Sermon Notes from 19 September 2010

The Sower and the Soils

the path often ran through the middle of a field
rocky ground goes along with hilly country
the thorny soil not visible plants but rather seeds already present and unseen in the soil
The good soil deep, rich, well-watered and free of pollutants and corruptions

Jesus explains His use of parables

THe moral condition of His hearers determined how they would receive and respond to the message of the kingdom and the gospel.

The soils of a human heart

The path
A person who cannot commit but follows every new doctrine
the seed arrives but never has a chance to sprout

Rocky Ground
Simple minded people who never meditate deeply enough to fully grasp the demands of the gospel

The thorny soil
People in whom the gospel must compete for occupancy and primacy in the heart and affections

The good ground
Honest and good heart
Hold onto the word and endure
Only this soil produces mature fruit

Church Council Meeting

This Sunday, September 19 there will be a church council meeting following the Morning Worship Service and Fellowship. If you are a member of the church council please plan to be in attendance at the Morning service of worship and stay around for the Council meeting.

Sermon Notes 12 September 2010

The Blade, the Ear and the Grain
Purpose of the Parable
"This is how it is with the kingdom of Heaven"
Key element is the growth of the seed
Not the identity of the sower or the type of seed

Our maturity in sanctification and spiritual graces is comparable to growth in the natural world around us.

The blade is like the new birth of the believer
Sincerity and joy are not to be confused with maturity

The ear is the maturing faith of one who has begun to grapple with the depth of their sinful nature.
It is harder to believe than not to believe during this season.

The full grain is the mature fruit of the Spirit in us. Galatians 5:22-23

What is necessary on our part?

Waiting on the Lord Psalm 27:13-14
Trusting in His faithfulness Psalm 125
Resting in His mercy Hebrews 4
Hoping in His glory Romans 5:1-5
Believing His promises II Peter 1:3-9
Studying His word II Timothy 2:14-16

The first words we will say in heaven: "of course".

Nominating committe members

Special thank you to Lucy Mrema, Dorothy Miller and Vijay Somgal for agreeing to serve as our nominating committee for the upcoming year. This month they will be working to identify the people God has called to serve as our Worship Leader and Sunday School Director. Their names will be presented at the October 3 Business meeting for approval. Those 5 people will serve as the full committee and begin identifying the leadership positions and personnel we need to carry out the ministry opportunities God has presented us with for the next year. Please be much and deeply in prayer for these people. Also be in prayer about who should serve in the positions to be identified and if God would have you to serve in one of these positions.

Sermon Notes from 05 September 2010

The Seeds of the Kingdom

What is the kingdom of God
Crucial question
Future or present?

Old Testament understanding of the Kingdom
Day of the Lord Malachi 4:1-3
Reign and Rule of God as Judge Psalm 96:10-13
Jerusalem His throne II Chronicles 7
God re-establishing David's throne II Samuel 7:16

The start of the Kingdom
John's appearance and announcement Luke 3
Jesus' inaugural address Luke 4:16-21
John's question and Jesus' response Luke 7:18-30
Kingdom present in Jesus' Ministry Luke 11:14-23

The growth of the Kingdom
External
From small to the world
Hidden from the world
Active in History

Internal
Transformational
Invasive
Salvation is a foretaste

A warning: John, greatest among men, almost missed it. The religious leaders eagerly awaited it and then completely rejected it. Simple fisherman, sinners and women could not avoid being captivated by its appearance. What will you make of it?

Bible Study Update

We are currently reviewing our Midweek and Sunday Morning Bible Study classes. God has blessed and we will need to add more classes on Sunday Morning and would also like to add one weekday Bible Study Class. Hosting a midweek bible study in your home is a great way to beat the traffic and still enjoy a meaningful small group bible study. It is not necessary for you to lead the study or even decide what to study. The church has materials and trained leaders ready to assist you. If you are interested in hosting a midweek study let Pastor Eric know this Sunday.
We are also going to be adding a few Sunday Morning Bible study classes for different age groups. The nominating committee will be looking for leaders to teach these classes.

Sermon Notes from 22 August 2010

That we may Know Him

The Setting

 

Between The Lord's Supper and Gethsemane

Jesus Looks up

The Hour has come

 

We know Him as

 

The bread of life             John 6:35

The light of the world            John 8:12

The door of the Sheep        John 10:7

14 The good Shepherd        John 10:11

The Resurrection and the life        John 11:25-26

The way, the truth and the life    John 14:6

The true vine                John 15: 1

 

Because we know Him

 

We Love one another.        John 13:34

We know true humility.        Phil 2:1-3

We know peace            Ephesians 4:31

We know forgiveness            Ephesians 4:32

We know acceptance

 

We must demonstrate the same to others