Sermons

Dear Friends,

The next two weeks will be on changing in the way most people really care about, ACTION.We can talk all about changing thoughts and feelings, but changing what we do is what really matters. Change is our reasonable service of worship to God according to Romans 12:1-2:

Rom 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

God’s will always point us to action as an act of worship.

Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Our activity of worship is in everything we do, as we live out lives in creation.

1 Co 10:31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

This Sunday we will hear from Grant Norsworthy in the preaching services. Grant is an Australian speaker and musician, based in Nashville, Tennessee since 2002. With a message birthed from an intriguing personal journey profoundly impacted by the Word of God, Grant is uniquely qualified as a compelling voice on many important topics to all sincere followers of Jesus.
Grant has encouraged, challenged and entertained audiences of all ages, sizes, and flavors in almost all of the fifty United States, and in many countries around the world. With his engaging blend of storytelling, illustrations, humor, solid Bible teaching and music, his involvement elevates any event or Church service.

As a former member of top CCM and “worship bands” Grant passionately speaks to the meaning of worship: To refine and elevate the imperative role of music in the Church, but also to clarify what it means to offer ourselves as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1).

“Although music can be a wonderful and powerful way to express worship, my life surrendered in worship is what is required.”

This week and next, we will talk about how change can be done in us and through us in practical ways. We will learn and consider the role of good deeds and service to those around us as an act of worship.

Don’t miss this week’s preaching time or the small group meetings. I can’t wait to see you.

Blessings,
Joe

No matter how you try to limit the implications of Jesus’ words, you can’t escape the responsibility to act on behalf of the needy.

Mat 25:31-46 “But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40 “The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’ 41 “Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels; 42 for I was hungry, and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me nothing to drink; 43 I was a stranger, and you did not invite Me in; naked, and you did not clothe Me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit Me.’ 44 “Then they themselves also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not take care of You?’ 45 “Then He will answer them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46 “These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

• IN WHAT WAYS ARE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS REQUIRED TO ACT ACCORDING TO THESE VERSES?
• WHAT EXCUSES DO WE USE TO CLOSE OUR HEARTS AND IGNORE AND NEGLECT THE POOR OF THIS WORLD?
• WHY DO MANY ASSUME POOR PEOPLE ARE LAZY AND DON’T DESERVE TO BE HELPED?

1 Jn 3:16-18 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

• WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SOME OF HIS CHILDREN A LOT MORE WEALTH THAN OTHERS AROUND THE WORLD?

2 Co 8:14-15 at this present time your abundance being a supply for their need, so that their abundance also may become a supply for your need, that there may be equality; 15 as it is written, “HE WHO gathered MUCH DID NOT HAVE TOO MUCH, AND HE WHO gathered LITTLE HAD NO LACK.”

• WHAT PART DO GOOD DEEDS PLAY IN OUR FAITH?

Tit 1:16 They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and worthless for any good deed.
Tit 3:8 This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.
Tit 3:14 Our people must also learn to engage in good deeds to meet pressing needs so that they will not be unfruitful.
Jas 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

• HOW CAN WE HELP EACH OTHER BE RICH IN GOOD DEEDS?

Heb 10:24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.

• HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU PERSONALLY?