Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me Reflecting Jesus

Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Only holiness of heart and life will enable us to be comfortable in His presence. (B.W.Downing).



The CotN differs from nearly every other Christian church.

Holiness is the main doctrine, not only of this church, but this doctrine belongs to everyone who becomes a child of God; every born again Christian.


This blessing does not belong to the CotN. We are the ones who must spread the full Gospel which includes the doctrine of holiness, and not just the Born-again teaching.
“If I be lifted up”.

We as human beings, are created by God for one very special purpose: to worship Him in the beauty of His holiness:

Ps 96:9 Worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.


To be effective evangelists, we need to be reflecting His beauty within our souls.

Entire sanctification is enacted the moment we consecrate ourselves which is of vital importance as holiness is a major component of our salvation.

We need to emphasise the importance of the actual experience and ensure that God’s people (every person who claims Christianity), understands and desires the experience. (Matt 1:21).
1. Make every effort.

Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.


This sounds like something we must do!

Obedience leads to righteousness.

a. Study … the Scriptures.

b. Be obedient to whatever God says to you, personally through His Word (the Bible).

c. Be in harmony with the pastoral ministry through God’s chosen leaders.


Pastoral ministry:

Acts 20:28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.


Your leaders also need your prayers. They are normal human beings who have been given a special calling by God.


Heb 13: 7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.


Eph 6:19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.


Heb13:16,17 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Live in peace with all men

To fulfil this command will require a constant infilling of the Holy Spirit and a refill of the Fruit Of The Spirit.

And to be holy

Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.


Sanctification is the Biblical term that brings about this promise of God.

Holiness is simply the purification of the polluted human soul.

This experience belongs only to the born-again believer. It is an instantaneous experience that progresses in Christ-like development.


Being holy is the work of the Holy Spirit

2Thess 2:13,14 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Importance of holiness

Heb 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

There are at least two ways of understanding what is meant here.

If you are not yet entirely sanctified, the Lord is still standing outside your heart (soul) waiting for your invitation (Rev3:20). Bear in mind the context of this text which is referring to the Church; to born-again believers. . .

a. no one will see the Lord in you . You are reflecting yourself

b. it could also mean that without holiness (the indwelling Holy Spirit) no person can enter God’s presence.

c. Matt 5:8 The pure in heart are those of us in whom the Holy Spirit has cleansed our hearts for Him to dwell within, which makes us holy.

conclusion

We are preparing ourselves to GO and make disciples as Jesus commissioned us.

Being led by the Spirit of God, we need to make sure that we are entirely sanctified; that we are anointed for the purpose of evangelising our part of the world; of bringing people into the kingdom of God; of doing the work that God expects from those in whom His Holy Spirit is active.


Holiness is not private nor for mutual admiration, but for a display of Christ-likeness in fragile human nature (cracked pots).



To live a holy life is too difficult to live alone; we need each other!



Restoration of Christ-likeness in human nature is God’s highest objective.





ITS NO LONGER I THAT LIVETH

BUT CHRIST THAT LIVETH IN ME (x2)

HE LIVES! HE LIVES!

JESUS IS ALIVE IN ME

ITS NO LONGER I THAT LIVETH

BUT CHRIST THAT LIVETH IN ME






SONG 526

LET THE BEAUTY OF JESUS BE SEEN IN ME

ALL HIS LOVE AND COMPASSION AND PURITY

OH, THOU SPIRIT DEVINE;

ALL MY NATURE REFINE

TILL THE BEAUTY OF JESUS IS SEEN IN ME.





HYMN 208

I WANT TO BE LIKE JESUS.

Something Beautiful

Genesis 18: 14(a)

Intro

Something beautiful, something good

All my confusions he understood

All I had to offer Him

Was brokenness and strife

And He made something

Beautiful out of my life



Abram and Sarai’s desire- to have a child of their own

Their crisis was

· Sarai was barren & well over the age to conceive

· her life was almost over, yet she had no child of her own.

Situation totally beyond her control.

She devised her own plan…..


Genesis 16:1-5; 17:1-5; 15-16


1. Wait on God’s Timing

Season in life for everything

Crises have expiry dates too

All parties involved in crisis must wait on God

God gave the promise to Abram,but Sarai too had to trust and obey.

She influenced Abram to sleep with Hagar


2. Keep the faith

Abram too looked at reality

From a biological & human perspective, it was impossible to conceive

From God’s perspective, it was possible

Our reality is not God’s reality.

From which perspective are you looking from at your crisis?

If you look at human reality, you will lose faith and devise your own plan .


3.Take responsibility for your actions/state

Sarai blamed Abram for her distress/suffering

She mistreated Hagar as a result

God revealed His just character when He promised to bless Ishmael too

The Covenant God made with Abram was for the unborn-not-yet conceived child: Isaac

This also reveals God’s divine plan for individuals long before birth

Nothing will be able to stand in His way from fulfilling it.

Sarai complicated their lives more by her impatience

Genesis 21:1-5

God fulfilled His promise in spite of their unfaithfulness and doubt


Closing

God made something beautiful out of Sarai’s pain of bareness

He made her a Mother of Nations; thereby changing her name to Sarah

Abram to Abraham-father of Nations

God brought something beautiful out of a couple’s bareness: Parents of Nations


Jesus is able and willing to make something beautiful out of your crisis too.

He is able to grant you your desire

Prosper where planted

Psalm 1

Text Verse 4

Intro

If you have an abundance of money, possessions and fame, but lack health, peace of mind and people to share it with ,can you consider yourself as prosperous?


If you are contend with your circumstances; and live in peace with people and are in good
health, but lack basic needs, can you still consider yourself as prosperous?


“A man is not rightly conditioned until he is a happy, healthy and prosperous being;and happiness, health and prosperity are the result of a harmonious adjustment of the inner man with the outer of the man with his surroundings “ James Allen


Prosperity defined
A state of flourishing, thriving, growth, success and good fortune.It encompasses wealth, happiness and health.


Your view of PROSPERITY is determined by the Kingdom/kingdom you are operating from.
God’s Kingdom is different from the worldly one. Therefore the standards and requirements of each one is different.


A. SIGNS OF PROSPERITY


1. PROFITS others

The fruit on a tree is enjoyed by others too not only the person who planted it.


2. PRODUCTIVITY

The tree is always able to produce fruit because the roots receive nourishment


3.PERSONIFIES life

No one can dispute the state of wellness of a tree that flourishes.


B. HOW TO FLOURISH/SUCCEED/PROSPER


1. Be PLANTED by living water

The Word of God is the Source of it.

Only a person whose roots are firmly established in the Word of God will succeed in their endeavors.


2. Remain in the PRESENCE of God

The Lord’s Presence will only accompany us if we walk in obedience and completely trust in Him.


3. Strive to PLEASE God

The only way to please God is to become more like His Son in character and nature.
Jesus was and is the personification of the Beatittudes.


Conclusion

Factors that will hinder prosperity:

· Rebellion/Disobedience towards God

· Discontentment

· Negative attitudes (resentment, anger, strife, unforgiveness etc.)

“The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes”

(Benjamin Disraeli)

Where are you planted-by streams of living water or in dry/desert areas?

Align yourself to prosper/flourish/succeed!

Christian perfection

Spiritual maturity

The purpose of this message is to encourage us to break out of the shell of whatever it is that is restricting us from being what God wants us to be.


1. Why are you here?

The real purpose for human existence is to worship our Creator. Everything that exists was created for us for our enjoyment and.to be drawn closer to God

But our inherited sinful nature resulted in the death of our spiritual capacity to fulfil the purpose or our creation. .

However, God also created a plan of salvation: we had to be restored to the original glory that belonged to Adam, our original ancestor. Because of the holiness of God, we had to be made holy “as He is holy”.
2. The plan of salvation

It requires a restoration of the human spirit; a spiritual rebirth; (Jn 3:3).

In this restored condition, there has to be a cooperation with the Holy Spirit to produce growth into maturity in the born-again believer.

Otherwise. . . stunted growth.

Heb 5:11 – 6:3

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.


3. The tragedy of immaturity.

it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.

As wonderful as that first spiritual event may be, there is more to salvation than just to become a child of God (Jn 1:11)

Too many Christians are satisfied with being born again. They find the doctrine of holiness or the doctrine of entire sanctification to be too harsh; too complex; too complicated. They prefer to stay where they are.


12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.

In this text we can see God’s view of slow growth.

It is here where sanctification begins – initial sanctification; where the Holy Spirit revives the human spirit to dwell within, and spiritual growth should now begin. Obedience to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit is essential here.
4. The fulfillment of spiritual maturity

14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Definition of salvation: “the renewal of our souls after the image of God” the restoration of the lost glory that once belonged to Adam.


The gift of salvation is more than just a beginning. Those weaker ones who are contained in this text are like the modern Christian who is persuaded to believe false doctrine that has the effect of creating a false sense of security.

So, such a born-again believer will probably fall back being content to remain as is. He will lose his hunger and thirst for righteousness.

He should be encouraged to add to his faith, those virtues that build the Christian character; also (Rom 6:16-19).


· 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

· 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.

· 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

· 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.


5. the blessing of passing the exams toward Christian perfection

· 2Pet 3:17,18 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen


Childlikeness is what a growing Christian is. Such a person will ask intelligent questions like a growing child will ask of his father.

To be a Christian is like riding a bicycle.

To stand still, results in falling back into sin.

Let us first define sin.


6. Maturity Feeds On Knowledge, Spiritual Adulthood And Righteousness

You can never have enough knowledge. “Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus. . “

What about PERFECTION? Should we aim at being perfect Christians?

What is perfection?


Heb 11:39,40 Only together with us, will they be made perfect

We are not called to perfection of performance. However, we are called to perfection of intention.

We are called to Blamelessness and not to faultlessness.

1Pet 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness
Here is where God has given us the material we need to advance in our spiritual growth.

Eph 4:11-17

11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

The relief of graduation toward maturity and holiness


Matt 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Holiness is not optional, it is the expressed will of God. Only born again believers can be made holy and only God can do it.


Chapter 6

6:1 Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, {1 Or <from useless rituals>} and of faith in God, 2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.


Christian perfection has always been the quest of the true Church.

Unfortunately, the “many” are the ones seeking salvation on the broad road and only a few are on the narrow road that leads to heaven.

Legacy : A memory etched onto the minds and hearts of others

Psalm 39:4

               

“Carve your name on hearts not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you”(Shannon L Alder)

1 Samuel 17

1 .David’s Legacy

·         God-fearing king

·         A man close to the heart of God

·         The poet/psalmist

·         Mighty warrior

His victory over Goliath made him a legend, but would not have materialised if had listened to the

belittling remarks by Eliab, his oldest brother & king Saul.

Firstly, Eliab belittled David by asking him where he left his few sheep.

Eliab also called him conceited and wicked.

One can detect envy in his attitude because by this time David was already anointed as king

by the prophet Samuel.

David was not discouraged or side-tracked by his remarks and mistreatment.

Secondly, Saul told David that he was too young and inexperienced to fight a seasoned warrior like Goliath.

David in turn, told Saul about his battles as a shepherd.

He conquered ‘little giants” before he conquered Goliath, the giant.

Nobody but David and God knew about these personal victories.

Both Eliab and Saul undermined David.

After David told the king about this, he gave him permission to fight Goliath, but still prescribed

how the battle should be fought.

Saul dressed David in his tunic/armor as if this would secure victory.

David knew that God was his Helper and so shrugged off the tunic.

Instead, he fought with the same weaponry that he was accustomed to.

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,

but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy” Martin Luther King Jr.

David revealed his strength of character and personhood during battles.

2. Ways in which David built his legacy

·         He began with the end in mind 

God made a Covenant with David that One of his Offsprings will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.(2 Samuel 7:4-17)

·         He excelled/did his best in every task he had to perform

From tending the sheep, to writing poems, to playing music, to leading the people of Israel, to warrior

·         He was fearless & courageous in the face of adversity

David fought many battles with his men and had to frequently be on the run for his life

Because he became a formidable force.

·         He trusted in God completely

·         God first; He always consulted with God first before making decisions

·         He was quick to repent/admit his mistakes and sins

·         He loved God and the people he served

·         He was content in the season in which he found himself

David never underestimated the days of small beginnings. He was not frustrated when he didn’t

become king immediately after he was anointed by Samuel. It took quite a few years for him to

eventually become the king of Israel.

·         He was authentic

David did not try to impersonate a more experienced Saul.

·         He was unstoppable; kept going in spite of great challenges

·         He took ownership of his mission and purpose as future leader and king

He recruited people who were in distress, discontented and in debt and became their leader

(2 Samuel 22:2)

·         He believed in himself/was confident in his abilities

·         He reminded himself of past victories during challenges & difficulties ie he shifted his focus

from the problem to the One Who gave him victory before.

3.Your legacy

A legacy is something- reputation; characteristics; money; property-that is passed onto others

It develops from a life dedicated to self-reflection and purpose

“Work for a cause, not applause;

Live life to express, not impress;

Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt”(unknown)

You can start building your legacy by means of the following:

·         Find your purpose/mission-live for something bigger than yourself

·         Make every day count-do something worth-while with the time at your disposal

·         Live with passion and compassion for others

·         Believe in yourself; even if others doubt you

·         Take ownership of your dream, this will eventually lead to your legacy

·         Guard your heart through self-reflection and prayer time

Begin with the end in mind.

How would you like to be remembered one day?

You can live on through the legacy you leave and the positive impact you can make in the world.

Known by God

1 Corinthians 8 : 3

Intro

The person who loves God, is known to Him.

Love - most powerful emotion.

Love involves and requires expressions of affection-; devotion-; caring-for a person  

Love  also necessitates : willingness to make sacrifices;

willingness to forgive;

willingness to overlook faults/weakness/wrongs/shortcomings

willingness to give someone his/her heart’s desire.

How do you know that you love God?

When you are willing to obey Him completely, even at personal cost.

How can you show God that you love Him?

Giving (time, talent, treasure/money; yourself; plans; dreams)

Prayer-fellowship with Him

Obedience to Commandments (1John 5:3)

By making disciples (John 21:15-17)

Good deeds

The individual known by God

Why does the Bible make reference to an individual who is known/recognised/acknowledged by God and not all humanity since He is the Creator? In which sense is the person known to God?

1.Secret desires of the heart (Psalm 44:21b)

He knows the secret that you are not even able to tell your best friend.

He knows your past and present.

2.Needs(Matthew 6:8)

No person on earth is able to supply someone’s needs completely; not even spouses.

God alone is able to meet every need.

3.Thoughts/plans (1 Corinthians 3:20a)

Not only does God know your plans and future aspirations, but He can make it a reality too if you

commit it to Him.(Proverbs 16: 3 & 9)

It’s possible to know someone by name only, but it does not mean that one really know the person’s

desires /needs/thoughts/dreams/likes/strengths/shortcomings etc.

In order to know someone, you have to spend time getting to know him/her.

The more time you spend with God, the more open/honest you will become to share your desires, needs and plans.

God also reveals more of Himself through His Word the more you study it.

God expresses His love for you by caring for you; protecting you; forgiving you; granting you the desires of your heart.

The ultimate proof of His love was the sacrifice of His Son.

The Future known by God

Ecclesiastes 8: 7

Why does God not reveal the future to humanity beforehand?

1.Protection

God knew that the knowledge will be too overwhelming for us

He also knew that we will not have any enjoyment in life if He did

We would have gone through life burdensome and in bondage of fear.

2.Trust

It’s not important to know the future if you place your trust in Him.

You must believe with your heart and mind that God loves you and has your best interest at heart –always.

3. Faith

We would not need faith and hope if we knew the future.

Conclusion

An unknown year lies ahead of us.

It’s unknown to us, but known to God. He will guide us through it victoriously.

Analysts make predictions in order to be prepared. They say that to be for-warned is to be for-armed.

Predictions for South Africa (based on events in the past)

·         Economists predict a drop in the Rand value

·         An increase in the price of commodities

·         A scarcity of food as a result of the drought in many parts

Predictions globally

·         More tragedy in Syria and Yemen

·         Higher influx of refugees to Europe

·         Elections for the top 2 jobs in the world –US President and UN Leader-filled by women

“Whatever happens in 2016 human beings will be resilient, the ability to bounce back in the face of adversity because we have the gift of choice which means we do not need to submit to fate”.

(Mail & Guardian)

Everything we need to make it through 2016 is found in Jesus

·         Wisdom

·         Courage

·         Strength

·         Favour

·         Health

It is not important to know the future if you trust in God and believe that He loves you and will therefore take care of you.

He can be trusted with our future since He holds the whole universe together.

He has a track record of dependability since the beginning of time

Place your desires; needs and plans into the Hands of a loving Father who alone knows the future.

The birth of Jesus revealed and introduced the existence of a Triune God

            Matthew 1:18-25

Intro

The Angel announced Who the Father of the Baby was; What His gender and name was to be.

There was reason for doing it in this particular way.

Firstly, the divine conception declared that the Baby to be born was NO

Ordinary human being/person. 

Secondly, the reason for stating His gender was because of His relation to the

Father as Son.

Thirdly, the reason for the name was because Hebrew culture necessitated

the use of a name that will represent the person’s character.

Jesus is the Greek form of Yeshua/Joshua; which means “the Lord saves”.

The mission/purpose of Jesus was declared within His Name ie to save His 

people from their sins.

The reference made to the Holy Spirit during the account of Jesus’ birth

revealed and introduced the existence of the Triune God.

Matthew’s Gospel account was originally directed to the Jewish nation, who believed in a Monotheistic God. It was thus of utmost importance to reveal the Truth of a Triune God.

1. The Role of His earthly parents

·        The mission of Jesus was extremely important to take risks and entrust a helpless baby to humanity with shortcomings and weakness.

·        His “earthly parents” had to meet God’s requirements of a good character and heart.

·        Both Mary and Joseph were righteous, upright, just, individuals of principles and honor.

·        Because Jesus was fully human (and fully God) they had to nurture Him in a God-fearing home.

They cared for Him and provided His needs

·        They were the primary mentors to groom/prepare Him for His Mission. 

They dedicated Him to the Father on the 8^th day as required;

taught Him the Scriptures, and took Him to the Temple for the annual feasts

2. The Role of Jesus

·        to save humanity from our sins .

he could only do so by  dying on the cross, because without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness of sins.

·        To renew all things pertaining to spiritual matters

Free access to the Father –no need to go through a priest

All people have equal status before the Father, whether Jew or Gentile; male or female;

slave or free.

·        To Restore the earth

·        To defeat Satan and the power/sting of death

·        To reconcile humanity to the Father

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus:

·        The Holy Spirit was the “Seed” for His conception

·        He was present during the Baptism of Jesus

·        The Holy Spirit was present during His temptation, walk/journey and service

·        He was present at His resurrection

·        The Holy Spirit was and still is the witness of Jesus in the lives of believers

The Holy Spirit was in existence before Christ ascended into heaven.

Conclusion

The Announcement of the Father’s love for humanity has now gone out into all the earth.

The whole world is celebrating Christmas even though some do not know what it’s really about. He came down to the earth Himself to save us through Jesus, the Messiah.

For many it’s a time of festivities, holidays, gifts and dress-ups.

Christmas is really about the celebration of the birth of the Messiah and thankfulness for The Father’s grace, compassion and mercy towards humanity.

“Yeshua”, the Son truly has His Father’s Nature and certainly lived up to His Name and Mission to save.

Actions speak louder than words

                                                               

                                                          2 Corinthians 6: 1-10

Text V.4

Intro

There are billions of people who profess to be Christians/disciples of Jesus; in total 2.18 billion world-wide as at 2010.Yet so many prove this statement to the contrary by their actions.

To be a follower of Jesus, means that you must uphold His teachings and follow His example.

Where are the children of the Light when there are so much darkness in the world and our immediate surroundings between friends, family and community?

Talk is cheap.

Its easier to speak things, but its more difficult to action things.

The prove of our faith and trust in Jesus is revealed through the following:

·         How we value God’s grace

·         How we facilitate the relationship between Jesus and others

·         How we commend/prove ourselves through various circumstances

1.Value God’s grace

Refrain from taking God’s grace for granted by heeding to His voice when His Spirit speaks/guides/instructs

Never disregard the favour of God by taking correction/discipline or guidance lightly.

When His Spirit calls you to repentance; do so

When He calls you to act for His Kingdom, do so.

“Now” means in the present.

Don’t delay for tomorrow or later.

Act the moment you hear Him speaking to you.

2. Facilitate the relationship between Jesus and others    

This is done by way of not placing any obstacles in anyone’s path. Refrain from controversial topics that will result in arguments or division ie  entertainment pursuits like alcohol; tobacco; dance-clubs; casino’s etc

Allow the Holy Spirit to minister to the person’s heart and conscience instead.

Refrain from engaging in activities that will shame the Name of Jesus.(See Galatians 5:19-21)

Do not give people a reason to doubt in the transformation power of Jesus by not growing /developing in your spiritual life.

Live by the Spirit then you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Prove or commend yourself as an ambassador of Jesus through:

·         Endurance

·         Troubles

·         Hardships and distresses

·         Diligence/Hard work

·         Sleepless nights (of prayer for lost souls)

·         Purity-holiness/Christlikeness

·         In hunger-don’t stop your work for God when you are in need or lack

·         In kindness-be not arrogant/proud

·         In understanding-accept and respect each other’s differences of opinion and perspective of life

·         In sincere love-no falseness

·         In truthful speech-speak openly & honestly with each other;(say what you mean & mean what you say)

·         In the power of God-do nothing in your own strength and wisdom.

·         Through glory and dishonour ie achievements and failures

·         Genuinness /be always authentic

·         Be the same person at work, home; your recreational pursuits; your social circles.

Even though people may regard you as an imposter for your sincerity, your conscience will be at peace. You don’t need to defend yourself at all

·         Known yet regarded as unknown

Your deeds and heart may not be known to people, but they are known to God.

·         Dying, yet we live on

Die to self and all other worldly pursuits

·         Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing.

·         Making many rich, though poor

o   Enrich others with the Word; your example and testimony

·         You may have nothing, but when you have God, you have everything;

You may have everything, but when you don’t have God, you have nothing.

If God be for you, who can be against you?

Conclusion

Applicable to the candidates who will be taken in as members today:

You are signifying your faith and trust in Jesus by becoming part of the Body of Christ by taking up

membership locally.

The membership total of the Church of the Nazarene is currently 2 295,106 as at September 2014.

You are also signifying your availability to become a fellow-worker with us.

No matter how small or insignificant your contribution may be in your eyes, in the eyes of God it

means much.

“If you can’t do great things, do small things in a great way”(Napoleon Hill),

Redeemed, Restored, Renewed!

Genesis 6:5-22;     7:1-7; 10-12

Intro

Sin was the reason why God brought the flood upon the earth.

His holiness could no longer look upon the destruction of sin and the evil within the hearts of

people.

It pained Him to see the evil and sin in the hearts of mankind .He was grieved that He made

Us.

IT pained Him even more to destroy His most beloved creation.

Even though the remnant introduced a new breed of people for a while, they soon became defiled

again because the problem of sin was beyond the physical.

Sin stems from the heart of mankind.

The solution needed had to be something more than a clean slate/new beginning/a new earth.

Redeemed

Noah was a righteous, blameless man among that generation, so he found favour with God.

His whole family was saved too as a result of his righteousness.

God is still pursuing sinners, because He wants to redeem them.

We /humanity do not have the power to master sin ourselves because of our fallen nature.

Restored

God remembered Noah, his family and the animals, so He restored the earth again.

The water receded and life blossomed again

Restoration was progressive.

This is evident in the account of the dove that had to be released out of the Ark three times

before it found a place to set foot . It twice returned to the earth.

God is still pursuing the broken and distressed in spirit, because He wants to restore them/you.

We are unable to heal/restore our own brokenness too because of our finite/limited power.

Renewed

Noah was renewed/revived when God blessed him and his sons to multiply.

They literally started from scratch again because they were the only human beings alive on the earth.

God is still pursuing those who are weary and tired of spirit because He wants to revive/renew them/you.

Humanity do not have the ability to rise back on our feet again in our own strength.

Our own strength is short-lived

 Only the Lord can strengthen, renew and revive!

Conclusion

Isaiah 54:7-10

The same scenario is repeating itself all over again.

Sin and lawlessness is the order of our day.

What is stopping God from destroying this earth again?

Would HE even find people who are righteous and blameless as in the day of Noah?

Is it any wonder that Jesus asked whether He would still find faith on the earth on His return?

For a brief moment God abandoned the earth and it was destroyed through the floods, but God  relented.

HE Had compassion on His creation.

He remembered that we are dust

His covenant of peace and unconditional love through our Redeemer, Jesus, prohibits Him.

Secondly, the Lord swore by Himself that He would never do it again.

 He is not the son of man to lie to us .He will keep His Word.

 

Prioritizing ensures a successful mission/life

Acts 22:1-21

Intro:

Success in life or a mission is determined by setting priorities for yourself.

Setting of priorities relates to choices and requires wisdom.

Every individual has limited time, energy and resources. It is thus of the utmost importance to

use it wisely.

Setting of priorities will enable you to take hold of that which you value. It will also assist you to

utilize limited resources, energy and time to the maximum.

Priorities reveals Value;

It reveals Purpose &

It reveals obedience

Paul’s life like that of Jesus’ earthly life serves as a good example of this truth.

1.Paul’s Purpose

Acts 26:16 & 18

Jesus said that Paul’s purpose was to be a servant and a witness of that which he has seen of Him

and that which He will still show him.

Jesus told Paul that he was going to send him to the Gentiles to open their eyes

 and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God,

so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by

faith in Him.   

When Jesus commissioned/called Paul, his assumption was that it was to work

with the Jews in Jerusalem, but the Lord’s assignment to him was to the Gentiles far away .

Paul confessed his obsession with the people of the Way during his appeal to King Agrippa.

He went from one synagogue to another and even foreign places to punish the Christians.

It was during one of these visits that he met Jesus through a blazing light from heaven.

It was so bright that it blinded him for several days.

After his conversion, Paul’s mission was clearly visible through his priorities.

Before then, he only had a form of godliness. His intentions were good in trying to defend

the Truth of God (according to his prior understanding and teaching); but it was not the absolute

Truth. This Jesus revealed to him during his Damascus experience.

“Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an

unstoppable manner” (Les Brown)

Do your priorities reflect God’s mission and purpose for you and a lost world?

Paul’s values

Acts 24 :16

After his conversion, Paul took a conscientious decision that a clean conscience before God and

man/people and his relationship with Jesus are the two most important factors in his life and that

everything else in his life should centre on it.

His priorities clearly revealed that which he valued.

He valued the Word of God and studied under one of the greatest teachers of his time-named

Gamaliel. The God-Head must have seen Paul’s zeal for Him through his heart…. even though it was

slightly misguided.

His prior learning in the OT (Old Testament) has laid a solid foundation for him to be an effective

witness of Jesus Christ.

Paul was an important LINK /MIDDLEMAN between the OT and NT because of his knowledge and

experience on the road to Damascus with Jesus.  

We are privileged to have all three important components, the Old Testament, the New Testament  

and the Holy Spirit to help us be effective witnesses and successful servants in our missions.

Paul was a man who believed and spent much time in prayer.

Because he valued his relationship with Jesus more, he was NOT a people-pleaser.

We cannot fulfil the Lord’s expectations and that which people may place on us. We have to decide

who we value more-Jesus or people.

Our priorities will thus reflect who and what we value

Do your priorities reflect that which you value ?

“It’s not hard to make decisions once you know what your values are”(Roy E Disney)

Paul’s Obedience

Acts 21:13

His priorities revealed his obedience to Jesus.

He was obedient to the point of captivity, suffering, hunger, beatings, ship-wrecks, beatings.

He endured it all for the sake of the Name of Jesus.

Paul considered his life worth nothing to him, but to successfully complete his mission.

He was bold and fearless because he knew Who instructed him and Who his Helper was.

He witnessed to kings and governors-people of influence as a result of his obedience.

His understanding of a Monotheistic God was totally changed after meeting Jesus as a blazing light.

Conclusion

Ecclesiastes 9:11

“The fastest runner does not always win the race;

The strongest warrior does not always win the battle…..”

The wise person who orders his/her life does.

Setting priorities will enable you to:

·         Be effective

·         Be focussed

·         Be at peace

·         Be joyful

·         Regain or retain inner strength

·         Make the right choices

If you don’t Prioritize you will run the risk of :

·         Burn-out

·         Discouragement

·         Failure

Prioritizing ensures a successful mission and life!!