Church notes - October 2015

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Church notes - October 20115
4th October

Purpose driven life: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP4tQwGD-m4

Luke 5:1 - 11
We need to have purpose.
The world didn't come about by chance
God has a purpose for our lives. A relationship with God and a mission for Him.
Nietzsche - 'He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how'

Job 7
Job's lamentation

However, Job later came to know God better

Who God is should be the purpose - beyond this world is the reality of an eternal relationship with Him.

The chief end of Man - to Glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Knowing God is more than than knowing about Him. It is a matter of personal involvement.

Psalm 34

Knowledge of God depends on His continuing knowledge of us. God can't be disillusioned with us, because He knows us completely. He sent Jesus to restore that relationship.

We have a purpose of bringing Glory to Him. We need to share in a way that helps others to be reconcilled to Him. Are you seeking to know God more and more every day?


11th October
Ephesians 4:20 - 5:4
Purpose
To be in a relationship with the Lord that is growing day by day.

Dickens: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way - in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only."
1859:
- Charles Spurgeon 25
- Tudor Taylor - 47
- Darwin On the Origin of Species published
- John Stuart Mill, 53
Secularism and and Materialism were growing
A revival in Ireland - 'The Great Awakening'

1 Peter 2:2

Philippians 2:#

We should be identifiable as Christians

vs 22
Take off the old behaviours and put on the new.

1) Don't tell lies, tell the truth
Falsehood undermines fellowship.
2) Don't loose your temper, deal with anger in a healthy way.
Repressing it isn't the answer, but it is also a time when sin can take place. Deal with it.
3) Do not steal - work and give
vs 28
4) Don't use your mouth for evil - use it for good
Unwholesome talk hurts the listener
Speak according to the needs of the listeners, build them up.
5) Don't be unkind or bitter - Be kind, loving and forgiving
6) Don't joke about sex - rather give thanks for it.
vs 3 - 4
Sex is God's gift. Thank God for it.

We need to Glorify Him, so the world can recognise that we're different
Change comes after repentence.


18th October
Psalm 95:

The IKEA catalogue is overtaking the Bible as the most distributed document!
Materialism - pray about it!

African Enterprise
Ephesians 5:15 - 20
A Call to lead Wisely
Paul was in prison as he wrote the letter
vs2 - Live a life of love and sacrifice
vs 6 - A call to live in obedience
The Focus - A call to live wisely
Google - Wisdom 'The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgement, the quality of being wise'
Two kinds of wisdom
- Worldly
- Godly
This is a call to Godly wisdom
vs 18! A call to make the most of opportunity
Kenya - 40% unemployment
- Some of those can be 'radicalised' by islamists
- What is a Christian to do?
- Help others see an opportunity
- Make the most of every opportunity

Ecclesiastes 9:11

Islamic State - Threatens everywhere

Discerning God's will has to come out of a relationship with Him. We need to meditate upon the Word, so that it applies to the heart.
As we seek Him we get immersed in the Spirit. It is not the result of religious activities.

It is about encouraging other people

Gratitude is from God. It is a sign of Wisdom - Be grateful at all times.


25th October
Matthew 6: 19 - 24
Materialism: it tethers our hearts to Earth.

Matthew 4:18 - 22
Jesus expects us to follow Him - There are many costs involved.
Disciples attach to someone and learn from them -
We are called to look beyond the pleasure and pains of this world.
Jesus said Go and make disciples

Mark 1: 17
Pay attention to the second part. What did the disciples expect?

Luke 14: 25 - 35
There is also a cost to not following Him. The cost of following Him is nothing compared to that of not following Him. The cost of not following - Eternal separation
If Jesus asked you to follow Him right now, how would you respond?

Matthew 6: 25 - 34
Be free to be untethered. We need to be prepared for heaven.