Church notes - July 2019

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7th July
'This is Amazing Grace': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFRjr_x-yxU
' Do it Again': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B_lnQIITxU
' O Praise The Name': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqBpifDpNKc

Communion
Galatians 6:14
Paul was boasting in the Cross. He wasn't ashamed of it.

Philippians 3:7 - 14

Galatians 6:1 - 10

'Great Are You Lord': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jCnAAeEJSQ

vs 1
1 John 2:1, 2
If someone sins we need to restore them in a gentle manner. This is a long process. This was David's experience after he had Uriah killed. 2 Samuel 12.
Gentleness is required. People often sin out of their brokenness.

Martin Luthor: "if any man be overtaken with a fault, do not aggravate his grief, do not scold him, do not condemn him, but lift him up and gently restore his faith. If you see a brother despondent over a sin he has committed, run up to him, reach out your hand to him, comfort him with the Gospel and embrace him like a mother."

v2
Assumptions:
- We all have burdens.
- We shouldn't carry them alone.
vs 3 - 5
Take an honest look at yourselves. Test your own actions and motives.
Burden - we need help to carry.
Nursing - Helping others to do what they can't do either physically or emotionally.
vs 7 - 8

vs 9 - 10
Our good works help others look towards Christ.

What are you sowing? Into the World? Or into the Spirit?

'It Is Well': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI


14th July
Psalm 33:1 - 5
'lift up your voice':
'Blessed Be Your Name': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWKehsOXu8

Acts 2:42 - 47

'In Christ Alone - Boaz (Cello): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGGDWdXOF-E
That is My King: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzqTFNfeDnE

'Once for all': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpArxl4czE8
'You Reign': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3oTEjjjgKQ

Scrappy Church - looking to the future
Australian church attendance
1950 - 44%
1960 - 41%
1970 - 37%
1980 - 27%
2016 - 21%

Acts 2:42 - 47

vs 42 - 45
Freely shared their material possessions

vs 46, 47

Acts 1:8
The early church took these words seriously

Outward focused

Scrappy Church - Thom S. Rainer
- Many churches in the United States closing
At least two would have their last service on any given Sunday.
Is there a sense of hope?

Some churches are turning around.
4 Convictions
1. They believe that God has a plan for them.
God is still working. They are determined to make a difference in their community.
2. Prayer is the power for their mission
vs 42
A call to prayer
3. Their mission is outward focused.
Many resources went towards the Great Commission
4. The mission involves me
The whole early church was involved.
Their faith was lived out every day and all day.
4. Practical actions
1. Adjust your attitude
"The real turn around took place in my mind"
Stopped making excuses
"Can't have a victim mentality with the mind of Christ"
2. Focus outward.
More people putting time and effort on the community. Focus on the community.
Churches systematically inviting people to come in.
3. Be ready to welcome newcomers
4. Assimilated newcomers into the church.

A monument in Alabama - to the Boll Weevil
Something disasterous can be the catalyst for change.

They devoted themselves
All the believers were together.

Every day

'Victor's Crown': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2nBOGA6X2g


21st July
'The Lion and the Lamb': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMTfj4xOjZk
'Yet Not I': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zundjUFazfg

Isaiah 6

'Broken Vessels': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxPEH2Il8cM
'Only a Holy God': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7HSdeeCm8_g

Isaiah 1:1
2 Kings 15
The Kings of Judah were a mixed lot, but the kings listed in Isaiah were faithful.
Isaiah 1:2, 3
The animals of Israel knew the Lord better than the Israelites.
2 Kings 21:1, 2

Isaiah 6
What is around the LORD magnifies His Glory. Isaiah saw the LORD and is confronted with the sinfulness of himself, and of Israel. This leads him to lamentation.
vs 8
Isaiah's response is in contrast to that of Moses.

Before this, Isaiah was redeemed by the Holy Spirit.
vs 9
Did Isaiah have to avoid telling them to repent? No. It was a reflection of Israel's history, where the people and the Kings who ruled them didn't learn from God.
2 Kings 21:7 - 11

Isaiah's warning - Judah will follow Israel into exile.
2 Kings 23
Although Josiah had turned to God, the people didn't, because he was following the Law, which could never bring salvation.

Numbers 13:27

vs 13
He would not leave His people deserted.

Look for how God is working in the desolated places. Look for Him there. Expect that you will have an Isaiah moment. Even when you have made a commitment to God, He will continue to deal with the sin in our lives.

Communion
Galatians 3:10 - 14

'Our God is an Awesome God': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP9BjKnDaFk


28 July
Psalm 24

'Hosanna': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoM0AT8fBvs
'Lift Up Your Voices':

1 John 5:4, 5

'10000 Reasons': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXDGE_lRI0E
'Be Thou My Vision': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihJAJA4ibEs

Isaiah 7:10 - 17
Isaiah 8:5 - 10

'Fearfully and Wonderfully Made': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhzlI5KGTno

http://u.cubeupload.com/Brenorenz/Ahazv3.png

Isaiah 7:1 - 17
vs 4
Isaiah tells Ahaz not to be afriad, those opposing him are weak.

It is not a political or military problem, but a spiritual one.

He needs to rely on his faith.
But he decided to ally with Assyria. He didn't put the idea to God, but relied on his own initiative.

2 Kings 16:7 - 9
The immediate crisis was resolved.
A crossroad. Trusting God, or in something of the world.
Faith. Believe God, obey Him and trust Him. We should build our morality in Him. We need to stand firm in our faith.

vs 14
Initial meaning
A young woman in Ahaz's court would give birth and name her child Emmanuel. This means: 'God with us'.
The King would meet him over and over.
The King would be mocked, but this would be encouraging to others. But Ahaz choose poorly, to live without God. But soon there would be problems he couldn't handle.

The Temptation to live without God is there, but something would come that you wouldn't be able to deal with without Him.

But another meaning
Matthew 1:22, 23
Jesus' birth is also a fulfillment
Jesus : meaning 'God saves'

How far reaching is the prophecy? Quite far.
God is beside us, with us. Not only that, He is in us, during those difficult times (as well as the good). How then should you live your life? With confidence that God is taking them, taking us to a better place.
Isaiah 8:1 - 10
Ahaz's decision made Assyria stronger, but Judah was still God's land.

Circumstances may be terrible, but God is with us. He is ready to take us to better places, even our eternal home.
We need to seek and know God, listen to Him. Our only hope, the saving grace of Jesus.

Immanuel - God is with us to save us. If you haven't you need to embrace this.

Prayer - for us to hear His voice.

'Only a Holy God': https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPi5kArL04E