Hi Church,
Thanks for being a solid God-glorifying family on Sunday. So many things were heading for disaster with our technology and sickness creeping in for key people doing stuff. But Praise God the maturity of the people arose, and we pushed through with only a bump in the road. Jane covered me for worship and led with no screen words and Jess did her first service lead and was composed and encouraging under pressure and Ps Debbie-Ann despite losing her PowerPoint to computer failure, brought a great word which challenged and inspired us all. This is a sign of Church growing and going deeper in God not reliant on props and presentation.
Ps Debbie-Ann’s message spoke into that reality. The following is the notes I took from her message and Í confess she said it a lot better than my note taking. So please listen again to Debbie’s teaching online not just read my notes.
The journey of life.
Who you are becoming determines where you are going. In your spiritual life, who you are becoming will determine your maturity. Psalm 1 shows those who are planted in God's word will always grow. Psalm 1:1-3 reminds us that when we live according to God's way, we are blessed and will prosper. The word of God will map your life. Psalm 119:9 MSG says, “How can a young person live a clean life? By carefully reading the map of your Word.”
When making choices, ask: Who are we becoming? Where are we going? What are we carrying? Is it time to let go of some luggage? Reflect on what you gave your life to over the last two weeks, the places and online spaces. Whatever most of your time was given to is your treasure.
Jesus challenges us that whatever is our treasure has our hearts. Churches committed to Jesus cultivate the atmosphere of Jesus. If you give yourself to places contrary to the atmosphere of Heaven, ask: Where are we going? Who are we becoming like?
When we tussle between atmospheres; if we keep resisting God's atmosphere it will determine the level of our maturity. Surrendering completely increases our maturity and increases our hearts desire for Him as our treasure.
Psalm 119 (MSG) says we need to follow the map of God’s word. Watch for the signposts that lead us to Him and especially the ones that lead away from Him. We become what we behold. When the world comes at us, filter it by asking: Who am I becoming? Where am I going?
The apostle Paul says to the Corinthians, examine yourself to see if you are in the faith (2 Cor 13:5). Jesus said, enter through the narrow gate; it is not easy (Matt 7:13-14). If your gate is wide and easy, it may be the wrong gate. Deb said the Holy Spirit showed her that the hole in the gate was Jesus-shaped, as He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).
Debbie noted that struggling in faith and lack of growth occurs when we stop meeting with God's people and abandon His word and ways. She suggested speaking to someone godly and mature in faith to help when feeling lost. Who we are becoming will determine where we are going.
Let's be a community of transforming grace that bears the image of Jesus…. in full maturity. Amen!
My hope and prayer is “we are beginning to look a lot like Jesus!”
Thank You Ps Debbie-Ann for bringing this teaching.
Just as a final note Special thanks to John Ives who brought a good word at communion reminding us of the power of the blood and its message and how it changed the lives of aboriginal men in the Northern Territory. May it continue to be so.
God bless
Ps Greg and Amanda