Sunday evening’s sermon ‘A Sign’ (Isaiah 7) by Ken Noakes is now available: http://bit.ly/1lNRpj0
You can also view the map of the Assyrian Empire: http://bit.ly/1U1wZP6
‘Don’t play politics rather than trust in the Lord.’ – Ken Noakes
Category Archives: New Testament
Question: What part do we play in faith? How does that relate to the promises of God?
What part do we play in faith? How does that relate to the promises of God? All through the Bible it seems a person has a great deal to do – for example David didn’t wait for God to slay Goliath?
Living in faith means to live trusting in the one you have placed your faith. Christians live by faith in God through Jesus Christ as enabled by the Holy Spirit.
In that sense ‘faith’ is the basic requirement of the person of God. It is not that faith saves (Jesus does that), but that faith is the way the saved person lives.
What does that have to do with the promises of God?
Testimony
James
Why was James labelled by his school classmates as a ‘square’, ‘goody-goody-two-shoes’ and ‘teacher’s pet’?
‘I was the good kid—the one who obeyed the rules and did what the teachers asked. Why did I behave like that? Was it because I thought my efforts would earn me rewards? Was I seeking accolades and recognition? Was I trying to make up for something bad I’d done in the past?
12 Days of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Now seriously, what good is that? Everyone knows that turkey goes much better than partridge for Christmas dinner!
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 2 Turtle Doves…
Now come on, if a Partridge is no use, then there is no chance two turtle doves will make the grade!
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 3 French Hens…
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere – at least you can eat chicken – shame it has to be French!
How to Write your Testimony
Your ‘testimony’ is the testimony of Christ and what he has done in your life. As such for your christian testimony to be worth anything, it should be a testimony to Jesus using you as the example!
The Apostle Peter helpfully challenges Christians to be ready to speak about Jesus when he says:
‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ – 1 Peter 3:15
So some tips for writing your testimony…
Sermon: Mission (Matt 28:16-20)
Sunday’s sermon ‘Mission’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1XdlVUs
‘God is doing a work and he has a work to do in you.’ – David Smith
The Lost Art of Inviting!
It is invitation time!
Christmas is coming, now the question is: who is coming to Christmas?!
For some of us the idea of inviting someone to celebrate Christmas with you is a no brainer. It is what friends do. If Christmas is important then it is important to have friends of all walks of life celebrating with you!
For some, this doesn’t feel so easy!
Here is a challenge – try to invite just five people to something for Christmas. (some would say, ‘just five’ – fine you invite more).
Inviting takes many forms and giving this some thought may actually present a myriad of possible ways to invite someone – and hopefully one of them at least would be manageable for you!
Want some tips….
Sermon: Discipleship (Matt 28:16-20)
Sunday’s sermon ‘Discipleship’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1MTJE0V
‘If we are to understand discipleship then we have to understand Jesus—the ultimate disciple maker.’ – David Smith
A Wrong Form of Devotion
Another horror week.
Suicide bombings in Beirut have killed 43 people and left 238 wounded. A suicide bombing at a funeral in Baghdad killed 19 people and left 31 wounded. And coordinated attacks in Paris have killed 129 people and left 352 wounded.
We are appalled, grieved and saddened.
There is something desperately wrong with an ideology which by direction or by implication can lead to the killing of one for the sake of another’s personal devotion.
Humble Ambition – Oxymoron?
Humble Ambition! Sounds like an oxymoron, but not when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To be ambitious for the lost is demonstrated in a Christian who puts the needs of others before themselves. Paul says ‘in humility, consider others better than yourselves’ (Phil 2:3). This is not a statement of worth – it is a statement of purpose. As Christ did, the Christian can and should humble themselves in order to be a servant of others – even to the point of loss.
To be so captured by the gospel of Christ that you willingly sacrifice your own interests for the sake of others and the glory of God – is ambitious.
Let me offer five suggestions for putting this into practice at Church (thankful that so many in our Church family are shining examples of this principle)…
churchcentralonline.com 