Author Archives: Lee

Live your life as an act of worship to the one who has done it all

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Here are my notes for a talk I did on Sunday evening, 27th of November 2011 at a group for us guys to learn to grow together.

Romans 12:1 (NIV) – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Introduction:

Today we are going to unpack this verse, firstly by looking at God’s mercies, the response to those mercies and what that looks like. We will then look a some practical applications followed by a sum up of tonights talk.

Talk:

Paul spends much of the first 11 chapters talking of “the mercies of God”. He then spends the next few chapters talking about the life that can be built on this foundation.

Romans 12:1 is the perfect summing up of the previous 11 chapters, and introduction to the next section, the life that can be built on the foundation of God’s mercy, Gods, unmerited favour on us.

God has had mercy on us. Despite our rebellion, he has done it all so we can enjoy the connection with him that was lost in the garden of Eden. The mercy God had on us, was not because of our good behaviour, or because we displayed certain skills or attributes that God needed in his kingdom, but because of his great love and his great wisdom.

The word “Therefore” takes us back over the last 11 chapters. We were condemned sinners, in desperate need of Christ’s righteousness. Paul is talking of what God has already done, and that the living sacrifice he is about to refer to is not something to be done to gain those mercies. T

The verse before this, Romans 11:35 says “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” Our living sacrifice is a response to the mercies given, and not a payment for. Nothing can repay him, he has been truly and wonderfully merciful, and can never be paid back. He has freely given.

Romans 5:8 talks of how we were loved even before we became Christians: ”But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Paul goes to great length to explain our justification through faith. The end of chapter 3 and beginning of chapter 4.

He reminds us we have died with Christ and have been brought to new life, a life where we can be free from the shackles of sin and death. Romans 8: 1-2 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death.”

I really encourage you to read through the first 11 chapters of Romans, as to be reminded of all the amazing things God has done for us, and to be reminded of his immeasurable mercy, and love is faith building, and completely awe inspiring.

Romans 11:32 makes it clear that we are saved by Gods mercy alone. “For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all”.

Our verse today starts with “Therefore, in view of Gods mercies”, what is our response?

With God’s mercy on our lives, we are to be so overwhelmed by Gods love that we voluntary submit our whole selves to him.

The response to God’s saving grace, to his mercies is one of gratitude, thankfulness, praise, joy, of love. Just as you want to please the hearts of those you love whom love you, your desire is to want to please the heart of God.

God your father, who loves you with an everlasting love. Who has preserved you in his love despite the fact we fall oh so short.

Even though sin does not dilute or dissolve the power of God’s saving grace, or disqualify us, it does hurt our father. And that which hurts a loved one we would want to seek to remove from our lives.

The story that best illustrates a life of sacrifice through love is the following story of a woman who got married

young to a very dominant man, essentially a man who bullied her. He controlled her life so much that he had lists of rules and requirements for her that she had to follow. These lists would be left around the house, stuck to the fridge so she would always be reminded of what was expected of her. Breakfast was on the table for 8am, the bathroom was cleaned every morning no matter what etc etc…

Several years later he passed away and she for the first time was free to attend a local church where she met a very loving and caring man. Not long after they were married. Several years later of happy, loving and supporting marriage, she was putting her seconds husbands socks in the draw when she found one of the old lists. Reading through it, she recognised that she was doing many of the things that her old husband had demanded of her, but instead of it being under the duress of a controlling husband, she was doing things for her husband out of love. She loved him so much that she was doing things as acts of love to her husband.

Remember also Jesus’ words, Matthew 7:11, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”, our Father is good all the time, and he knows what is good for us. He wants us to live a fulfilled life in him, receiving good things from him. Our father is no dictator setting rules and regulations, but a loving father who gives life, who gives freedom.

To “to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice” we live out our lives in all areas as in a manner that would honour and please our father who loves us. We do it not because he demands it of us in return for life, but out of love, gratitude of the grace on our lives. In fact a live lived in God’s grace is a life of freedom from sin, and is life indeed.

“this is your true and proper worship”

Finally, Paul is saying living your life as a sacrifice is our act of worship. If our desire is to please the heart of God, it is worship. Our response to our fathers love is to want to please his heart. Therefore if in all things we are submitting to him, and doing all things as a sacrifice for him, this is also our worship to him.

Application:

I would like to leave you with some thoughts for how this can apply to our lives. As I read Romans, and thought about what God has done of us, and of my response, I began to think of the things in my life that I may not have given thoroughly over to God. Areas I struggle with, the things and the stuff I hold onto for my security. My attitude toward certain people, towards my work.

Instead however of feeling condemned, and of being lost and unsavable, I realised that in these things, I wasn’t doing what I was made to do, and that I would find the most satisfaction in. I am made to worship and in worship I find a sense of fulfilment’s and joy beyond anything this world has to offer.

When you do the dishes, bath the kids, find time with the family to play, whilst you go about your job, your business, this all done for the Glory of God is our true and proper worship.

So, (I am not sorted, in fact I am a pretty slow learner)… So, I would encourage us all to look at all things we do as an act of worship. Ask yourselves some questions such as. Does this bring glory to God? What can I do to bring Glory to God through this? How could I do this better as my worship to Him? Does spending all this time on facebook instead of valuable time with my daughter bring Him glory? Does not resting, and overdoing it, thus neglecting my body bring glory to Him? And so on…

Summing up:

Brief:

God has done it, he has had mercy on us, and there is nothing we can do to earn his love, his favour, or salvation. Therefore as a response of thank fullness and joy for what he has done for us, let us live our lives as a continual act of worship to him.

Nutshell:

God has had mercy on us. Our response is to want to please the heart of God. That response is our worship.

Micro Nutshell:

Live your life as an act of worship to the one who has done it all.

Is it Too Good to be True!?

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Sermon at New Life Church 2nd Aug 2009.
Click here to listen

Is it Too Good to be True!?

As I was researching for this sermon, I decided to consult the internet.  I googled several terms, and eventually came across these wise words, which were not as encouraging as they first sounded:

“… a good sermon helps people in different ways: some rise from it strengthened, others wake from it refreshed…”

With what I am going to share with you today though, I KNOW you are going to rise strengthened, invigorated and full of energy and excitement!  If you were asleep, or about to, you are going to sit up in your seat because what I have to share with you is the most amazing news you will ever hear!  Life changing, transforming, mind blowingly amazing news!

How do I know you are not going to fall asleep?  Because the more I researched this passage, the more my eyes were opened!  The joy that I at times struggle to hold onto was re-ignited, my understanding renewed.  Everything changed, and I have been on fire ever since!

The title of this sermon is a question:  “Is it too good to be true!?”

The main passage today is Ephesians 2: 4-9, and for those following I will mainly be referencing from the ESV version.

We will be looking at God’s gift of salvation. We will start off by looking at who we were and then, who we are now.  We will then look at what God has done for us and why he did it.  And we will finish with what it means for us!

Remember what Scott said last week as one of his 4 points to “Cease the Day”.  Know your God… it changes everything!  Well I urge you to take this journey with me today through this scripture.  Know what God has done for us, know how God feels about us, and Know what God is doing for us!

Ephesians 2:4-9 (English Standard Version)

4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved- 6and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Lets pray: Pray that you will get a fresh understanding of the Gospel, and of its power this morning.  I pray that lives will be changed, that people will be set free.  That lost joy will return, that there will be a party here today as the amazing truth of your Gospel, of your good news, of your amazing grace is revealed to us, maybe even for some for the first time.  In Jesus name, Amen!

Verse 8 says:  “It is the gift of God”

Dictionary.com – defines GIFT: something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favour toward someone.

So how much does a gift cost?  Well at least to the receiver, nothing!  Its FREE!

FREE….  Now there’s a word I guarantee you have probably heard several times this week, if not seen on your TV, or at the supermarket.

We live in a society where FREE is becoming more and more a popular concept/topic.  You only need to look in shop windows, “buy one get one free”, of Free gift when you spend £10 or more on anti ageing cream”!

Look at the internet, and there are even websites dedicated to “Freebies”.  Listing the latest ways to get your hands on mouse mats, t-shirts, short breaks and more for….. FREE!

And yet behind all these offers, there always seems to be a catch, or perhaps an ulterior motive.

Buy one get one FREE!  Well for a start you have to buy one… and if they can offer one free, what always gets me is, why haven’t they been charging half the price all these years? (Sorry, that’s the grumpy Lee speaking!)

All the “freebies” I looked at on the internet, require me to hand over nearly all my personal information so I can be “kept up to date with the latest offerings,” and my data can be shared with “specially selected business partners”.  Yes my information will be sold, and I will be shortly receiving my free gift, followed by a barrage of phone calls for double glazed windows, time shares and book clubs offering me the first book for £1.99 as long as I promise to continue to purchase other books they send in the post for the next year!

How about those free tasters we are kindly offered when we wander around super markets, and streams of people dash forward?   Unfortunately, these too are not gifts motivated by love or kindness, but are tasters of what the supermarket hopes you are going to buy!  Its your wallet that is their objective!

… FREE…. Does FREE really exist at all?  Does FREE always come with an ulterior motive?  Does the motive behind FREE always involve me giving something in return?

When you look at “free” with all its ties, free doesn’t really seem so… “free” any more!  “Modern day marketing free”, seems to involve giving something or doing something in return for a gift/reward.

All this marketing bombardment, has probably contributed us become much more cynical in life.  Now a days, a knee jerk reaction to being offered something for nothing tends to be “What’s the catch”?  And warnings such as “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” are common place.

In this passage we see that God has offered us a FREE gift!  The gift of salvation!  We are saved by his grace.  As the passage says, BY GRACE

What does grace mean?  In short “Unmerited favour”.  Getting something you don’t actually deserve!

To fully realise the magnificence of Gods grace, lets look again at verses 4-5, and firstly where we were.  We need to remind our selves of what we were to God, to understand the mind boggling amazingness of what he has done for us, and the true value of the gift he gives.

Ephesians 2:4-5 (English Standard Version)

4But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ- by grace you have been saved-

It says here we were DEAD in our sins!

Of course we weren’t physically dead as such!  We walked, talked, did our 9-5, went to school, took care of the kids, went out and partied etc.  We were, however spiritually dead, (cut off from the Lord, separated from him)!

If we look at verses 2-3 of Ephesians 2, we will see exactly where we were:

Ephesians 2:1-3 (English Standard Version)

1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience- 3among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

Built with a natural need for acceptance, significance and security (which only a relationship with God produces) we instead looked to other things to try and fill those needs.

a)the world – The world presents itself as our friend.  It promises to offer us the security we need in such things as finance.  It tells me if I conform to a certain look, a certain dress style, and have a certain body shape then I will be accepted.

b)the devil – The Devil is behind the promises of the world, so whether we knew it or not, he was who we followed.  All temptation is simply an attempt at getting us try meeting our inbuilt needs for significance, acceptance and security from sources other than God.

c)the flesh – our cravings, our desires, our thoughts of the flesh.  These includes negative thought processes, and bad habits that can form that took control of our lives and ensnared us.

To summarise:

  • We did what the world wanted

  • We did what the devil wanted

  • We did what we wanted

Therefore, because of this, as in verse 3 we were by nature objects of wrath!

Who we were displeased God, we were therefore by nature objects of Gods Righteous anger, thus separating us from God… and there was nothing we could do about it!

We had all sinned, and the Bible is clear:

Romans 6:23 (English Standard Version)

23 For the wages of sin is death,

And yet,  despite all this…… our awesome, heavenly, merciful, loving father stepped in and took action.

If we read the second half of Romans 6:23:

Romans 6:23 (English Standard Version)

…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Despite where we were, God stepped in, lets look in this passage at what he did for us!:

(Verse 5 second half)

He made us alive!

(Verse 6)

He raised us up with Christ!

Seated us with Him in the heavens!!

(Verse 8)
He has saved us.  Saved us from eternal separation from Him. Saved us from the judgement to come.  Saved us from death.

As Christians we are completely accepted by God, the gap separating us from Him closed.

Look at how many times Paul emphasises the fact we are no longer separated from God.

We are with x3 and in x2.

made us alive together with Christ-
6and raised us up with him
and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in-kindness toward us in Christ Jesus

That’s a lot of emphasis in a couple of sentences!  Paul is making a point of it!

We are no longer separated.

We are NO LONGER subject to Satan, the world, the flesh.  We are free!  We have died with Christ, been raised up with him to new live, and ascended with him to the right had of the Father in heaven!

WOW!

Again,  despite where we WHERE, he did this for you and for me!

And guess what??? Its ALL A GIFT!  A FREE GIFT OF GRACE!

Grace

God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
God’s Righteousness At Christ’s Expense
God’s Radical And Complete Embrace
Even Christians can STILL struggle with that niggling doubt… “What’s the catch?”

I think I earlier coined a phrase “marketing free”.

Does FREE exist?  Real FREE is easier to recognise when we look what motivated the gift.

We already understand the “marketing free” isn’t motivated for a love for us, or a concern for our well being, but about our wallets, and how much we will spend, and how valuable our information is.

Lets look at WHY God did this for us, what are Gods motivations for offering us the gift of Salvation:

Notice again Paul ads extra emphasis to highlight each motivation.  Yes he is making a point again!

(v4) Because of His Great Love
Its because he loves us SO much that he had compassion on us.  Not because we deserved to be saved, but because he loves us, because he loves us, because he loves us.

(v4) Because he is rich in Mercy
It is because because he is so rich mercy, we get what we don’t deserve!

We are saved.
What have we been saved for?

(v7) To show The Incomparable riches of his grace
And His Kindness

The Amplified Bible translation sums these last 2 up well:

Ephesians 2:7 (Amplified Bible)

7He did this that He might clearly demonstrate through the ages to come the immeasurable (limitless, surpassing) riches of His free grace (His unmerited favour) in [His] kindness and goodness of heart toward us in Christ Jesus.

God is Glorified in this.  His great love for us is demonstrated in this, that we too may shine for Him.

To God be the Glory, lets look at verse 10 quickly:

Ephesians 2:10 (English Standard Version)

10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Workmanship in the original Greek means, “Work of Art” or “Masterpiece”.  We are Gods works of art!  We are part of his plan.  We are his masterpieces that he is working on, chipping away at all our rough edges!  He wants to show us off, for His Glory.

That we may be examples of his grace.  So that those who have not experienced grace or goodness, can see Him in us.

Remember, we were separated from God, we were dead in our sin, there was nothing we could ever do to, right any wrongs, to atone for our wrong doing or to earn our way to heaven!  In short God RESUCED US!

And it was a GIFT.  A truly FREE gift, motivated by love, mercy and kindness.

Surely we have to bring something to the mix?  What do we bring?  Some might say; “well, My faith”!  Well no! Even your faith has  been given to you.  Look again at verses 8 – 9.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (English Standard Version)

8For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Faith is a gift too!

Romans 10:17 (English Standard Version)

17So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Faith is the hand that receives the gift.

Many Christians still struggle with feeling they must need to do something in order to deserve the gift of salvation.
Illustration:

Let me give you an example of this, in story of Tom and Bob;

Tom met Bob at a Church Community project painting the homes of the elderly in their community.
“Is this your first time at the Paint-a-thon?” asked Tom.

“Oh, no. I’m a regular.” Said Bob

“Hey, that’s great!” Tom said “Serving people this way seems like a great opportunity to show our gratitude to God.”

“Gratitude?” said Bob, puzzled. “I never really thought of it that way. I just figure it pays to make points with The Man Upstairs whenever you can. It might come in handy. Know what I mean?”

“I don’t think a person can actually earn points with God”, said Tom. “Isn’t it all about grace?”

Bob stopped painting. “Ever hear the expression there’s no such thing as a free lunch?”

“Well, why should religion be any different? You don’t really expect “The Big Guy” to give people a free pass, do you? What if you mess up somewhere along the line and tick him off? I’m not sure hell is real, but why take a chance? I’m playing it safe. I plan to cover all my bases, rack up some brownie points just in case.”

Have you ever thought like Bob did?  Even a little?

We cant “earn” salvation by doing good things.  God doesn’t have a gold sticker chart in heaven, and apply another one when you help an old lady across the road or drop some change into the tin rattled in your face!

People often struggle with a natural sway toward “too good to be true” mentality, perhaps because of their own life experiences.  A parent who had anger issues, or an unpredictable friend or colleague who could flare up without warning may have broken their trust, confidence and security in people and relationships.

These feelings can then transferred when looking at God, and it can all too easily creep into a Christians way of thinking and perception of God, eventually leading to a “Salvation by works mentality” (totally contrary to this scripture).

The Joy that was theirs when they were first saved is robbed, and they live their lives trying to get more gold stars on the giant refrigerator in the sky!  Suffering with feelings of condemnation, chasing “holiness” by doing good deeds.

When you understand that your salvation is a GIFT by the GRACE of God, because of his GREAT LOVE for you, it starts to affect the way you live!

Grace, by the way is not a ticket to sin.

I have often heard people say that grace is a “get out clause” so that people can sin whenever they please, then just check in now and again to say sorry.  This can be termed “Cheap Grace”. Cheap grace means they haven’t truly understood grace! Grace understood would and could never translate to making such an amazing act of undeserved mercy trivial or unappreciated.

The natural response is to grace is to be amazed at Gods glory, to be in awe of what he has done, and who you are now!  Small token, “brownie point earning” acts, become works of love and appreciation.

“Holiness” does not lead to grace.  Grace leads to Holiness.

Illustration:

A husband and wife didn’t really love each other. The man was very demanding, so much so that he prepared a list of rules and regulations for his wife to follow. He insisted that she read them over every day and obey them to the letter. Among other things, his “do’s and don’ts” indicated such details as what time she had to get up in the morning, when his breakfast should be served, and how the housework should be done.

After several long years, the husband died. As time passed, the woman fell in love with another man, one who dearly loved her. Soon they were married. This husband did everything he could to make his new wife happy, continually showering her with tokens of his appreciation. One day as she was cleaning house, she found tucked away in a drawer the list of commands her first husband had drawn up for her.

As she looked it over, it dawned on her that even though her present husband hadn’t given her any kind of list, she was doing everything her first husband’s list required anyway. She realized she was so devoted to this man that her deepest desire was to please him out of love, not obligation.

Obedience to God is born not out of the need to earn points to gain his favour, but becomes an act of love, to honour Him!

Holiness is the natural response to the revelation of Gods Grace.  The realisation that God loves us.  That we are truly accepted by God.  That we are Children of God.

God has done everything for us.  There is nothing we can do to make him love us more, and there is nothing we can do to make him love us less.  He did everything for us on the cross.

We are no longer objects of his wrath.

Its amazing!  Absolutely amazing!
Remember the question “Is it too good to be true”?

Here is the answer:

It IS GOOD, and it IS TRUE!

Application:

To the Christians here today.  Perhaps you have lost sight, or forgotten the original message of the Gospel.  Perhaps you have lost the joy you once had, perhaps your life is reflecting that of Ephesians 2:1-3, rather than whom you really are in Christ!

I urge you to grab onto the truth of the gospel, the power of the gospel.

John 8:32 (English Standard Version)

32and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

You are no longer separated from God, this is your identity in Christ:

Several months ago we looked at out identity in Christ.

I want to remind you of just a few of them.  Under 3 headings.  The three things we automatically seek!

You are SIGNFICANT:
You have been chosen and appointed by God  John 15:16
You are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms  Eph 2:6
You are god workmanship created for good works  Eph 2:10
You may approach God with freedom and confidence. Eph 3:12

You are SECURE:
You are free for ever from condemnation  – Romans 8:1-2
You cannot be separated from the love of God  Romans 8:35-39
You are a citizen of heaven – Phillipians 3:20

You are ACCEPTED:
You are Gods child John 1 :12
You have been bought with a price,  You belong to God.  1 Corinth  6:19-20
You are a saint.  Eph 1.1
You have been adopted as Gods child.  Eph 1:5
You have direct access to God through the holy spirit. Eph 2:18
You have been redeemed and forgiven for all your sins.  Col 1:14

The way you live your life is usually a result of who you think you are.  These are biblical truths of who you are today.
Don’t fall into the trap of chasing “Holiness” by doing good deeds!

Instead embrace God’s Grace and let Him work out his masterpiece in you.  Let God gently chip away at your rough edges, whatever they are, as he transforms you his work of art, his masterpiece.

Let go, and let God

To Non Christians:

If you are not a Christian today, then you are still living in the world of Ephesians 2:1 – 3, spiritually dead, and separated from God.

When God created man he made us to be like him.  He gave us purpose and authority.  And he provided for us.  Just like any parent would do today for their cherished children.

He wanted to be in a relationship with us.

Love and relationships cannot however be forced upon someone, so God gave us all a choice.  Right back at the beginning, the very first man and woman, Adam and Eve both rebelled against God, and from that point onward were separated from God.

God, could very well have called it a day at that very point and yet, because he loves us he stepped in and made a way.  A way that would cost him dearly.

He he sent his own Son to earth, to die for our sins!  For the small white lies, and the “borrowed” office stationery, right through to the worst things you can imagine.  God took all them on that day and hurled them at Jesus who took the punishment for every single one.

3 days later Jesus his son rose from the dead, and having defeated death and taken the punishment that we deserve, he now offers you the completely FREE gift of salvation.

If you recognise the sin in your life, see your need for a saviour, and you want to have a relationship with God, to be saved, to have the gap between you and God bridged, then I urge you to take action.

I am going to ask the band to come up and play, and as we sing, THERE’S NO CONDEMNATION  (I’m Alive in Jesus Christ), I want to invite you, if you feel that God has been speaking to you today, to come up to the front and we will happily talk with you and pray with you.

Final Song: THERE’S NO CONDEMNATION  (I’m Alive in Jesus Christ)

Belief and Faith

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I had always thought belief and faith were the same thing.  The following example really helps you understand however that there is a difference.

When you approach a chair, you look at it.  You analyse its structure, and you brain no doubt completes many calculations whilst figuring out if that chair will support your weight.  Once you have collected enough evidence that the chair looks like it will support your weight, you come to the belief that yes it will support you.

Now comes the part that highlights the difference betweek belief and faith.   You have looked at a chair, and based on some factors have now come to the belief that the chair will support your weight.  You BELIEVE it will support you.  Now comes the part where you SIT on the chair!  THAT is FAITH in action.

Your brain can analyse the evidence but can only take you to a certain point.  Looking at Jesus, you can look at the historical evidence, as well as the biblical evidence to come to a belief in his existance, however belief if not enough on its own!

Even the devil believes in Jesus (James 2:19).  Intellectually the devil believes in Jesus, in God, in the Bible!  But the devil is not saved!  He has no FAITH in Jesus.

When you become a Christian, you first believed, it was then you excersised faith.  Faith is the hand that receives the gift of salvation.  Faith is a gift from God (Ephesisans 2:8).  By grace we have have been saved.

No Condemnation

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My little girl can be so very naughty.  Having hit that terrible 2 age, she regularly throws tantrums and has been know to damage furniture, to scratch me and her mother, to bite, to throw things around, the list is endless on what a 2 year old can do!  And yet no matter what she does, I never stop loving her, and I always forgive her.

How much more does our father in heaven love us!?  He sent His Son to die that the gap that seperates us from God may be bridged.  When we therefore, believe on Him, and seek His forgiveness for our Sin, He forgives us, no matter what!  If an earthly father can feel such love for his child, how much more must our Heavenly Father love.

The prodigal son was still welcomed home by his father, even after sqandering his inheretence.  Like that father, God has His arms wide open to us, welcoming us home.  Remember, whatever you have done, God can and will forgive and you will have a right relationship restored.  Spend time with God, confessing, then believing in Gods promise that you are forgiven.

Forgiveness:
Acts 13:38-39,  Ephesians 1:7-8, James 5:15 and 1 John 1:9

Satan is the accuser, and wants nothing more that you to feel condemed for the things you have done wrong.  Instead of feeling condemed and far from God, read the promises above, believe in them, confess your sin, turn from it and believe in the promisies of God that you are a forgiven child of God.  You are a SAINT not a sinner!

Better than Sacrifice – 1 Samuel 15

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The subject for my second sermon which I preached at New-Life Church this Sunday gone was:  “To obey is better than sacrifice”.

It was based on when King Saul only partialy obeyed the Word of the Lord.  I examined motives, the excuses and God’s hate of disobedience, and he delight in obedience.  To finish I spoke on the help we have from the Holy Spirit and the importance of not trying to “go it alone” like King Saul was doing!

See below the Sermon Notes (Leader Notes for the House Groups) and the Discussion Points.  Feel free to use at your own churches.  If you have any feedback, please do contact me.

Recording will be available soon.

Leader Notes – To Obey is Better than Sacrifice

Discussion Points – To Obey is Better than Sacrifice

Modern Day Prodigal – Luke 15:11-24

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I was reminded today, whilst reading Our Daily bread, how AWESOME our God truly is.  The Son in the story had taken his inheritence from his father

and squandered it all.  And yet when it was all gone he found himself alone, his friends having abandoned him.  To keep alive he was lowered to keeping pigs and even considered eating their food simply to keep alive.

Eventually he comes to the realisation that even his fathers servants have a better life than this, and he resolves himself to apologise to his father and ask to become a mere servant of his fathers household.

v20 (NLT) So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

This verse fills me we such reasurrance and hope.  The fact the father was looking out for his son, and even when his son was some distance away, his father RAN to greet him and soon afterwards threw a party!

Many of us have or are currently run away from God.  We have turned our backs on our faith and decided we can “cope just fine without you God”!  We try the things of the world, and more than likely get ourselves in a mess trying to find fullfilment and satisfaction.  Hopefully, and eventually we come to the realisation that we need our Father, and the promise of this story is that our Father God will be there waiting for us!

So if today you are a prodigal, be it you have run completely away, or are just dabbiling in areas you shouldnt be, take that step back to the Lord!  Because even as you are taking that first step, the Lord will be running to you with open arms.  What and AWESOME Father God.

I encourage you to turn back to God, to talk to Him once again, to read and obey His word.  And to be completely and utterly fulfilled and satisfied in Him.  Nothing of this world fill the God shaped hole in our lives!  If you would to talk to someone, please feel free to contact me via the Contact page and I will be happy to talk, or to put you in touch with people who have been in your situations.

Parable of the Treasure and Pearl

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This sermon is what I did at New Life Church on the 30th of Novermber 2008.  It was part of 3 seperate 10-15 minute sermons by three of us at the church.  I will post a link to the MP3 of all 3 as soon as it is available.

Matthew 13: 44 – 46

44″The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.  45″Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
These two parables both illustrate the same point. Both the treasure and the pearl represent the Kingdom of God. To understand the significance of these illustrations, we should first understand the “mind-set” of the people Jesus was speaking to.

Back in Jesus’ time, there were no banks that ordinary folk like you and me could deposit money in, or store our treasured possessions with. Thus it was very common for people to store “treasures” in the ground. This was for them considered the safest place!

With regards to a pearl, today, I can go down to any local jewellery store and buy a cheap fake pearl necklace, or even buy an oyster for less that £20 on the Isle of Wight with its very own pearl. However, back then Pearls were considered extremely valuable. They were considered a highly desirable item. They were not easy to come by either! People went to great risks to gather pearls, including swimming down to sea beds to collect them!

Remember this is back when oxygen tanks, and scuba equipment did not exist, not to mention health and safety!

Quote:  People desired to possess a lovely pearl, not only for its monetary value, but also its beauty. They found joy simply in possessing and looking at a pearl.

Both Parables,  show 2 very different ways that the person concerned came across the item they want most to posses.

In the parable of the treasure we see a man chancing upon treasure in a field, then going away, selling all he had and purchasing the field so he could possess the treasure stored in the grounds. That can be true in modern times of how people come to salvation. They can be going about their every day lives when they chance upon the salvation message and are so convinced they pursue it.

In contrast, the pearl was actually being searched for. I am sure that the Merchant had seen that day many different pearls and valuable stones, perhaps he had even had the opportunity to handle some of them, too look at them closely and examine their different qualities. However, this one pearl was more special than any he had seen, and he was convinced it was the one he wanted to purchase.

This too can be likened to those who spend their lives searching for the answer. There are many “pearls” out there, for example other religions, or the draw and promises of fulfilment from the world. However when one finally finds Jesus, one is convinced of the message, and they wish to possess the Kingdom.

Let me tell you a story:

A merchant was hunting for precious pearls in a market place when he finally found the most amazing, beautiful and valuable pearl he had ever seen. The “Hope Diamond” of pearls.

He said to the store owner, “How much for that Pearl”? The store owner replied “Everything you have”.

With a some thought the merchant eventually said. “I’ll take it, here is everything I have”, as he laid down his wallet, his credit cards, cheque book and gold ring.

“Thank you”, replied the store keeper. “Here is your Pearl”.

“Great” replied the merchant, “I cant wait to get home and display this beautiful pearl”.
“Home?” Replied the store keeper. “But I thought you said you had given me everything?”

The merchant paused for some time, then realizing that this pearl was still worth far more than all his money and his house combined, he handed over the house keys.

“Right, with that done”, said the merchant, “I off to my car I…..” he kicked himself.

“CAR?” replied the store keeper? “Did you not say you would give me everything you had”?

The merchant, again considering the value of the pearl against his money, his home and his car gladly handed over the keys.

“OK”, said the merchant, much more cautious now! “Thank you. I will leave you with my possessions and go to show my friends this beautiful pearl”.

“FRIENDS???” Exclaimed the Store Keeper!

Now you can imagine how this story goes on. Needless to say, the merchant does eventually give up absolutely everything that he has to possess that Pearl.

We are seeing a common theme in these two parables. The men were convinced of the VALUE of their find, and were willing to give up everything to attain it.  We see this in this too with the story of Jim Elliott.

Jim Elliot once wrote: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

This has even more impact when we see that Jim actively lived this saying, in life giving up all to study the Bible, to be obedient to God, and even evangelizing in places others had never been nor had dared to reach.  Eventually both he, and 4 companions met their death at the hands of the Waodani tribe of whom they had been sharing the Gospel with.  Amazingly this led to an outpouring of funding for overseas evangelism, and when 2 of the widowed women returned to the place their husbands died, many were saved.

Jim gave everything during his life for the Kingdom, and eventually even his life.  From his death the Lord was able to bring forth even more fruit.

Give up everything? Who said anything about giving up everything?

How much does the Kingdom cost? Is there a Recommended Retail Price that you must pay?

Let me get something straight. You certainly cannot purchase the kingdom of God! There is no price tag. For example, when a man offers money to the disciples to have what they have in
Acts, Chapter 8 vs 18 – 21,  Peters reply is:
“…May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! 21You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God…”

The Kingdom is a gift of by the grace of God. The Lord does not require us to make a payment for our salvation, so what point are these parables making?

Well there is a difference between saying there is no cost, and saying it will cost YOU! To put it more clearly, there is no cost to receive the Kingdom, however there is a cost to you to possess the Kingdom.

The cost to us is the world. We can’t posses both!

Looking at our own lives, what do we think it would cost us? Perhaps status in a group of friends, perhaps our home, perhaps even a job?

The cost is giving up your love for the world. Not longing for those things of the world and holding onto them, but forsaking all for the Kingdom. For there is great reward both on earth and in heaven promised us.

Matthew 6:19-21
19″Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
20″But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
21for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Think about it. The rewards from the world are temporary, they do not last forever, even great emperors of the ancient days are merely crumbling statues if remembered, or recorded in history at all!

The reward the Kingdom offers, is that treasure, is that amazing pearl. Is eternal life through Jesus Christ, and reward in heaven.

Remember what Jim Elliot wrote: He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.

Here is an example of a man who obviously hadn’t grasped this concept! Lets take a look at the following story of a Young Rich man in Marks Gospel, who approached Jesus, asking “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Jesus reply in Mark 10:21-22:

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
The Young Rich man doesn’t realize what is on offer here! He doesn’t understand the amazing eternal VALUE of the Kingdom above those temporary riches he owned. He was not willing to pay the price, to take up his cross.

Is there anything that could be holding you back? Pride? Fear? An addiction? Wealth? A Relationship? The need for Approval?

Remember these wont last. They are temporary. They do not offer lasting satisfaction. Treasure stored in these places will not last for eternity. You should not consider these your “safe place” to store them!

We need to sort out our perspective. Everything we have, our possessions, home, car, clothes, need to be looked at in a different light! We need to look at them as wholly and completely given to God. In your heart you give it all to God, and in return, you become a steward of what is now Gods! How much more will you respect your wife and family knowing that they are the Lords, and that you charged with caring for them?! How much more will you appreciate the things that God generously blesses us with?

We also need to examine the things in our lives that we do, or are a part of. Do they glorify God? Are they God centered. If you are struggling with a stronghold, in a bad relationship, approval addiction, or anything that is not of the Kingdom, you need to completely give that to God also. Having faith that he will set you free.

We need to acknowledge that the Kingdom of Heaven IS the Pearl, IS the Treasure that really is worth everything. That possessing the Kingdom will completely fulfil us, and that we will have great joy in being a part of it. That simply possessing the Kingdom is reward enough to more than cover an worldly “loss”. And the fact that the Lord then promises further reward is a testament to his amazing Grace. What an amazing God! Amen?

Perhaps today you are not a Christian.  Have you recognised for yourself the true value of the Kingdom?

Jesus said in John 3:16 “…For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life…”

This is an amazing gift, more valuable than any earthly treasure or pearl, and is being offered to you today.  Please come and speak with us after the service if you would like to know more.
If you are a Christian, and have been challenged by today’s message.  Perhaps there are areas of your life that you have not given completely over to Jesus, then we will be more than happy to talk with you and pray for you after the service.

Where are you storing your treasure today?

Remember Matthew 6:21

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Armor of God – Romans 13:12-14

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More and more often I am being reminded that we are people of war!  We are in a spiritual battle, we are soldiers of Christ.  How foolish t heref

ore would it be for a soldier to rush out to battle without protective clothing?  Without the tools to succeed in battle?

As Christians we can all to often forget that we do have armor to protect us, and tools to enable us fight the battles and win the wars.

The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. (NIV)

Surely a wake up call!  Are you struggling with Sin?  Are you feeling far from God?  Is your relationship with the Lord where you would like it to be?  Have you back slidden?  The WAKE UP,  ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!  The day is at hand!

So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (NIV)

Turn away from sin, that is turn completely away from sin.  And don the armor that our Lord gives us.

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

These things bring us down, they detract from our relationship with Him.  They hold us back, they enslave us.  As soldiers of Christ they render us ineffective.  Do you have a passion in your heart to see God move?  If so, living in Sin will only hold you back.  The pleasures of sin are temporary, and lead to spiritual death.  Where as you will find pure joy, fulfilment and completeness in the Living God!

So as in verse 14, don’t dwell on those things that tempt us, dont dwell on the darkness, for where your thoughts are, your heart is sure to follow!  Rather think of heavenly things.  Clothes yourselves in Jesus.

He will protect us and keep us, fulfil us, equip us, and enable us to be effective soldiers of Him.

My Story – Acts 26:9-18

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I took a look at Our Daily Bread today and was reminded of my own conversion story.  Sauls was as dramatic as I can imagine, and there are many many dramatic conversion stories through out the ages.  No matter however how, dramatic or even “normal” our conversion was, the result is the same.  We were once lost, but now are found, blind but now can see, we are saved!

So with no further a do, I will share with you a breif version of my conversion story.  When I was 15 on a tuesday in April of a year in the 90s, I was quite happily walloping down my moms home made food when I had a call from the curate at church asking if I would mind popping along and assisting some speaker with the projector during his talk!  Yes my parents were both Christians for as long as I could remember, and I had been attending church for the same period of time… as long as I could remember!

During the talk that evening, I was bored as usual, not really paying much attention, however when the speaker mentioned a “half way house”, my ears pricked up.  I can only describe it when you are in a crowded room and not listening to anyone but then you hear your name and you immediately look up!

I was in my “half way house”, as I was going through the motions of being a Christian, going to church, helping out, singing songs and yet I hadnt made a decision for Christ.  I cant remember what was going through my head, but I do remember completely breaking down at the front of church after the service, and the speaker praying with me to accept Jesus into my life.  I remember I felt like I was floating when I walked home and despite the fact I had not told my parents, my mom still wrote, “Lee met Jesus tonight” in her diary as it was so blatantly obvious!

Things went well,  the Lord blessed me with faith enough to be a witness at school, and got me through some very tough times of teasing.  However over time as I grew older, peer pressure slowly wore me down and by the time I was 16, I was on a path of self destruction.

I spent many years living “under my own steam”.  I basically was a rebellious child all over again.  I stopped going to church, my worship music collection gathered dust, my Bibles found their way to the attic in storage, and I lived life as a lost person for many years.

It was after the birth of my second daughter when I started to feel the conviction of my sin too over bearing, and that I had to go to Church and start a journey of re-discovery of my relationship with the Lord.  I went first to a local church, however really just went through the motions.  I was struggling with a bondage to sin, and a heart desire to change.  I continued to struggle with that for some time also after I made my decision for Christ again just a year ago now approx.

I began a hunt for a church that I could meet God in, and eventually chanced upon a new church plant that was meeting in a school.  I started going now and again whilst visiting other churches and still trying to “get right with God”, and at first I thought that that church probably wasnt for me, however for some reason I still kept going!

One evening I was watching a Christian film called The Perfect Stranger where a woman is let down by her husband at a restaurant, when a stranger appears and has a meal with her claiming to be Jesus.  The film went through what he knew about her, and what he did for her, and it was moving.  She didnt believe him however right up until suddenly the holes in his hands became obvious.  That night I broke down and wept, asking Jesus back into my life, to change my heart, to release me from strongholds in my life and to save me.

It wasnt a dramatic change over night, I was so entrenched in sin, that I struggled for months, torn between the desire to grow stronger in my faith and in my relationship with my Father God, and on the opposite end the temptation of sin and straying.  I had spend 8 – 9 years living under my own strength, and I realised, only months ago that despite the fact my heart had understood and wanted the Lord, my head was still trying to live my life and be in control.  I was not letting God take the stearing wheel of my life and I was still insistant upon driving which was why I was failing.

Its been a few months now where I finally let go of the steering wheel and let God drive.  Admittedly there have been times where I have “side seat” driven, trying to tell God where I should be going, and other times where I have grabbed the steering wheel back for a few seconds, only realising that I have forgotten the art of driving, and that it is only God who can steer my life in the right direction.

Thank you Lord for your saving grace.  Despite the fact I rebelled for many years, and even despite the fact I as a human can still mess up now and again, you are a loving, forgiving God.  You were there even in my darkest hours, simply waiting for me to turn back to you.  Waiting for the prodical to return.  I pray that anyone reading this who can either see themselves in this testimony, or know they have a need for something, will check out my “Believe” page, and or seek a local church to learn more about a relationship with you Father.  In Jesus name, Amen.