22 Dec 2019

29 Dec 2019

25 Dec 2019

Each of us is on a spiritual and life journey. Many of the guides and rules that apply to navigation in this physical realm, also apply to the spiritual realm.

1. What direction should you be going?
2. Are you moving?
3. In what direction are you going?
4. Are you on track?
5. Are you making good time?
6. Who are your champions?

Our navigation tools are these:

• Truth is an actual thing, not an abstract concept – and God is that truth.
• The word of God provides clear guidelines of various elements of that Truth.
• The Holy spirit guides us in the discovery and application of that Truth, in our own lives and in the lives of those that God has placed us amongst.
• Trusted spiritual advisors / mentors to help tweak, guide and encourage us with the personal vision that God has laid on our heart 

But I cannot just hear this stuff as I go about my daily business – this takes personal time and undivided attention and probably more prayer than most of us have been giving it.

We have to set time aside – a day, at-least, preferably two or even three where you remove all distractions, and spend time praying, slowly reading Gods word – whilst looking for a personal application of what you seen and more prayer – which, remember, involves both talking to God and then listening for His response.

Galatians 5:7-8, 2 Timothy 4, 1 Peter 1:13–22, 1 Peter 2:9-19, Romans 7:15-20, Matthew 12:36-37, Romans 14:12, 2 Corinthians 2 :15,

This is not a once-off exercise. As times change and my life moves on, I need to check that all my life remains correctly calibrated. Once a year, preferably, take a day off to repeat this exercise – spending time away from all distractions, prayerfully wait on God, spend time in the word – actively listen for His personal guidance and instruction to you. 

If you are married – your spouse must do the same, once you have each spent your own time with God, get together and compare notes. If there are significant clashes – repeat the exercise with those points that you differ on being the focus of your questions to God. NOT that He changes the other one’s mind but that He brings you both into agreement on the matter.

Stuart, we are One Body, Jason, play your role, Sherridan, we need to serve together

1 Corinthians 12:12-19, John 12:26, Mark 10:35, Matthew 8:5-20, Romans 12:12, Acts 2, Romans 6:22

Baptism of repentance

Matthew 3:1-10, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:38, Romans 6:1-5, Matthew 26:26, 1 Corinthians 11:20-29

Communion is to celebrate our partnership with Christ and our community but as it acknowledges our sin – do not participate if you do not believe that Christ died for you.

We believe in The resurrection of Christ, that it was a sign that we, too, may participate in both his death and resurrection.

That our own resurrection bodies – like Jesus’ - will be physical and recognisable but transformed into something perfect, powerful, glorious and eternal.

That The resurrection of the dead will occur to usher in God’s final judgement on mankind.

That it should be the encouragement we need to stay the course in the face of adversity as we encourage people to exchange an eternity in hell for an eternity in the presence of The Almighty.
Matthew 11:2-12, John 2:13-22, John 11:25-26,

Jesus said resurrection proved his claims of Messiah-ship, proved that he had authority from God and He also said that he was THE resurrection and THE life – of which we can partake if we believe.

More than 10 accounts of people being raised from the dead in scripture: 

{1 Kings 17:17:24, 2 Kings 4:18:37, 2 Kings 13:20-21, Luke 7:11-17, Luke 8:52-56, John 11:25-12:10, Matthew 27:50-53, Acts 9:36-43, Acts 20:7-12},

Note – some were only recently dead, but other long time buried. All were temporary resuscitations until Christ’s own resurrection:

Mark 16:1-8,

Our belief in Christ makes our own resurrection possible - 1 Corinthians 15:20, Romans 4:25, John 14:19

Scripture (that was only old testament back then) predicted the resurrection long before it happened:

John 20:8-9, Acts 26:22-23, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

1 Corinthians chapter 15 speaks extensively to our resurrection 

Our resurrection bodies will be similar to Christ’s see also Philippians 3:20-21, 1 John 3:2,

Some things scripture says about our resurrection bodies: Revelation 21:4, Luke 24:36-43, Luke 24:30-31, John 20:19-20, 

Revelation 5:9, 7:9, Exodus 34:29, Luke 9:28-30,

1 Corinthians 15:58

Revelation 20:6, 20:12-13, 

If you do not understand sin, you will not rejoice in Christ, and you will not warn people about hell.
John 16:7-11, Ephesians 1:19-23, 2 Corinthians 7:1

Honour God by honouring your faith and beliefs.
Live out your faith and values, unashamedly as this is how you bring your salt and light to the world.
This is what should attract people to Christ.
Romans 6:1-10, Hebrews 11:6, James 1:1-8, Hebrews 11:1, Matthew 17:20

We are called to repent of dead works. This is no less pertinent for today's Christian than it was for the 1st century Jewish convert.
Hebrews 6:1, Galatians 2:3-14, Hebrews 9:11-15, Ephesians 2:4-10