I have to say I was very encouraged again to see a good turn out at both services, especially Sunday Morning. There was a real sense of God walking among us and ministering to each person depending upon their situation and needs. I really have to say, not for the purpose of upsetting people, but for the purpose of trying to motivate people, that only those who are there will get it! Please believe me, this is not only for the church's benefit, but is also for your benefit. The church needs you, but you also need the church. I want to thank those who regardless of their other commitments and sometimes difficulties, they nonetheless make it along to church on a regular basis. The church only truly grows when we grow together, and so do you!
Sunday Morning: We began the services by praying for Mark Wells, who plays the bass guitar on the Worship Team. Mark has been really ill during the past few weeks. We also prayed for the families of the soldiers who were shot dead on Saturday night, and for the others who were wounded. After this we welcomed in the presence of God with another amazing time of worship. Afterwards, as I began to open up God's Word I sensed an eagerness and an openness to receive the message, which made it so much easier to deliver. I spoke on "Knocked Over Sandcastles!" I don't know yet, but this might become another short series!
We read from Luke 8, the story of the disciples crossing the lake with Jesus when a storm almost sank their boat. The main point of the message was to show that we all get caught up in building our sandcastles, but there are storms brewing around us, and that lurking somewhere in the background are those who are willing to knock our sandcastles over. However, I made the point that when storms come; the storm is not about the sandcastles we are building; the storm is not even about those who caused them or about those who knocked our sandcastles over; the storm is about us; it's about how we react and how we come through at the other side. We looked at the following:
1) Who Storms Come To: All of us (disciples, several times; Paul, the Apostle)
2) When Storms Come: (a) When we step outside of God's Will
(Jeremiah prophesied this; Jonah experienced it, as did Ananias & Saphira)
(b) When we are in God's Will
(Joseph; John the Baptist; Stephen; the disciples were in the boat,
because Jesus told them to get in!)
I finished by throwing out the challenge that perhaps some have been responsible for knocking over someone else's sandcastle, and if that's the case, it is time for an apology. IT'S STILL NOT TOO LATE!
Sunday Night: Craig Seawright brought an excellent word entitled "You're all going to die soon, so seize the day!" He spoke of how most people fear death, even some Christians, yet Paul had NO fear of death. In fact Paul desired death because he knew he would then be with Christ, but he also desired to remain for the sake of others and for the purpose of completing God's will for his life.
Craig talked about death as "The Tale of Two Bodies" where we exchange our old body for a new one; where God takes the old body and "does it up" and makes something new from it. He demonstrated this process by using two coats and by loosing loads of sweat under the heat of the platform lights as several times he went from one coat to the other, putting off the old and putting on the new; demonstrating death, the resurrection and the rapture.
He explained there are three ways to die:
1. Eviction from the body through sickness, accident or some other calamity
2. Departure due to the cessation or the completion of our purpose (Paul, "I have finished the course")
3. The Rapture where in a moment we shall be changed (it's like the whole death and resurrection experience rolled into one experience that takes place faster than the speed of light)
Craig finished off by reminding us that God wants to replace our fear with his peace. He spoke of Solomon who had peace in all his borders. He talked about the need to have peace in the following four areas:
1. Peace with our Leaders: obey and submit; democracy castrates leadership
2. Peace in our finances; so get rid of materialism. Money is for loving others, not for more stuff
3. Peace in our relationships; so get rid of offense. Giving offense is like giving poison; taking offense is like drinking it
4. Peace in your marriage; so get rid of selfishness (I wonder how many men went home and made their wife a cup of tea afterwards!!! - No need to respond to this, I don't need to know!)
Next Sunday Night: Pastor John will be speaking on the subject of healing. There will also be an opportunity for prayer and ministry. If there is someone you know can benefit from this please invite them along.
Teaching CD's will be available for these Sunday nights at the end of the month. These will include Jonathan's; Craig's; John's and Gareth's. These will be in a pack of 4 and will cost £8.00. The one on Mother's Day will be done separately and will cost £2.50. The series I did recently on Prayer: When God Says No; When God Says Yes; Why Prayers Are Sometimes Not Answered is also available in a nice little pack for £7.00. If you want to email an order I can have it ready for you.
Thursday Night: This week is Advance. We will be looking at "Advancing Leadership in the Church". If you are involved in any department within the church you are expected to make the effort to attend. This is part of your training for reigning! But even if you are not, you are still invited to attend as you will also benefit from the teaching.
This week's Bible verse: Proverbs 10:9. "The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.
Pool competition. Congratulations to the New Life Pool Team who had entered a competition hosted by the Ulster Temple. The won the competition, beating last year's winners in the final. Well done lads.
Big Alan's birthday. This bit is NOT going to Alan as this is a big secret. Not his birthday, but the surprise party. This will be on Tuesday 17 March at Top House at 7 pm sharp. Please do not say anything to him about it, but plan to be there at 7 pm sharp.
The answer to last week's question: Thomas Dexter Jakes
This weeks question is: Just to make it a bit more difficult please give the answer in square feet: How much soil is there in a square hole measuring one metre by one metre by one metre?
Again I finish by encouraging you, as Hezeki'ah the Jewish prophet said, "come to the House of the Lord"; and as Paul said in Heb. 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing".
Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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