Another bright morning out there! But more importantly, another great day in church yesterday. Thanks again to everyone who helped to make it what it was - a blessing to all present and a sweet smelling savour to our God.
Sunday Morning: I continued with the series "Accepting God's Agenda" message No.7. Although we were looking at Chap. 6 I admitted that I was stuck on 5:15 where God said, I will go back to my place until they admit their guilt. & they will seek my face; in their misery they will earnestly seek me. We looked at several signs leading to the Rapture of the Church and leading to the "Time of misery" (the Great Tribulation) when Israel will finally return to God in repentance.
We saw that chapter 6 begins with Israel returning to the Lord; but what happened between the last verse of chapter 5 and the first verse of chapter 6? The fact is there is a time between these verses of some 2,000 years. We saw that when Israel returns to God they will do so with the knowledge that what they had experienced historically was not the doing of other nations or religions, but was God's doing. However, they will return to God knowing he will heal them and will bind up their wounds. We saw that when things go wrong, sometimes it is the devil's doing (but only as God permits) and sometimes it is God.
We then looked at 6:2 where "after two days Israel will be revived and on the third they will be restored and will enter God's presence". This what Paul refers to in Hebrews as "God's rest". After two days = after 2,000 years. The third day = the millennium after this long period between Hosea 5 and Hosea 6. The same period of time between "the year of God's favour__________ and the day of God's vengeance" (compare Luke 4:18,19 with Isa. 61.2). See also 2 Peter 3:8 re: 1,000 years as a day, and Revelation 20:1-5.
Note the order:
1. God returns to his place (when did this happen?)
2. Until Israel admits their guilt (national repentance)
3. This repentance will come after a time of misery
4. It will come after 2 days (2,000 years)
5. On the third day they will dwell in God's presence (with the Church)
The above is as certain as this: Hosea 6:3 "As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth".
Sunday Night: Thanks to Colin Morrison for sharing an excellent word based on the Great Commission given by Christ to the church recorded in Matt. 28:16-20. He challenged us to be a church that acts as a spiritual thermostat that sets the temperature, rather than being a spiritual thermometer that only gauges the temperature. He reminded us of one of CS Lewis's statement's: "The Church exists for nothing else than to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christ's. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time."
The Great Commission is not a suggestion, but is a core command of Christianity. We have been given the secret to everlasting life, and have responsibility to share this with others, yet most Christians choose to keep this to themselves. Colin pointed out that if he had been told earlier about how much God loved him etc it might well have saved him and others from a lot of heartache. It is great to walk the life and be an example in lifestyle to others, but at some point we need to talk.
Reinhard Bonnke said, "The Great Commission must become our Great Ambition".
FIST: Thursday night. Don't forget men, this is on for your opportunity to fellowship, where you can benefit from others and where you can be an encouragement to others.
Human Peace Wall: Saturday 17 October at 12 noon sharp. Please plan to be there early. Tell your family, friends and neighbours. If you can help with giving out leaflets, please contact James Scott or Tommy Latimer. Pick them up and just give them out!
City Life Centre Clean Up: If you can hep with the clean up any time during the week please contact Tommy Latimer. Every little helps.
Moving to City Life Centre: As announced yesterday next Sunday is our last day at Top House. I would encourage you to get for my last message to the church in Top House on Sunday morning at 11 am. Then on Sunday night to come along for a time of celebration as we give thanks to God for our time in Top House. We will be open for testimonies. Bring food with you and celebrate with a feast!
I also announced that our first service in City Life Centre will be Sunday 25 October at 11.30 am. Please note the time. We are doing this in response to the request of some parents to give a little more time to get children ready for church on Sunday mornings as we will not be having a formal Sunday evening service, although we will be doing various things on Sunday nights. Your support and your patience will be greatly appreciated as we make this transition.
Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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