May 05, 2013
The Sermon on the Mount: when the greatest preacher who ever lived gave the greatest sermon ever preached... Yes, that would be Jesus himself. The fact that Jesus gave this Sermon gives us good reason to listen.
It's a hard message, but starts with blessings. It takes the old Law given on Mount Sinai, and brings hope via Mount Zion. It drives the old law even deeper by looking at the heart attitude behind the actions. It speaks to the pitfalls of the Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes and Zealots.
Most of all, it shows how impossible it is to attain to God's standard without a divine intervention through Christ.
Listen to the depth this Sermon has to offer, and find out what it means to your walk.
Apr 28, 2013
Excited to hear about the forgotten fire? Nobody wants to hear about hell, because it hurts to think that people we love might end up there. Jesus warned us often, with terrifying language, about the wrath to come. We must realise that the heart of this is not about debating doctrine, but about the high stakes of people’s destinies. We must not forget the teachings of Jesus. If people are on the road to hell, it must not be without our warnings, pleadings, and prayer for them, as we do everything we can to love them out of that destiny! Are you saved? Saved from what? We are saved from sin, ourselves and death – but ultimately we are saved from the wrath and punishment of a holy God! Many are amazed by the severity of hell – but what is more mind-blowing is that despite the utter sinfulness and depravity of man, God still blows wide open the door of grace to those who would accept His invitation. Oh, how He longs for a reconciled and restored relationship. Many are scared or confused as to what will happen at the final judgment, but be encouraged that we are not in darkness; the Word makes it clear that we can know and have peace that we are saved. We are not to live with a spirit of fear, but a spirit of a sound and well-balanced mind. So how do we stop fearing? How can we be secure? Curiously, it has everything to do with what we wear... Listen to find out more.
Apr 21, 2013
Most, if not every, life is marked by the search for a personal identity. Unfortunately, this search too often ends up in the dead end of status, wealth, or personal connections or experiences. Our true identity, however, lies in the passion of Christ - His death and resurrection. Will you be like Peter and deny it? Sermon passage: Matthew 16:21-28; references taken from "Freedom of Self-Forgetfulness: The Path to True Christian Joy", by Timothy Keller.
Apr 07, 2013
Ministry could never happen without faithful people who love and obey their Lord.
Mar 31, 2013
The resurrection is at the heart of the good news of Jesus. We see in this passage that the fact that Christ has been raised from the dead affects everything. It makes preaching effective and worthwhile, faith effective and meaningful, allows sins to be forgiven, promises the hope of eternal life, and turns a life that might be pitied into one to be envied. It is for our good. But it is also ultimately for God’s glory. It is Jesus' victory. It is death defeated and a kingdom to be laid before God the Father that He might have the glory.
Mar 17, 2013
Why did Christ come to this earth? Was it to die on the cross? Christ did come to die; this was His pinnacle work whereby believers receive forgiveness. But Christ also came to LIVE – to fulfil all righteousness! You are not only forgiven – through Christ you are righteous! This is not always easy to feel, which is why we should not start with our subjective feelings, but with the objective truth found in the word of God, which fuels our faith. While Christ does offer forgiveness (the work of His death), He also offers abundant life (the work of His resurrection), and authority (the work of His ascension). This message is a challenge to take up the sword of the Spirit, the word of God which is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, to discover your identity and inheritance in Christ, whose work is complete!
Mar 10, 2013
We are at war. Because everything is Spiritual. All reality is preceded by spiritual reality. Everywhere you look, you can see the signs and battle scars: on television, in the news, in families and people's lives… everywhere. We have been drafted into the army of God. Many times we forget the Rules of Engagement and the fact that a war means we need to be armed and ready. The victory is ensured, but not always enforced!
Feb 17, 2013
Tithing, it all starts with a right attitude of the heart!
A look at tithing from the aspect of Worship, Holiness, Obedience, Love and evangelism
Feb 10, 2013
The Bible has many examples of God showing emotions, from anger, jealousy, and grief, to joy and being pleased.
Jesus also showed a deep caring and passion for those around him, given in many examples, up to the point where "he wept".
We have a High Priest who is able to sympathise with our weaknesses and faced temptation. He calls us to come to His throne of grace with confidence, so that we can receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need!
Feb 03, 2013
Passion is that burning feeling and driving force that will or may lead to emotional suffering if one does not act on the desire or compulsion thereof. The Father had to, by all means and sparing nothing, not even His Son, make a plan to redeem us to Himself. He knew the outcome, but knowing the outcome does not change the agony of the process.
Take the example of the rock climber whose arm got pinned beneath a huge boulder and the only way he could survive was to cut off his arm with a pocket knife. He did it knowing fully he may only live hours longer, maybe days. But that did not prevent him from going through the pain of doing what it took to achieve that - if only for limited reward.
Passion seeds sacrifice; it nurtures new ideas and vast visions; it develops discipline; it compels compassion. Passion is the seedbed of greatness. Passion is a powerful force and if it is not directed by the Spirit, it will drive your life away from God. However, directed by God, it will accomplish great things for God. Passion will follow obedience to God. Godly passion follows agreement with God. Vision follows passion.
