Family Church Portsmouth

We are living in times when so much is going on around us that it could cause people to worry, be anxious, and be fearful. However, as followers of Jesus, should we be different from the people of the world who do not follow Him? People can experience many different things likely to cause worry. These might be personal things impacting their lives as well as unfolding things the Bible said predicted happen or come to pass. So should we be surprised when Jesus and Paul foretold that these things would happen? Matthew 24:4-13 refers. Also 2 Timothy 3:1-5 which speaks of people being uncontrolled, lovers of money, ungodly and turning from Him.  

Those who belong to God should experience something different than fear because God has not given us a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 says (NIV) “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline”. The words of Jesus should cut through the noise of fear and worry, bringing peace and confidence to our lives. His promises and assurances bring real and lasting peace even amid the storm to those who believe them. The Bible is not a book of concepts and facts, but living promises relevant for all of us today. Jesus teaches about worry in Matthew 6:25-34. He mentions the words ‘Do Not Worry’ three times….ending by instructing us to seek first His Kingdom and all our other needs will be met. There are eight key lessons we can learn from Matthew 6 that bring us hope:

• God knows about the natural everyday things that His people need (26&28)
• Understanding your worth and value (26)
• Know that worry cannot provide anything that will increase your life (27)
• What’s coming out of your mouth is what you’re entertaining in your heart (31)
• Your Heavenly Father knows already what you need (32)
• God says we are not to live like unsaved people (32)
• We are to seek first the kingdom
• Treat every day as its own package (34)

 The alternative for worry is trust. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV states “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”.

In troubled times believers can develop a deeper trust relationship with God. We know Him as our Father (Matthew 6:9-13) and we know Him as our Shepherd (Psalm 23). But what are we to do with our cares, worries and anxieties? Again, scripture is our book of life….. 1 Peter 5:7-8 (NIV) states “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”. Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

Let us desire to choose trust instead of worry – it's God's plan and it’s much better for us!!

This week Pastor Andy speaks about the Purpose of Water Baptism. God is a purpose-driven God. He has a purpose for everything He makes, does and has us do. The Bible is a living book that reveals His purpose for things, people, actions and situations. It’s good for us to have an understanding of God’s purpose for things so that we can get from them what we should. Water Baptism is not a ceremony, religious event, or just something a person does without knowing why.

The key reason to get baptised is obedience. Baptism is something Jesus commands every believer to do as a part of a salvation experience. Baptism was also a key part of the Great Commission where He sent His first disciples out and this has not changed even to this day. Matthew 28:19 (ESV) states ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit’. 

Mark 16:16 (ESV) states ‘Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned’. Acts 2:38 (ESV) states ‘And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”’.

From these verses we conclude that Baptism is not a suggestion to some but a requirement for all.  It is something that accompanies a person’s repentance - turning to God. It involves the full immersion in water of consenting adults. There is no Biblical pattern for the christening of children. The Hebrew word for ‘baptise’ is baptizō meaning to submerge or overwhelm.

There are three purposes that God has for Baptism

• Unhindered New Beginnings providing burial of ‘the old creation’ which we were prior to salvation. Passing through the water represents a funeral experience. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Romans 6:1-4 refer
• Complete Freedom for the believer from the grip or obligation to the past and to past or former things. A great example is the children of Israel at the Red Sea when they passed through the water and their enemies were drowned (Exodus 14). Just as captors of the children of Israel drowned in the waters, a believer can experience supernatural freedom from things like addictions, guilt, curses and fears
• Provision of a Clear Conscience before God. The devil loves to condemn and accuse and is called the Accuser of Brethren (Romans 12:10). However, God provides a clear conscience for the believer. 1 Peter 3:21 and 1 Corinthians 4:4 refer

The requirements for a person to be Baptised are Repentance, Faith, Understanding, Obedience and a place where there is enough water to be fully submerged. Baptism is not a religious moment but a meaningful one. It is not about what you wear and where you do it. It involves faith and the revelation of what God is doing at the moment. It is a public display to all that you are a follower of Jesus.

Following on from the previous messages about running our best lap ever, this week’s message from Pastor Andy is titled ‘Running On Purpose’. Some points from the key verse 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 are

• Be in it to win it – we need to take our call seriously
• Make sure we are in training and fit for our race
• Keep our eyes on the winner’s crown
• Don’t run aimlessly or without purpose

Scripture from the Living Bible (1 Corinthians 9:26) says “So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I’m not just shadow-boxing or playing around”. The key points here are

• This is an encouragement for us to have a purpose-driven run
• God has always had a purpose for our lives
• We are re-connected to His perfect purposes through ‘new birth’
• People are made for different purposes

Verses in 2 Timothy 2:20-21, Romans 9:17 and Jeremiah 29:11 remind us that God has a purpose for every life He breathes His breath into. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) states “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. Hence, God made us on purpose and for a purpose!

God has an individual plan for each of us to know and He also has other plans and purposes that include us all. We might call these ‘good works or purposes’. Scripture states we were created for good works. Ephesians 2:8-10 describes how we were created for good works and not by good works! Good works are not ‘dead works’. The Greek word for works is er’-gon meaning to do business, or be occupied with God’s business. The first man Adam and the original creation show us we were made for a purpose to take care of what belongs to God.

Key purposes are also revealed in the life and ministry of Jesus. His purpose was to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). This is equally our purpose as we are the body of Christ and His expression on earth. Our Common Purpose is the great commission – to reach out, disciple people and set them free. It is important that we stay in our lane and run according to the race (purpose) marked out for us. David is a great example of a man who ran the race God had specifically for him - Acts 13:36 (NIV) “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed”.

Salvation and our obedience to what God asks of us connect us back to His true purposes for us. We then run in accordance with these purposes. We must pray and ask the Lord about His true purpose for our lives. 

Following on from the theme of running your best lap ever, Pastor Andy this week speaks about being either within the crowd or moving towards being a true disciple of Jesus. We find this is in fact a journey we are all pursuing. For the last few weeks, thoughts have been based around Hebrews 12; 1-2. We spoke about getting rid of stuff…we could be on the track, in our lane, but with a backpack on and someone holding our leg, we are very much hindered. The weights of forgiveness, bitterness and so forth weigh down our backpacks….

Today, Andy speaks about choosing the athlete experience over the crowd experience. Let’s get trained and seriously run our best lap for God this year. We all begin in the crowd and probably meet Jesus there, but God wants us to move towards being a disciple, something personal between ourselves and Jesus. Jesus always blessed the crowd, healed the sick but often called people out to become disciples. He also told them they would need to leave behind things that they had in their previous lives. Every believer should be stepping out of an initial crowd experience into something more personal with God. Of course, we still remain crowd in the context of us being Church! The church is still God's master plan on the earth. We are planted in a church with people who love God, but are on the planet to change the planet.

Pastor Andy then spoke about letting God into the ‘chipboard’ of our lives, rather than just the veneer; taking all personal responsibility and ownership for what we've got going on with God; and also of a greater commitment of you walking daily by the truth - not just having emotional moments in meetings. 

So, God I'm going to live in your word and by your spirit this year. This is about what He will now do in our lives as we develop this discipleship. Galatians 6; 8-10 (NIV) states “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers”.

Let us have the best Church connection we can have but also be committed to being athletes running our best lap yet as disciples for God. The crowd heard Jesus teach from afar; the disciples walked closely with Jesus. The crowd watched miracles; the disciples handled them! To be an athlete, rather than a spectator, it may cost more; involve more training; be more inconvenient… but it’s worth it!

Ps Steu continues this week reminding us of the mission of the church.  This is simply Matthew 28; 19-20. It's to go and make disciples of all the nations baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe that all Jesus commanded and as we do that he is with us!  We need to take this great commission seriously and as we go further into 2022  if the vision of the church is to run its best lap ever then we must run our best lap ever as individuals and to do this we must have a relationship with Jesus and have His presence within us. We need to draw near to God. 

Last week we shared Hebrews 12; 1-2 (NIV) “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God”.  So we do need to lay aside all the weight and sins that trip us up, else we cannot think of running our best  lap…we need to be at our best potential. 

We need to keep our eyes on Jesus. In John 14; 15-18, He said, “If you love me, keep my Commandments. I love will pray the Father and he will give you another helper” – the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. In Acts 1, early verses, we read of the baptism, the drenching of the Holy Spirit upon them in order to receive power and be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the whole earth. 

Today as then, God wants to fill his people with the Holy Spirit and empower them to live a Kingdom life. In the book of Acts, we read about the disciples being filled with the power of God when they were baptised with the Holy Spirit, immediately running sharing the Gospel. This is the story of the early church. People then dispersed and churches formed the world over. 

So for us now, we need to keep our eyes on Jesus, look to the Holy Spirit to empower us, train us and raise us up, drawing near to God for our best lap yet

Pastor Andy delivers an absolute ‘must hear’ message for Vision Sunday 2022. This is all about running our best lap yet in the race of life. Fundamentally this is being active doing what God wants and needs us to do to make a difference to the world we live in. We are leaving a season of lockdown and moving into a season of having a mighty job to do, running with passion in our hearts for all that God wants us to achieve. 

Pastor Andy speaks of the story of Joseph and his amazing release from wrongful imprisonment (Genesis 39-41) to provide interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams. The doors of lockdown were opened for him then and God did incredible things with Joseph becoming in charge of Pharaoh’s palace and all his people.  God will do equally incredible things with us as he did with Joseph. He came out of the prison cell ready to run his best lap yet using the gifts God had given him! Just as God used Joseph in his time He will use us individually and as a church in all the places He has positioned us. 

Hebrews 12, 1-2 speaks of those who ran their best race (the great cloud of witnesses) but also speaks of us as well….instructing us to throw off all sin and that which entangles us  and then to run with perseverance the race set out before us fixing our eyes on Jesus who perfects our faith.

PS Andy goes on to speak of 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” Our hearts desire should be to say we have run the race God set before us, lived our lives in pursuit of Him and are ready to receive a crown of righteousness!

Pastor Steu speaks this week about the Joy of The Lord being our strength.  Sometimes we find ourselves lacking in joy and everything in life is flat. But when we take hold of the joy of the Lord, (because his Joy makes us strong) a breakthrough can occur in our lives.  In Nehemiah 8, 9-10, the people are told not to mourn and weep but rather celebrate the completion of the city walls and temple and have joy in their hearts. Nehemiah actually tells them “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength”. This restoration took place because of God's grace, not because the people had obeyed God's law. Daily strength comes from God, not our ability or inability. 

Likewise, restoration in our own lives happens because of God's grace, not because we obey God's laws. It's important that we remember that our daily strength comes from rejoicing in the grace of God and not mourning over our abilities or lack of them! Galatians 3, 24 tells us that the law is our tutor to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Our justification before God is not by living according to rules and regulations, but by faith. So when it comes to being a people of breakthrough, It's important to remember that we already have the victory in Christ. Through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus has made total restoration available to all Humanity. God's arms are wide open to us and the blessings of his kingdom are available to us. We have become children of God, inheritors of the kingdom of God and are rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into the kingdom of the son of his love into the Kingdom of Light.

PS Steu spoke of three ways Satan often tries to steal our joy

• Legalism - trying to please God by following rules and regulations
• Regret – the children of Israel were constantly moaning and living in regret of leaving their old life and consequently never took the Promised Land until a new generation thought differently…..
• Circumstances that we know or go through can rob us of joy things, taking away the joy of our Salvation

When we focus on God we find joy. In Psalm 23 we see that our circumstances can sometimes be like mountains that surround us, and we feel like we're walking through a valley. We can feel overshadowed and overwhelmed by what's going on in our lives and find ourselves in a dark place, but the psalm also speaks about not stopping in the middle of the valley, but walking through the valley. Fullness of joy is found in God's presence.

Let us wake daily and declare the Joy of the Lord over our lives, then we shall find new strength.

Sean continues the theme of the God of breakthrough and breakout this Sunday by focusing on having a breakthrough faith. We can only run the race of life and get over the obstacles in our way if we put our faith in the one who causes breakthrough.  In Matthew 17, 14 onward, Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith before healing the boy who had seizures. If we have faith as small as a mustard seed we can move the mountains before us – fear, dread, trauma, worry and so on. 

If we have a greater level of faith we shall see miracles break out as ‘mountains’ are moved in our lives. Sean quoted hearing Bill Johnson from Bethel church who stated that whatever we tolerate will dominate our lives….

But, God is the God of all things and is over and above all things and can break through all things. We've been made to put our faith and relationship in Christ, the one who breaks out, but it's faith that we must activate to see these things happen. Hebrews 11 defines faith – having confidence in what we hope for but can’t see. The Breakthrough is not always instant, but God rewards those that diligently seek Him. 

Scripture has many stories of those who placed fervent faith in God and were rewarded with breakthrough and breakout…. 

• Abraham and Isaac – Abraham told his son “The Lord will provide the sacrifice”, and He did!
• Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers  - the promise from God being fulfilled many years later 
• David and Goliath - David said to the Philistine “you come against me with sword and spear and Javelin but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel. Whom you have defied this day, the Lord will deliver you into my hand and I will strike you down and cut off your head. This very day. I will give your carcasses to the Philistine Army to the birds and to the wild animals and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. And he did!
• The woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus’ cloak – Jesus told her “daughter, your faith has healed, go in peace”. Immediately she was healed.

Maybe we need to do something that's different to what we normally do. Say, “God, I'm acting in faith right now. I'm trusting in what you're going to do in my life. I just believe that you are going to meet me where I am”. An act of faith leads to an obedient action, which then creates something. Let us believe breakout happens when we activate faith and walk with God.

As the church continues with 31 days of prayer during January of 2022, Pastor Andy continues to speak about God of the Breakthrough. When we pray, let the Holy Spirit help us to pray, He will help us pray according to the will of God. Perfect prayers! (Romans‬ 8:26-27)‬. It is God who brings the breakthrough in our lives, working behind the scenes for our good and also goes before us to bring breakthrough! (Micah‬ 2:13‬ KJV‬‬).

God is the Breaker, going before us breaking open the way like the grill on the front of the locomotive that clears the way. Nothing can stand against Him or stop Him. There are many examples of God working this way in scripture …

In 2 Samuel‬ 5:22-25, God went before David and his army to strike down the enemy. ‬ 

In 2 Chronicles‬ 20:15-17‬, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem were told not to be discouraged or afraid, that the battle was not theirs but God’s. They were told to stand firm and see the deliverance that God had provided for them. In order to put God first in their battle they sent out the praisers ahead of the army. When they came to the place overlooking the desert all they saw was dead bodies, God had gone before them and won their battle. Not only did they win the battle, they plundered the enemy, taking 3 days to bring back what had been stolen from them.

Let us pray with the Holy Spirit’s help to ensure God goes before us in all the battles of our lives. Then we can know He is there before us!

Pastor Andy speaks of God of the Breakthrough as we begin 31 Days of praying for one another (three times each day) during the month of January. We are believing God this year for incredible BREAK OUT in peoples’ lives and situations. Break out is where you see the things that you are believing for come to pass. A moment of testimony! Break out is what happens publicly, or in the “seen” realm of our lives. and occurs after breakthrough. So we have to invest time in the breakthrough in order to see the Kingdom of God break out in our lives.

King David did just this in 2 Samuel 5......

David withdrew to the stronghold before moving forwards with the attack on the Philistines - Baal Perazim - the mighty waters broke out against the enemy! David invested time in order to receive the BREAKTHROUGH in his life privately before going to the battlefield and seeing the BREAK OUT of the victory. He received the “now” word of God (the rhema).

When WE read scripture, God brings His Word alive in our hearts (rhema). Let us take time to seek God for His “now” word in order to hear His specific instructions.........Then follow His instructions to see the BREAK OUT! Amen!