Ephesians #4 "Check out the Contrast" Eph 2:1-5

In todays message we check out the stark contrast between the soul that is spiritually dead and the soul that has been made alive by God. It is as stark a contrast as light and dark; as life and death.

By checking out what we have been saved from we are well positioned to be strengthened in our faith regarding all that God has done in us so we can continue to look to Him for future growth in Godliness.

Please click on the link below to listen to message or right click and "save as" to download an mp3 file of message.

http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/r1w3gluxkb/22_February_2015.mp3

Pastors Pen: Speaking life

Today in the message (Eph 2:1-5) we are looking at the stark contrast between death and life and the contrast that can be seen between the unregenerate soul who is “dead in their trespasses and sins” (v1) and the soul that has been “made alive with Christ” (v5). That huge change that takes place in the life of a person when they put their trust in Jesus Christ affects all aspects of life.

While we have the life of God in us there are still choices we need to make in life. Every day we choose in many different ways whether we will choose to act out of our new identity in Christ or slide back into the old way of thinking, acting or talking. The words we use give a significant insight into what is happening on the inside of us, even whether we are alive, or whether we remain dead.

Proverbs 18:21 says, “The tongue has the power of life and death…” Eugene Peterson in The Message paraphrases this verse in its context of v20b-21 writing, “good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” This verse alongside the truth of knowing I’ve been “made alive with Christ” shows that we have a huge responsibility to be bringing forth fruit that gives life to those who are listening to us.

Sadly we are often deaf to the poison our speech can sometimes contain, so maybe quoting Deuteronomy 30:19 will give us a prompt, “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” Perhaps we could find practical help by allowing ourselves to question whether the words I am speaking are blessings or curses; whether I am lifting someone up or tearing them down; whether I am speaking life or death. This can apply to how I speak to others; speak about others; or even how I speak about myself.

So what path is my speech going to take this week?  Will it be the path of life or the path of death? There is only one way that offers blessing to you and to those around you. Choose Life!!!

Ephesians #3 "Power and Position" Eph 1: 19-23

Once again we learn from the prayers of the Apostle Paul of what he considers important developments in the lives of the believers reading his letter.

Paul's desire was that his readers would be exposed to the new reality that was theirs "in Christ"; a reality that afforded them ( and we as believers today) power and position that was far above anything this world could ever offer!

Please click on the following link to listen or right click and "save target as" to download mp3 file.

http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/u5td3iqy7c/15-2-2015.mp3

Pastor’s pen: Power and Position 15th Feb 2015

Much of what motivates people in life is a desire for two things: Power and Position. It can similarly be described as a quest for greatness. When it comes to this topic of discussion we can, as Christians, make some mistakes in responding to this very real human dynamic. Firstly we can falsely assume that God is not interested in greatness and we live according to the deceitful assertion that under-achieving is ok and that God loves mediocre. On the other hand we can mistakenly follow the example of the world and do everything in our power to put ourselves first, in a race to accumulate the most possessions or to entrench ourselves in a role or position that commands respect and obedience.

The first disciples of Jesus struggled with this same issue, and it became a point of division for the men Jesus had chosen, as Luke 9v46 says, “An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.” But Jesus’ response was not to say greatness was wrong, but rather that these disciples had a wrong understanding of true greatness.

The same issue comes up for the disciples later in the same gospel (Luke 22:24) and Jesus draws a sharp distinction between Godly greatness and greatness that the world chases after. Over against pride and position, Jesus points out that humility is a sign of greatness to God. And over against power and authority that lords over others, Jesus magnifies selfless service of others as a sign of greatness. The greatest truth we may come to know as Christ followers is that God wants us to walk in greatness; He does want us to have influence and operate in His power and authority. It’s just that it looks different to what most people expect. The position we enjoy as God’s children allows us to humbly serve others in our God given capacity, just as Jesus did, taking every opportunity to let God be seen in us as we live to magnify His name in everything we do. The power we exercise as members of God’s holy household is not seen in putting people down but in speaking life and blessing into those God privileges us to influence; influence for good as we encourage those around us to desire a greatness that aligns with Godliness.

Ephesians message #2 "The Light reveals our identity" Eph 1:15-18

In this second message in the Ephesians series, we discover some deep insights from the prayers being prayed in this passage by the Apostle Paul.
In agreement with the prayers of Paul I pray that God will give you "the Spirit of wisdom and revelation" as you listen to this message and come to a greater understanding of who God is, who you are, and who we are together as a community of faith.

Please click on the following link to listen to message or right click on link and "save target as" to download mp3 file: http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/xxhd26sru2/2015-02-08.mp3


May God richly bless you!!!

Pastor’s Pen: Afraid of the dark? (8/2/2015)

Do you remember being afraid of the dark? I had a conversation with one of my children this week about being afraid of the dark. As I told my child about my own experience growing up it was not the darkness that scared me but thoughts of what the darkness may be hiding that caused my heart to tremble. As we talked we agreed that having the light on reassured us that everything was indeed OK.

This conversation got me thinking about the fears that lurk in the deep recesses of our hearts. The enemy’s chief weapon of choice in containing and restraining us as God’s servants is fear. He is constantly looking for a darkened part of your heart to sow seeds of fear, which left in the darkness to grow, will become monsters that take over your mind.

That is why it is so important for us to allow God’s light to shine into the deep recesses of our hearts and minds to expose the lies of the enemy. God is light and He is truth and just as in the beginning He made light shine in the darkness (Genesis 1:3), so too He has caused the light of His truth to shine in our hearts so we can see our need of Jesus, as 2 Corinthians 4:6 says, “He made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

In today’s message from Ephesians 1:15-18 Paul is praying to God for an ongoing process of enlightenment. What is the purpose of this enlightenment? Hope. The one thing that Satan wants to squeeze out of you, by the fear he is propagating in the darkness, is hope. But God has a solution: Allow the revealing power of the light of what God has done through Christ to expel the darkness from those shadowy recesses of your heart.

How does this happen practically? We prayerfully read the Word of God (asking the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to us) and allow the light of truth to examine our heart. We need to come to the Word with a desire to be empowered; with an expectation to be transformed. But for that to happen we need to humbly allow the Word to search us (like a torch) and send the darkness fleeing, along with its fears, so that all that remains is a heart full of hope because of God’s light shining brightly within.

Some of us may be resisting the Holy Spirit searchlight being shone in the corners of our heart. But even though there may be a few things exposed in those dark recesses of our hearts that God wants to sort out, His light in the heart of the believer is not condemning. It empowers us to see the truth and the solution that is only found in Jesus.

Afraid of the dark? It’s time we turned on the light and see things as they truly are!

Ephesians Message # 1 1st February 2015 Eph 1:3-14 "Our God given identity"

This series on Ephesians will serve to firstly ground us afresh in our identity as believer's in Jesus Christ, affirming our place of belonging in the community of faith.

Later in the series after we have been firmly grounded in our new identity and belonging (in Christ) the emphasis will shift to highlight the implications of our position on our attitudes and behaviours.

I pray you will be touched by God as you listen to this series. The first message focuses on our God given identity as ones who have been chosen, redeemed and sealed in Christ.


To listen click here: http://k003.kiwi6.com/hotlink/wbyjqsqama/1_February_2015.mp3

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Pastor's Pen 1st February "Who am I?"

A few years ago (maybe a fair few years ago) a television game show called “Sale of the Century” included a number of questions that started with the words “Who am I?”. The host would then begin revealing facts from a notable person’s life including date of birth, place of birth and a progression of achievements or circumstances from that person’s life. The contestants would jump in when they believed they had enough information to correctly identify the person.

The question highlights how we identify people. Background, achievements and circumstances of their life; all these variables serve to form our perception of a person’s identity. But when we seriously consider that question personally, “who am I?”, we can sometimes be conflicted in our response. Sure we know our background, our achievements and the circumstances of our life far better than anyone else. But this can give rise to conflict, as we compare our experiences with our expectations and either judge ourselves too harshly or alternatively not take seriously enough our glaring character flaws.

These assessments we make about ourselves are often measured against what the world considers to be acceptable or noteworthy. But for the follower of Jesus, one’s identity is not governed so much with achievements or background but is grounded and strengthened in the new beginning each believer has been gifted in Jesus Christ, our Saviour and now our Lord (or King).

The Apostle Paul, in Philippians highlights the glaring inadequacies of his human pedigree, who, though possessing great background and achievements came to an understanding and said of these identifying factors, “I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.” (Phil 3:7 NLT) Paul goes on to explain that His whole goal in life then became about knowing Christ and being “found in Him” (v9).

It remains an important exercise to ask ourselves “who am I?” yet the response must be gravitating more and more towards boasting in what Jesus has done and becoming less reliant on what I have done, whether good or bad. “Who am I?” I am a child of God!