Awesome service today. Great turn out. Great worship. Great Word. Great response. What more can I say? Well here goes anyway!
It was great to see the McFerran and Maxwell family turn out in force for the Dedication of Baby Amy Ellen Maxwell, daughter of Gavin and Donna Maxwell. After a warm welcome to everyone and a prayer for some special requests we got right into a good solid time of worship.
The message I brought was "Clueless in Jerusalem". I made the point that I would rather be Sleepless in Seattle than Clueless in Jerusalem, because if you're sleepless, no matter where you are, you are at least awake and aware of what's going on around, whereas if you're clueless you really don't know what's going on!
The message was based on Matt.11.18-19 where the Pharisees were complaining about John the Baptist because he did not eat and drink, but they also complained about Jesus because he did eat and drink! The fact is, when you reject truth you must replace it with a lie. When humanity rejected the truth about creation they had to come with an alternative, and the only alternative to truth is non-truth. So when the Pharisees rejected the truth about Jesus they replaced that truth with a lie, and because the Pharisees rejected the truth about Jesus they therefore rejected him. These men should have known better, but they were the builders who rejected the chief cornerstone.
You would have thought that had Jesus been into Religion he would have embraced, and been embraced by, the Pharisees, but no! The fact is, religion and Jesus don't mix. Jesus was not a religious person; he did not come to support an existing religion or to commence a new religion; although he was a committed practicing Jew, he never suggested we should all become Jews; and neither did he suggest that Christianity should supersede Judaism as a new religion, but he came to establish a permanent relationship between us and God.
The question is not, and never will be: Were you Christened or Dedicated? Are you Protestant or Catholic? Are you Republican or Loyalist? Are you Straight or Gay? But the question is and will be, Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life? At the end of the message I made an appeal for salvation and three people responded by raising their hands. Gives thanks and praise God for these three people.
Dedication of Amy Ellen Maxwell. Immediately after the message Gavin and Donna joined with me at the front as we prayed for baby Amy and dedicated her to the Lord. We continue to wish them well and pray God's ongoing blessing upon baby Amy, parents and family circle.
Prayer: Please continue to pray for Gareth's 15 week old nephew, Jude Thompson, who will have major heart surgery within the next 3 - 4 weeks - we pray for a miracle; pray for Eileen Lemon's friend who is having a brain scan that all will be well; pray for Harry who is going through detox from alcohol; and pray for Michelle Manwaring who is understandably grieving the loss of her mother.
Prayer Times this coming week as follows: Monday 11.45 am; Thursday 7.45 pm; Friday Late Night Special 10 pm - 12 midnight; Saturday 10.30 am.
Thanks to those who helped put chairs out yesterday, which was the first time I never contacted anyone as the chairs have always been put out each Saturday, but yesterday when I got to the building at 2.45 pm the chairs were not out! So I sent an SOS text. Thanks to Roy and Adder for making it. I know others would have been there if you'd been notified earlier, but us three managed alright anyway!
However, this reminds me to say thanks again to everyone who works hard for the development and advancement of New Life City Church.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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