Living in honesty

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5 May, 2019Pastor Mark SchultzMaking All Things New

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and taken a long hard look at yourself? Forget about your hair, the wrinkle lines, zits or makeup and look at yourself. Who is that?  Do you have the courage to speak honestly about who/what you see or do you look away? Today Jesus walks alongside his Church - the Church he loves, the Church his blood has bought, the Church he holds securely in his hands, and asks us to answer honestly, "What do you see reflected back. What sort of Church are we? A good honest look at ourselves can be confronting, challenging, even convicting but Jesus knows what is at stake. So he calls us out, warns us of danger, but above all reminds us of the incredible promised blessings given to those who live in honesty and claim daily his resurrection victory.  

 #2 in series: Making all things New

THEME VERSE:

"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelation 3:22

 

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

Jesus loves you too much to pamper you. If it's comfort, strength and encouragement you need to hang in and hold on, he loves you enough to give that to you. But if you need to be challenged in areas where you are compromising your relationship with him or his witness to the world, he loves you enough to discipline you and warn you. For having paid the ultimate price to get you back and give you life, he cannot bear to lose you again.


FAITH TALK

1. When you look in the mirror, what do you think is your best attribute?

2.  Who was or is the disciplinarian in your house?

3.  What would Jesus commend or critique about your relationship with him?

Reading

“To the angel[a] of the church in Ephesus write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write:

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

11 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who is victorious will not be hurt at all by the second death.



12 “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword. 13 I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.

14 Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. 15 Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.

18 “To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze. 19 I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

20 Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols. 21 I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling. 22 So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways. 23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets, ‘I will not impose any other burden on you,25 except to hold on to what you have until I come.’

26 To the one who is victorious and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27 that one ‘will rule them with an iron scepter and will dash them to pieces like pottery’[b]—just as I have received authority from my Father. 28 I will also give that one the morning star. 29 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

 “To the angel[c] of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits[d] of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy. The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

“To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.10 Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

11 I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12 The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. 13 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

14 “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God.

More from 'Making All Things New'

Living with Integrity

16 June, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

How can you follow God and thrive in the secular world at the same time? That’s a question that many are confronted with daily as they endeavour to remain true to their faith in a cut-throat culture that is constantly calling them to compromise what they believe. Today we will look at how a life of integrity and consistency can have a far reaching impact when it is centred on God, drenched with God and trusts daily in God for all things.

#8 in series :Making All Things New.

THEME VERSE:

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

If God can deliver Daniel from the lion’s den and Jesus from the grave, he can surely deliver you from whatever lions are waiting to devour you.

FAITH TALK

1. What’s a routine that you cannot change (morning coffee, nighttime prayers).

2. What is the ‘lion’ that is waiting to devour you and your faith at this present time that you need saving from?

3. How important is prayer in your life in helping you to live with integrity and consistency?’

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Living in the Spirit

9 June, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

Everyone has one. Everyone lives by one. It may be well-constructed and clearly articulated or silent and not consciously expressed. But it is there. It's called an agenda and it contains the important items that need to be done or completed to give direction and focus to your life. What headlines the agenda of your life? How do you respond when the Holy Spirit shows up and interrupts your agenda to fulfil his agenda for your life? It's so easy to live by our own agenda and then ask God to give power to the plans we have decided. It's far more difficult to take a step back and let God's agenda shape our agenda and become our agenda. But the promised Holy Spirit comes to introduce us to God's plans and take us on an adventure where we see God's power at work transforming lives in a way we can never ask or imagine. Join us today as we explore 'Living in the Spirit' - it's a journey that is wild, scary, exhilarating, surprising but incredibly humbling as the Spirit moves and works through us to fulfill God's Kingdom agenda.

#7 in series: "Making All Things New"

THEME VERSE:

So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” Acts 11:17

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

You have been created by God, chosen by God, and empowered by God to fulfill His agenda, not yours. Our effectiveness in sharing the love of God with the world will only come through living a life of being filled, led by and shaped by the Holy Spirit to go places our human will wouldn’t go, say things our human intellect would not say and love people our human hearts wouldn’t love.

FAITH TALK

1 What’s the been the greatest/wildest adventure in your life so far?

2 What would people around you conclude about what headlines your agenda in life?

3 Where have you seen the Holy Spirit act/move in surprising ways in your life?

View

Living in Certainty

2 June, 2019 Pastor Mat von Stanke

‘Are we all done, all finished…’. You know what comes next if you have ever attended an auction. But maybe those words have taken on a new meaning in your own life. I’m all done, all finished, over it and in your mind you are thinking about your relationship, your past or even your life. The truth is you can’t go back. What’s done is done. But God says you can start anew. That’s what his resurrection victory has won for you. It’s all done, all finished, a sealed deal. Done. That’s great news. The God who creates, the God who comes, the God who comforts and confirms, the God who completes and covers is the God who invites us into a new beginning, a new home, a new body, a new work and a new forever that is simply stunning. It’s a life where you can declare with certainty each day that the best is yet to come We’ll explore and experience that today.

#6 in series: "Making All Things New"

THEME VERSE:

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

The Resurrection gives us future certainty and a present reality. God is making all things new. Right now! This is not about waiting to “go to heaven when we die” but about heaven that has come to us so we can live! Right Now! Where every day becomes more beautiful than the last as God reveals that the best is yet to come in us and through us. Now that’s life-transforming. Right now!

FAITH TALK

1 If there was one part of your life, that you wish you could ‘do over’, what would it be?

2 How would your life be impacted if you prayed daily, “Lord, thank you that the best is yet to come?’

3 What has been the one take home from this series that you cherish and is worth sharing?’

View

Living in Trust

26 May, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

To be a human is to suffer from chronic near-sightedness. We can’t see tomorrow. It is rare if we can truly see today clearly. And our memories play tricks with the past…we remember what we want to remember…or we just forget…so even the past is foggy. Does that mean life is just random chaos, filled with uncertainty or insecurity? Or is there some sure anchor for our lives and our souls? Today John shows us the great hope to which all creation is drawn. The Father who created all things for his pleasure will one day rule over all things in love. Neither past, present or future are determined by us, by the circumstances of our lives or the challenges or threats we face. All of life is played out in the hands of Jesus who holds past, present & future in the sure grip of his life won for us by his death & resurrection. Living in trust is possible when we rely on the one who has been faithful from eternity to eternity. We’ll explore and experience that today.

#5 in series: Making All Things New

THEME VERSE:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,

the One who is and who was,

because you have taken your great power

and have begun to reign’ Revelation 11:17

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

Spiritual myopia is caused by only thinking about right now. "What do I want now? How do I feel now? What is happening now? It distorts our vision, blurs our future, affects our judgement, and makes every step uncertain. Through the lens of faith and eternity, Jesus' resurrection corrects our vision giving us present clarity, future certainty, accurate decision-making and trust in each step. For true vision gives us confidence to see that whatever is happening now, will never thwart God's purposes or promise to those who belong to him.

FAITH TALK

1. When iyou think of what is happening in the world or your life, would you say your vision is blurred, dull, seen with rose coloured glasses, or crystal clear? Why?

2. Are there people you have a hard time trusting? Why?

3. What prevents you from fully trusting God at various points in your life?

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Living in Suffering

19 May, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

Sometimes life hurts. That's the unavoidable reality in our world. Turn on the news and you see it. Look in the mirror and your body either bears the scars physically or your heart the wounds emotionally. Being a Christian doesn't guarantee a safe passage through this world unscathed. Neither is being a Christian like a flu shot that immunises you from pain or loss. Luther once said that one of the marks of the Church is struggle. Wherever there is faith, there is also struggle and suffering. Living in suffering is not a sign of failure or even a lack of faith, but is actually testament to a deep faith that takes God seriously; that believes God's promise that suffering will never have the last word. That claims his victory which alone provides strength in suffering, hope amid hurt and gives courage to keep on living. We will explore and experience that promised triumph even if today it feels at a very real level to be another loss for you

#4 in series: Making All Things New

THEME VERSE:

He who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Revelation 7:15b-17

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

Whatever scars you bear or ordeal you are going through know this: Christ sees you. He knows the grief that weighs heavy on your heart. He knows the depression or addiction that oppresses you. He knows the challenges you are facing and uphill struggles you are contemplating. Through it all, the Lamb bears the scars for you, continues to bless you and is present with you to lead you to life and victory forever.

FAITH TALK

a) What’s the best scar you have on your body and how did you get it?

b) What has been the worst ordeal you have been through in life?

c) What has enabled you to keep the faith in the midst of that?

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Living in Worship

12 May, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

Disappointment. Disillusionment. Dysfunction. Discouragement. Dread. Defeat. Darkness. Death.

If monochrome grayscale life is all there is, then ready yourself for a life that is dreary dull, dead. But John assures us today that’s not the final chapter the Father has written for us. The resurrection of the lamb-who-was-slain changes everything. Out of darkness, light shines. Out of despair, hope arises. Out of discouragement, inspiration awakens. Out of death, new life grows. This is the beauty that the resurrection restores to life. Today we explore life that vividly colours & adds beauty in every time, place and circumstance; a vibrancy and freshness that emerges in and flows from living in worship.

In the vision John receives of Jesus and of God’s ultimate triumph of his kingdom… “…they sang a new song with the words our theme verse for today:

THEME VERSE:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10

REMEMBER THIS WEEK:

Worship not only unveils the beauty of a God who loves us, is for us, and living in us but it fills our lives with a new song that brings life, hope, strength, and trust in every circumstance of life. The daily act of living becomes an act of worship that proclaims to the world that there is nothing of greater worth than Jesus Christ.

FAITH TALK

1. What made/makes your mum beautiful?

2. How does worship help you see the beauty of God?

3. How are you singing a ‘new song’ in your life because of the resurrection?

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Living in Christ

28 April, 2019 Pastor Mark Schultz

C.S. Lewis once said, “Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes, but when you look back everything is different?” That's what the resurrection does for us. Resurrection is all about a new reality, a fresh perspective, a renewed life that changes everything…even if what you experience in this world seems to be the same...or getting worse. When we wonder who is in control of this world, when life seems too big or you feel too small, not good enough, inadequate, or that you have somehow disappointed Jesus…or made him mad at you…never forget, "the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Eph 1:19-20) is in you. In Christ's presence, by his power, we live the promised journey toward fullness of healing and life and discover a grace that is “making all things new” including us. For from beginning to end, God is in control of all things Today, we begin a journey where John unveils the reality of what God’s making all things new resurrection living looks like.

#1 in series: Making All Things New

THEME VERSE

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18

REMEMBER THIS WEEK

Living in Christ; means there is nothing too great for God's power to handle or too insignificant for his love to embrace. It's a reality that says from beginning to end, God is in control and his powerful love is transforming everything: …our past…our future…and how we live right now.

FAITH TALK

1. How has the good news of the resurrection made a difference in your life over the past week? If it hasn't, why do you think that is?

2. From your perspective or from the groups of people you hang around with, who or what seems to be in control of the world at this point of time?

3. What confidence does that give you in facing the future?

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