Church notes - August 2016
Church notes - August 2016
7 August
Jeremiah 29:10, 11
Ecclesiates 3
Dedication: Rasmussen, Naomi
Eating with Pharisees
Luke 11: 37 - 54
Congruent: Having the same size and shape
Congruence - There is consistency between the goals, values and attitudes projected and observed
- Genuineness, People not appearing to be other than what they are.
vs 37
Pharisees - Devoted to following the 'tradition of the elders'. A step backward from the Law.
Like driving 50km/hr in a 60km/hr zone (looking down at those driving at 55km/hr).
They were trying to live a works=righteousness kind of life to impress God.
Jesus had no 'truck' with this.
vs 39 - 41
The cup and dish were used as an analogy of the Pharisee's character. They were concerned about outward appearance.
Jesus was saying that the cleaning needed to happen inside.
Their religion was nothing more than outward show.
Inside was greed and wickedness.
vs 41
vs 42
They may have been tithing, but they weren't giving of themselves.
vs44
Numbers 19:16
Jesus was poking fun at the Pharisees
- The Pharisees were unknowingly making people unclean
We would be modern day Pharisees
- If we had hearts full of greed and selfishness
vs 45, 46
Jesus is painting a picture of the Pharisees and Scribes not going to heaven and denying it to others.
He was heavily critical of them.
What of us? How real are we about Jesus?
Communion: If our attitude is of incongruence it might be meaningless! We need to be honest with God.
Ask Him how to be generous.
Church Camp 2016
Session 1: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/127647.html
Session 2: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/127939.html
Session 3: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/128050.html
Session 4 - Prayer
Session 5: http://fardell24.dreamwidth.org/128315.html
Not in sessions - a lot of fellowship.
21st August
Bangladesh - Increasing restrictions on church growth!
David Suchet - Became Christian after reading Proverbs from a Gideons Bible.
Psalm 148
Luke 15
Hug or Handshake?
Hug - Intimate Relationship
Handshake - Agreement or a list of rules
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- An illustration.
The Father's response when he sees the prodigal son in the distance - Another illustration of the Father's response when we ask for forgiveness
We also see it at the Cross.
The Older Son
- Rather like the Pharisees
- Think it's a business relationship
- He was missing the point!
We need to hug back.
28th August
A meal with Jesus
Eating with Zacchaeus
Before and After phots
- Restoring (bodies, cars, furniture)
- But God likes to restore people
- What would your spiritual before and after photo look like?
Luke 19: 1 - 27
Zacchaeus - a tax collector. Seen as being in collusion with the Romans
Jesus recognised that he was a tragic figure - a lonely and lost man sitting up a tree.
vs 7
Jesus is criticised for going to Zacchaeus' house - but He is not put off.
Acts 13:4 - 12
Revelation 12:10
Zechariah 3:1
Satan
- Deceit and trickery
- Lies
- Accusations
- Wants to devour
What Satan would have been saying to Zacchaeus - lies and deciet
Satan - an adversary, accuser
- The Adversary of all the Children of God
What lies do you believe about yourself?
- Voice of doubt
-- lies of doubt
You may believe it, but Jesus doesn't!
John 16: 5 - 16
John 14: 15 - 21
1 Corinthians 2:10
The spirit convicts us of sin. This is different from the Devil's approach. The Spirit points us towards Jesus, with a sense of hope.
Luke 19:6
Jesus loved Zacchaeus too much to leave him up the tree.
An incredible genuine repentance. Zacchaeus changed his behaviour.
vs 10
The reason Jesus came into the world.
Jesus accepted Zacchaeus, then Zacchaeus changed his behaviour
We need to do the same
Words of acceptance - from the Holy Spirit
You can do whatever it is God calls you to do.