Sunday June 23, 2019

Notes from Sunday's service: (Thanks, Jean)

Dr. Barclay- Something to think about:

We all have defining moments in our lives for Christ.

Many of the disciples were low income labourers, mainly uneducated. Yet Christ gave the Great Commission to these men, to go out into all the world and preach the gospel, their lives were changed and they changed the world as a result. As we study history we know that all the disciples were martyred except John the revelator who was exiled to the Isle of Patmos.

Paul, known as Saul was a zealot Jew who was involved in the stoning of Stephen. Saul did not recognize Jesus as the messiah and divine. Yet after Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus, where he was renamed Paul, he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ as messiah and Lord with evangelistic zeal, amid great persecution.

Another unlikely champion of Christ was Emperor Constantine. Constantine and his army were at battle when he saw a vision of a cross in the sky and underneath was written “In this sign, conquer”.He stopped the persecution of Christians and the church, that had been going on under Emperor Diocletian. Constantine built churches everywhere. Constantine was a battle hardened commander who ruled the Roman Empire, yet sat down and discussed the bible with the clergymen.

Paul and Constantine and the disciples all had defining moments with God and changed the world as a result. Paul had a defining moment on the road to Damascus, when he was temporary blinded when the Lord called out to him. Constantine had his defining moment when he saw the vision of the cross at the battle of Milvian Bridge.

We all have defining moments in our lives, the question how will we respond? and what will we do? God puts evangelism in our hearts, if each one of us spread the gospel to just another person, what a difference it would make.

Pastor Joseph Johnson

Theme- Set Your Sights On Things Above

Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

We can not have our affections on the things of this world. This world is not perfect and it will let us down. That is why God warns us to focus on what is eternal and what is to come, not on what is temporary and what is external. God has clearly warned us in his word, what leads to life and what leads to death.

Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.

Age is on our side, we never knew more than we do today. We need to be more active for God than ever before and include the Holy Spirit in each hour of the day. We need to be continuously calling people out of the world and calling them to Christ. The power of God is to lift us up and set us free and not hold us down or be afraid. God has given us all gifts such as being a helper, teacher, prayer warrior etc. Even if our gifts are not visible, we need to step up use our gifts and let others know about it and not be shy or hide them in any way. God wants us to do the best we can with what we have.

Sunday June 16, 2019

Notes from Sunday's service (Thanks, Jean)

Dr. Barclay

Something to Think About

Theme: Honour Parents.

The first four commandments pertain to honoring God. The remaining six commandments pertain to relationships between people. Long before Fathers and Mothers Day was commercialized with gifts and special dinners, it was first spoken of in the 10 commandments.

Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

People who honor their mother and father experience less family breakdown and less stress and emotional heartache. We are to do our best to honor and love our parents and speak well of them. God loves us and wants to bless us, we will truly be blessed when we follow this commandment.

Barry Jack

Theme: Prayer Is Essential For Revival In The Home.

Luke 1:17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Luke 15:18-24 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Fatherhood is exemplified in the words of Father God when he broke through the sky at the Jordan River, saying the words every son or daughter longs to hear.

Luke 3:22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”

Amidst all the success of the world such as wealth and good jobs, our children are not truly successful until they know and are serving Jesus. We can have it all, worldly riches, all this world can give. But if we do not have Jesus we have nothing. There is more to being a father than just working and paying the bills. To be a true father we have to turn our children toward Christ and not be afraid to let them know when they are going in the wrong direction.

Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

The bible warned us the day would come when we would call evil good and good evil and sadly we are living to see this today. But the christian is not to be afraid, Christ said he will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. ( Matthew 16:18)

If we want our families serving God, we have to get back to prayer. Churches are too busy feasting and socializing instead of fasting. If we want to see revival, change in our communities, and families restored and following Christ wholeheartedly, than we need to get back to serious fasting and prayer.

Sunday June 9, 2019

Here's the notes from Sunday's service: (Thanks, Jean)

Dr. Barclay-Theme: Testifying Can Change The World.

Luke 24:50-53

And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

When the disciples saw Christ ascend into heaven, their whole lives and the whole world was forever changed. By speaking and writing about Christ, they changed peoples thinking and impacted the future. The Roman world was a culture of dominance, emperor worship and full control from the top down, with very little regard for the poor and lower classes. Sadly this ideology and way of thinking still exists in many parts of the world today. Yet thankfully, because of the Judeo- Christian world view many countries in the world have advanced and benefited greatly. Without the christian revolution there would be no equality or freedom, justice, schools or hospitals, etc. The twelve disciples, and many of whom were uneducated labourers, changed the world because they put Christ above themselves. They spoke about Christ, they wrote about Christ- they testified.

Roxann Spicer – Theme: Just Stand

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

1 Peter 4:13 but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Roxann and her husband John testified of a financial miracle, after they had experienced sudden unexpected financial hardship. When things seemed very bleak and things seemed down to the wire, with no answer in sight. God provided Roxann and John with a peaceful confidence, that they did not need to fret. At just the right time, the Lord provided them with just the right amount of money that they needed.

Roxann reminded us that there is no need in this world that God cannot meet, whether it is a large unexpected bill or a full time job. We can trust that God has not forgotten us and he will meet our need.

I Shall Not Want Psalm 23

I Shall Not Want    Psalm 23

I shall not want for health, for “with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5), and Jesus “Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matthew 8:17)

I shall not want for prosperity, for “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phillipians4:19)

I shall not want for security, for “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7)

I shall not want for faith, for “God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” (Romans 12:3)

I shall not want for strength, for “the Lord is the strength of my life;” (Psalms 27:1)

I shall not want for power, for “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you:” (Acts 1:8)

I shall not want as to be an overcomer because Jesus said. “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:3)

I shall not want for peace, for “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3)

I shall not want for victory because, “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

I shall not want for victory over sin because, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)

I shall not want for victory over persecution, for “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

I shall not want for victory over confusion because, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,” (I Corinthians 14:33)

I shall not want for righteousness because, “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (I Corinthians 5:21)

I shall not want for companionship because Jesus sad, “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20)

I shall not want for contentment, “For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:” (Philippians 4:11)

I shall not want for victory over condemnation, for “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1)

I shall not want for liberty, for “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” (II Corinthians 3:17)

I shall not want for victory over the cares of this life, for I am “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Peter 5:7)

I shall not want for wisdom for “Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom” (I Corinthians 1:30)

I shall not want for ability, for “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13)

I shall not want for joy, for “for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10) and “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” (Isaiah 12:3)

I shall not want for blessings, because we are blessed with “with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3)

I shall not want for redemption because I “have redemption through his blood” (Ephesians 1:7)

I shall not want for an inheritance because “In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,” (Ephesians 1:11)

I shall not want for understanding because “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened;” (Ephesians 1:18)

I shall not want for position because He has “made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” (Ephesians 2:6)

I shall not want for victory in prayer, for “whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,” (John 14:14)

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