Sunday May 7, 2017

Thanks to Jean, here's some notes from Sunday's service:

Dr. Barclay- Something to Think About

Theme: The Word of God is the sword and essential for everything we face.

 Tragedies like terrorism, wars, famines and earthquakes and economic down turns cause us to wonder and often ask where is God?

When we look around our nation and we see so many churches closing, we wonder and ask where is God? Scholars in the age of the enlightenment such as Voltaire and Kant, denied the truth and power of the Bible, they did not believe in divine revelation.

John 5:39 You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.

2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

 Tragically, people today, have lost the ability and desire to study scripture, and here lies the reason for so many of the problems we face in the world today. Because we will not know how to fight spiritual wars, if we do not know our Bible. Because in the Bible are all the tools and weapons to fight the enemy and the spiritual attacks we face in this world. Therefore the more effective we are at knowing and studying the Bible, the better equipped and prepared we will be for spiritual attacks and the difficult and hard times we face in this world.

 Pastor John Dunnett -

Theme: Living as Citizens of Heaven

 Philippians 1:27-30 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

28 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

God calls us to live on earth as citizens of Heaven. It means living with the presence of the Holy Spirit in the here and now. It means letting Jesus be in charge of our lives even though we think we know better. We must conduct our lives in a way that brings glory and honor to the Kingdom of God.

We don’t all have to look the same or be in the same place at the same time, but we are all to be of one purpose and one goal. Living as a citizen of heaven, will put us in times of conflict, struggle and hardship while on this earth. But we are to count it all joy and an honor to suffer as Christ did.

 Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Sunday April 30, 2017

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

Dr. Barclay-Something to Think About

Theme: Matthew 5:16

 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

---Do not be afraid to be a light for Christ in this world.

 Matthew 5:14

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.

When looking at the world today and all the problems around the globe. We can clearly notice, there are very few lit candles showing the way.

Why?....Many people are afraid to light a candle for fear of what it might entail. There are so many social pressures to go with the crowd, nobody wants to stand out and take a different path than the majority. Influences in the world are still there to pull us astray as they were 5, 100 and 2000 years ago. God calls us all to simply light a candle and be a light for him in this dark world. If more of the people who call themselves christian, were shinning their lights brightly, illuminating the way to Christ, what a difference in the world it would make.

__________________________________________

 Pastor Caroline Barclay -

Theme: Work and Rest

Work is the tasks that have to be done in the run of a day.

Rest is to sit, lie down and simply not do any activity for a while.

In every work we do, it mast ultimately be to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:23-25

23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.

We all need to work to make an income to meet our needs. In our rest time we might just read, meet with friends for coffee or have good long sleep. Yet there may be times during the week when we cannot rest, our minds and bodies are full of work overload. Sometimes we are so concerned with work we cannot rest and sleep seems elusive. Reading the word of God and quality time spent in prayer provides true rest for our souls.

 Mark 4:35-41

 Jesus could sleep in the back of a boat in the midst of a storm. The disciples were fearful and anxious, lacking faith, to the point of believing they were about to perish. Yet Jesus was calm in the storm, his mind was at rest knowing that Father God would see them through. Jesus simply spoke to the storm “Peace Be Still”.

 God needs to be the master of our body and minds. We are to work with God and go with him, not just busy ourselves with the demands of this world.

 Matthew 11:28-29

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Sunday April 23, 2017

Notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks again, Jean)

Dr. Barclay - Something to Think About:

 Our faith must be put into action, recognizing Christ’s Lord and Kingship over all.

 In many places where there is strife and war and people are desperate; churches are not empty, they are full. Yet in the lands of plenty, freedom and wealth churches are empty. There is an abundance of nominal Christians, Christians in name only, not doing and not believing.

We need to affirm and proclaim Jesus is God and Jesus is Lord in our everyday lives and speech.

Matt 12:8 8 For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

Jesus is integral to the 10 commandments.

John1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 3:35 The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

There is no reason why anyone should not believe Jesus is the son of God. If we really believed the Creator of the universe was looking down on us, we would make him the primary object of everything we do.

Wesley Whidden: Compassion will always drive us to do something and take action.

 Wesley talked and shared pictures of his mission trip to Jamaica, which were very interesting and led into his message on compassion. Wesley shared how knowledge can puff up, but love edifies.

Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

God anoints and the Holy Spirit goes with us. We all have a wonderful advantage in the Holy Spirit.

Psalm 145:8 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.

We all need to ask God for compassion. Sympathy and pity looks upon the need, but compassion takes action to meet the need.

Matthew 9:35-38 – Jesus was so moved with compassion that he healed the people from their sickness- that was love in action.

In the christian walk one person plants, another waters, God gives the increase and receives all the glory.

Luke 10:30-37 The Samaritan had compassion, which made him stop and take action upon the man who was wounded and left by thieves. He bandaged the man, poured oil and wine on his wounds, carried him on his own animal and paid the innkeeper to take good care of him.

Luke 15:20  “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.

The father had compassion on his long lost wayward son. The father’s compassion drove him to action. The father brought out a robe, ring and sandals for his son, killed a calf and made a great feast to celebrate his son’s homecoming.

Change of Venue

Hi folks. We just had a call from Angus Funeral Home and we need to use the Stellarton chapel on Sunday night. It's located at 18 Acadia Ave.

Please pass the word along to everyone.

Sunday April 16, 2017

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

Dr. Barclay-Theme: Something to Think About

After Easter-Now What?

There is much evidence of the death and resurrection of Christ, yet many still refuse to believe it. Evidence in history and the extra books of the church testify that this happened.

Mark 15:1-14

15 Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.2 Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered and said to him,“It is as you say.”

3 And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. 4 Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”5 But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

6 Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. 7 And there was one named Barabbas,who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. 8 Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to dojust as he had always done for them. 9 But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.  12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

-Like Pilate the question is asked in our own lives many times, ““What then do you want me to do with Him?

-We have the same decision to make everyday. What will we do with Christ?

Pilate went with the crowd, will we? Pilate gave in to what the people wanted him to do, but in this life we must do what God wants, not what people want.

Will we take the popular route? Or will we dare to go against the grain and stand alone?

 

Matthew 7:13-16

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

-Pilate judged himself, our judgments will judge us!

Jacquie Ross-Theme: Jesus is not Dead!

Is it really true that Jesus is alive? And if we really believe it is true then we have every reason to celebrate all the more.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

A great curtain hung in the temple as a sign and constant reminder of the separation that sin caused between God and man. And then the curtain was torn in two, the separation was over.

Matthew 27:51

Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

Tho one who died for us and who was raised to life for us, is in the presence of God advocating for us.

Romans 16:17-19

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord.

If we were to die today would it be evident to others that we truly walked with God. Is our walk with God so sincere that others will notice. When we truly walk with Christ we will not be tied down to the trivial, temporal and material things of this world. Our goal must always be, to work to be more like Jesus every day.

Romans 6:4

Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Sunday April 9, 2017

Sunday March 26, 2017

Some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Jean)

Dr. Barclay- Something to Think About

Theme: God always provides a Lamb; for Abraham and for us.

 1 Corinthians 15:20

20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

We all face an exceptional choice if Christ is who he says he is. Because some day we are all going to meet him.

Isaac is a typology of Christ, as we read closely we see where the Old Testament mirrors the New Testament, and the many similarities between Isaac and Christ.

In Genesis 22 we look at the story of Isaac being offered up as as a sacrifice.

Verse 2 says “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love. Although Abraham also had a son Ishmael, Isaac was the promised son that God recognized.

Matthew 3:17 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Jesus is God’s only son, in whom he loves and proud of.

Genesis 22:5 5 And Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; the lad and I will go yonder and worship, and we will come back to you.” Abraham had full faith the Lord would provide the sacrifice, as noted when he says “we will come back to you.”

Genesis 22:6 6 So Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son;

Isaac carried the wood that the sacrifice would be placed on, Jesus carried the cross that he would be crucified on.

God provided a ram in the thicket,(verse 13) Isaac’s life was spared.

God provided Jesus death on the cross, our souls were spared from hell.

Luke 24:44 44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.

Luke 24:46-47 46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, 47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

The bible proves the resurrection of Christ, the question is do we fully believe?

Pastor Caroline Barclay -

Theme: God is in Control

Psalm 63:1-4

O God, You are my God;
Early will I seek You;
My soul thirsts for You;
My flesh longs for You
In a dry and thirsty land
Where there is no water.
2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary,
To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips shall praise You.
4 Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.

As we walk the halls of the hospital we realize how precious life is. We have no control over our lives. We especially have no control over when we will take our last breath. In verse 3 we read that God’s constant love is better than life itself. Each one of us are called to minister to those who do not know Christ. Many people are lost in a dry and water less land. We need to take time to minister to these people, to listen to them and care for them and to take an interest in their needs and struggles. When people are walking and talking with God on a regular basis; they are able to carry about them a peace and calmness in the storm. How mighty and Glorious is the Lord God Almighty. Where ever we are, we are to be a living testament of God’s power and faithfulness. With each day that God gives us breath, we are to use the life he has given us to give peace to many.