Happy Mother’s Day !

The Bible instructs us to give honour where honour is due.

Mothers stop at nothing to care for and nurture their children. Courage and selfless acts are personified.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! 😃

Today we honour mothers everywhere! In this message, Pastor Andrew affirms mothers in their resolve of courage and selfless acts to nurture and care for their children, modeling trust in God above all else.

Jochebed, Moses's mother exemplified courage and selflessness as she trusted in God over fear to save her son.

With faith in God and a steady plan, Jochebed defied Pharoh to safeguard her child from certain death. Her courage and selfless act preserved her son and God’s plans for Moses and the Israelite people.

In today's day and age, we can all be like Jochebed, standing up for what is right even when one’s biblical worldview (theocracy) does not align with government proclamations. Life-defining moments reveal our heart and trust in God.

Are the Spiritual Gifts for today? In Week Three, Pastor Andrew turns our attention to the agency of the Holy Spirit in the DISBURSEMENT OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS, as He wills.

There is a great number of Spiritual Gifts to aid believers in effective witness, but not all believe the gifts are for today, and some affirm only the gift of teaching and wisdom. Are you putting Holy Spirit in a box?

In this message, Pastor Andrew explores key statements based on scripture used to support cessation of the gifts, while passionately affirming from scripture that the spiritual gifts were not limited to the early Apostle, but are for all believers today as the Spirit 'wills'.

Jesus promised power for His followers to witness. Peter understood the gifts accompanied the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on all flesh, and so should believers today.

A dangerous hindrance to the church's effective witness outside of not exercising the gifts in love, is to outright deny this empowerment of spiritual gifts for witness to the world.

The Holy Spirit is the disbursement engineer who offers the gifts but does not force them. Fueling our life with the promised high-octane empowerment to serve and glorify God.

Looking at 1 Cor 12, it is clear that not only are the gifts for all believers but there is a vast array of spiritual gifts that are intended to BUILD UP AND UNITE US, NOT DIVIDE US.

The apostle Paul illustrates the proper function of these gifts from the bedrock foundation of love, love of God, and love for others. When the spiritual gifts are functioning properly the church is positioned for greater efficiency of witness.

In this message, you will be encouraged to desire and be open to all the Spirit of God desires to disburse, as Pastor Andrew emphasizes that it is the will of the Holy Spirit that all believers have a gift and that a healthy church celebrates all the gifts.

When you're labeled as 'crazy', that doesn't always make it so.

The believers in the early church were called 'drunkards' and 'crazy' when the Holy Spirit moved upon them. But the truth was God was really moving among them and within. There were also those keenly searching for answers, “what does this mean?”

Holy Spirit is promised gift who continues to operate in these last days, as we await the return of Jesus. It is what we focus on and are open to in the meantime that matters.

The mark of spiritual maturity is not to muzzle the outflow of the allocation of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit when such accusations happen, but to remain receptive to the agency of the Holy Spirit.

In part two of the Holy Spirit teaching series, Pastor Andrew explores the multifaceted gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of different tongues.

Using Acts 2 and 1 Corinthians 14 as references, Andrew explains the variety of tongues and their purpose.

Suffice it to say Holy Spirit is promised gift who counsels and empowers all believers through the allocation of spiritual gifts, in season, to declare the greatness of God in multifaceted ways.

One such spiritual gift is the variety of tongues.

A profoundly personal counsel-ship accompanied by timely empowerment in every season!

It was on the Day of Pentecost, a well-attended Jewish Festival celebration of the wheat harvest, where God 'poured' out His Holy Spirit upon the followers of Jesus, just as Jesus promised He would.

The festival was a fitting event for the promised gift to be unleashed because the 'outpouring', and 'filling' the discipleship with tongues of fire signaled a new harvest of covenant promise being fulfilled and God's continuing activity upon His creation He loves!

Think about it, God coming down via His Holy Spirit to cause all who call on His name to live like Jesus. Amazing! Our heavenly Father keeps on giving!!

How often do you consider the ever-so profoundly personal and awesome gift of the Holy Spirit?

But who is Holy Spirit?

In part one of this series, Andrew teaches who the Holy Spirit is and what He does, especially in the life of a believer.

Exploring how Holy Spirit is a trusted counselor who will be with you forever, who abides with timely teaching, and right judgment, and who empowers believers to live like Jesus in every season.

In all, this series celebrates the continuing work of God in His people by way of the promised Holy Spirit.

Follow me" is an important 'call' of Christ, to all who believe in Him. Simple, yet His call is not obstacle free. Teaches all to trust Jesus who gives us what we need.

The early followers learned this lesson and it's a lesson still being learned by believers today.

It's human to get distracted from one's role or assignment in fulfilling the Great Commission, especially when comparing oneself to another or becoming overly concerned with what the Lord reveals to another.

In John 21:20-23, Peter is learning this life lesson. He's hit the obstacle and is overtly concerned over the Lord's plan for John, the beloved discipleship of Jesus. Peter is quickly corrected by Jesus that this matter is none of his business. Jesus reminds Peter to essentially refocus, by saying "Follow me".

In this message, Andrew shares how all Christians will benefit from heeding the word given to Peter, in that God's plan for one's life, is up to the Lord. He determines the outcomes, we do not. We are to trust Jesus.

We all have roles and assignments to discharge, each role, gifting, ministry, activity is invaluable.

Let us learn from Peter's interaction with Jesus to heed the instruction of overseers responsible for our very soul and to focus on the assignment that the Lord has revealed to us to walk in, as part of fulfilling the Great Commission.

Who doesn’t love a reunion? Amazing times to be had by all. The account of the resurrection of Jesus is nothing short of amazing! HE’S BACK, Jesus is back and resurrection life is with Him!!!

Andrew shares how the appearance of the risen Lord to His followers is not only a much-needed reunion but more importantly, showcases that all that He said is true. In fact, all who believe in Him enjoy the enduring presence of Jesus along with the hope of the resurrection.

AMAZING.

Death has lost its sting and has been swallowed up in victory.

AMAZING.

All who trust in Jesus have been sealed for resurrection life, encountering the kingdom of God now while awaiting the fullness of the promise, being clothed with immortality like Jesus, bodies reflecting his fullness - fit for heaven.

AMAZING.

If Jesus is alive and well, what more do you need? The King of Kings and Lord of Lords has called your name heavenward in Resurrection Life.

AMAZING!!!

Perhaps one of the most profound and yet simple Truths to Live By is REJOICE IN YOUR SALVATION, IT'S NOT COMPLICATED.

In this PALM SUNDAY message, Andrew preaches from John 12:9-21 on the significant signals of the Palm Branches, the contagious celebration at Jesus' entrance, and the life-changing moment for the thief on the cross - showcasing how truly uncomplicated salvation is through Christ.

In this message kicking off the Holy and Passion week of Jesus, one will be moved by the teaching on the significance of the Palm Branches and their ‘fitting visual reminder’ of WHY Jesus’ ENTERED the world. To serve, seek the lost, and give His life as a ransom, to reconcile the world to God.

‌Scripture is full of ‘signals’‌. In fact, in Jewish culture, a name meant something, much more than just a ‘nice ring’. A name spoke to one's ‘IDENTITY and PURPOSE’.

JESUS is the transliteration for the Hebrew name ‘Yeshua’, which means SALVATION.

Jesus' purpose for entering the world, was the salvation of the world.

In Jesus' Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem the people, whether they realized it or not, formed the receiving line for ‘GOD’S PROVISION - the atonement and covering for sin. The mercy of god at its finest and provisional grace simply received by faith. it's not complicated.

- Call upon the Lord today. Today is the day of your salvation.

In Triumphal Entry Part 3, we look to Luke 20:9 and the Parable of the Vineyard Owner and The Judgement of the Tenants.

This story is employed by Jesus as a 'mirror' for the religious leaders - who serving as Tenant ‘farmers’ are entrusted to lead the people and produce fruit, glorying God, but they are sour in every way possible. Seeking forge their own path, that they believe is to in keeping the law. The have truly lost their way!

Jesus foretells of the leaders collective plans to kill Gods beloved Son. Opening the door for repentance by calling them out for their rejection of the ‘chief cornerstone’ of the new temple of God. Yet they connived and plotted all the more to kill Jesus.

As Christian’s we see Jesus is the beloved Son of the Vineyard owner, of the story. In the midst of the chaos, the story also showcases God's resilient and patient love in sending His son to forgive the trespasses of the tenants. A story that would climax at the cross at Calvary, with Jesus taking away the sins of the world and enacting the New Covenant with His very life.

The very resilient and patient love of our Heavenly Father, to be known by all who receive Christ with faith and love in their hearts.

Are religious parties all that different from when Jesus walked the earth? As finite, imperfect people, parties are bound to rise up. The key is not to associate with parties who oppose the way of Jesus. Being led by emotions and worship of self-governing authority to twist and affirm what God does not affirm.

Following Jesus' entry to the temple, the chief religious leaders questioned Jesus’ authority and agency. While the crowd recognized Jesus and worshipped Him, a large number of the religious sects did not.

Ultimately, those who remained in opposition were willingly complicit in actions that led to crucifying of Christ.

At the end of the day, as we view this story with New Covenant glasses, we see God works through people and circumstances to accomplish His purposes. We can learn from the religious leaders from Christ’s day. Both those who opposed, but also those who recognized Him! Not to oppose God, but rather, to cherish His teachings and worship Him.

✅Let us be bold like the few who recognized Jesus' authority and encountered times of refreshing through true worship! 🙌🏻🙏

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✅Let us recognize Christ’s authority over our lives, and worship Him in all we do, with conduct befitting Christ followers - this is our true and proper heart of worship. 🙌🏻🙏

🎶Worship the Lord, He is worthy to be praised.

Do you like to celebrate victories? In Jesus' Triumphal Entry to Jerusalem, the crowd was doing just that, celebrating the arrival of the prophesied Messiah, who would take away the sins of the world.

"Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord".

Just like today, the crowd is equally made up of those who recognize Jesus Christ as Lord, ready to enjoy the peace He confers upon all who celebrate His victory, and those who resist or outright refuse His Kingship.

Jesus humbly rode into Jerusalem, upon a donkey as prophesied, a true and faithful King, with authority to execute justice and usher in peace for all His people. A peace that He knew would cost Him His life to secure it.

Pastor Andrew encourages Christians to be thankful for one's eternal security in Jesus. Whereas by Christ's own words, those who reject Christ's Lordship encounter turbulent destruction, by their own omission.

For all who do not know Jesus, now is the time to heed His call and not resist. When He returns it will not be upon a donkey to usher in peace, but upon a white horse to rule the nations and separate the righteous from the unrighteous.

No need to fuss, as a follower of Jesus, turning to Him in repentance, you are righteous and securely seated in His kingdom.