If the 1st Sunday in May is a sign of things to come, we can look forward with great excitement. Once again the services were well attended, especially on Sunday morning when the place quickly filled with an atmosphere and with the sound of worship as we joined together in making a joyful noise to the Lord. Not only was the Worship Team fully lit, but so too were the people. A huge thanks to those who came along and participated to help make Sunday another memorable day.
Sunday morning: Mike De Lorenzo shared for 10 minutes about his work as a Christian Artist. His presentation was excellent as he gave some background information to several of his paintings, which were displayed on the screen. These were made available in print form afterwards for a donation.
I spoke on a message entitled "True Followers do not stop following". This was a follow on from the messages last Sunday entitled "Renewing the Vision" and "There's More to be Done in this City". Having made a link between the messages, I went on to show that the fulfilment of vision and the achievement of goals is dependent upon true followers. I made the following points:
True followers do not stop following even when things go wrong; but they step up and step in and become one of the "enough people" that help to move vision forward.
True followers do not just say they are behind the leader or behind the vision, but their words are tested, and even when sometimes they do not get it right (like Peter), they do not stop following.
True followers come from all walks of life. Most people who followed Jesus were from the streets; they were inner city people; towns people; village people; blue collar workers; office workers; labourers etc.
True followers do not only follow for what they can get; they follow to give.
True followers finish the course.
At the end there were several people who responded to the appeal to follow Jesus. Two of these were at New Life for the first time and were non-Christians.
Sunday night. Once again Mike De Lorenzo shared about some of his paintings. Some amazing stuff, I have to say! Pastor Dennis Moore spoke on "Stop trying 'To Do', but 'Be' what God want you to be". The following were the main points or comments in his message:
Stop trying to do things for God, but find out what God wants to do and let him do those things through you. For although we know that God can do all things, yet we think we can do for God!
I don't want to know what I can do, or what others can; I want to know what God can do.
If God has given you (as in New Life) a word; don't drop it. Take hold of it by faith, which is the evidence of things not seen (evidence = title deed).
We have provisions in the heavens. We can either leave them there, or we can draw them down.
Leaders will not be successful until their sons are greater than them.
At the end of the message, several people responded for prayer.
Next Thursday Night at 7.30 pm I will be at the "New Building" to pray and be open to hear from God. If anyone would like to join with me for the purpose just waiting on God, please feel free to come along.
Pastor John's farewell: Next Sunday 10 May at 6.45 pm will be John and Ruth last service with us. Please plan to be there as we acknowledge John's years of service among us and within the Shankill community. Bring along some food and let's put on the best spread we have ever seen in New Life; but also bring along some cash as we plan to take up a special "Love Offering" for John and Ruth as a token of our appreciation.
Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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