2.1K
Downloads
260
Episodes
Welcome to the Podcasts of Dalby Christian Family Church. Here you can find PodCasts of all the latest sermons preached at church.Join us as we learn, grow, laugh and live life together.
Episodes
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
Sunday Apr 25, 2021
THE FUEL OF LOVE
Dalby Christian Family Church – 25th April 2021
1 Corinthians 1:9 “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” NKJV
When we look at a plant or flower, we see its beauty, colour and fragrance. But the health and strength of the flower is not in its colour or fragrance but lies in where it is planted, and its root system.
Our strength doesn’t lie in how many we lead to Christ, or how many miracles we do, or the many activities of life and service – it lies in our relationship with our God.
- God has called us into fellowship with Himself.
When we think of ‘call’ we often think of what type of ministry or work we should be doing. These are valid, but our PRIMARY call is to walk with God.
How would you feel if someone proposed marriage to you for what you could do for them? Perhaps help with household maintenance, bringing in the money & so on. No, marriage is first of all about loving the other and sharing in life together.
There are many broken families because each is so busy doing stuff, that they ignored each other.
Before we are ministers, volunteers or team members, we are His. This is where our fruitfulness comes from. John 15:4-5 “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
Revelation 2:4 “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love”
The Ephesian Church in Revelation Chapter 2 was very busy serving, being patient, being brave, standing up for what’s right – but their love had run dry.
Eventually, if they didn’t put it right, their church would be gone. V5… “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.”
I hardly think that Jesus would need to remove anything… eventually what isn’t fuel by love – dies.
In times of temptation, weariness and trouble will we stand up, will we be able to keep functioning for our master - or our friend? I think our Friend. The One we love.
Song of Songs 8:7 “Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love All the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised.”
What does this mean? It means that love is its own reward.
You cannot pay someone for their work when it’s an act of love. For this reason, when love for Jesus motivates and fuels our lives, we can go the extra mile, we can give more than we thought we could, we could endure so much more than we thought we could, and you can’t pay for it – it would be despised.
Jeff doesn’t have to pay me to do the things I do, neither do my children. All that I have is theirs. They owe me nothing.
Why is this so important?
- Because it’s easier serve someone we love, than someone we fear. Its easier to work for someone when you know them, than when you don’t. When you understand their values and where they are coming from.
We are first of all called to KNOW Him.
I remember as a little girl, from time to time deciding to do something wonderful for mum & dad – you’ll cringe when you hear it! We would decide to surprise mum and dad and ‘clean up’ a room. We’d work so hard, and they would be so happy, they knew our motivation. But if I was still to do that at the age of 17, or now, it wouldn’t be met with such grace… because I know better now. I know what they like, what’s important to them.
In the same way, when knowing God is the basis we work from, we are more inclined to get things right – not necessarily perfect, but right.
Colossians 1:9-10 “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;”
It won’t be to get recognised, promoted or approved of. I love this statement… “My desire – to worship before the audience of One”
Even though what we do impacts many, it is for the delight of Jesus. This is the best safeguard against pride, resentment and exhaustion.
- When love for God is our motivation, it ‘leaks’ out to others. God is love,
and when we love Him, all we do begins to be in the atmosphere of love, and that love ministers to others.
- Love is a great foundation – “I will build my life upon your love, and I will
not be shaken.” An aside, I think this is not just about His love for us, but our love for Him and for others. When we function out of motivations other than love, we can be easily shaken.
- Finally, functioning out of love is to function out of a place of rest and sustainability. It’s a little funny now, but when the children were young and at home, I used to reach the end of my rope, and I felt that I was not doing well. My catch cry was, “I can’t resign, and no one will fire me!” I felt stuck with my limited resources. On the other side of that coin was my deep love for my children. I’m going to find a way, because I love them! (Fortunately for them, Jesus is my way!)
That beautiful passage in 1 Corinthians 13 is worth reading as I wrap up.
|
“Generosity without love is patronising and humiliating” |
“ If I speak with the eloquence of men and of angels, but have no love, I become no more than blaring brass or crashing cymbal. If I have the gift of foretelling the future and hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but the very secrets of God, and if I also have that absolute faith which can move mountains, but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. If I dispose of all that I possess, yes, even if I give my own body to be burned, but have no love, I achieve precisely nothing.
4 This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.
5-6 Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
7-8a Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-8s (JB Phillips)
Colossians 1:13 “ He has delivered us from the power of darkness and [a]conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, “
His Kingdom is a kingdom of love, which means the atmosphere of His Kingdom is love…. To try and function in anyway is like a fish trying to swim out of water.
Are you deeply rooted and planted in the love of God?
Our first call is into fellowship with Jesus… First, we follow Him, and then He makes us what we ought and need to be.
Conclusion
Where is your heart at? Are you primarily following Jesus, or following duty?
Is your tank empty? Have you lost your first love?
Have you ever made Jesus ‘your way’, today is a great day to make that first decision to make Him ‘your way’.
Lets pray….
Tuesday Apr 20, 2021
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
Sunday Apr 18, 2021
Join Professor Steve Fogarty, CEO of Alphacrusis College in Sydney.
Enjoy the message.
Sunday Apr 11, 2021
Sunday Apr 11, 2021
This episode we welcome Ps Reuben Roos from The Twin Rivers Centre.
Be brave, take a chance and trust in God.
Enjoy the message.
Sunday Apr 04, 2021
Sunday Apr 04, 2021
EASTER SERMON 2021
Things Aren’t Always As They Seem.
Over the last Year or So we have often heard the Saying FAKE NEWS. There is Also a Saying that Many of Us May have Heard over the years and it goes like this: - “Things are Not Always As They Seem.”
Very Often Something can Be Happening in Life, or Even In OUR Lives, and Our Perception of what We Think is happening, may Not Actually Be the True Reality of what Is Really Happening. There is another Similar Saying that goes something like this….. “Looks Can be Deceiving.” And What Appears May Not Be Real.
SO “Things are Not Always as They Seem.”
The Original Easter Story carried these Same Overtures, but To Those Involved, they were Completely Unaware.
MATTHEW 26:47-56, Read from My NKJV Bible.
47 And while He was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him."
49 Immediately he went up to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed Him.
50 But Jesus said to him, "FRIEND”, why have you come?"
Sometimes We may Not realise this, BUT YOU…….
Actually Need Judas in your life, as much as YOU need John the beloved disciple. We see that JOSEPH needed His Brothers and Potiphar’s wife, to get Him to Pharaohs Court.]
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him.
51 And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
52 But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.
53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 6000 X 12=
54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen this way?"
56 But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled.
IN 2 Kings 19:20 Hezekiah Prayed, and God heard, (And in verse 35) ONE ANGEL then Goes Out and Kills an Army of 185,000 soldiers of King Sennacherib of Assyria, in ONE NIGHT, leaving all their corpses Lying on the ground.
SO What APPEARS to be a Betrayal and a Disaster, with a Great Multitude of People Turning up with JUDAS the Betrayer, to Capture Jesus, and the Disciples Fleeing for their Lives in Fear, and JESUS being Led Away, is in Fact Just As God Planned It To Be.
“Things are Not Always as They Seem.”
What “APPEARS” to be a Carefully Orchestrated, Plan of Jealous, Jewish,
Leaders, along with the Help From the Roman Occupational Forces; and What “APPEARS” to be a COMPLETE DISASTER in the Eyes of the Disciples, Is Actually GOD Going about His Business To Redeem Mankind to Himself.
IN ISAIAH 53:7, (NKJV)
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. In Other Words, GOD LET IT HAPPEN !!!
IN LUKE 22:31-34, Jesus HAD WARNED Peter that this would happen, BUT He didn’t GET IT…….. (NIV2011)
31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.
32 But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
33 But he replied, “Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.”
34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
SO IN JOHN 19, 5-12, We find JESUS has been taken Before Pilate. (NKJV)
5 Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!"
6 Therefore, when the chief priests and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying, "Crucify Him, crucify Him!" Pilate said to them, "You take Him and crucify Him, for I find no fault in Him."
7 The Jews answered him, "We have a law, and according to our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God."
8 Therefore, when Pilate heard that saying, he was the more afraid,
9 and went again into the Praetorium, and said to Jesus, "Where are You from?" But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then Pilate said to Him, "Are You not speaking to me? Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?"
11 Jesus answered, "You could have no power at all against Me unless it had been given you from above. Therefore the one who delivered Me to you has the greater sin."
WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING WAS…… [SIR…You are Just a PAWN in this Game Right Now, AND I, Your VICTIM, Standing Here before You, Am Actually CALLING THE PLAY.]
“You see, Things Here are Not Actually as They Seem.”
It was like JESUS was Saying, (BUT HE DIDN’T SAY IT )
“PILATE, Because I have said YES, YES, YES, to My Fathers WILL, YOU along with all these Others here, are NOW just a PART of my Fathers PLAN that is being Played Out HERE, before Us ALL.
“PILATE, You are IN…… “way over your head”, and there is Nothing you can do about it.”
12 From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, "If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar."
SO WE SEE……..JESUS BEING LED AWAY to be Crucified, through the Via Delarosa and out to the Place of the Skull.
They hang Him on the Cross, and Crucify Him there at Golgotha. They Divide his Clothes among them. HE sees his Mother (Mary) standing next to John his Younger Half Brother, (FROM VERSE 25—30. Tell the story)
Mary had already Lost Joseph her Husband several years earlier, and now Jesus passes on his Responsibilities for His Mum, to John, and then Yields up HIS Spirit to His Father. 1 Corinth 2:6-10, sheds some light on This.
1 CORITH 2:7-10, Let me Read you this Passage. (NKJV)
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,
8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
“You see, Things Were Not Actually as They Seemed.
RESURECTION MORNING COMES AND
LUKE 24:1, Tells Us, The women came to the TOMB with Burial Spices to Embalm his Body, AND Even though JESUS had told them Several Times, that HE Would Rise Again, Yet Somehow…… they Didn’t GET IT !!!
Peter and John run to the Tomb and realise the Tomb had been Opened. They Looking Inside THEY WRONGLY ASSUMED that Some How The Body of JESUS Had Been Removed.
BUT THINGS WERE NOT AS THEY SEEMED.
JOHN 20:11-18, (NKJV) Tells Us…..
11 But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb.
12 And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
13 Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."
14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus.
[Things Were NOT as They Seemed]
15 Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."
16 Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to Him, "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).
[ You see, Things were NOT as they Seemed]
17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.' "
JESUS Was ascending to the ALTAR in HEAVEN to Present Himself as THE FIRST FRUITS of the HARVEST fo Souls that were to Follow. (He was to be a WAVE OFFERING)
JOHN 20:19-20, (NKJV) Tells Us 19 , That same day at evening, being the first day of the week, (SUNDAY NIGHT) when the doors were [shut from the inside] where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stands in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you."
20 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
[Also JOHN 20:24-29 Thomas sees Jesus hands]
They had No Idea, that the Scars were for Them , to Save Them.
Reality HAD NOT YET Sunk IN.
LUKE 24:36-43, LUKE gives us His Version of Jesus appearing. (NKJV)
36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."
37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit.
THINGS were NOT AS They Supposed. BUT Jesus was literally STANDING THERE among them in Flesh and Blood.
38 And He said to them, "Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.
41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, "Have you any food here?"
42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
Jesus Is the God-Man. Fully God and Fully Man.
SOME YEARS I read a STORY, of a Young woman who was Embarrassed by her Elderly Mothers Hands which were Both Very Badly Scarred from Burns, that they were an Embarrassment to her whenever she went Out with Her Mother in Public. Her mother would never tell her what had happed to her hands. So the young woman would make her Mother wear gloves over her hands whenever they went out in Public so that people’s attention would not be drawn to the disfigured Hands.
Several years later the Girl’s Mother died, and She came to The Funeral Parlour, to view her Mother’s Body with other Relatives that had Gathered there. She was Happy to see that the Funeral Director had Kindly placed a pair of Gloves over her Mothers ghastly hands.
While others were viewing the Body, her Aunty, (the Mothers Younger sister) took her aside and told her the Story of her Mothers disfigured hands.
She said when you were just a little Baby, you were playing next to the fireplace, and You tripped over, and fell down into the flames. Your Mother in a Flash threw herself into the fire to protect you from being Burned, and put her hands between Your Face and the Fire, to stop the Flames from burning your Face and upper body. She then brushed the embers down and away from you with her hands, and crushed them down with her hands so you would not be burned, and that is why they are disfigured.
Suddenly the Young Woman began to Wail Uncontrollably, and she rushed over to her Mother’s Body in the Coffin, and Weeping Loudly she removes the Gloves from her Mothers hands, and Holds her Mothers Scarred hands to her face and Loudly weeping said:- These Scars were for Me, These Scars were for Me. Your Hands Bore the Scars that Would have been over my Face. I never realised What You Suffered to Save my Face, and my life from being Burned.
Thankyou my Mother Thank you. Oh how I Love these Hands, Oh How I Love these Hands.
YOU SEE FOLKS, Things Are NOT Always as They Seem, Or As They Appear Right Now;
BUT All will be Revealed in the End.
JESUS GOD’S LAMB, HAS SCARS On His Hands and His Side For My Sin and For Yours. HIS BLOOD IS SUFFICIENT to Cleanse YOU and I, and Make Us NEW Creatures in Christ. We’ll never know what He went through for Us this Side of the Grave, but ONE DAY, WHEN WE SEE HIM, in HIS Presence we’ll see those SCARS for Our Sin. MY SIN and YOUR SIN.
To Protect US from the ETERNAL FIRES of Judgement.
THE CROSS MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.
Recently I was Reading My Bible in: -
LEVITICUS 5:17 NLT. Suppose you sin by violating one of the LORD’S commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin. Wow !!!
How did these people live under those kinds of Rules. Their Animal SACRIFICES DID NOT remove their Sin, It only Covered Over Them.
Can you imagine going to bed at Night and Praying. Oh GOD. Please Forgive me all my Sins….. and even the ones that I don’t Know if I have committed them or not.
The Old Testament was about Obeying the Commands/ THOU SHALT, THOU SHALT NOT.
BUT THE NEW TESTAMENT is NOT Thou Shalt or THOU SHALT NOT.
The new Testament is GOD SAYING,
I WILL……Build my Church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. I WILL pour Out my Spirit on your Sons and daughters and they shall prophesy. I WILL put my laws in their MINDS, I WILL write them on their Hearts, and I WILL be their God.
HEBREWS 8:10-12 Explains this in
Verse 12 says, And I WILL forgive their wickedness AND I WILL never again remember their Sins.
This New Covenant is ONLY POSSIBLE because JESUS BLOOD WAS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE, (A Sinless LAMB) which was able to NOT ONLY CLEASE US FROM ALL SINS, But IS also able to CLEANSE OUR GUILTY CONCIOUS AS WELL. Jesus BECAME THE PROPITIATION
( THE FULL PAYMENT) for Our Sins.
REVELATION 5:1-14, speaks of the Lamb who was Slain from the Foundation of the World. He Became the LAMB OF GOD for Us, and Ever Lives to Make Intercession for us.
1 JOHN 1:6-9, Says, (NKJV)
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
SIN comes out of our lives through our Mouth,
WHEN We Acknowledge we have sin, and we Confess it, to Him,
HE is Faithfull to Forgive Us our Sin, and Cleanse Us From ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS.
He Is Alive Forever More.
And because HE Lives, We shall Live Also.
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
Sunday Mar 28, 2021
This Episode join Ps Nigel Muller from Next Level Church - Biloela.
Message - Content, Discontent, Content.
Enjoy.
Sunday Mar 21, 2021
Sunday Mar 21, 2021
PEOPLE ARE NOT WHAT THEY SEEM… 21ST March. 2021
Introduction…
Pastor Chris Petersen story…. “Children are a great leveller”
James 2:1-9 “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favour some people over others?
2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewellery, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?
5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonour the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble nameyou bear?
8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” 9 But if you favour some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.” (NLT)
- Image Bearers – Why is it so wrong to favour one over the other in this manner? Because each one of us is an image bearer of God. Because God has placed immeasurable value on each and every one of us as His image bearer and as people whom He came to redeem. God has put a price on everyone’s head – it’s the life of His Son. So who are we to devalue one over another?
- Jesus example – Jesus over and over demonstrated the value of all people. He had time for the seeking pharisee Nicodemus, the despised tax collector, Matthew. The demon possessed Mary, for the widows, the women, the children, the lepper and the loner in the graveyard. Even His enemies acknowledged that He didn’t show partiality.
(Matthew 22:16) “They sent some of their disciples, along with the supporters of Herod, to meet with him. “Teacher,” they said, “we know how honest you are. You teach the way of God truthfully. You are impartial and don’t play favorites”. (NLT)
If He put the value of time, interest and understanding on each of these, can we do any less?
- We are kingdom people.
Luke 6:20-21, “20 Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “God blesses you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours. God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.”
This passage shows us the kind of people kingdom people are This is so shockingly counter cultural to us, but shows us how we should truly treat all people.. Its deeply challenging, and we need to see if the picture we have of ourselves fits this one.
- Because of Who Jesus is. James 2:1 , “My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favour some people over others?”
How does our faith in Jesus Christ play out in this scenario? Because we should look at other people through the eyes of Christ. If they are believers, then we honour the presence of His Spirit in them. If they are not believers, we honour the truth that Christ died for them.
Jesus Himself, was misunderstood and rejected. He didn’t fit the mould. He was despised and rejected.
(Isaiah 53:1-4) “Who has believed our message? To whom has the Lord revealed his powerful arm? My servant grew up in the Lord’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows[a] that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins!”
If they could miss the Treasure that was Jesus because He didn’t ‘present well’, we can certainly miss the treasure that is in people we may not think ‘present well’. Let’s not make that same mistake.
Interestingly, when Jesus looks at people, He looks at their future, not their past. But we tend to judge people according what we see. Perhaps we should do what Jesus does, and imagine the future of these people. The woman at the well was an unlikely candidate for a philosophical and spiritual discussion with Jesus, but even though He knew her situation, He also knew her future! He’s honouring engagement with her changed her future, and that of her community!
I want to wrap up with a true and very personal story. Mum & Dad.
Friday Mar 19, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
Sunday Mar 14, 2021
The Call of Abram
12 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.”
4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran. 5 He took his wife, Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all his wealth—his livestock and all the people he had taken into his household at Haran—and headed for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land as far as Shechem. There he set up camp beside the oak of Moreh. At that time, the area was inhabited by Canaanites.
7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your descendants.[a]” And Abram built an altar there and dedicated it to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 After that, Abram traveled south and set up camp in the hill country, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built another altar and dedicated it to the Lord, and he worshiped the Lord. 9 Then Abram continued traveling south by stages toward the Negev.
Abram and Sarai in Egypt
10 At that time a severe famine struck the land of Canaan, forcing Abram to go down to Egypt, where he lived as a foreigner. 11 As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. 12 When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ 13 So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.”
14 And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty. 15 When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace. 16 Then Pharaoh gave Abram many gifts because of her—sheep, goats, cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.
17 But the Lord sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 So Pharaoh summoned Abram and accused him sharply. “What have you done to me?” he demanded. “Why didn’t you tell me she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ and allow me to take her as my wife? Now then, here is your wife. Take her and get out of here!” 20 Pharaoh ordered some of his men to escort them, and he sent Abram out of the country, along with his wife and all his possessions.
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
Sunday Mar 07, 2021
JAMES No 3.
The Journey Of Maturity
James in His Letter is teaches us How to continue to Grow in the Grace and the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Maturity is HIGH on God’s ‘To Do List’, that HE has for each of Us. This is Why He allows US to walk through Temptations, Trials, and Difficulties, because they Force Us to Make Choices to Grow Up. To SAY NO to the immediate, for LONG TERM GAIN. Growing Up, isn't always comfortable – it requires us to Stretch, and Tap into God’s Strength, and to work at Changing our Thinking and Attitudes, and to resist lapsing back into our former Childish (ME FIRST) ways.
1 CORINTH 13:11, (NLT) tells us,
11 When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. [My ME FIRST ways]
Childish things are like tantrums, pouting, Impatience, Selfish, Being irresponsible, Not keeping my word, Jealous of other people’s toys and things, being cruel, trying to manipulate my parents and others to get what I want, being a tittle-tattle, by dobbing others in. Inability to keep secrets, being fearful, and thoughtless, and wanting everything NOW, with No ability to Wait Patiently, and the list goes on. BUT MANY PEOPLE, when they Grow UP, Fail to PUT AWAY CHILDISH THINGS, Often because it still Works for them. (GAMES PEOPLE PLAY)
YES they may have become Physically Mature, but often behaviourally they can be Quite IMMATURE.
JAMES 1:2-8, (NLT)
2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.
7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
Last week we discussed at length this very issue in Verses 2-4 which deals with:- Embracing Difficulty, in Order to Build Character. (James here, is Not talking about Encountering Difficulty...we All Encounter Difficulty, BUT we don’t All Embrace IT.
If we could Put into Practice everything that James is teaching us, we would be able to:-
Get through Our trials, Have a faith that works, Control our words, Do the Will of God,
Use our Money for a purpose, Stand through temptation, and Get our Prayers answered, and the list Goes On. THIS building of Character is the Most Important Business of Life. [Galatians 5:22-23] Calls it the Nine Fruits of the Spirit, or Character Qualities. Each one of us Must build Our Own Character. No one can do it for us. OUR Parents May Attempt Too, But Only US/WE, Ourselves can Make Our life Beautiful. No One can build Truth, Purity, and Love into Our Lives, except Our Selves. No One else can be True, Pure, Honourable, and Loving FOR Us. We have to DO IT Ourselves. Your Mother’s Prayers and Teachings, cannot give you strength of Soul and grandeur of Spirit. It may HELP, BUT YOU Must embrace it.
Character is not built in a Classroom or by Hearing a Sunday Sermon. Froude said, “You Cannot Dream yourself into a Character, you must Hammer and Forge yourself into Character.” Character is NOT on a Discounted Special this week. It’s ALWAYS FULL PRICE IN EVERY SHOP. True Character is BUILT when we SEE and UNDERSTAND that GOD is WITH US in the Difficulties of LIFE; and that HE IS Providing us with Opportunitys to make QUALITY CHOICES to Embrace Difficulties as a Friend, & NOT Resent IT. HE gives us GRACE to Embrace difficulty with JOY, in order to strengthen our Character with Patience, and bring us into MATURITY. Only then does our PAIN become PROFITABLE, and we become Strengthened and Mature. CHOICES, QUALITY CHOICES, Sometimes Painful QUALITY CHOICES, ARE MADE, and Rather than Becoming BITTER, WE BECOME BETTER. This process ensures that we don’t become QUITTERS, each and Every time that Life becomes Tough; but rather we become FINISHERS like Jesus, who said on the Cross IT IS FINISHED. HEBREWS 12:2-3, Tells Us,
2, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3, For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. [His Endurance came from the INNER JOY of seeing the End Result, Before HE Got THERE.
PHILPPIANS 1:6, tells us; (NKJV)
6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
JUDE verse 20-21 and 24, tells us, (NKJV)
20 But you, beloved, building g yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit,
21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy,
HE Will Not Give UP on YOU and I. Painful Though It may BE, He will keep working on Our Character.
Every Building requires a good foundation. Without this it can never rise into Real Strength and Grandeur. Beautiful buildings have been built WITHOUT Good Foundations on Sand or Black Soil. Initially they LOOK GOOD. BUT Sooner or Later they move, rise, sink, twist, or buckle, and lose all their beauty and grandeur. They are then no longer Desired, and their Value Falls in the Eyes of Man. The Cause of this in most cases relates to THE COST. The Owner of the building initially refused TO PAY THE PRICE for good foundations, BUT Eventually Loses his Whole Building in the END.
We paid an extra $20K for our Church Hall Pier and Beam Foundations, rather than have STUMPS. Character is the FOUNDATION on which you build your life. IT’s what Carries You Through your Life. BUT Good Character will COST YOU,
BUT it will Secure your Life and the Life of those you Love. Character is made of Things like, Truthfulness, Purity, Honour, Courage, Discipline, Endurance, Compassion, Self Sacrifice, and Vision, to negotiate the problems, trials, challenges and disappointments of life. [It is the GROWING OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT in OUR LIVES] Bill Hybels wrote a book a number of years ago titled, “Who you are When No One is Looking. That statement really sums up Character.
The J.B. Phillips Modern English Version says it this way. James 1:2-4, When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives, my brothers, don’t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends. [They’ll be the making of you] 3, Realise that they come to test your faith and to produce in you the quality of endurance.
4, But let the process go on until that endurance is fully developed, and you will find you have become men of mature character, men of integrity with no weak spots.
LET ME FINISH with a STORY FROM MY OWN LIFE WHERE I ALMOST DID AN EPIC FAIL.
1976-1978, PNG Story of the Person on my TEAM Who Caused Me A LOT OF GRIEF.
GOD SAID, I Had to KEEP Her in Your Life Until You Dealt with this Issue. Otherwise You would Never grow Up, and You Would just Keep Repeating this behaviour through-out Your Life.
MATTHEW 5:44-45, (NLT)
44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.