Some people have told me they did not get last week's Contact! So here it is again:
Thank God again for another amazing and Spirit filled Sunday at New Life. We might have been down in numbers, especially at the morning service, but we were not down in God's presence. The Worship and the Word were outstanding.
Sunday morning: I continued with Hosea "Accepting God's Agenda". We looked at Hosea C.4 and finished with a glimpse at C.5. We saw that C.4 begins with a charge from God against Israel, which reminds us of the charges that Jesus brought against some of the churches in Rev. 2 & 3 when he said, "I have this against you". The charge was brought against the people of God; against those who lived in the land (today = those who belong to the church); not the strangers or the visitors, but those who belong; those who ought to know better.
We saw that the charge was a double edged charge as follows:
1. For what was "no longer" present among them: NO Faithfulness; NO Love; NO Acknowledgement of God.
2. For what "was present" among them: Cursing; Lying; Murder; Stealing; Adultery; Disrespect for boundaries; Blood followed blood.
We looked at the consequences of this situation on the land and the people. We saw the people stumbled day and night. There was no stability, and that even the prophets (the preachers; the pastors) were stumbling. I again made the point that it is the desire of the Leadership of New Life that all connected with us would cease stumbling day and night, and would become mature and stable in the things of God.
We then looked at one of the most famous verses in the Bible, Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge"; and then we finished by taking a look at Hosea 5:15 where God talks about going back to his place. We will pick up on this again next Sunday morning.
Sunday night: Craig Seawright brought a word that challenged us to take hold of our assignment and to follow our God-given destiny. He shared two experiences that together showed the devil as the silencer of the church, and that the name of the silencer is "Religion".
Jesus came to build a church; his church; "I will build my church"; the ecclesia, where everyone has an assignment; where everyone takes their place. Ecclesia, the church, is not just about coming together for singing and preaching, but coming together to impact the community, the nation and the world at every level. So that God places his ecclesia in the government, in banks, in universities, in the workshop and so on. We all have an assignment. What is yours? How are you fulfilling your assignment; your destiny?
Finances: Yesterday morning as I stood in worship I believe the Holy Spirit motivated me to present a challenge to the church as follows: To invite 80 people to commit £25 per month, over and above tithes and offerings, to cover the repayment of the loan of £250,000. This works out at about £6 per week; less than £1 per day. It's a Chinese carry out meal! It's less than 30 cigarettes (a pack of 20 and a pack of 10)! To set the example I said that Kathleen and I will commit to paying 4 of these (£100 per month). At the end of both services several people came to me and signed up to be one or more of the 80 persons. One person has committed to paying for 3 (£75 per month). One person said she was giving up smoking, which costs her £25 per week! and that she will commit £25 per month. A total of 25 x £25 have been committed so far, which is £625 per month. We still need another 55. If you would be willing to become one of these either for £25 or more, please email me back and let me know.
Please keep in mind that this must be over and above any tithes and offerings you are putting into the church, otherwise it will make no difference. You can pay this by direct debit (I have attached a form) or we will have someone collect it on a certain date each month. This will help to keep it totally separate from all other offerings and will ensure that no one forgets (not that any of you will). Please let me know if you use the attached form for direct debit or if you wish to be reminded each month. The form should be completed with your bank details and left into your bank. If you set the date for any day during the end of the month (say 25th each month) as from October.
Thanks again for your commitment and faithfulnees and for all you do at and on behalf of New Life City Church.
Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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