This morning Larry O’Mahoney shared many examples of how the Fire of God is used in the Bible. Texts included Jer.20:9, Jn.15:3; Heb.1:7; Lk.24:32; Jn.8:12; 2 Pet.3:10ff; Matt.3:11-12; Deut.4:24; Isa.43:1-2; Dan.3; Ps.39:3; Lk.24:17ff; Isa.35:8; Lk.16.

We aren’t called to be imitation Christians, but we are to ‘Be imitators of God as dear children’ (Eph.5:1). Now there’s a verse that has been taken out of context by those who think they can be God or gods, or be ‘like God’ (See Gen.3:4-5). Why can’t people read the verse in context, starting off with the obvious word, ‘Therefore‘, showing how Eph.5:1 is the continuation from Eph.4:32, where Paul told the believers ‘And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you (See also 2 Cor.5:19-20). But what is all this crude and primitive talk about Christ offering Himself as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma? See Isa.53 for details! Just as Christ’s offering of Himself ‘smelt good’ to the Father, so our Christian service can smell, either good or bad to both God and either those being saved or those who are perishing (See 2 Cor.2:14-16). Some challenging stuff here about our behaviour and talk, and how we are not to partake of certain lifestyles.

In this week’s episode we look at some practical areas that need to change in the new life of a believer. It may come as a bit of a surprise that Paul had to write to Christians to tell them that they need to stop lying, stealing, or continue to have angry outbursts of wrath (which is usually just bad temper), and not to slander (speak evil of) one another. Such things grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Therefore because we have been forgiven, we ought to forgive one another, just as Jesus taught in Matt.6:12, 14-16, and particularly in Matt.18:21-35. Paul says, ‘And be kind to one another, tender-hearted; forgiving one another, EVEN AS God in Christ forgave you‘ (Eph.4:32).

This Sunday Eric shared this message on Faith and how various Biblical characters were ‘kept afloat during troubled times’, because of their obedience to God.Here are 3 Points to take away from this sermon: 1) Total Trust in the Written Word of God (2 Cor.5:7). 2) Total Dependance through a lifestyle of prayer and worship (See Matt.6:9-13; Lk.11:1ff). 3) Total Surrender to God’s Will and Purpose (1 Cor.2:9).

What was our spiritual and mental state before we were regenerated by the Holy Spirit? Paul paints a dismal picture of ‘the rest of the Gentiles’ in Eph.4:17-19, which corresponds with his more lengthy discussion of the state of the whole world, as recorded in Romans 1-3 (See especially Rom.1:18-31). So it is a wonder that anyone at all has been saved out of that mess! Of course, if it was left to each one of us to find our way to Christ and be saved, none of us would have made it! But God broke into our darkness, just like He did in Gen.1:1-3, and Isa.9:2, and spoke into our hearts (2 Cor.4:5-6). Thank’s be to God for the Reformers’ Slogan: “Post Tenebras Lux“, which means “After Darkness Light“!Now that we have “Seen The Light”, we can’t continue to live and walk the way that we used to. We are a ‘New Man’ with ‘New Ways’, and a ‘New Creation’ (Eph.4:20-24 cf. 2 Cor.5:17; Eph.2:10; Col.3:10).

What is the role of those of “The Five-Fold-Ministry” gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4:11-12 ? Are they there for all time throughout ‘the Church age’, or do we see Apostles and Prophets functioning the same today as in the formative days of the early church? What is their role? How can a church grow to maturity and hopefully numerically? Surely it is when every member, every joint and ligament “pulls its weight” or does its share, energised and empowered by the Spirit of the Lord.

This is a very short section but it is important to understand what it meant for Christ to first descend into the lower parts of the earth, and then ascend, and what was the purpose of this! Did Christ really descend  into Hell, or was it the grave? What was the Gift that Christ showered or poured out upon His people? Based on Ephesians 4:7-10.

Today we had guest speaker, Pastor Jim Smith. Jim is the senior Pastor of Happy Trails Christian Fellowship, Surprise, Arizona. Go to www.htcfsurprise.com for further information. Today Jim pointed out that although in Luke 2:14 the angels announced, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” the people involved in the story experienced anything but peace! Their lives were in danger, they experienced fear, and their lives were in turmoil. So what was the “Peace” that God had in mind? Listen to this excellent word in season to find out more!

What a wonderful theme is found in this title and the accompanying songs. Our Lord did not cling on to His heavenly glory but came to this sinful world, knowing His destiny. He was on a rescue mission: “To seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). He knew that He would not fail to “Save His people from their sins” (Matt.1:21). What is amazing is that God didn’t have to save any one! He set no plan in motion to save any of the angels who sinned (2 Pet.2:4ff), and in the Old Testament, when God flooded the world,  He saved only 8 people! However, through Christ’s life and death, He plans to ‘bring many sons to glory (Heb.2:10). Thank God it wasn’t ‘Mission Impossible’, but ‘Mission Accomplished’!

Can a man in his natural human state decide he wants to be born again? Can he come to Christ of his own accord or according to own “free will”? Or does it require a special act of God to renew his heart, quicken him or make him alive, so that he can respond freely and willingly to God? Toward the end of this message Michael shared about his mother’s life and testimony, and some excerpts from the eulogy that he shared at his mother’s funeral service on Friday 13th December.We have included here the transcript from Emma’s speech. Patricia was born in the home of her Granny Girvan in 39 Bryson Street, Belfast, on the 12th of July, 1945, just as the men were returning from the field. For the next 12 years she lived at the Central Fire Station, or the HQ, where her father James Webb served as fireman. Then, when he retired from the Fire Service, they moved to the Braniel, where he worked as a caretaker at Gilnahirk Primary School. Patricia had a very happy childhood, along with her siblings, Maud, Alfred, and her remaining living sister, Edris, who lives in Melbourne. Our parents met in 1964 when Patricia was 19, when, and this may be a bit of a surprize to some, she was handing out Gospel Tracts with members of the Coleman’s (or Coal Man’s) Mission. This first encounter took place on Gresham Street, and in fact my mum left behind a couple of Pocket Sized New Testaments, and each of them have an inscription. One of them says, “Best Wishes Christmas 1963….May God Bless you and may you have a happy Christian life.” I recently asked my mother how all this came about. I mean I had heard she professed to be... Read More