Church notes - September 2018
2 September
Psalm 150
A joyful noise
Psalm 1
1 Chronicles 16: 7 - 36
Psalm 150
Praise used 16 times
A Psalm to be experienced and to be lived out.
The greatest truth of God is that He is worthy of our worship, and he deepest truth about ourselves is that we have been created to worship Him.
All the instruments are guided by humans.
Psalm 95
Recognise God in joy
Shouting out in recognition of God.
vs 6
Prostrate ourselves. A posture of submission.
We need to bow down before God.
Declaring His praises
We need to hear from Him.
We shouldn't have hard hearts towards God.
Not like what happened at Meribah and Massah. Tragic events.
A daily decision to follow and obey Him.
Hebrews 3:7 - 13
Zephaniah 3:19, 20
9th September
Psalm 2
vs 4
God isn't laughing at suffering and pain.
He is laughing at sinful arrogance, at the prevalence of sin and the foolishness of the wicked.
vs 4-9
Pointing towards Jesus
vs 10 - 12
Time is not up
God is the God of second chances. There is time for them to change their minds.
But there is a time limit.
Jesus is coming at a time which is not known.
vs 3
All want to break the chains...
There is no 'in between'
If you live in the in between, you miss out.
vs 12
There is no part time surrender. It needs to be 100%.
There is no refuge to be found away from God. Only in Him is refuge found.
16th September
1 Chronicles 29:10 - 15
Church AGM - Celebration Sunday
- Missionaries
. Romans 10:13 - 15
Church finances
- Major source: offerings
Spending
Electricity
Copyright
Support for Scripture in Schools and Missionaries
Psalm 103
1 Chronicles 28
What does David's legacy look like?
1. David built into a person - Solomon
What spiritual inheritance are you leaving for your children?
2. David gave generously
1 Chronicles 29:2
3. David praises God
He captures who God is
All power, all generosity shrinks into nothingness compared to the greatness of God.
29:12
Building the Temple - a massvie task - But God will provide every resource
4. Everything comes from God
5. Wholehearted Devotion
29:19
No human organisation can take the place of the dedication of God
29:20
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Building program - an investment into God's future
A church that disciples children, youth and family.
Testimony of Teens growing in the faith
1 Timothy 4:12
Prayer - for the congregation to consider the building plan for the extension of the church building as presented.
23 September
Prayer - a lady suffering from complications of cancer. Possibly Terminal (within a couple of days). Healing, restoration and Life for her in Jesus' Name!
Also - comfort and peace for her family, especially her husband, at this difficult time.
1 John 3:16 - 24
Compassion
God calls us to increase in generosity.
Alor Island, Indonesia (steeped in poverty)
Communion
Ephesians 6
The Armour represents Jesus.
Colossians 1:13, 14
Satan is already defeated!
We have total forgiveness!
He has rescued us from Satan's trap of falsehood
Deuteronomy 24:17 - 22
Compassion
God acts - He acts through His people
e.g. A boy on Alor island being brought of circumstances of poverty.
It has always been God's plan.
In Deuteronomy 24 as Israel is approaching the Promised Land, God is giving them laws as a reminder of His character.
vs 16 - 18
God is saying "Remember me, the God who takes you out of woeful circumstances. Who listened to your cries.
"Remember Egypt"
But we have a different, more wonderful redemption: Remember Jesus!
God's character never changes. He sent His Son and established a new Covenant in our hearts.
Jeremiah 31:31 - 34
1 John 3:15, 17
We need to care for those around us.
Not necessarily an act of kindness. An act of obedience.
30th September
Psalm 51:1, 2
Prayer
- A toddler with Hip Dysplasia
Haggai 1
Background
- Babylonian exile
- Persians allowed Israelites to return
vs 1 - 3
A double standard
- They're saying that it isn't time to rebuild the Temple, but they're living in luxury.
Galatians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 4:7
Colossians 3:15
Don't make excuses for not doing God's Word while making room for your own desires
vs 5 -11
You can't control your own life - the Israelites had forgotten this.
The LORD: - He is saying that it no makes sense as created beings to put our desires ahead of the Creator's
If Relationship with God is not your priority there will always be disappointment and disatisfaction. If you want satisfaction in life your priority is obedience to God.
vs 12 -15
They respond. Their lives change in priority. The rest of our desires are rubbish compared to prioritising God in our own lives.
What does it look like to prioritise God?
What does our obedience to God look like?
Action!
Obedience is not just about good intensions. The Israelites needed to Act. The same applies to us.
Matthew 28:18 - 20
The Great Commission - We are to go forth and make disciples