans 15:18 NIV

 A people serving others in freedom and love

 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28 NIV

but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Philippians 2:7 NIV

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.
Galatians 5:13 NIV

“If we are taken up with our own personal needs first and foremost, or if we are looking for position and status in the church, we shall be of no use to God. We are called to serve; and a servant must go where his master sends him and do what his master commands.”
~ David Watson, Discipleship, p.27

“Is the Christianity taught today large enough to seize our hearts? Does its promise of transformation so compel us that we would give al we have to take hold of it?”
~ Gary Thomas, The Beautiful Fight

“True transformation isn’t built on a onetime decision or on a spark of inspiration and motivation after attending a prayer meeting or reading a book. It’s built on consistent choices.”
~ Gary Thomas, The Beautiful Fight

We are committed to creating life transforming opportunities:

• Through communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ
• Through community service outreach
• Through small groups that offer care, fellowship, spiritual growth, ministry involvement and accountability

……………………………………………………………………………..

Love Expressed

Jim Bush, August 23, 2009

Eph 4:1-16 NIV

4:1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.” 

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Rom 12:3-13 NIV

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

1 Peter 4:7-11 NIV

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.

8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

 1 Corinthians 12 NIV

12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.  11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

Galatians 5:22-26 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..

LIVING WITH LOVE

1 John 4:7-12

Agnes Hailes, August 16, 2009

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.  Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.   God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love.   It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.   Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.   No one has ever seen God.   But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.  1 John 4:7-12 NLT

One of the simplest and yet most profound definitions of love is found in 1 John 4:8.  But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.

A PERSONAL LOVE

1 John 4: 7, 8 NLT

Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God.  Anyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  But anyone who does not love does not know God – for God is love.

The love of God is one of the great realities of the universe, a pillar upon which the hope of the world rests.  But it is a personal, intimate thing too.   God does not love populations, He loves people.   He loves not masses, but men and women.  ~ A. W. Tozer

All people matter – You matter.   I matter.   It’s the hardest thing in theology to believe. ~ G.K. Chesterton

A PROVEN LOVE

1 John 4: 9-10  NLT

God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.  This is real love.   It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.   John 3:16  NLT

 

A PERFECTING LOVE

1 John 4:12 NLT

No one has ever seen God.   But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love has been brought to full expression through us.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

LIVING WITH GRATITUDE

Psalm 103

Ross Hailes, August 9, 2009

Gratitude – the state of being grateful, thankful

 

To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted… ~ Albert Schweitzer

 

You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book, and grace before sketching, painting, swimming, fencing, boxing, walking, playing, dancing and grace before I dip the pen in the ink. ~ G.K. Chesterton

When we are grateful, we are most fully alive. Gratitude allows us to absorb every possible pleasure from a moment. It is the grateful who suck the marrow out of life. ~ Erwin McManus

Luke 17: 11-19

It is not only the nine ex-lepers who are shown up. It is all of us who fail to thank God ‘always and for everything’, as Paul puts it (Ephesians 5:20). We know with our heads, if we have any Christian faith at all, that God is the giver of all things: every mouthful of food we take, every breath of air we inhale, every note of music we hear, every smile on a face of a friend, a child, a spouse – all that, and a million things more, are good gifts from his generosity. ~ N.T. Wright

It’s important to remember al the good that has happened in your life…the real miracle comes when you can look back at even the most painful experiences in your life and find the good that God has brought out of it.
When gratitude does its greatest work within us, we are able to celebrate who we are becoming even when we have passed through experiences we would wish on no one.
Receiving is only one part of the process of healing. It is only when we return to give thanks that we are truly made whole.” ~ Erwin McManus

…………………………………………………………………………………..

LIVING WITH COURAGE

Joshua 1:1-9

Agnes Hailes, August 2, 2009

“Being the church means taking risks”

What is courage?

Mental or moral strength to venture, persevere and withstand danger, fear or difficulty. The ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear –not absence of fear. ~ Mark Twain

Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. ~ John Wayne

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. ~ Ambrose Redmoon

 

Be strong and courageous because you will lead these people to inherit the land.  Joshua 1:6

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.  Joshua 1:7,8

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

LIVING WITH INTEGRITY

Ross Hailes, July 12, 2009

Mark 12:14

1 Samuel 16:7

Daniel 6

What are the marks of a person who possesses integrity?

by Anthony B Robinson

1. What you see is what you get. Outer and inner are connected, parts of one whole.
2. A person who has basic integrity honours commitments and keeps promises. If they say they will be there, they are. If they promise to do something, they do it.
3. A person with integrity is truthful. You can trust what they tell you.
4. Consistency. Someone who has integrity isn’t your new best friend one week and then next week doesn’t seem to know you.
5. Integrity doesn’t mean that a person never makes mistakes. But a person with integrity accepts responsibility for his or her own mistakes or failures and does what’s in his or her power to put things right.
6. Related to Number 5, people with integrity are slow to blame others for their problems or frustrations. They aren’t whiners.
7. People of integrity care about the work, the mission, or the product and about a job well done, and not just about what they personally will get out of it in terms of money, recognition or advancement.
8. While receptive to learning and change, people of integrity are skeptical of simple answers to complex problems, and not inclined toward fads or buzz words.
9. A person of integrity minds his or her own business. I don’t mean isolation, I mean paying attention to your own responsibilities and work rather than freely inserting yourself into the responsibilities of another.
10. People with integrity know that they aren’t perfect and that sometimes in this life it’s not possible to avoid disappointing or hurting others. Because of this they are able to forgive and they recognize their own need for forgiveness.

Numbers 23:19

James 1:17

Integrity enables us to make decisions that are right and good.

Philippians 4:8,9

2 Thessalonians 3:11-13

Integrity moves us to intervene on behalf of the powerless.

Luke 10:27-37

Integrity enables us to speak the truth with courage.

2 Samual 12:1-12

John 1:14

Mark 12:13-17

Matthew 23:13-36

Romans 12:1,2

Colossians 3

………………………………………………………..

Run with Power

Philippians 3:1-11

Jim Bush

Beware

- of the dogs
-  of the evil workers
-  of the circumcision

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Galatians 2:20-21 NIV

Bury

- positio
-  privileges
-  prestige

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
Phil 2:5-7   NIV

BE

- aware of the power
- willing to experience the power
-  expectant of the power

And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you.
Romans 8:10-11   NAS

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.
Colossians 2:2-4   NIV

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature … but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:16,18  NIV

……………………………………….

Run the Race: Stand Your Ground

Ross Hailes
April 26, 2009

Philippians 1:27
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel

1.  Stand your ground by living with integrity

…Paul is telling the Philippians to govern their lives according to the gospel rather than according to society’s requirements for being good citizens of Philippi.
~ Frank Thielman, Philippians p.93

2.  Stand your ground side by side

1 Corinthians 12:13
Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

3.  Stand your ground and fight for the faith

“Christians do not strive ‘against’ anybody, but for the faith.”
~ Karl Barth

………………………………….

Run the Race: What Really Matters!

Ross Hailes
April 19, 2009

Philippians 1:10
For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return.

1. It matters that God’s work has begun in you
Philippians 1:6

…when the gospel message of King Jesus does its life-changing work in people’s hearts this isn’t just a flash in the pan ‘religious experience’ that might then fade away with the passing of time. If there is genuine faith in the risen Jesus, genuine loyalty to him as king, this can only be because the living God has worked through the gospel, within people’s hearts; and what God begins, he always finishes.
~ Wright, Philippians, p.85

…those who will be saved in the future live holy lives in the present, but the holiness that characterizes their lives is God’s work from beginning to end.
~ Frank Thielman, Philippians, p.38

2.  It matters that our love overflows and we are growing in knowledge and understanding
Philippians 1:9

If Christian love is to be the genuine article- true love for God, true love for one another – it is bound to work its way out in a knowledge and wisdom which is more than mere book learning. This kind of knowledge is a deep insight into the way God’s world truly is, a knowledge open to everyone who is prepared to give themselves wholeheartedly in love to God through King Jesus.
~ Wright, Philippians, p. 85

3.  It matters that we are filled with the fruit of right living
Philippians 1:11

…the behaviour which results from both God’s faithfulness and the status of being forgiven family members.
~ Wright, Philippians, p. 86

………………………………….

CHRIST IS ALIVE!

Agnes Hailes,
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009

Luke 24:1-8

Christ is alive, let Christians sing
His cross stands empty to the sky …
~ Brian Wren.

Why are you looking for the living among the dead?    Then they remembered his words.

Christ is alive, let Christians sing …

We have hope in the empty tomb!
We have hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christ is alive – He appeared to many

• to the other women, Matthew 28:8-10
• to Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-32
• to eleven disciples and others, in Luke 24:33-49
• to ten apostles and others, with Thomas absent, in John 20:19-23
• to Thomas and the other apostles, in John 20:26-30
• to seven apostles, in John 21:1-14
• to the disciples, in Matthew 28:16-20

Christ is alive……He changed lives then, He changes lives today.

The Resurrection was undoubtedly the central proclamation of the early church from the very beginning.   The earliest Christians didn’t just endorse Jesus’ teachings, they were convinced they had seen him, alive after his crucifixion.   That’s what changed their lives and started the church.
~ G. Habermas

For Christ died for sins once and for all, the righteous and for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.
1 Peter 3:18

Christ is alive – He changes lives.

The apostle Paul said ‘Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

………………………………….

DEATH BY LOVE – Loving like Jesus

Good Friday, April 10, 2007
Ross Hailes

1 John 3:11-24

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.

“Here at the cross is the man who loves his enemies, the man whose righteousness is greater than the Pharisees, who being rich became poor, who gives his robe to those who took his cloak, who pays for those who despitefully use him. The cross is not a detour or a hurdle on the way to the kingdom, nor is it even the way to the kingdom; it is the kingdom.”
~ John Howard Yoder

Jesus showed us what real love is!

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.”
I John 3:16

The world sees love as a commodity. Love has been commercialized, a product to be sold especially to those who are beautiful to look at and having lots of sex appeal. We have been seduced into thinking that this is real love. Good Friday shows us what real love is like by looking at what Jesus did for us.

“The cross redefines God as One who was willing to relinquish power for the sake of love.”
~ Phillip Yancey

He willingly and voluntarily gave up his life and his power for you and me

We are to show real love to others!

“So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
1 John 3:16b

“If we are serious about loving God we must begin with people, all people. And especially we must learn to love those the world generally discards.”
~ John Ortberg

“If I love someone, it means that I have certain hopes and intentions and wishes for them. I’m in their corner. I long for them to flourish and blossom. I want them to realize all their potential. I want them to become filled with virtue and moral beauty.”
~ John Ortberg

…………………………………..

DEATH BY LOVE – Walking with Jesus

1 John 2:1-11

March 29, 2009
Ross Hailes

1.    Walking in the light of God’s truth

1 John 1:8
2 John 4-6

“…the Bible is indeed God’s gift to the church, to equip that church for its work in the world, and that serious         study of it can and should become one of the places where, and the means by which, heaven and earth interlock and God’s future purposes arrive in the present.”
~ N.T.Wright

2.    Walking in the light of obedience

1 John 2:3-6
2 John 4-6

“To be a disciple of Jesus means to follow him, to go the way he goes, to accept his plan and will for our lives.”
~ David Watson

“The great tragedy of modern evangelism is in calling many to belief but few to obedience.”
~ Jim Wallis

3.    Walking in the light of God’s love

2 John 4-6
Romans 5:8

“Love is why God created us in the first place. Theologians speak of the fact that God created everything freely, not     out of necessity. This is a very important idea – it means that God did not make us because he was bored, lonely, or had run out of things to do. God did not create us out of need. He created us out of his love.”
~ John Ortberg

………………………………………

REAL CHURCH – CREATING COMMUNITY

March 22, 2009
Ross Hailes

NT Wright, Simply Christian, p.201
“…the early Christians did their best to live as an extended family, caring for each other in the way in which (in that world) extended families did. … When they talked about “love”, that’s the main thing they meant: living as a single family, a mutually supporting community.
The church must never forget that calling.”

NT Wright, Simply Christian, p.210
“The church is first and foremost a community, a collection of people who belong to one another because they belong to God, the God we know in and through Jesus.”

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God…

Romans 1: 6
And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

What Does the Church Family Do? Why Does It Exist?

1.  A Family that Worships God

Acts 2:46
“They worshipped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s supper, and shared their meals with gear joy and generosity …”

2.  A Family that Works Together

Hebrews 10:24 (The Message)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out…

3.  A Family Wide Open to Each Other

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (The Message)
“… speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re always doing this; just keep on doing it.”

NT Wright
“The church … exists…
to encourage one another,
to build one another up in faith,
to pray with and for one another,
to learn from one another
and teach one another,
and to set one another examples to follow …”

………………………………………..

CHANGED LIVES LEAD TO GENEROUS GIVING!

March 15, 2009
Agnes Hailes

Acts 2:42 – 47

 The Message (selected verses) “Fellow Israelites, listen carefully to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man thoroughly accredited by God to you — this Jesus, following the deliberate and well-thought-out plan of God, was betrayed by men who took the law into their own hands, and was handed over to you.  And you pinned him to a cross and killed him.   But God untied the death ropes and raised him up. Death was no match for him.”

“This Jesus, God raised up. And every one of us here is witness to it.  Then, raised to the heights at the right hand of God and receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he poured out the Spirit he had just received.  That is what you see and hear.”

Peter’s words convicted them deeply and they said to him and the other disciples, “Brothers, what should we do”

Peter said “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven.   Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!”

That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up.

Change your life…..turn to God.

1.  Changed lives lead to … believers meeting together

2. Changed lives lead to … having things in common.

“Those in the community of faith so not merely absorb Christ’s love individually, their changed lives also reflect his love corporately.   Our union with Christ creates community responsibilities.  We are called to minister and to serve. We all have a God given responsibility to reach out and to minister to each other.”    – author unknown

3.  Changed lives lead to … generous giving by believers.

“The experience of authentic community is one of the purposes God intends to be fulfilled by the church.   The writings of Scripture lead one to conclude that God intends the church not to be one more bolt on the wheel of activity in our lives, but the very hub at the centre of one’s life.”
~ Randy Frazee
The Connecting Church

“We need the community of believers because none of us is as smart as all of us.”

 

 

 

 

 

Run the Race: Run as One

 

 

 

 

Agnes Hailes
May 3, 2009

Philippians 2:1-4

ONE IN AGREEMENT

Paul says, “Make my joy complete by being … like minded.”

When Paul urges us to be like minded, he is talking about the very issues that support the Christian faith:

• we believe in one God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit
• all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God
• Jesus Christ, as the son of God, is the only way to salvation
• only God’s Holy Spirit living within us will give us the power to live lives worthy of God’s calling

ONE IN LOVE

Paul says, “Make my joy complete … by having the same love”

Philippians 2:1-4
If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care – then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.   Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top.   Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage.   Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. The Message)

Billy Graham was asked a question about someone else’s wrongdoing.  His response – It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict, God’s job to judge, and my job to love.

……………………………………….