Church notes April 2021

[fardell24]

2nd - Good Friday
John 19:30
It is finished.
- Jesus is the only sacrifce needed.
- A shout of victory!

Philippians 3:10 - 13
Paul was prepared to suffer

A personal relationship with God. The Holy Spirit is in us. He encourages us to show compassion and to serve others.
Paul lost his self-righteousness and took on the righteousness of Christ. The same is true for us!
Knowing Christ is more than anything you could sacrifice.
Only by surrendering ourselves to God can we take up the cross.

4th - Easter Sunday
Romans 8:9 - 11
Philippians 3:7 - 9

Easter
Mark 14:49 - 52

The disciples were afraid.

Matthew 28:1
Mark 16:1
Luke 24:1
John 20:1
All had fled, except some women.

Mary Magdelene
- She may not have been promiscuous or involved in prostitution, but Jesus did free her from demon possession.

God's love is unconditional.

No matter what we have done, we are forgiven,

Most relationships are transactional, with conditions. Not so with God.

Romans 5:6 - 8

Christ died for us!

Because of the Resurrection
- We can experience life beyond death.
Romans 8:11
Romans 6:3 - 5
An absolute certainty.
Colossians 3:1
Romans 8:33
The Resurrection is the basis of our confidence in our Salvation.

Because of the Resurrection
- Our lives have purpose and meaning.
We are part of God's purpose.

What are you going to put into the box?

Philippians 3:7 - 9
What Paul had acheived as a Pharisee meant a lot in the Jewish culture of the day. He was a person of power in the community. But he threw it away after the Damascus Road encounter. What it was was nothing compared to Christ.

Jesus needs to be at the centre and the purpose of your life.

If a man can predict his own death and resurrection and pull it off, I just go with whatever that man says - Andy Standly


11th
Psalm 145:1 - 4

James 5:1 - 6
Poverty (Example: a family in Bangladesh living in a building similar to what a garden shed is in Australia.)

The COVID Pandemic has exacerbated extreme poverty.

Before COVID, Western Countries represented 20% of the world's population, but used 80% of the resources.
vs 1
Including average Australians.
James is sending a warning to all who would misuse the gift of wealth.
Don't look to wealth for security.

Deuteronomy 8:11 - 18
Heed the warning. Remember it is God who provides.

It is not appropriate to place our security in our wealth.

Saving becomes hoarding when it is exercising our own sovereignty and financial independence so that God doesn't have to come through for us.

Savings and Insurance are not a God substitue.

vs 4 - 6
Do I love money or people?
A call to use our wealth generously.

3) Use money generously.
Our money, but we have to use it for God's purposes.

The full generosity of God: Jesus has gone to the Cross and paid our debt of sin in full.

Today's money will be worthless when Christ returns, so we should spend our time accumulating the kind of treasure that will be worthwhile in God's eternal kingdom.


18th
Psalm 47

Prayer - comfort for Queen Elizabeth in her grief.

2 Corinthians 5:10
1 Corinthians 15:52
We shall stand before the LORD and be held accountable.
There is only one shot at life, and only what is done for Christ shall last.

We need to be ready for His return.
We should be listening, learning, looking, longing for His Coming.
The Rapture could be at any moment.

John 14

1 Corinthians 9:25

There were more than 19000 martyrs in 2017.
We need to be ready for this.

You won't get into Heaven unless your sin is forgiven. The only place where your sin is forgiven is at the Cross of Christ!
1 Corinthians 4
At the judgement seat He will see our motives!

Revelation 22:12

We are saved by His Mercy. He sees everything.
What we are doing now echoes into Eternity.
Hebrews 6:10

Use the time God has given you.

The best in your vocation.

Make sure that you're ready!


25th
Galatians 2:20
Psalm 104:1

Prayer - The North West River Convention (Next Year). More people to come to Christ!

Ezra 1

Renew and Rebuilding
The post-exilic period.
Rebuild | Renew | Restore
Ezra 1:1
God had a plan.
Isaiah 44:28

In the time of COVID our hope is in the Sovereignty of God. Not in the Government or vaccines.

Are you too comfortable?

We should not be too comfortable to follow Jesus where He leads us. It is a time for us to rebuild and renew.
What have you learned in COVID?
What have you learned about your priorities?

We need to take our fears to God.

Ezra 4:24
We should not give in to discouragement.

Ezra 6:20
Celebration of the Passover.
A time of genuine repentance, examining themselves and separating from the pagan practices that surrounded them.

1 Corinthians 11:23 - 32

They gather -
To worship
To 'Seek the Lord'
To know Him.
To Love Him.
To find His way for their lives.
Surrender their hearts afresh to Him.