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To Receive the Kingdom of God like a Child

To Receive the Kingdom of God like a Child

Scripture Reading: Mark 10: 13 - 16 (NIV) People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands ...

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The Bigger Picture of Inclusion

The Bigger Picture of Inclusion

Scripture Reading: Mark 9: 38 - 50 (NIV) “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly ...

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Soul Opinion

Soul Opinion

Scripture Reading:  Mark 8: 27 - 38 (NIV) Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He ...

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Mercy is the Law that Gives Freedom

Mercy is the Law that Gives Freedom

Scripture Reading:  James 2: 12, 13 (NIV) Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.   Message:  Mercy is the Law that Gives Freedom Beggars In the Lord’s Prayer today, we prayed “forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors” (Presbyterians say debts and our friends in the United church say trespasses) The ...

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Fitted to Win

Fitted to Win

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6: 10 - 20 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able ...

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Cut Distractions, Grab Opportunities

Cut Distractions, Grab Opportunities

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5: 15 - 20 (NIV) Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to ...

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A Live Worthy of Calling

A Live Worthy of Calling

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4: 1 - 6 (NIV) 1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in ...

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Going Beyond Imagination

Going Beyond Imagination

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3: 14 - 21 (NIV) 14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep ...

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Breaking Down Us and Them

Breaking Down Us and Them

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2: 11 - 22 (NIV) Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away ...

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Who May Stand in His Holy Place

Who May Stand in His Holy Place

Scripture Reading: Psalm 24: 1 - 6 (NIV) Of David. A psalm. 1The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. 3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? 4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. 6Such is the generation of ...

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How Labels block Faith

How Labels block Faith

Scripture Reading: Mark 6: 1 - 6 (NIV) Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. 2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? ...

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Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City

Seek the Peace and Prosperity of the City

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29: 4 - 7 (NIV) This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. 6Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. 7Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried ...

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Prophesy, Dreams and Visions

Prophesy, Dreams and Visions

Scripture Reading: Joel 2: 28 (NIV) And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.   Message:  Prophesy, Dreams and Visions Where we are - already, not yet… In our belief system, we find ourselves in the already-not-yet space On the timeline of our lives are in this in-between space of significant events of faith that has already happened and significant ...

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Compelled

Compelled

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 6-10, 14-17 (NIV) 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7For we live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us ...

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Cry, Wait, Hope

Cry, Wait, Hope

Scripture Reading: Psalm 130 (NIV) A song of ascents. 1Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; 2Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. 3If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? 4But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. 5I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope. 6I wait for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. 7Israel, ...

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Breakable but Strong

Breakable but Strong

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4: 5-12 (NIV) For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every ...

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Rethink Love

Rethink Love

Scripture Reading:  John 15: 9 - 17 (NIV) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are ...

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A Life Giving Connection with Jesus

A Life Giving Connection with Jesus

Scripture Reading:  John 15: 1 - 8 (NIV) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you ...

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The Good Shepherd for All

The Good Shepherd for All

Scripture Reading: John 10: 11 - 18 (NIV) “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15just as the Father knows ...

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What the Fahter's Love does to us

What the Fahter's Love does to us

Scripture Reading: 1 John 3: 1 - 7 (NIV) See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 4Everyone who sins ...

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Sent with peace for peace!

Sent with peace for peace!

Scripture Reading: John 20: 19 - 23 (NIV) On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22And with that he breathed on them ...

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Don't be alarmed, Go tell and Be careful

Don't be alarmed, Go tell and Be careful

Scripture Reading:  Mark 16: 1 - 8 (NIV) When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb 3and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” 4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. 5As they ...

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Passion for the Servant King

Passion for the Servant King

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2: 5 - 11 (NIV) In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest ...

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To Die of Ourselves

To Die of Ourselves

Scripture Reading:  John 12: 23 - 28a (NIV) 23Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor ...

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Love, Faith, Light

Love, Faith, Light

Scripture Reading:  John 3: 16 - 21 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, ...

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Honour the Body of Christ

Honour the Body of Christ

Scripture Reading:  John 2: 13 – 22 (NIV) 13When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning ...

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From Anguish to Victory

From Anguish to Victory

Scripture Reading:  Psalm 22: 23 - 31 (NIV) You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows. The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise ...

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Brought to God

Brought to God

Scripture Reading:  1 Peter 3: 18 - 22 (NIV) For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes ...

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Walking the Way of Love

Walking the Way of Love

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5: 1, 2 (NIV) Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5: 1, 2 (MSG) Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious ...

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Stay focussed on the Job at hand

Stay focussed on the Job at hand

Scripture Reading:  Mark 1: 38 (NIV) Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” Message:  Stay focussed on the Job at hand Ministry of movement Jesus’ ministry for three years on this earth was a ministry of movement In the time of three years He had to maximize his impact  He could not do that by remaining in one place - He had to move around It was question ...

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Opening the door to Freedom

Opening the door to Freedom

Scripture Reading: Mark 1: 23 - 27 (NIV) Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A ...

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Opening the door to New Possibilities

Opening the door to New Possibilities

Scripture Reading: Mark 1: 16 - 20 (NIV) As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18At once they left their nets and followed him. 19When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20Without delay he called them, and they left their ...

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Opening the door to Seeing More

Opening the door to Seeing More

Scripture Reading: John 1: 48 - 51 (NIV) “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven ...

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Keep yourself in God’s love

Keep yourself in God’s love

Scripture Reading: Jude 1: 20, 21 (NIV) But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Message:  Keep yourself in God’s love “Building yourselves up” On social media we find all sorts of interesting quotes - especially this time of the year I brought along a quote for this message today, ...

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The Fuss of Christmas (Christmas Eve)

The Fuss of Christmas (Christmas Eve)

Message:  The Fuss of Christmas Why did you come here tonight? What’s behind all the Christmas celebrations? What is the fuss of Christmas? Take a moment with me to think about that - how would you explain this whole Christmas thing to a complete foreigner that has no Western background? Here’s my attempt: Mankind is the crown of God’s creation - relational beings made to love - in God’s image We all have a deeply imbedded need for love, don’t ...

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Prepare to Receive the Gift of Peace

Prepare to Receive the Gift of Peace

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40: 1 - 11 (NIV) Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground ...

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Hope of a Coming

Hope of a Coming

Scripture Reading:  Mark 13: 26, 27 (NIV) “At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.”   Message:  Hope of a Coming The nature of hope Google’s dictionary gives two simple definitions for hope: “a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen” “a ...

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A Deeper Knowing

A Deeper Knowing

Scripture Reading:  Ephesians 1: 15 - 23 (NIV) For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which ...

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Remind, Encourage and Build Up

Remind, Encourage and Build Up

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5: 1 - 11 (NIV) Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children ...

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Remember (Prof van Eck)

Remember (Prof van Eck)

John 20:19-25 (NRSV) When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he ...

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Walk the Talk

Walk the Talk

Scripture Reading: Matthew 23: 1 - 12 (NIV) 1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.3So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.4They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5  “Everything they do is done for ...

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When My Foot Slips (Nina Zwart)

When My Foot Slips (Nina Zwart)

Psalm 94 vs 18 and 19 (NIV) When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. As I wondered about what to talk about today, I kept thinking about Psalm 94 vs 18. I thought about stories and memories, we all have stories, the stories we remember that grow our faith, the lead our path and that remind us of the wonder of God’s love.  Although stories in the Bible ...

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The Parable of the Rich Fool

The Parable of the Rich Fool

Scripture Reading: Luke 12: 16 - 21 (NIV) And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink ...

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The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

The Parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

Scripture Reading: Matthew 13: 31 - 33 (NIV) He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” 33He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it ...

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The Parable of the Talents (Thanksgiving)

The Parable of the Talents (Thanksgiving)

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25: 14 - 30 (NIV) “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18But the man who had received ...

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Raised Up Through the Cup and the Loaf

Raised Up Through the Cup and the Loaf

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10: 14 - 17 (MSG) So, my very dear friends, when you see people reducing God to something they can use or control, get out of their company as fast as you can. I assume I’m addressing believers now who are mature. Draw your own conclusions: When we drink the cup of blessing, aren’t we taking into ourselves the blood, the very life, of Christ? And isn’t it the same with the loaf of bread we break and eat? Don’t we take into ourselves ...

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Tell a Bible Story (part 3) - The Good Samaritan

Tell a Bible Story (part 3) - The Good Samaritan

Children’s Story:  The Good Samaritan One day, Jesus was having a conversation with the people about the law of God Jesus asked the people what the law of God says and a man answered:  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Jesus said that he got the right answer and told him to go and do it But the man wanted to know:  ...

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A Reflection on Change and Opportunities

A Reflection on Change and Opportunities

A Reflection on Change and Opportunities    Comfort and Resistance to Change We struggle to take on New Opportunities We develop an affection for our circumstances because we are familiar with it As Human beings we are at the top of the food chain because we are best at adapting to circumstances Whatever comes our way, we find a way to adapt and survive It this very skill of adaptation that is also responsible for us creating comfort zones We just love to make things ...

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Tell a Bible Story (part 2) - David and Goliath

Tell a Bible Story (part 2) - David and Goliath

Children’s Story:  David and Goliath The Philistines invaded the land of the Israelites - they wanted to take everything from them On two hills on the banks of the valley of Elah, they were set up against each other - it was a stalemate - the Philistines on one side and the Israelites on the other… No one dared making the first move, because that would have meant that they had to go down through the valley where they would be at their most vulnerable  They were ...

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Tell a Bible Story (part 1) - Noah's Ark

Tell a Bible Story (part 1) - Noah's Ark

Children’s Story:  Noah’s Ark A time after God created the earth, He saw that the earth became corrupted.  God was not happy and decided to start over.   God so that Noah was blameless among the people of his time and told Noah that He was going to send a great flood that will destroy everything on earth - God wanted to start over.   He told Noah to build an Ark from Cypress wood.  God gave Noah the measurements for the ark - 440×72×43 ft ...

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Godly Opinion with Great Impact

Godly Opinion with Great Impact

Scripture Reading: Matthew 16: 13 - 20 (NIV) When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 14They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 16Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus replied, “Blessed ...

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New Purpose from an Encounter with God

New Purpose from an Encounter with God

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 19: 1 - 18 (NIV) Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.” 3Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. ...

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More than a Christian Heritage

More than a Christian Heritage

Scripture Reading: Romans 9: 1 - 5 (MSG) At the same time, you need to know that I carry with me at all times a huge sorrow. It’s an enormous pain deep within me, and I’m never free of it. I’m not exaggerating—Christ and the Holy Spirit are my witnesses. It’s the Israelites . . . If there were any way I could be cursed by the Messiah so they could be blessed by him, I’d do it in a minute. They’re my family. I grew up with them. They had everything ...

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The Power of Repentance

The Power of Repentance

Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 40 (NIV) With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Message:  The Power of Repentance (#7 Power of the Holy Spirit sermon series) Save yourselves from this corrupt generation “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” These are the last words of Paul’s famous sermon The sermon that brought about masses of people turning to God and accepting ...

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The Power of Generosity

The Power of Generosity

Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 44, 45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.   Message:  The Power of Generosity (#6 in Power of the Holy Spirit Series) Discomfort Ironic as this may sound, this Scripture passage was used in the past to justify the ideology of Communism Here we read of a congregation coming together, selling their possessions and sharing it with “all men” ...

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The Power of Adoration

The Power of Adoration

Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 43 (NIV) Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. Message:  The Power of Adoration (#5 in the Power of the Holy Spirit series) Adoration for what God is doing There’s a case to be made that the book of Acts is titled incorrectly  It is titled “the Acts of the Apostles” - a name given many years later by Bible editors when the Bible was compiled Shouldn’t it rather be titled ...

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The Power of Humility

The Power of Humility

Scripture Reading:  Act 2: 46 (NIV) “Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,” Message: The Power of Humility (#4 in “Power of the Holy Spirit” series) Paradox of Humility Humility is often seen as being weak Perhaps it has something to do with our body language… we have this idea of a humble body language this is similar to a little doggie ...

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The Power of Prayer

The Power of Prayer

Scripture Reading:  Acts 2: 42 (NIV) They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Message:  The Power of Prayer Teach us to pray - Give us the gift of prayer Luke 11: 1 - “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray…” Disciples asking - give us the gift of prayer (knowing how to pray) What follows ...

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The Power of Fellowship

The Power of Fellowship

Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 42 (NIV) "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Message:  Power of the Holy Spirit Series #2 - “Power of Fellowship” Definition of Fellowship Definition - “friendly association, especially with people who share one's interests.” What is our shared interest?  I would like to think that is the love for Jesus Greek word:  ...

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The Power of Learning

The Power of Learning

Scripture Reading:  Acts 2: 42 (NIV) “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”   Message:  “The Power of Learning” First congregation - eager to learn In this series we are turning to the first congregation to find inspiration for growing  In the coming weeks we will look closely at what went on in the first congregation We will look closely at the work of the ...

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Moving Past Previous Convictions

Moving Past Previous Convictions

Scripture Reading: Galatians 2: 11 - 21 (NIV) 11When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. 12For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14When I saw that they were ...

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Love Changes Everything

Love Changes Everything

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4: 7 - 12 (NIV) 7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, ...

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A Life of Promise

A Life of Promise

Scripture Reading: Acts 2: 38 - 42 (MSG) Peter said, “Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away—whomever, in fact, our Master God invites.” 40He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, “Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!” 41-42That ...

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Letting Go & Moving On

Letting Go & Moving On

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 12: 22, 23 (NIV) 19David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21His ...

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Easter Sunday Notes

Easter Sunday Notes

Scripture Reading: John 20: 1 - 10 (NIV) 1Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4Both were running, but the other disciple outran ...

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Palm Sunday -

Palm Sunday - "What the Hell?"

Scripture Reading:  Matthew 27: 45, 46 From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. 46About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). - Psalm 22: 1   Message: “What the Hell?!” Exclamation - What the hell?! As an exclamation or an expression of surprise, we would often say:  “What the…?” Now ...

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