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Obeying the Voice of the Lord
March
20th 2005
Introduction
Last week we looked at three points about seeking the Lord
Worship of the Lord is central
Put the Lord before your own needs
The Holy Spirit will speak specific directions
It may seem simplistic but if we are going to seek the Lord for
our direction and purpose we must be prepared to obey what the Lord
tells us.
1. Jesus requires obedience from us.
A. Jesus spoke at length about obeying his commands.
John 14:15 (NIV) 15 "If you love me, you will obey
what I command.
John 14:21 (NIV) 21 Whoever has my commands and obeys
them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by
my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."
John 14:23 (NIV) 23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves
me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will
come to him and make our home with him.
John 14:24 (NIV) 24 He who does not love me will not
obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong
to the Father who sent me.
John 15:10 (NIV) 10 If you obey my commands, you will
remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and
remain in his love.
B. When asked what the commands of Jesus are, most will answer
"love God, love others" or "go make disciples".
Let’s look at some more individual detailed commands that Jesus
made.
| Command |
Made to Whom |
Reference |
Degree of difficulty |
Outcome |
| Go catch a fish |
Peter |
Matt 17:24-27 |
You’re kidding me |
Taxes paid |
| Go show yourself |
10 Lepers |
Lk 17:11-18 |
I can’t because of culture |
Healed |
| Go sell everything |
Rich man |
Lk 18:18-30 |
I don’t want to |
Sadness |
| You feed them |
The Disciples |
Lk 9:13-16 |
We need time to plan this |
5000 feed |
| Get up |
Paralytic |
Lk 5: 17-26 |
Impossible |
Walking |
2. Obedience requires faith
Romans 10:17 (NIV)
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message,
and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
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Where to from Here Lord? Acts 13:2
March
13th 2005
Introduction
The Church at Antioch was successful.
A new people group had been reached. Acts 11:20 " began to speak
to Greeks".
Rapid growth occurred. Acts 11:21, 24, 26 " a great number of
people believed"
A new name was introduced. Acts 11:26 " were called Christians"
They were a generous Church: Acts 11:29, " each according to His
ability"
The five fold ministries was operating.
Evangelists from Cyprus & Cyrene Acts 11:20
Apostolic oversight from the Jerusalem
Church. Acts 11:22
Barnabas provided Pastoral oversight. Acts
11:22-23
Paul Taught the Word of God. Acts 11:25-26
Prophets spoke into the life of the Church.
Acts 11:27
This is the model toast we look to at HOPE Community Church.
The Church at Antioch didn’t just carry on with the same stuff
they were open to hearing from the Lord and changing direction. They
were prepared to ask Where to from here Lord?
Lets focus on just one verse that speaks of there time seeking
thew Lord.
Acts 13:2 (NIV)
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and
fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me
Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."
Three points about seeking the Lord
.
#1 Worship of the Lord is central.
They were worshiping: Greek word is "leitourgeo" it means
to serve at one’s own cost.
To assume an office at one’s own cost
To do a work of service, particularly
religious (OT priests)
To aid those in poverty
Their desire was to seek the Lord with all their heart. Worship
is not just a song, it is an attitude of the heart. A worshipful
heart is one that is turned toward the Lord and not toward oneself.
Psalm 105:3-4 (NIV) 3 Glory in his holy name; let the
hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. 4 Look to the
Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Proverbs 8:17 (NIV) 17 I love those who love me, and
those who seek me find me.
Isaiah 55:6 (NIV) 6 Seek the Lord while he may be
found; call on him while he is near.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV) 33
But seek first his
kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to
you as well.
Matthew 7:7 (NIV) 7
"Ask and it will be
given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened to you.
#2. Put the Lord before your own needs. Fasting.
We need to be prepared to put self interest last. "Not God loves
me but God is lovely". This challenges our secular humanism, which
puts self at the centre. Fasting is a deliberate choice to humble
yourself and put the flesh to death. Fasting is s spiritual
discipline that is often referred to as Humiliation and
Mortification.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble
themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked
ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and
will heal their land.
#3 The Holy Spirit will speak specific directions:
In Luke 1:5-24 we see Zechariah going through his priestly
duties. He purified himself he probably fasted. But he was staggered
that God spoke to him. This is old convent worship, going through
the motions because that’s what the law demands. We are under a new
covenant, the covenant of grace.
Jesus has given us His Spirit, "the Spirit of Truth", to be with
us always and to remind us of all that Jesus said. We can therefore
rightly expect that the Holy Spirit will speak when we seek the
Lord.
Again and again we see the Holy Spirit speaking specific detailed
direction to the early Church. (eg Acts 4:25, 8:26, 9:15, 12:7,
13:2, 16:9 etc) We can expect the same. Just look how specific the
Directions to Philip were. " Go south to the road- the desert road-
that goes from Jerusalem to Gaza"
So when we ask with all our heart " Lord where does HOPE
Community Church fit in the body in Townsville?" or " Lord what do
you want us to do next?" we can expect the Lord will answer. This
will be an exciting time.
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Seasons with the Lord (Lev 23)
27th Feb
2005
Lev 23 shows us an interesting cycle of the Lords dealings with
his people
The Sabbath: Work six days rest on the seventh
Passover/Unleavened bread: Escape from Egypt>>>> The Cross
(March-April)
First Fruits: A new beginning/tithe >>>> The resurrection
(March –April)
Pentecost/ Feast of Weeks: Harvest festival>>>>> Coming of
Holy Spirit( May- June)
(All these are in Nth Hemi Spring)
Trumpets: The beginning of a Holy month >>>>The resurrection
of dead in Christ (Sept Oct)
Day of Atonement: Removal of sin/repentance>>>> The defeat of
Satan/death/hell (Sept-Oct)
Tabernacles/booths: Harvest festival >>>> The Lord dwelling
in the midst of His people (Sept-Oct)
(All in Nth Hemi Autumn)
These are sometimes referred to as the seasons of the former
rains and the latter rains (Deut 11:14)
Sabbath Year: Every 7th year the land is rested
Year of Jubliee: every 50th year ( the seventh
Sabbath year plus one) all lands are returned of original owners and
slaves are freed.
We don’t follow these seasons closely in an urban environment yet
there is something to be learned from the special seasons. Some of
these seasons were reflective, some were outward focused, some were
just plain fun.
We would like to try to put some of this into place this year. We
are proposing that we have a Season of Seeking the Lord about
our purpose and place in the body of Christ in the city. This would
be followed by a Season of Mission, acting on what the Lord
has said to us in the season of seeking. And finally as Season of
Fun, celebrating the end of a season of mission and thanking the
Lord for speaking to us during the season of seeking.
Timetable
Season of seeking the Lord: Month of April. This will
include a 24/7 prayer weekend and the visit of Rev Neke from
PNG. We will be asking the Lord as a Church "what is our
place and purpose in the Church in this city?"
Season of Mission/Work: Month of May. This is the time
when we act upon what the Lord has shown us during April.
Season of Fun: Month of June. Celebrating and doing fun
things together. A time of rest, recreation, & ratbaggery.
Is this Biblical?
We can see this pattern in the book of Nehemiah.
Neh chapter 1 is where Nehemiah seeks the Lord about what to do.
Neh chapters 2-6 is where they do the work out lined in Chapter 1
Neh chapter 12 is were they celebrated together with singing and
music.
22
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All of us together are the body of Christ 1 Cor
12:12-31
20th Feb 2005
Written to 1Cor 1:2 The Church of God in Corinth, often
translated in English congregation, assembly or gathering. But this
is geographical not denominational.
Dfn : Sancififed In Christ Jesus and called to be holy. (SEE 1Cor
12:13; baptised with one spirit, filled by one spirit)
City wide Church, Eg Phil 1:1, Eph 1:1, Col 1:2
Paul’s focus was not on an individual set of believers but the
city of believers.
1 Cor 12:27: Now you are the body of Christ.
You is plural, meaning "all of us together are the body of
Christ"
The body of the anointed one with His anointing.
Important:
Where every you live you are part of that body.
Jerm 29:7 Seek the peace and prosperity of the city. God loves
our city.
What if you move? Look at P & A
Paul founded this Church with Aquila & Priscilla Acts 18:1:4
P& A went with Paul to Ephesus set up Church there Acts 18:19, 26
P & A set up a Church in Rome Rom 16:3
OK if we are all together the body how do we relate? Like a
natural body.
Connected & interdependent.
How do we speak?
#1 Mustn’t say " I’m not like them" 1Cor 12:15
#2 Mustn’t say " I don’t belong" 1 Cor 12:15
#3 Mustn’t say "I don’t need you" 1 Cor 12:21
How do we act toward each other?
#1 Small groups. Treat with special honour & modesty 1Cor 12:23
#2 Large groups No special treatment 1Cor 12:24
#3 NO Division, Equal concern 1Cor 12: 25 (see Eph 4:3., Rom
15:5)
Listen to the head speaking; John 17:20-23 May they be bought to
complete unity.
Who is responsible for unity?
All ! Yes . But God has placed some special ministries in the
body for that purpose. Apostles & Prophets 1Cor 12:28 (see Eph
4:11-13). Their job is to help the body function properly.
The most excellent way is the way of LOVE 1Cor 13
The passage on Love is not set in the context of marriage but in
the context of gifts and ministries operating in a city.
Love is patient: be patient with other Churches
Love is kind: be kind to other Churches
Love does not envy: don’t envy other Churches
Love doesn’t boast: don’t boast to other Churches
Love isn’t proud: don’t act with pride toward other Churches
Etc
This is our standard of behaviour toward one another.
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Walk in Love (2John) 23/1/05
2 John
1 The elder,
To the chosen lady and her children, whom I love in the truth—and
not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because
of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:
"The elder" From John the Apostle an eye witness to Jesus.
The Beloved disciple. One of only three to see Jesus transfigured.
"Chosen lady" a term of high respect. She is most likely
leading a Church in her home and probably an elder of the city.
"her children" this does not just mean her biological
children. John uses this term to indicate followers of Jesus. (
1John 2:12, 2:13, 2:28, 3:2, 3:7 etc)
"the truth" John uses this term to refer to Jesus and/or the
good news about Jesus.
This is a letter from John the Apostle to the leader of a house
Church and those meeting there
3
Grace, mercy and
peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son,
will be with us in truth and love.
A general blessing opening up John’s two fold focus on Truth &
Love.
4
It has given me
great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just
as the Father commanded us.
What a testimony to find former members of this House Church
still following Jesus. Whatever she was doing she was doing it
right. She was making disciples that could go the distance. How did
she do this?
5
And now, dear
lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from
the beginning. I ask that we love one another.
Here is the answer. She taught her home church members to love
one another. This is the place that we learn to love one another;
house churches. Small groups are life giving.
6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his
commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that
you walk in love.
Love is Obedient to Jesus ( if you love me you will obey my
commands John 14:15).
Jesus commands have been clear from the beginning. Love God &
Love one another. John summaries this as "walking in love". An
action.
A definition. " Love is intentionally doing something caring
or helpful for another person, in Jesus’ name, regardless of the
cost or consequence to oneselg"
7
Many deceivers,
who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have
gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the
antichrist.
A simple test. Jesus "the anointed one and his anointing" (100%
God) was 100%human.
8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have
worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully
.
Be on guard because there are many false teachings going around
at present .
9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not
continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever
continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.
It’s simple. All we need is "Only Jesus, Only Scripture, Only
Faith".
Be careful who brings instruction in your home groups. Their
teaching must be consistent with scripture and our purpose and
values.
Love is all about being in relationship. Relationship with God &
relationship with one another. This is life giving.
Greeting from another house church. Relationship extends beyond
individual fellowships.
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to
them what was said in the scriptures concerning himself… He opened
their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures" (Lk
24:27,45).
A. What are we looking for in the OT?
Jesus began with Moses and the Prophets. So let’s move into the
prophets.
Note the Prophets were filled with the Spirit of Christ 1Peter
1:10-12.
B. Direct references to Jesus in Daniel:
Walking in the fiery Furnace Dan 3:25 ( see Josh 5:14 for another
appearance)
C. Prophecies about Jesus in Daniel
The Rock smashes the Kingdoms of men. Note, in Dan 3 a statue is
set up for worship. Jesus came to destroy idol worship. He crushes
our structures of power and domination, firstly with the grace of
the cross and ultimately with judgement as the Son of Man coming on
the clouds of heaven.
D. Shadows/Types of Jesus in Daniel
Daniel Himself : Esteemed by the Father Dan 9:23; 10:11 NT see
Matt 3:17, 17:5
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to
them what was said in the scriptures concerning himself… He opened
their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures" (Lk
24:27,45).
B. Shadows/Types of Jesus in Gen – Deut
Abraham on Mt Moria Gen 22:13. A ram given in place of a
person.
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to
them what was said in the scriptures concerning himself… He opened
their minds so that they could understand the Scriptures" (Lk
24:27,45).
Jesus was building their faith. It will "cause your heart to burn
within you" Lk 24:32. It will strengthen your inner man (Eph
3:14-19) as you see Jesus in the OT Scriptures.
It will build your faith as you see God fulfilling His promises.
You will see that God has always had a plan for your salvation. You
will see the heart beat of God.
B. Prophecies about Jesus in Gen – Deut. These prophecies
may find partial fulfilment in their immediate setting but they find
their ultimate reality in Jesus.
C. Shadows/Types of Jesus in Gen – Deut ( To many to
record here)
