Pastor's pen 27th September 2015

Is God a liar?

During my recent time in Brisbane I spent some days at Malyon (Bible) College doing some study I observed some of the undergraduate students in robust debate on theological matters. These discussions brought back memories of my own similar journey of discovery of God’s word. While such discussions can be helpful in coming to understand certain tenets of the Christian faith, I have observed in church life that differences in understanding of certain doctrines can be a destructive and divisive conversation. Such conversations pigeon hole individuals into different camps along the lines of what you believe. While a good understanding of biblical doctrine is important, I have come to see that there is a point when we must make less of what we believe and more of who we believe. This takes us past intellectual pursuit of truth to a relational faith journey with the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

I make this point not to trivialise the assault continually being made on biblical truth by the world and the devil, but to emphasise a dependence on God Himself to live out our Holy calling in the mission He has called us to. More importantly when we shift from what we believe to Who we believe, we move beyond internal differences that mean nothing to those lost souls around us, to living a life of faith that has an impact. My point is this: Listening to God’s word as it speaks to our lives and our day to day decisions will have a greater impact on those around us, than simply trying to nail down some debatable theological position. As I was saying, faith is so much more relational than it is intellectual. We have a relationship with the Living God!

For our relationship with God to grow we need to believe what He says. In 1 John 5:10 we read, “Whoever does not believe God has made Him a liar…” The verse is talking about receiving Jesus as the One sent from God. But this concept of making God a liar can impact our everyday lives. What is informing the decisions we make; the attitudes we adopt; and the priorities we set? Sadly, in many instances we too often allow worldly values to inform our choices and set our priorities. But by implication each time we choose to follow the world, it is not simply worldliness having a higher priority. No. To choose to follow godless counsel other than God’s own word, we are in fact making God out to be a liar. For if God is truly God, shouldn’t we be taking everything He says seriously; making Him the true guide of everyday decisions. Our faith is not just some abstract belief system but rather obeying the One person Who will always lead in the right way.

So this week when we are tempted to ignore God’s word and take more of a lead from the godless society around us, remember that when we choose to ignore God, we’re not just putting Him second, we are calling Him a liar and that means we are putting Him last.

27th September 2015 "Aspire to be a phenomenal church"

This message by visiting speaker, QB regional consultant, Rev Pieter Henning, calls us to step up and be true disciples, as we together aspire to be a phenomenal church.

To listen click on the link below...

http://k001.kiwi6.com/hotlink/d2eq1ggjrw/27th_September_2015.mp3

20th September 2015

This message by Chappy Tony Dodge takes a fresh look at the story of the Samaritan women's encounter with Jesus at the well.

To listen click on link below...

http://k001.kiwi6.com/hotlink/5jv5d40eiz/20th_September_2015.mp3

13 September 2015 "True Unity"

Taking a fresh look at Unity, Ps Steve explores the work required buy all members of a team in order for true unity to be achieved.

Click on link below to listen , or right click and 'save as' to download...

http://k001.kiwi6.com/hotlink/y5rox9rzyv/13th_September_2015.mp3

Pastor's Pen 13th Sept 2015 "Commitment"

Commitment is an issue in all spheres of life. Just a generation ago, commitment to one partner for life was the normal thing for all members of society, not just Christians, but now divorce is as common among professed believers as it is among non-Christians. But commitment in other areas has also suffered. Commitment to a local church for Christians has dropped away significantly, with once a month attendees believing they are regular and committed. Furthermore, there is an easy come easy go attitude among many who call themselves Christians, as they float from one church to another, or even adopting a view that they don’t need to be part of a local church, that they are part of the ‘universal church’ and get there teaching online or on television.

But what do those looking on think about a lax un-committed group of people that claim to be God’s power people. They probably don’t care. But that may be because many “Christians” have stopped caring. But God cares and He does intend for His children to be committed members of a local fellowship, active in service and humble in attitude. I have noticed a powerful picture of the church as God intended in scripture in recent times. This gathering of God’s holy people was clearly recognized by believers and un-believers.

Acts 5:12-14 reads, “And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.”

Notice four things. 1. When they met together they were all there. 2. They were different and those who weren’t part of it knew they weren’t included. 3. They might have been different but they were “highly regarded”. 4. The group continued to grow (those who were saved became PART of this committed, set apart and highly respected group.)

We must resist making church common and unimportant. We have a beautiful, potentially powerful thing going here. What we need however is for us who have been saved to take our commitment to Christ seriously and make our commitment to the church something that will serve to bear witness to the truth and power of God in our midst. So let’s make our commitment to Christ and His church real by gathering together, by being different, and by living with integrity. Such commitment may even open the door for God to bring more people into our community of faith.           

PASTOR'S PEN 6th September 2015 "A Godly father-figure"

So it's Father’s Day. On this day we can pause to reflect on what is a Godly take on Fathers Day? I was at a luncheon on Wednesday that sought to honour fathers in exercising their role and I saw a number of dads that could well be described as good role models.

But while we can certainly be shaped and encouraged by the influence of our peers we should also look beyond the good but imperfect example of others to the example God himself sets as Father. A neat picture of God our Father can be found in the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-31). While we often look at the story from the sons perspective, the Father shows us some Godly examples to draw on.

Firstly, the father wanted the best for his son but he wasn't controlling. When the son asked for his inheritance the father didn't start manipulating, but seemingly with great sadness he allowed his son to exercise his free choice. God also allows us to make choices, and we should never think that that we need to make all the choices for our children. It takes faith to let go and let our children make their journey. We need to teach our children truth and set boundaries for them as little ones, but there comes a time when we have to entrust them to God.

Secondly, we see from the father  he didn’t stop caring. While he had surrendered control the father’s compassion never waned and he never stopped hoping for his sons safe return. This is the essence of every healthy relationship; it is the essence of love. Not having to control the other person but always having the door open for them to respond freely with love, gratitude and respect. So whether we are a father, a son, a daughter or a spouse or whatever, the godly example we can glean is to always operate out of a heart of compassion, without taking on the spirit of control.

Yet in all relationships, rejection can hurt. That is also why we can draw our final godly example from the prodigals father: forgiveness. Forgiveness is the most powerful aspect of love that sits right alongside sacrifice in every relationship; God’s relationship with us and our relationship with each other. There are many people, even church people who are being controlled by the anti-Christ spirit of  un-forgiveness. But if we are truly Christ ones or Christians than  we should be operating in the same heart of our Heavenly Father, whose heart of forgiveness is modelled by the father of the prodigal. Yes, we may have been hurt but forgiveness is key for the one thing that is so important to God, unbroken relationship.

The story in Luke offers  an example for fatherhood as well as an example of  Godliness no matter who  we are. A few aspects of what that looks like includes: letting go of control, nurturing a heart of compassion and exercising a spirit of forgiveness. These three things will enhance who you are, father or not.    

 Ps. Steve