Church notes - December 2015
Church notes - December 2015
6th December
Hebrews 12:1 -2
Don't go the wrong way, follow the way that God has marked out for us.
There is no way we can finish the race He has set out for us if we ignore Him.
We shouldn't just ask 'is it a sin'. We should ask 'Does it help me run the race for God'.
Fixing our eyes on Jesus. He has opened the way for us.
13th December
Testimony of Healing
- Sepsis - Healed
- Bleeding Gastric Ulcer - Healed
- Blood numbers indicating death - Healed
- Requirement of dialysis - Healed
Genesis 3
A key theological truth. The world was delightful, but now it is filled with disaster.
vs 6
Their disobedience lead to shame, guilt and fear.
Consequences
The Curse. Weeds and Pests
A broken and fallen world
vs 15
A picture of the Cross, where evil was ultimately destroyed.
vs21
An animal had to die to provide the coverings (a picture of sacrifice).
Psalm 121
There is hope
God will be with you in your suffering.
Mark 2:1 - 12
The paralytic or one of his friends had faith. The faith was fulfilled. They overcame every obstacle to their faith.
Life is short. Forgiveness of sins prepares us for the life to come.
Jesus prepares us for the next world.
20th December
The First Noel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mawwURNqPC0
Noel - Etymology: 'late 14c., nowel "feast of Christmas," from Old French noel "the Christmas season," variant of nael, from Latin natalis (dies) "birth (day)," in Church Latin in reference to the birthday of Christ, from natus, past participle of nasci "be born" (Old Latin gnasci; see genus). The modern word in English, with the sense "a Christmas carol" (1811) probably is a separate borrowing from French. As a masc. proper name, from Old French, probably literally "of or born on Christmas."' [1]
Table Talk - Christmas
Communion
Jeremiah - prophesy of Jesus' birth
Matthew 2:19 - 25
Romans 3
Sermon
Luke 2:21 - 40
Simeon and Anna were waiting with anticipation. They were waiting peacefully.
vs 25
vs38
Anna was waiting for forgiveness and His comfort.
Both their hopes were fulfilled in Jesus. They were prepared to hear His voice.
Deep and Wide - Andrew Stanley
Private spiritual disciplines links our hearts to the heart of God and underscores personal accountability to our heavenly Father.
"The most important thing in your life is your presonal relationship with Jesus Christ" - Charles Stanley
Jesus didn't live a life that was filled with rush.
He paced His life such that He had time with His Father.
A hurried life
- Destroys your relationship with God. Busyness is the enemy of closeness with God.
Psalm 46
- Feeds superficial relationships e.g. Lack of investment in social media contacts. Jesus invested in His disciples.
- Numbs you to injustices that break God's heart.
- Increases Legalism. God doesn't want us to know about him. He wants us to know Him.
- Clouds your purpose and diminishes your passion.
Are you becoming trustworthy in your relationships with other people?
[1] http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=noel
27th December
Psalm 32
Falling in love - everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmpth
vs 1, 2
Being blessed - our sins being forgiven.
vs 3, 4
David's struggle with sin
The worse the sin - the more one wants to hide it! Guilt is an overbearing burden
Sin can't be hidden from God. It needs to be confessed.
vs 5
He knows what he has done.
vs 6
We have a tendency to be general about confessing our sin. We need to be honest about our sin. Tell Him what you have done. When we have confessed the sin, guilt disappears.
vs 7
Forgiveness - We can find protection with God. We can hide in Him. This is an intimate protection. Where there was groaning, there are now songs of deliverance.
vs 8
Guidance.
He spoke in first person.
vs9
Don't be stubborn in disobedience!
vs 10, 11
Genuine in confession.