John 316 concisely expresses three truths the universal character of Gods love. The immense LOVE OF GOD to that perishing world measurably only and conceivable only by the gift which it drew forth from Him. Next is the GIFT itself and the sacrificial nature of that GIFT. For GOD so loved the world that He gave us the greatest gift of all. And lastly its eternal purpose. THE WORLD in its wildest sense really to perish as a result of mans sin. But if they believe in Jesus they will not perish but will have eternal or everlasting life.

It is no wonder that John 316 has been described as the gospel in a nutshell. This gospel is the reason why we are all here. John 316 is one of the most well-known verses in all the Bible doubtless because it states the gospel so clearly and simply.

Gods love means that God eternally gives himself to others. This definition understands love as self-giving for the benefit of others. This attribute of God shows that it is part of his nature to give of himself in order to bring about blessing or good for others.

Over the past three weeks we have considered the following spiritual disciplines Studying Scripture Meditation centering prayer and Lectio Divina and Listening Together.

This Sunday we turn our attention to the spiritual discipline of Solitude. Jesus practised solitude. He practised solitude during his forty days in the wilderness Matthew 4 during busy times of ministry he withdrew to pray Mark 135 and the night he was betrayed he withdrew from his disciples to pray Luke 2241. Solitude is not about being alone but rather it is about drawing closer to God. In some ways it is a physical act of centering prayer.

Often associated with solitude is silence. This Sunday we will consider the value of solitude and silence and how to make them a part of your daily life.

Why is praying together something that we should practice? Ephesians 3 talks about understanding the love of God together with all the saints. The truth is that God is much greater than any one person and all our experiences with God are so diverse. It is only when we come together and share how God has touched our lives that we start to get a glimpse of how great our God is. Praying together is one of those times when we get a glimpse of others' relationship with God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Secondly prayer is not just about the request. Prayer is also about listening. When we share what we have heard the community of faith is present to discern what it is that God is saying and listening together builds unity of purpose and intent.

Last Sunday we were reminded that the written word of God is our primary source in our pursuit to know God. But we are not in this pursuit alone. When Jesus returned to the presence of the Father he sent an advocate the Holy Spirit who when he is present will lead us into all truth. John 1613

This Sunday we will give attention to the biblical practice of meditation. Joshua 18 instructs us to meditate on the word of God day and night. We will consider what meditation is its role in the Christians life and some basic practices of meditation.

Meditation like all of the spiritual disciplines puts us in the place to hear from God and to grow in our understanding of His calling in our lives for the sake of His Kingdom here in Spruce Grove.

At the core of our faith is our personal relationship with God himself. But how do we nurture that relationship?

The spiritual disciplines are practices that have been used throughout church history to maintain and even enhance believers relationship with God. They are the channels of Gods grace in our lives. The spiritual disciplines help us to wait patiently for the Lord or to put it another way the spiritual disciplines enable us to weave our lives together with God and put us in a place to act with obedience when He reveals himself to us.

2 Timothy 316 17 will be key to our message this Sunday.

How do you know that Jesus is the Lord of your life? As followers of Jesus His lordship is key to us living peacefully in this world of chaos. Matthew 11 talks about taking on the yoke of Jesus which he says will fit us well and the weight of it will be light. If we take on His yoke we will find rest for our souls. So how do you know that Jesus is Lord of your life? Starting with James 413 - 17 we will try to respond to this question and give it some context in our lives.

This Sunday we are returning to our series that has been taking us through the book of James entitled Being a Christian in a Post Christian Society. We started this series back in September but with Advent Christmas and a brief series regarding prayer and the Godhead in preparation for our Semi Annual Congregational Meeting we did not finish James. So this morning we return to where we left off James 411 12. What is the difference between speaking the truth in love and being judgemental?

Today we will conclude our series on Prayer with the topic The Holy Spirits Partnership. John 167 in the Amplified version says But I tell you the truth it is to your advantage that I go away for if I do not go away the Helper Comforter Advocate IntercessorCounsellor Strengthener Standby will not come to you but if I go I will send Him the Holy Spirit to you to be in close fellowship with you. Note the diverse terms used to describe the Holy Spirits actions in our lives. As a denomination the Alliance is Christ centred Spirit empowered and Mission Focused. How is the Godhead represented in this mission statement?

John 825-30

Where did he derive the strength for His perfect example? Was it from some source beyond our reach? Was it through His own nature? Or was it through sources that are as available to us as they were for him? The last would seem soAnd it makes it certain that our Lord derived His daily strength from communion with God from a life of faith and prayer and constantly receiving the Holy Spirit and the gracious help of His Father just as we must. A.B. Simpson founder of the C&MA

The point isnt so much that we get to do what Jesus did the point is that we get to walk intimately with Jesus and then out of that closeness see the Kingdom of God advance. Doug Balzer

Matthew 65-15

Prayer is a spiritual communication between man and God a two-way relationship in which man should not only talk to God but also listen to Him. Prayer to God is like a childs conversation with his father. It is natural for a child to ask his father for the things he needs.

In verses 9-13 we have what is generally called The Lords Prayer. The Lords Prayer is Jesus model prayer given to the disciples in Matthew 69-13 and Luke 112-4. A succinct and powerful expression of how to pray in light of the gospel and the kingdom of God. In Matthew the teaching occurs during the Sermon on the Mount with the disciples and the crowds around Jesus. Following a six counter cultural commands in Matthew 521-48 Jesus offers three examples of what it is to do righteousness and offers practical steps for those tempted to give in religious performance to win the applause of others Matthew 61. The section on prayer in Matthew 65-15 forms the second of three instructions on godliness. You will notice that each of the instructions in Matthew 61-16 begins with the same phrase --- when you --- followed by an action give to the needy. And when you pray or when you fast Jesus instructs the disciples not to carry that action out like the hypocrites and then provides an alternative method.

Believers Bible Commentary said that Matthew 5-7 is the constitution of the Kingdom of God. In it Jesus our King summarizes the character and conduct expected of His subjects. This sermon is not a presentation of the plan of salvation nor is its teaching intended for unsaved people. It was addressed to the disciples according to 51-2 and was intended to be the constitution or the system of laws and principles which was to govern the Kings subjects during His reign. It was meant for all---past---present or future --- who acknowledge Christ as King.

The Fathers Plan is for his beloved children to spend eternity with Him in heaven. God the Father sent His son Jesus who paid the penalties of our sin and restored that broken relationship between God and man. And God is calling all of us and giving all of us this wonderful privilege to represent Him. To be the hands and feet of Jesus.