The Weekly

Rights refer to entitlements by law and custom, while privileges refer to special advantages or opportunities granted by power, authority, or circumstance. Jesus has fought for and laid down His life for all of humanity to have certain rights, but far too often we look at these rights as privileges that are reserved for a select few, or that we need to perform in order to attain them.

Galatians 4:4 But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.

In celebration of NCCB's 44th Birthday, Ash unpacks the vision for NCCB, why we exist, and speaks to the congregational dynamic that God is creating in us. He then unpacks a creative vision from Isaiah 54:2-4, and Acts 1:8.

Ash unpacks the truth of the gospel message. As believers, it's vital that we know and understand the truth of the gospel message. He also contrasts Christianity with other religions in the world. It's good for us to be aware of the theologies that have been created to confuse people.

"If you were to die today, and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, why should I let you into heaven? What would you say?"

Ash teaches on Fasting and the importance of importunity. Fasting is focusing our minds and our bodies for spiritual reasons. Fasting without prayer and meditation will just be days spent hungry. Ash encourages us to consider Isaiah 58 while fasting, we must be sure that we don't lose track of what God is asking us to do.

What are you being formed into? Are you in the process of becoming like Christ?

"There is an obvious great disparity between, on the one hand, the hope for life expressed in Jesus found real in the bible and in many shining examples from among his followers and, on the other hand, the actual day-to-day behaviour, inner life, and social presence of most of those who now profess adherence to him." - Dallas Willard

Gareth asks some challenging questions about who we are becoming and what have we placed at the center of our lives. He lays out five principles to help us get back to the basics of being a follower of Jesus.

Stuart looks at Genesis chapter 1 and contrasts the chaos (Tohu Va-Vohu) with the order God was bringing into the word. He points out the similarities between the creation account and the church's beginnings and how in both situations God is bringing order from chaos. God is doing that now in our lives, through the process of sanctification, we are becoming like Christ.

Ashley highlights the importance of generosity, God's heart behind biblical generosity, as well as how we as believers and as the church should live lives of generosity. Ash unpacks the differences between tithes and offerings, as well as the various other forms of generosity.

Trevor shares how amazing it is that we get to be friends of God! What does it mean to be in His love, to remain in His love? Regardless of where you are at, Jesus died for you and wants you to be His friend.

Trevor gives us some reflective questions to ask. After listening to the message, ask the Holy Spirit these same questions:

Why is generosity important? What insights does the Bible offer about being generous, and where does it first come up? Ash dives into the concept of generosity, empowering us to manage our finances in alignment with God's kingdom.

Our gifts are not to be measured by the amount we contribute, but by the surplus kept in our own hand. The two mites of the widow were, in Christ’s eyes, worth more than all the other money cast into the treasury, for “she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

- Charles Spurgeon

Ash, following last week's message on forgiveness, teaches from Matthew 18:23-27 on how we are compelled to forgive anyone who asks for mercy. Forgiveness is first a decision, and not first an emotion. Even though we forgive, we will not necessarily forget, but God will remove the pain of it.

"Mercy delivers us from what we deserve, grace gives us what we do not deserve."