What an awesome day we had yesterday. The numbers attending were up at both services, and the presence of God was thicker than the fog in Beijing! There was such an overflow of the presence of God. It was coming from the platform, from the left of me, from the right of me and from behind me. It was coming in waves as people participated in worship. This is a continuation of what God has been doing in recent weeks and months and is another sign that we are moving in the right direction.
Sunday AM: Pastor John got things kicking as he led in prayer and stirred our hearts to worship and to be open for a move of God. The worship team took off and seemed they were never coming back down again. In the same anointed atmosphere we turned to the Word of God. I spoke on Ambassadors of Power based on Acts 1:8. The main points I got to make were:
1. Jesus has given us His Power. As he has transferred his authority to the church, so he has also transferred his power to the church. In giving us his authority he has given us the right to represent him, and in giving us his power he has given us the ability to represent him.
2. Power can be abused. Someone said, "Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely" (you'll need to read my book 'Don't Just Sit There' when it comes out to find out who that someone was). We should not let titles; position; authority and power go to our heads. If it is God's purpose He will establish us and will empower us.
3. God's Power. He has ultimate authority to do as he will, and has the Power to back it up.
4. Authority and Power is always challenged. The Devil challenged God's authority by asking, "Did God really say?" It's like saying, "Who does he think he is?". The devil then challenged God's power by saying, "You will not surely die". We then looked at the confrontation on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal who were challenging God's authority and power, but it was God who answered by fire!
5. God's Power in others.
(i) Gideon and the Original 300. We saw that Gideon tested the word of the angels. This was ok. In fact we are told to test the spirits and not just run out and do what we think or what we hear. We saw that Gideon's army was reduced by God from 32,000 to 300, because it was not about Gideon's ability to muster such an army. This was about God's power to work through Gideon and those who were determined to remain in their place alongside him.
At this point I ran out of time, though I had much more to say. So I will pick it up from here next Sunday morning and do a Part II of Ambassadors of Power. We had a great finish to the service and it seemed that people were eagerly looking forward to the evening service. And they were not to be disappointed.
Sunday PM. The hall was well filled. The service began once again with some great worship. The Worship Team got us off to another a great start. People immediately began to respond. The door was open for the Word of God to be delivered.
When I got to the platform I explained that I had not come with a sermon, as I had purposely not prepared anything! But I was coming with a Word from God. This was something that God spoke to me about on Thursday night at the Prayer Meeting. Simply put the word was that we are all vessels, but that too many of the vessels are filled with the wrong kind of stuff, and that as we ask God to fill us, He is unable to fill those vessels that are already filled with other things. So there needed to be an emptying, a clearing out, of the vessels.
Craig Seawright had also shared a word at the Prayer Meeting. I felt it appropriate to invite him up to the platform to share it last night. The word was about the disciples in the boat moving across to the other side of the lake, but a storm arose and blocked their advance. Jesus came on the water, Peter got out of the boat; they both got back into the boat and in an instant they were at the other side! The challenge is that whatever you are going through you need to be prepared to take risks towards Jesus and open yourself up for your personal with encounter with Christ.
Soon we were into another open time of worship when several people experienced a real breakthrough in their lives. Some who had come to the front, and others who just opened up to God where they stood. One person, whom most of us know and love dearly and who has been away from Christ and the church for some time, recommitted her life to Christ. Another person who recently took a dive recommitted her life to Christ. During this time I had given a word of knowledge concerning two women who had recently considered suicide. After the service two women opened up and shared that they had considered suicide; one on Saturday night and one a week ago. These were completely unknown to me. Please pray for these women and for proper and wise follow up and counsel. This was just one awesome day that has left us hungry for more.
September Programme: During the next few weeks we will be promoting our programme for September onwards. We will especially focus on the new activities planned for Thursday nights; Strive; Contenders (as it is presently called); Virtuous Women; and Advance. Our next couple of Thursday nights will be devoted to praying for these and all other aspects of our church programme.
ANOTHER BABY!!! Congratulations to Debbie and Glyn on the safe arrival of baby Olivia Grace who finally finally weighed in at 7lb 1oz!
Wedding: Paula and Willie are getting married this coming Friday 16 August 2 pm at the La' Mon. Everyone is invited to the evening event that starts at 8 pm.
Final Thought: Over 200 years ago, a man by the name of Samuel Johnston said of the Giant's Causeway, "It's worth seeing, but not worth going to see!" He might be right, and he might be wrong, but let me state here and now that New Life City Church is worth seeing and worth going to see and more than that, it is worth being a part of! If you want to become more involved please do! If there is something specific you know you can contribute to please let me know by email, phone, or talk with me at church.
Have a great week. See you all on Sunday.
Pastor Jack
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