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CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

Posted in Church, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, can you feel the love tonight, christian, church, Craig Anderson, feel the love, God's Love, inc, international network of churches, love, love limitless, plenty valley church, Urban Connect Group on April 13, 2014| Leave a Comment »

LOVE LIMITLESS # 2 PM

CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

Some people are so ugly they are referred to as someone with a face “only a mother could love.” Let’s face it mothers deserve a break… They put up with a lot and they still love their rotten to the core offspring! So who here has a mother? And tell me does your mother love you? My mother only watched me play football once! She wanted to go on the field and “Bop the guy who tackled me.” So your mother loves you, right? So can you feel her love right now? Maybe if you think about it a bit you can sense that reality, right? What about God’s love, can you feel that?

The facts: Jesus lived in Palestine around 2000 years ago, He claimed to be the son of God. He died on a cross and his followers told of how He rose again from the dead.

The Motivation: John 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)

The Connection: God’s love demonstrated in this act of surrender can be experienced or not depending on your receptivity.

Let’s look at those who were and who weren’t affected by this love.

Barabbas – Doomed to die for crimes of insurrection, but now pardoned instead of Jesus. Did he ever stop to think that Jesus went to death in his place? So close he came to losing his life, but Pilate wanting to release Jesus was forced by the crowd to crucify Him and release Barabbas instead.- Did he feel the love?
One Bitter Thief – This man crucified with Jesus cries out: Luke 23:39 One of the criminals who was suspended kept up a railing at Him, saying, Are You not the Christ (the Messiah)? Rescue Yourself and us from death! (AMP) His one time meeting with Jesus who died for him was brief but ineffective. Did he feel the love?
One open hearted thief – The other thief rebuked the first and could clearly see Jesus was who He said He was – The Son of God and not worthy of this ignominious death, unlike himself who deserved all he got due to his many wrongs. He said: Luke 23:40-43

⁴⁰But the other one reproved him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you yourself are under the same sentence of condemnation and suffering the same penalty?

⁴¹And we indeed suffer it justly, receiving the due reward of our actions; but this Man has done nothing out of the way [nothing strange or eccentric or perverse or unreasonable].

⁴²Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come in Your kingly glory!

⁴³And He answered him, Truly I tell you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.

John the disciple – As John watched the agony of the crucifixion, he was moved to do what he could to alleviate Jesus pain. All that rushed through his head and heart were those things that Jesus had repeatedly told the disciples over and over: I will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes to be killed; to give my life a ransom for many, for God so loved the world that He gave His only Son. And so the words rang in his head and heart; but to see the agony in such a graphic scene must have broken his heart.

Mary the mother of Jesus – For thirty three years she watched her beloved son grow up. She watched Him fall down as He tried to walk at a tender age, she watched him learn his father’s trade at carpentry, She wondered at His amazing wisdom that arose so early in His life as He lived in the reading of the old testament writings. Now as she watches the crucifixion, His agony is her agony. This is not another man tortured for his crimes but her beloved Son in complete agony. Yet over and over He had told her: this is why, because of my father’s love. It ripped her heart out but she saw the love first hand.

Millions have heard of His love. His love for them. Millions have let that love pass them seemingly unaffected. Millions more have been deeply affected by this love, this limitless love. Whether this love affects you or not is not up to God but up to you!

I can tell you all the facts of the greatest act of Love, but whether it affects you or not depends on you and where you stand. Where do you stand tonight? What affects you? What moves you? Will you allow your heart to be moved and if not why not?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What does love feel like? What about God’s love?

2. How is it some people are open to God and others are not?

3. How open are you to God?

4. What can you do to be more open to God, more willing to listen to Him, more willing to hear His voice?

5. Could you become more responsive to God’s love?

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DEEPER THAN THE DEEPEST OCEAN

Posted in Church, Preaching messages, tagged christian, church, Craig Anderson, how big is the universe, inc, international network of churches, judgement, judgment of God, justice, limitless, limitless love, love, mercy, plenty valley church, righteousness, sin, Urban Connect Group, wrath, wrath of God on April 6, 2014| 1 Comment »

LOVE LIMITLESS # 1 AM

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows and proclaims His handiwork.

The firmament or the sky declares the glory or the bigness of God, since He created all things, and there is not anything that is made that he has not created. So how big is the universe? This is just one site that tries to estimate the vastness of the universe. http://www.space.com/25303-how-many-galaxies-are-in-the-universe.html

200 Billion Galaxies in the observable universe and what lies beyond that? A galaxy such as the one we are in, called the Milky Way, is big. The Milky Way is a barred spiral galaxy some 100,000–120,000 light-years in diameter which contains 100–400 billion stars. It may contain at least as many planets as well. Get the picture!

The size of the universe is so vast and beyond our comprehension and this verse says the universe declares the glory or the bigness, wonder, power of God. God is big, and since the bible declares that God is love, then obviously love is limitless; infinite. As God’s love is limitless, so also is His holiness and His justice. So let’s begin at the beginning.

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Gen 1:1) God created man in His own image, after His likeness (Gen 1:26) God the Father desired offspring, to have sons and daughters with whom He could have fellowship. As God created the first man Adam, He created him with the capacity to know and understand and communicate with Him. Adam walked with God in the cool of the garden. (Gen 3:8)

To deepen the fellowship and have true love from His offspring, He made man with free will. This was a two edged sword giving man the capacity to walk away from God or come to Him and choose to love Him for who He is. To make room for the bigness of this decision God made a way for redemption and salvation for man should He choose to walk away and then need to return. God in His infinite wisdom choose His only begotten son to give his life as a sacrifice and ransom to pay for the wrongs of the whole of mankind that would come. (Rev 13:8)

In ages past some of the angels, created beings had also chosen to walk away from obedience and had fallen, there was no way back for them since they already possessed their eternal state. This creation of man in mortal attire provides his opportunity on earth to know God, and choose to serve Him before the final judgement that sets his eternity.

And so God created man and in his choices, he chose to disobey God and he was cast out of the garden and he tilled the ground for food and his wife bore children in the pain of childbirth. (Gen 3:16-23) One son murdered another and lawlessness grew, until the time of Noah when God said: Gen 6: 5-7

⁵The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually.

⁶And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart.

⁷So the Lord said, I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground—not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air—for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them.(AMP)

God is holy. Perfectly Holy, without any sin or blemish. God is righteous, and He is unable to accept wrong doing, sin, and overlook it. If righteous men, as judges, must punish lawless men found guilty; and we expect them not to let off a criminal for his misdeeds, how much more would we expect a Holy and righteous God to punish every wrong man commits? Not only is God just and righteous, He is the judge of all and He sets the standard of what is right and wrong. (Remember how big He is) It is God’s holiness that requires He be just and execute judgement on all wrong doing.

As Noah’s offspring populate the earth again, God promises to never judge the earth in the same manner again – that is, with a flood. He desires to have men choose to follow Him because He is good. Yet again and again man chooses his own way. (Is 53:6) As Moses leads the chosen nation of Israel into a promised land, God is incensed at their rebellion; In Ex 32:9 God chooses judgement;

⁹And the Lord said to Moses, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people;

¹⁰Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and that I may destroy them; but I will make of you a great nation.(AMP)

And again later after the nation of Israel refused to believe the two faith filled spies who told of the Promised Land, God chooses to destroy all of Israel. Num 14:11-12.

¹¹And the Lord said to Moses, How long will this people provoke (spurn, despise) Me? And how long will it be before they believe Me [trusting in, relying on, clinging to Me], for all the signs which I have performed among them?

¹²I will smite them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and will make of you [Moses] a nation greater and mightier than they. (AMP)

Again and again God warns Israel; Walk in My ways and obey me and you will be my people; and again and again they rebel.

At this time let me remind you of how the human heart and mind work. How easy it is for us to measure ourselves against one another and for each and every person to come to the conclusion quite wrongly that I am a good person. That God should accept and receive me as I am. The strong deception of pride rules the hearts of men.

Prov 21 :2-4 ²Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.

³To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

⁴Haughtiness of eyes and a proud heart, even the tillage of the wicked or the lamp [of joy] to them [whatever it may be], are sin [in the eyes of God].

Again and again Israel promise to walk with God only to fall into disobedience again. God warns them continuously,

1 Kings 17:13-14. 13 Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah through all the prophets and all the seers, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the Law which I commanded your fathers and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.

14 Yet they would not hear, but hardened their necks as did their fathers who did not believe (trust in, rely on, and remain steadfast to) the Lord their God.

Again and again God promises to forgive and restore them if they would only return to Him with all their hearts.

Zechariah 10:6 And I will strengthen the house of Judah and I will save the house of Joseph [Ephraim]. I will bring them back and cause them to dwell securely, for I have mercy, loving-kindness, and compassion for them. They shall be as though I had not cast them off, for I am the Lord their God, and I will hear them. (AMP)

Why is it that man cannot see the holiness of God, and cannot comprehend His passion for righteousness and holiness and His unending thirst for justice? We stand before Him naked and ashamed with no defence for our many sins. We are fodder for the wrath of God and He will execute His judgment upon all who have disobeyed Him.

2 Thess 1:8-9

⁸In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

⁹Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (KJV)

Can you see that, as with all of God’s attributes, His Holiness is infinite? If His thirst for righteousness and justice are infinite, then where do we stand? Just as His holiness and righteousness are infinite, so is His love and mercy. So great was His desire for His offspring to be restored and set free from the power of sin, He sent forth His only begotten Son to take the entire and complete punishment for all our sins. All His wrath against sin was released against Jesus Christ. The wrath of God against sin was born by Jesus Christ as our atoning sacrifice.

Romans 5:8-10

⁸But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.

⁹Therefore, since we are now justified (^[f]acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

¹⁰For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [^[g]resurrection] life.

How vast our God is, His ways are past finding out. How great are His judgements. He is righteous altogether. His holiness is complete to perfection and all His ways are just. When He executes judgement, who can stand before Him? Yet as vast as His justice is; and His desire for all wrongs to be punished, He is full of mercy and loving kindness to all who bow their knee and their hearts to Him. His love limitless compels Him to place our judgment upon Jesus, and to let us go free if we repent and bow our hearts to the living God.

Ps 103:11

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him.(AMP)

His love is limitless. His love needed to be limitless to meet the challenge of His perfect justice and wrath against all sin. To the extent of His holiness, is the extent of His great love.

Our Key verse for the month – Ephes 3:17-19.

¹⁷May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

¹⁸That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

¹⁹[That you may really come] to know [practically, ^[e]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses ^[f]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] ^[g]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and^[h]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR URBAN CONNECT GROUPS

1. How can we describe God’s holiness?

2. If God is perfectly just and He knows all things, then what will be His reaction to any sins or wrongful deeds?

3. Do you think some people, perhaps even Christians, take a casual approach to sin?

4. Knowing all God’s wrath against your sin was endured by Jesus – how do you feel?

5. This justice – limitless; this holiness – limitless; this mercy – limitless; Our thankfulness – ????

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I PRAYED FOR YOU TODAY!

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, christian, church, Craig Anderson, gossip, inc, international network of churches, love, plenty valley church, pray, pray for one another, PRAYER, Urban Connect Group on March 30, 2014| Leave a Comment »

LOVE ANOTHER # 5AM

WORDS OF LOVE

This month our theme of Love Another is a powerful encouragement to turn our love loose on one another in the same manner that Jesus loves us. We determine to love the brothers and sisters that God has placed us with. You can’t choose your relatives in the natural sense and neither can you in the spiritual sense. God places us together. Any reluctance to love a certain annoying brother or sister reveals the tendency in us to fail to see ourselves as we are. It’s not all about you! As a church we are continuously others focussed.

Today we are focussing on words of love.

How would you like to help create such a powerful atmosphere of love and encouragement that whenever members of this church gather together on Friday night, Sunday or in Urban Connect Groups that people always leave feeling uplifted, inspired and loved? Do you realise you are all ministers of the Spirit? You are creating the culture and atmosphere of this local church by what you say and do when gathered together? Our words can be uplifting or they can be hurtful. Being sensitive to others is part of love, realising how people hear or receive what you say is important also. As Australians we are good at sarcasm, but it only works when trust is high.

EXAMPLES OF TYPICAL AUSSIE-SPEAK

A red head is called – “Bluey”

A really tall bloke can be referred to as “Shorty”

A big overweight bloke as “Tiny”

If you’re going to use this kind of approach with people, only do it when you have built up a deep trusting friendship first.

There is a powerful tool we have at our disposal. The words of our mouth. Let’s look at James 3:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. ²Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

³We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. ⁴And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong.⁵In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. ⁶And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.^[b]

⁷People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, ⁸but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! ¹¹Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? ¹²Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.^[c] (NLT)

Your words are very powerful! Love another means being kind with your words. With our words we can bless another. Ephesians 4:29-31 trains us in the way we speak to one another:

²⁹Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.

³⁰And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).

³¹Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).(AMP)

Do you know the power of your words? When you criticise attack and vilify another person when they are not there, you are speaking words into the air, there’s passion behind them and that constitutes prayer of the most destructive kind.

Your words are not just sound waves but they have spiritual effect! John 6:63 teaches us that: It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. (AMP)

So your words are powerful and have spiritual impact. When we curse or talk negatively about one another we make room for demonic forces to attack and hinder God’s people. Look at this unusual verse in Ecclesiastes 10:20

Curse not the king, no, not even in your thoughts, and curse not the rich in your bedchamber, for a bird of the air will carry the voice, and a winged creature will tell the matter.(AMP)

Loving another is more than just not gossiping or not talking negatively; it’s speaking words of life over them. It means speaking words of encouragement to people and also about them to others when they are not there.

PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER

The best way to let your words be loving and up-building is to pray for your brothers and sisters. Your prayers are very powerful. In our local church often members are asking for prayer through Facebook or by calling the church or me or John personally. We send out prayer requests on email or if it’s not sensitive in nature on Facebook at the church group page and people begin to pray. Often there is a positive result.

James 5:16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].(AMP)

Often Paul asks for prayer, and it’s not only the leaders that need prayer, we all do. This is especially the work of our small groups called Urban Connect groups. When your part of an UC group your fellow members will be praying for you. UC leaders I ask that you pray for your members regularly, every day if possible. Listen to Paul’s requests:

1 Thess 5:25 Brethren, pray for us.

2 Thess 3:1 Furthermore, brethren, do pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may speed on (spread rapidly and run its course) and be glorified (extolled) and triumph, even as [it has done] with you,(AMP)

Heb 13:18 Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good (clear) conscience, that we want to walk uprightly and live a noble life, acting honorably and in complete honesty in all things.(AMP)

When you love people, you pray for them. How do you pray for another.

Pray for blessing, grace and favour; for God’s mercy to be poured out on them.
Pray the Lord’s will be done. (Luke 11:2 When you pray, say: Our Father Who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come. Your will be done [held holy and revered] on earth as it is in heaven.)
Specifically for their prayer request, calling to remembrance the scriptures that promise answers.

Don’t pray against anyone, all men are precious to God, pray and bind demonic forces. Matt 16:19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed^[d] in heaven.(ESV)

Famous Korean Pastor Dr. Yonghi Cho was preaching on prayer once and remarked how he was so upset with his deacons that he wanted to pray – “Dear God, Please give them a heart attack!” Try to avoid prayers like that one. A really powerful way to pray for others is to ask for God’s mercy to be poured out on them.

KIDS PRAYERS – They are so honest with their prayers.

Dear God, I went to this wedding and they were kissing right there in church. Is that OK?
Dear God, thank You for the baby brother but what I prayed for was a puppy.
Dear God, it must be super hard to love all the people in the world, especially my brother. I don’t know how You do it.
Dear God, Did you mean for a Giraffe to look like that or was it an accident? Dear God, I think about you sometimes even when I’m not praying. Dear God, If you give me a genie lamp, like Aladdin, I will give you anything you want, except my money or my chess set. Dear God, If you watch in church on Sunday I’ll show you my new shoes.

Make room in your prayer life to pray for your brothers and sisters in your own local church regularly. As you pray for one another, you are exercising love. AS God answers these prayers, blessings flow and the church edifies itself growing up I love.

WHAT NOW?

Keep your words to one another sweet and encouraging. Don’t speak negatively about one another behind their backs. Make a habit to pray for others.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How would you define gossip?

2. Why is gossip destructive?

3. What should your response be when someone speaks negatively about another brother or sister to you?

4. How do you feel when you know others are praying for you?

5. How can you make room in your life to pray for others?

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THOU SHALT NOT COMPARE

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Leaders Training, tagged compare, comparing, comparing one another, Craig Anderson, inc, international network of churches, love, love another, love one another, passion for the lost, plenty valley church, Urban Connect Group on March 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »

LOVE ANOTHER # 3AM

THOU SHALT NOT COMPARE

What a great year it is this year as we journey through the theme of LOVE. A whole year of unpacking the subject of love in 12 different sub-themes.

This month’s theme of “Love Another” is one of the key love themes for the year. When we love one another as Christ loved us, we demonstrate that we are His disciples. This is much more powerful than we realise! If unbelievers have any criticism of church folk at all, what is it that they most commonly say?

They are all hypocrites
All they do is fight among themselves.

Jesus shows us the example of loving another, whether that person is a Christian or not. We are called to love the brethren, love those who are lost and far from God, and even to love our enemies! Is there anyone left? However, the real power to change the world is how we treat each other within the church because this has the greatest power to demonstrate the reality of Jesus and His truth about eternal life.

Wouldn’t you love to be part of a church that reaches many lost people? I know you have a heart for the lost. I want to show you how that can happen today.

This is one of the key factors that led to my own conversion at the age of 20. To see the Christians really loving each other unconditionally in the church really stood out to me as being so very different from the world; and I gave my life to Christ.

Let’s look carefully at this verse together:

John 13:33-35

³³[Dear] little children, I am to be with you only a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: you are not able to come where I am going.

³⁴I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.

³⁵By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

The context here is that Jesus is about to depart (He went to the cross the next day) so His words take on amplified importance as summing up those very important messages to remember before He goes. Jesus says it’s a new Commandment – but how is it new? When Leviticus 19:18 says You shall not take revenge or bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord. Matthew Henry explains it like this: “it was the second great commandment of the law of Moses; yet, because it is also one of the great commandments of the New Testament, of Christ the new Lawgiver, it is called a new commandment; it is like an old book in a new edition corrected and enlarged. This commandment has been so corrupted by the traditions of the Jewish religion that when Christ revived it, and set it in a true light, it might well be called a new commandment.”

This new commandment is a refreshed and renewed and reinstated commandment, that was to be applied with renewed purpose to your brethren as being apart from, and distinct from, your neighbour (as in the story of the good Samaritan where Jesus clearly said the neighbour was anyone who was close by to you whether of your own kind of people or not). The point Jesus clearly wanted to make in John 13:35 was our love for one another is a key factor in the spreading of the Gospel. So here’s our incentive to win the lost, perfect the practice of loving one another in church.

When the love of God has come into your life and radically changed you; you are full of that love. There is plenty to go around and you can love your brothers and sisters no matter what obstacles might be in the way. The evidence of changed lives is that we love one another. Of the myriad of fallen human attitudes that might be evident in people, the Love of God overwhelms these in the truly converted believer. The light goes on and the revelation of who we are as fallen creatures, and in need of forgiveness, overwhelms our prideful disposition and we see all God’s people as trophies of His grace and marvel at the wonder of God, instead of the prideful view of seeing ourselves better than someone else.

To be clear – it’s an evidence that you are saved when you love the brethren. Loving people is easy when you’ve been filled with His love. Salvation opens our eyes with humility to see each other as precious to God.

One of the great obstacles to loving each other is comparing. When we compare ourselves with others we make a grave error that holds back our Christian growth.

Look at his verse with me: 2 Cor 10:12 Not that we [have the audacity to] venture to class or [even to] compare ourselves with some who exalt and furnish testimonials for themselves! However, when they measure themselves with themselves and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding and behave unwisely. (AMP)

When we look at another Christian there is often an overwhelming temptation to judge and assess them in comparison to ourselves. We surreptitiously look them up and down and draw conclusions based on flimsy evidence that they are better or worse than us. Jesus covers this idea when He says: Luke 6:41-42 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice or consider the beam [of timber] that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your brother, Brother, allow me to take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? You actor (pretender, hypocrite)! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

The fault of the man with the beam in his eye is that he has not examined himself before examines another. This is obvious only to the other and not to himself. Jesus calls this person a hypocrite – one who pretends to be something they are not. Love accepts people as they are and when that becomes difficult, we are very careful to check ourselves out first before we go and help someone else see where they need to change. Remember advice unsolicited is seldom taken.

Comparing is unhelpful in two ways, looking down on someone or looking up.

Comparing ourselves to another by looking down on them is not love. We are caught in the web of pride, and we can’t see the reality of who we are, next to God, a person who has many faults. Look with me at Galatians 6:2-5 2 Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

3 For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.

4 But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work. He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor.

5 For every person will have to bear (be equal to understanding and calmly receive) his own [little] load [of oppressive faults].(AMP)

How then should we treat a person who is vastly annoying or has sinned and created a problem for us? Galatians 6:1 answers us this way: Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.(AMP)

The idea comes through again here that we keep an eye on ourselves right through the whole process – that’s humility. The practice of judging another is condemned by Jesus in Matt 7:1 Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.

2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.(AMP)

As one becomes more and more mature, the gift of discernment carries no condemnation with it, but an ability to see beyond the surface and understand the spiritual realities behind the façade in a persons’ life. The outcome of that discernment is always for the betterment of the person being ministered to. Check out this verse; 1 Cor 2:15 But the spiritual man tries all things [he ^[a]examines, investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].(AMP)

Comparing up can be just as dangerous for a Christian. When we observe another who is blessed – do we envy? When observe someone who is successful in their walk of faith do we compare our own results and put ourselves down? This is a common trap for pastors who sometimes get their self-worth from the size of their church. Am I a failure if I don’t have a church the size of so and so’s church? As a believer, if everyone in church seems to be doing so much better than you, do you put yourself down, curse yourself and want to give up? Or do you recognise each one has their own call and journey with God and that we will all be judged on what Jesus called us to do as individuals not what He called someone else to do. Remember some people have to climb a ladder to reach the bottom!

When interacting with your brother or sister, get to know their story. You will most likely take on a real appreciation for them and see them in a different light. This is so much the case in Urban Connect groups. Let me tell you about Anna, who attended our church many years ago. An older lady who was born in Hungary. She had some broken relationships and tough times but she deeply loved God. When she told us her story of being a young girl in her home at the end of WWII and German soldiers coming in and raping her sister. She took the gun of one soldier and shot and killed him. Some people live through very dark times, and we take on a new appreciation for them as having survived and found Christ and now living what we think is a fairly normal life.

Let me tell you about Jimmy. He came to a John Mellor meeting in our church and was quite strange in how he spoke and interacted with people. It seemed a bit off-putting. Then John Mellor told his story. He has been suffering with Schizophrenia for so many years and doctors believed he would never come out of hospital. After prayer he has made significant improvement. While he may not appear to our version of “Normal” he has made so much progress and now has much to look forward to. When you know the journey some people have been through you realise what a long way they have come. I love the bumper sticker: Please be patient with me, God hasn’t finished yet!”

One of the great comparison traps we fall into at church is not listening to the message. We are apt to say, “I hope so and so is listening to this message – they sure need it!” This act of comparison says I’ve got it all together, but all these losers around me better take on board what the pastor is saying! Familiarity can breed contempt when we say “I’ve heard that message before” OR, “I know that passage back to front and I know what it says.” Really, that’s religion talking and we miss what the Holy Spirit wants to say to us at that point. I love the disciples’ attitude at the last supper when Jesus tells them, “One of you will betray me.” And one by one they say to Jesus, “Is it I Lord?” Wouldn’t you know if you had it in your heart to betray Jesus? Yet none of them dared trust themselves, but stayed open to God that maybe that word from Jesus was for them. This is how we must come to church and to the preaching time every week, Holy Spirit talk to me, show me what you want me to do and to change.

What now? What impact has this message made on you? Let’s examine our own heart and see; how do we treat others in this church? Do we have a love for each and every person in this local church? Do we ever compare ourselves with someone and feel superior? Turn the mirror of the word around to see yourself like the disciples did. What do you see?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why do we find it so easy to judge others?

2. Have you ever been mistaken about someone and thought differently about them after you heard the facts about their life?

3. Have you ever been misjudged? What did that feel like?

4. What do think the verse is talking about above (Galatians 2:5) when it say OUR own little load of oppressive faults?

5. What plans can you make to love each other in the Urban Connect group you are in?

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WHAT KINDA BREAD ARE YOU CHEWING ON?

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, bread of life, christian, church, COC, Craig Anderson, discipleship, jesus is the bread of life, living word, manna, plenty valley church, read the bible, read the word, small group, Urban Connect Group on August 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE. THEME- LIVING WORD . PREACHING # 3 AM – Sunday 18^th August 2013.

In this series of preaching here at Plenty Valley Church our purpose is to inspire you & empower you to value, read and apply God’s word. In this church we believe that the bible is divinely inspired and infallible from cover to cover – If you would like more information about that please go to our podsite: http://pvc.podomatic.com/entry/2010-04-09T06_14_02-07_00

REVISION – August 4th – What ever He says to you – do it. We shared the story of the Wedding in Cana. You must hear the word and do it – then you build your house on the rock and not on the sand because the storms of life will surely come to everyone, but if we have built in the word of God then our house (life) can stand.

– # 2 – August 11th – The Word is alive and powerful, but only if it’s IN YOU! Not just on the printed page.

KEY VERSE FOR THIS SERIES

1Th 2:13 And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it].

Also:

Heb 4:12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE

Jesus is called the word – the Logos in John chapter one.

Joh 1:1 IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. [Isa. 9:6.]

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE – HE GIVES LIFE

In the Old Testament we read that the Children of Israel we feed with supernatural food called manna which appeared to them each morning like hoarfrost on the ground. Even back then God had in mind to teach His children that the bread from heaven was supernatural and it represented God’s word.

Deu 8:2 And you shall [earnestly] remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and to prove you, to know what was in your [mind and] heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.

Deu 8:3 And He humbled you and allowed you to hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you recognize and personally know that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

This same truth is repeated in Luke 4:4 and also Matt 4:4 man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of the Lord.

To LIVE is to BELIEVE

THE STORY OF JOHN 6

The chapter opens with the story of feeding of the 5000. At this first part of the chapter we see the mention of bread that is supernaturally supplied from Jesus.

Joh 6:5 Jesus looked up then, and seeing that a vast multitude was coming toward Him, He said to Philip, Where are we to buy bread, so that all these people may eat?

Joh 6:6 But He said this to prove (test) him, for He well knew what He was about to do.

Joh 6:7 Philip answered Him, Two hundred pennies’ (forty dollars) worth of bread is not enough that everyone may receive even a little.

People followed Jesus the next day, because they wanted more bread, they were searching for the physical sustenance. But Jesus warned them that they needed spiritual sustenance, not just physical.

Joh 6:26 Jesus answered them, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, you have been searching for Me, not because you saw the miracles and signs but because you were fed with the loaves and were filled and satisfied.

Joh 6:27 Stop toiling and doing and producing for the food that perishes and decomposes [in the using], but strive and work and produce rather for the [lasting] food which endures [continually] unto life eternal; the Son of Man will give (furnish) you that, for God the Father has authorized and certified Him and put His seal of endorsement upon Him.

Here Jesus makes it plain that the food he spoke of was God’s word and it was for the giving of life. Jesus told them plainly – I am the bread of life.

Joh 6:35 Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).

The Jews said Moses gave us bread from Heaven in the wilderness. Jesus replied, “No that wasn’t the bread of Heaven, I am the bread of Heaven.”

MANNA – DAILY BREAD – A PICTURE OF JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE

Let’s look at what happened when God gave the manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness.

Exo 16:14 And when the dew had gone, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a fine, round and flakelike thing, as fine as hoarfrost on the ground.

Exo 16:15 When the Israelites saw it, they said one to another, Manna [What is it?]. For they did not know what it was. And Moses said to them, This is the bread which the Lord has given you to eat. [John 6:31, 33.]

Exo 16:16 This is what the Lord has commanded: Let every man gather of it as much as he will need, an omer for each person, according to the number of your persons; take it, every man for those in his tent.

Exo 16:17 The [people] did so, and gathered, some more, some less.

Exo 16:18 When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack; each gathered according to his need.

Exo 16:19 Moses said, Let none of it be left until morning.

Exo 16:20 But they did not listen to Moses; some of them left of it until morning, and it bred worms, became foul, and stank; and Moses was angry with them.

Exo 16:21 They gathered it every morning, each as much as he needed, for when the sun became hot it melted.

This picture of the manna is a picture of God’s provision for us in His word.

Manna came to them daily; and it sustained them for 40 years. God’s word is for a lifetime.

– We need today’s word, not yesterday’s word – fresh revelation.

– For the Children of Israel it became boring – they detested it. – often we seek stimulation; but we need spiritual food.

Another picture of the word in the Old Testament is the Table of shewbread in the Tabernacle of Moses. It is called the bread of the presence, and consisted of 12 loaves, one for each tribe. This speaks of the communion around the word for every believer.

What ever we eat becomes a part of us. We are to become partakers of the Divine nature through partaking of the bread of life.

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE – HE GIVES LIFE – DAILY SUSTAINS US

STORIES

BROTHER YUN –

This beautiful testimony from one of God’s modern day heroes shows how the word of God sustained him. Brother Yun was imprisoned by the Chinese authorities because of his faith.

STORIES

CRAIG – At times of disappointment that arise from not seeing the results that I long to see in people saved, lives changed, church growth and churches planted – I am seeking the Lord and many verses come to mind to strengthen me. One that I have found to be very encouraging is Ephes 3:16

Eph 3:16 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE – HE GIVES LIFE – DAILY SUSTAINS US

It’s you reading the word of God daily that gives you life, to feed your faith, to build a reservoir of His word inside you so that you can draw on it at all times.

In our Urban Connect groups that’s why we don’t do a teaching – a bible study in our small groups – we want to promote your reading of Gods word for yourself, You must learn to feed yourself.

PICTURE – For a person in hospital in critical care a Naso-gastic tube keeps them alive but you can’t live like that! Similarly getting the word of God through preaching and attending church can keep you alive, but you can’t live like that! God wants you to feed yourself.

JESUS IS THE BREAD OF LIFE – HE GIVES LIFE – DAILY SUSTAINS US

Joh 6:57 Just as the living Father sent Me and I live by (through, because of) the Father, even so whoever continues to feed on Me [whoever takes Me for his food and is nourished by Me] shall [in his turn] live through and because of Me.

Joh 6:58 This is the Bread that came down from heaven. It is not like the manna which our forefathers ate, and yet died; he who takes this Bread for his food shall live forever.

RESPONSE

Try the reading plan – Go to http://pvcoc.org.au/bible_reading_plan.php
Read the word daily even if it’s one verse.
Memorise the word. Say it over and over till you can memorize it.
In this world we are dominated by the pervading world view which is secular humanism. It is feeding you all day every day through the mass media and it is drip feeding us it’s own godless values – it is imperative that we feed on the life of Jesus through His word every day.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Why is it so hard to read the word of God daily?

2. What is the best translation for you?

3. When is the best time of the day to read the word for you?

4. Is the reading plan working for you? Is there a better way for you to read the word of God?

5. What is your goal for reading God’s word over the next two weeks?

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WHY WOULD MEN PRAY?

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged arise, Belief, christian, church, COC, Craig Anderson, men pray, passion for the lost, plenty valley church, PRAYER, praying men, Urban Connect Group, WAKE UP on July 27, 2013| Leave a Comment »

TUNED IN # 4 AM – 28 JULY 2013 Why would men pray?

PRAY FOR THE CHURCH KNEELING DOWN – ASK FOR THEIR EYES TO BE OPENED

I want you to imagine a scenario…

Our land is invaded. From the north, hundreds of thousands of troops are flooding in.

They take over all infrastructure, electricity, water, gas, hospitals an schools.

Our army is overthrown quickly by sheer numbers. Our police are vastly outnumbered. There is a new rulership – a new law has come in.

You can’t move around anywhere you want. Roads are blocked. There’s no flights. Communications are cut there’s no internet. All phones are down. Television is commandeered, only propaganda is televised. No newspapers are printed. Coastlines are patrolled no boats are getting out. The nation is locked down.

Some people still try and go to work just like they used to, desperately clinging to some form of normal existence. Others resist! What would you do?

Who will take up arms? Who will fight? Who loves their nation enough to fight for it?

I’ve got news for you…

It’s already happened!

Our nation is taken over spiritually by an enemy.

2Co 10:3 For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.

2Co 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,

While church attendance is dropping all over Australia we see society disintegrating and suffering with people struggling to find answers.

Our political leaders are known for deceit and lying.

Domestic Violence is tearing families apart with the result that violence is the leading cause of death, disability and illness in women and has an economic impact in 2009 of $13 Billion to the Australian economy.(1)

With binge drinking in our high school age youth reaching alarming levels A study by La Trobe University found that for year 12 females having five or six drinks in a day. The percentage increased from 16.9% of year 12 female students in 2002, to 32.1% by 2008.(2)

Police, doctors and nurses in Hospital casualty wards and ambulance drivers are routinely attacked by drunken youths who create mayhem every weekend in our city.

Teachers are leaving the profession in droves because they cannot cope with the violence and disrespect in the classroom. Nearly two-thirds of Australian teachers are considering quitting their jobs for a new career. Principals experience violence in the workplace at a rate six time higher than in the general workforce. (3)

In Australia, the number of children who do not reach the age of 15 in an intact family with both of their biological parents has almost doubled within a generation. While the chances of a marriage ending in divorce have been increasing in the last 25 years, the increase in children experiencing parental separation is largely a consequence of the rapid rise in the numbers of children born into de facto relationships, which subsequently break down. There has also been an increase in the number of women giving birth to a child without having a cohabiting partner. In 2009, 35% of all births were outside marriage. (2)

Overall, 40 per cent of young people 16-24 years have experienced a mental disorder at some point in their lives. (2)

Mental illness is in epidemic proportions in our nation Beyond Blue reports that one in five Australians will suffer from Depression at some point in their life. (4)

It took me 30 minutes to compile these figures with complete references. I could go on to say so much more. But what does all this mean to you, to me?

Are we more than alarmed by these results?

While the church struggles to address some of the symptoms of these broken and hurting people, who is attacking the cause?

Our enemy is spiritual. The enemy is the forces of darkness, demonic influences in the world. Where godlessness and spiritual apathy prevails the devil has a heyday.

Eph 6:12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

The church is asleep. While our nation falls apart morally and socially, we the church put up with the decline as inevitable. Has unbelief so robbed us of a clear perspective that we consider that this great decline in health of our people is expected, unchangeable, or worse; not our problem?

What does Jesus say?

Mat 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

God’s view of the church is an overcoming power. This is spiritual power and its released in prayer! This kind of prayer does not list out to God our personal needs only but declares and demands the Kingdom Come the Lord’s will be done as He has taught us to pray.

It’s time to wake up the mighty men!

It’s time to pray! How much this real scenario affects us is directly proportional to the light we have spiritually, the revelation of truth concerning the gospel and how lost people without Jesus truly are.

Rom 13:11 Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah).

What moves you? If our nation was invaded by a military force as I described earlier how would you react? Will you now be like the frog in the kettle that slowly adjusts to the changing climate of our age and accepts the vast decline in godliness and health as normal. That’s just life?

Or will we pray? Will we call upon God?

2Ch 7:14 If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves, pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Don’t think this is a quick fix. This will take years. But shall we do nothing? Shall we continue to act as if we are powerless and have no obligation?

Let me read to you what happened in Scotland when a few in number prayed and reacted against the ungodliness of their society.

This story is about the revival in the Hebrides in 1948-52.

When William Booth started the Salvation Army in 1865 he was not asleep but he saw that warfare was called for due to the plight of the society he lived in. this is what he said:

“While women weep, as they do now, I’ll fight. While little children go hungry, as they do now, I’ll fight While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight. While there is a drunkard left, While there is a poor lost girl upon the streets, While there remains one dark soul without the light of God, I’ll fight-I’ll fight to the very end!”

His weapon was he Gospel and so well did he preach it that most converts to the Salvation Army who were often come out of prison, drunkards, prostitutes and criminals were totally transformed and went on the serve God for their whole lives. (5)

Is the world of Melbourne any different to the town of Stornaway in Scotland? Do we carry the same burden for the ungodliness of our generation? Can we affect a change as great as they did simply by praying?

The answer to this lies only in your own heart.

For me, I will pray. I will seek God every morning here at 6am, at pre-service prayer meetings, at HUB prayer meeting once a month and within our Urban Connect groups.

If anyone is willing to pray consistently at any other time- I will join you. Every church has an opportunity to change its community. Every church can be a catalyst for change if they put their trust in God an call upon His name humbling their hearts before Him.

What shall we do? How shall we respond? Instead of a huge blast of commitment for a few days and then back to normal life as if nothing happened; can we gradually build up prayer in our personal prayer lives and in our corporate prayer lives so that over the next few years we see a great weight of prayer poured out for our city?

Make no mistake this can never be carried by a prayerless church and this can never be carried by personal prayer alone; it must include corporate prayer.

References

Preventing Violence Against Women – Short course – Vic Health
For Kids Sake – Research Report – Prof. Patrick Parkinson AM, Uni. Of Sydney
http://www.badapplebullies.com/research.htm
http://www.beyondblue.org.au/
The General Next to God – Collier – Penguin press.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Does the scenario of an invasion of Australia by a military force have any similarities with the spiritual decline and ill health of our nation? Discuss.

2. What things do you see in Australia that cause you deep concern for our nation?

3. How effective is the faith filled prayers of God’s people?

4. How shall we pray to make a difference?

5. When and where can we pray as individuals and as a corporate group?

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WOULD YOU PRAY IF EVERY PRAYER WAS ANSWERED?

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Answers, Belief, christian, church, COC, Craig Anderson, find god, learn to pray, passion for the lost, plenty valley church, pray, PRAYER, seek god, Urban Connect Group on July 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »

TUNED IN # 3 AM. Preaching 21 July 2013 am.

Prayer grows out of relationship. If there is relationship there is communication.

STORY – During the time I was away in the Solomon Islands last week I communicated with my wife, Chris via Facebook messaging. It was great to be able to chat all day long between tasks, and I felt like I was connected to her. About 20 years ago I was away in Russia in 91-93 for 3 weeks and had virtually no communication with Chris. That was difficult, you just don’t know what’s going on and you don’t feel the reassurance that this person is doing fine. Prayer is just like that.

Deep inside you there is a deep passion to commune with God, to hear His voice, to share in His presence. My goal this morning is to unlock that desire. To help you overcome some obstacles to fellowship with God.

MY STORY

After getting saved, I was in the habit of praying at night, spending time in conversation with God. Later when I got married I changed to being a morning pray-er and used to get up early and spend time with God in prayer and bible reading.

How much would you pray if every prayer you prayed was answered?

Here’s what God says about your expectations of prayer.

Mat 7:7 Keep on asking and it will be given you; keep on seeking and you will find; keep on knocking [reverently] and [the door] will be opened to you.

Mat 7:8 For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

Yet prayer is more than just seeking an answer, it’s conversation. Chris and I talked over Facebook while I was away. It wasn’t all about either of us asking for things. It was doing life together.

Could it be that you stopped praying just before the answer came?

Luk 18:1 ALSO [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not to turn coward (faint, lose heart, and give up).

Daniel Prayed.

Dan 10:11 And [the angel] said to me, O Daniel, you greatly beloved man, understand the words that I speak to you and stand upright, for to you I am now sent. And while he was saying this word to me, I stood up trembling.

Dan 10:12 Then he said to me, Fear not, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind and heart to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come as a consequence of [and in response to] your words.

Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief [of the celestial] princes, came to help me, for I remained there with the kings of Persia.

Dan 10:14 Now I have come to make you understand what is to befall your people in the latter days, for the vision is for [many] days yet to come.

Every time you pray God hears you.

Psa 34:15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

We measure our results by the leading of the Holy Spirit not by what we see.

2Co 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight;

Example: My back healing 18 months.

We are linked into God to change the world. God is totally confident that He can change the world through you.

Mat 28:18 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Mat 28:19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

1Co 3:9 For we are fellow workmen (joint promoters, labourers together) with and for God; you are God’s garden and vineyard and field under cultivation, [you are] God’s building. [Isa. 61:3.]

Daniel prayed and God showed him and all of us the future of the world till the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Joseph prayed and a prisoner went from gaol; to Prime minister and feed the entire known world for 7 years during the worst famine on record.

PRACTICAL RESPONSE

Learn to pray. – join us week day mornings 6-7am
Pre-service prayer rallies 9.30-9.55am
HUB once a month, second Wednesday
Pray in your Urban Connect group.
Join prayer email link & Facebook.

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CRAZY LOVE 2

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, Soul Winning, tagged Answers, christian, church, COC, Craig Anderson, enemy, filled with God's love, love, love them that persecute, love your enemy, plenty valley church, unlovable, Urban Connect Group on March 10, 2013| Leave a Comment »

SUNDAY 10^TH MARCH 2013 AM

HE LOVES THE UNLOVABLE

Mat 5:43 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy; [Lev. 19:18; Ps. 139:21, 22.]

Mat 5:44 But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov. 25:21, 22.]

Mat 5:45 To show that you are the children of your Father Who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the wicked and on the good, and makes the rain fall upon the upright and the wrongdoers [alike].

Mat 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward can you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?

Mat 5:47 And if you greet only your brethren, what more than others are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles (the heathen) do that?

Mat 5:48 You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Lev. 19:2, 18.]

This passage demands that we love the unlovable. If we do we are showing everyone that we are of our Father who is in heaven. We are like Him when we love the unlovable.

Rom 5:5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

Rom 5:6 While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died for (in behalf of) the ungodly.

Rom 5:7 Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a noble and lovable and generous benefactor someone might even dare to die.

Rom 5:8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.

Rom 5:9 Therefore, since we are now justified (acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God) by Christ’s blood, how much more [certain is it that] we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God.

Rom 5:10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sin’s dominion) through His [resurrection] life.

In this passage we see that God’s kind of love is given to us to love others with. He reminds us that Jesus died for us before we made any decision to follow Him, that is, when we were still sinners, the unlovable, in order that we would come into relationship with Him.

GOD’S LOVE FOR EACH AND EVERY PERSON ON EARTH IS COMPLETE. HE LOVES THE UNLOVABLE.

Everyone of us deserves His wrath, but everyone of us has been offered His mercy.

We must rid ourselves of the pride and deception in which we tell ourselves, “I’m a good person really. It’s all those other scum bags that God is talking about.”

Isa 64:6 For we have all become like one who is unclean [ceremonially, like a leper], and all our righteousness (our best deeds of rightness and justice) is like filthy rags or a polluted garment; we all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away [far from God’s favor, hurrying us toward destruction]. [Lev. 13:45, 46.]

In spite of all that, God loved us, God reached out toward us, God saved us and gave us His righteousness.

Is there that moment in your life when you sense that overwhelming gratitude for what God has done for you?

Take a look at one of my grandkids…

What’s not to love? We as human beings find it easy to love when the object of our love seems worthy of it. But God shows His love is beyond that.

As Jesus was dying on the cross, one of the thieves who were crucified beside Him asked for mercy and Jesus gave it freely to him.

The two thieves perfectly illustrate all mankind. Both were guilty as is all mankind for we have all sinned and come short of the perfection of God. One thief was humble and penitent and one thief was proud and insolent towards his only hope. These two reactions are the only two reactions of all mankind towards Jesus offer of forgiveness and life.

God’s love towards us as sinners is remarkable. God’s great passion for relationship with anyone who would come to Him in humility and faith is unending.

Because of His righteousness He must judge all sin. Therefore God executes wrath against sin and punishes every wrong doer, however, so great is His love towards each and every lost person that he gave His only begotten Son to die in their place, to receive the punishment they rightly deserve so that they could be given an opportunity to go free.

Let’s take a look at this Crazy Love of God towards you. Not only did God send His son to die for you, and on your behalf, before you even had a chance to respond to Him; He then came out searching for you and calling you to come to Him.

Joh 6:44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.

1Jn_3:1 SEE WHAT [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him.

The love with which God loved you is huge!

When God loved you; He loved the unlovable. He loved a sinner. He loved someone who had fallen way short of the standard of perfection needed for heaven.

But because of this great love He rescued you and me, and because of this great love you are now a child of His and filled with this same love.

Eph 3:17 May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,

Eph 3:18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

Eph 3:19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!

Now that you have been saved by this love and filled with this love….

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?

Yes, of course you will love God with it, we are to abide in His love, but also if He loved the unlovable and His love dwells in us then shall we not love the unlovable too?

The power to change a life begins with an invitation.

Our Vision as a church movement is to give every Aussie an opportunity to hear the gospel, and what better time to hear it than at Easter?

Will you invite a crowd to come to Easter?

How to invite someone.

Don’t worry about whether they may or may not be receptive. Invite everyone. You can’t tell who’s ready yet. Just invite saying, “Can I give you this invitation?”

“Hey, take a look at this, my church has special events on this Easter – I would love to invite you to come along.”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Describe a time when you chose to love an enemy or someone who persecuted you.

2. When we love people who are hard to love, it’s too hard in our own strength so we need God’s love. How do we obtain it?

3. Why do you think God asks us to love the unlovable?

4. If we are full of His love – a love for the unlovable – will that enable us to go out and love the unsaved around us?

5. Who, in your sphere of influence ,can you invite to the Easter concert?

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YOU FIT HERE 3

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged Anointing, anointing service, christian, COC, Craig Anderson, equipping, Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit Power, laying on of hands, plenty valley church, PRAYER, Urban Connect Group on February 17, 2013| 1 Comment »

Sunday 17 February 2013 AM

The Anointing service

REVIEW

Have you discovered your God given place in God’s incredible plan?

Eph 1:4 Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love.

John spoke about God’s call to Moses to serve the people of Israel. Moses was so reluctant. I can’t speak he said, I’m not equipped; I feel like a failure, I’m only a shepherd, can’t someone else do it?

Sound familiar? We all feel like that at times. We may be reluctant, but God has an important task for us to accomplish for His plan. This month we are helping as many as possible to find their place in His plan.

Last week we spoke about servanthood. Jesus gave us the most magnificent example of servanthood one could imagine. His Spirit and love now reside within us and we have this same passion to love others and serve them for the Kingdom of God producing fruit that will last for all eternity.

The most important way we serve God.

Essentially the call of God on your life is a call to be with Him. It’s the call to daily take up the cross and live this life of walking day by day with Jesus. It’s a call to love people. It’s a call to lay down our life for others. It’s a call to prayer and it’s a call to share the gospel with as many people as possible. What ever role or task you fulfil in the local church is secondary to your primary role of walking with Jesus and winning lost people.

The story of Acts 6.

In the first few weeks of the early church there was rapid growth and a need to gain the help of new members to assist in the smooth running of important tasks.

Act 6:1 NOW ABOUT this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing, complaint was made by the Hellenists (the Greek-speaking Jews) against the [native] Hebrews because their widows were being overlooked and neglected in the daily ministration (distribution of relief).

Act 6:2 So the Twelve [apostles] convened the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not seemly or desirable or right that we should have to give up or neglect [preaching] the Word of God in order to attend to serving at tables and superintending the distribution of food.

Act 6:3 Therefore select out from among yourselves, brethren, seven men of good and attested character and repute, full of the [Holy] Spirit and wisdom, whom we may assign to look after this business and duty.

Act 6:4 But we will continue to devote ourselves steadfastly to prayer and the ministry of the Word.

Act 6:5 And the suggestion pleased the whole assembly, and they selected Stephen, a man full of faith (a strong and welcome belief that Jesus is the Messiah) and full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte (convert) from Antioch.

Act 6:6 These they presented to the apostles, who after prayer laid their hands on them.

Act 6:7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].

This story is exciting for many reasons

The new converts found a place of serving and significance
The Church was empowered to grow more than ever
The apostles were enabled to remain focussed on the task God had called them to which was the prayer and the ministry of the word.

This morning we want to recognise and set apart for the work of the ministry those people in this local church who are volunteering for roles of service in this church.

What happens when we lay hands on you?

1. By the laying on of hands you receive the gift of God.

1Ti_4:14 Do not neglect the gift which is in you, [that special inward endowment] which was directly imparted to you [by the Holy Spirit] by prophetic utterance when the elders laid their hands upon you [at your ordination].

2Ti_1:6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination].

2. By the laying on of hands you are committed to the Lord.

Act_14:23 And when they had appointed and ordained elders for them in each church with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in Whom they had come to believe [being full of joyful trust that He is the Christ, the Messiah].

3. By the laying on of hands you are commissioned and released.

Act_15:22 Then the apostles and the elders, together with the whole church, resolved to select men from among their number and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, [both] leading men among the brethren, and sent them.

The anointing with oil which represents the Holy Spirit was an important part of Gods selection, setting apart and equipping of leadership in the Old Testament times and now in the early church, oil was again used as a vehicle of prayer and power from the Holy Spirit.

Heb 13:20 Now may the God of peace [Who is the Author and the Giver of peace], Who brought again from among the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood [that sealed, ratified] the everlasting agreement (covenant, testament), [Isa. 55:3; 63:11; Ezek. 37:26; Zech. 9:11.]

Heb 13:21 Strengthen (complete, perfect) and make you what you ought to be and equip you with everything good that you may carry out His will; [while He Himself] works in you and accomplishes that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ (the Messiah); to Whom be the glory forever and ever (to the ages of the ages). Amen (so be it).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How do you picture the Holy Spirit?

2. How do you talk to the Holy Spirit in Prayer?

3. What are some of the things the Holy Spirit wants to do to help us live for Jesus?

4. Do you wait on the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you power?

5. How can He help you in your current role of serving God?

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YOU FIT HERE 2

Posted in Church, Equip the Saints, Preaching messages, tagged christian, church, Craig Anderson, discipleship, find your place, plenty valley church, servanthood, serving, Urban Connect Group, your fit on February 16, 2013| Leave a Comment »

YOU FIT HERE – WEEK 2 – CRAIG AM 10 FEB 2013

It’s the darkest night in Jesus short earthly life; for once He is all alone. He prays to the Father, “Let this cup pass from me; never the less not My will but yours be done.”

In this moment of decision, pain and dread the master chooses to die for others. The immense pressure of the decision and all that it entails weigh heavily upon His soul. So much is the pressure that great drops of blood ooze from the pores of His furrowed brow.

Php 2:5 Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:]

Php 2:6 Who, although being essentially one with God and in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped or retained,

Php 2:7 But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men and was born a human being. (AMP)

Have you found you calling?

Have you found your reason d’être?

Your highest purpose in life is that for which God has called you.

Straight away our minds go to the stage of successful acclaim as we wow the audience of life. But God has called us to serve. The old ways of seeking recognition and significance make us dream of prominence and lives that make the entry in of Who’s Who in the tabloids of church history. But God calls us to obscurity, to secret tasks, to unrewarded and unrecognised mission, to servanthood and to death.

Death to selfish ambition, death to control, death to the strokes of praise that come from the lips of well meaning others.

WILL WE SERVE HIM?

WILL WE FIND OUR PLACE AND OBEY THE CALL OF GOD?

WHERE DO YOU FIT? WHAT IS YOUR PLACE OF PURPOSE? WHAT IS YOUR PLACE OF BELONGING, WHERE THE DIVINE PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE IS OUTWORKED AND YOU AS THE JIGSAW PIECE ARE PLACED BY HIS MIGHTY HAND RIGHT INTO THE PLACE MADE ONLY FOR YOU THUS COMPLETING THE PICTURE GOD PAINTED SO LONG AGO.

Or will that place go empty, the picture spoiled by the absence of the one piece that didn’t make it to the perfect place?

What passion drove Jesus to complete His calling, His mission? Such a love for you!

Consider this love. This love that now resides within you. You are now the vessel of His unending love. You are the hands, the feet, the face of Jesus in this world.

To love not merely those who love you, but the unlovable. To serve, not merely the noble and deserving, but the ignoble, ungrateful and rude, who we once were.

We take courage, empowered by the example Jesus set for us.

We are spurred on by the inspiration Jesus gives us in His selfless life.

We are bold to obey the calling given to us because this is the highest calling to be the lowest of all.

How will you serve Jesus? What is it that you are gifted to do for God? Consider how your life is formed and fashioned as a vessel in His hands.

There are forces that will try and stop you serving God.

Even Jesus experienced such opposition to His calling…..

Mat 16:21 From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised from death.

Mat 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You!

Mat 16:23 But Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men.

Do well meaning friends deter you from serving God in the church and in the community?

Luk 8:19 Then Jesus’ mother and His brothers came along toward Him, but they could not get to Him because of the crowd.

Luk 8:20 And it was told Him, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to have an interview with You.

Luk 8:21 But He answered them, My mother and My brothers are those who listen to the Word of God and do it!

Are you offended at the idea that kingdom comes before blood?

You were born for greater things than just worldly success. You were designed by God for a purpose that has eternal significance.

You are unique, gifted by God and designed for purpose. This purpose has power and significance when working in concert with the body of Christ.

1Co 12:27 Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function].

If you’re not sure of your right place or calling, begin to serve anywhere and you will discover what you are good at and where you function best.

We have a gift questionnaire that will help you discover what you are gifted for and called to in God’s work. Please take one home and complete it and bring it back next Sunday. We will be happy to sit down with you and discuss how you can serve and make a difference with your gifts and abilities.

Consider serving in the church and also more importantly serving outside the church, that is, serving in the community, serving in some way that reaches lost people.

Chose where you will serve this year.

Fill in this opportunity questionnaire. We need lots of new workers.

You were born for greater.

Servanthood…

It’s part of your walk with Jesus, your development that you embrace servanthood and become His servant more and more.

Rom 6:20-22 (Jer) When you were slaves to sin, you felt no obligation to righteousness, and what did you get from this? Nothing but experiences that now make you blush, since that sort of behavior ends in death. Now, however, you have been set free from sin, you have been made slaves of God, and you get a reward leading to your sanctification and ending in eternal life.

1 Pet 2:16 (NIV) Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

Mat 24:45-47 (NIV) “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.”

Next week we will be praying for and anointing with oil each person who is serving God in and through this church. We will be teaching about the power of the Holy Spirit to equip you for His purpose.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Describe the servant aspect of Jesus death on the cross

2. What does Paul mean when he says in Phill 2:5 – Let this mind be in you?

3. How can someone find out what they are good at in serving in God’s Kingdom?

4. What is the one way to figure out where to serve in the local church?

5. What is the difference between serving inside the church and serving outside the church?

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craigmanderson

Christian World View

Posts Tagged ‘Urban Connect Group’

CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT?

DEEPER THAN THE DEEPEST OCEAN

I PRAYED FOR YOU TODAY!

THOU SHALT NOT COMPARE

WHAT KINDA BREAD ARE YOU CHEWING ON?

WHY WOULD MEN PRAY?

WOULD YOU PRAY IF EVERY PRAYER WAS ANSWERED?

CRAZY LOVE 2

YOU FIT HERE 3

YOU FIT HERE 2

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