Laodicea: Hot or Cold - Laodiceans had a unique understanding of why lukewarm water was worthless. Today, we are to be like a hot bath or a cold drink to a world in need of cleansing and refreshment. Bible References:  Revelation 3:15-18; Matthew 16:13-20 ____________________________________________________________________________ History The leading city in the valley during the first century, Laodicea was destroyed by an earthquake in AD 60. According to Roman writer Tacticus, Rome offered to pay for the city to be rebuilt, but the people declined, saying that they were wealthy enough to restore their own city. Industry The city was renowned for three main industries: ■A banking center for the province of Asia Minor, including a gold exchange; ■The textile center where glossy, black wool was woven into garments called trimata that were prized in the Roman world; ■The location of a major medical school known worldwide and where an eye salve called Phyrigian powder was made

Last week we talked about our starting point and the difference our view of the world will be when it starts with God the Creator, so let us find out or for some review the Word of God and find out more as to how, why and what of being “Right with God is about.” 1. We learn from our own experience read Romans 5: 1-5 Because we are made “right” by faith - with God we have the following: Peace with God- knowing right from wrong through His Word. Access to God’s grace- help given to man by God Joy in the hope of sharing God’s glory – our destiny is to be in heaven with Him for eternity. God’s love poured out into our hearts - the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. 2. We learn this because of what Christ has done for us – showing us God’s great love.  While we were: Weak: Christ died for the ungodly v6 Sinners: Christ died for us v8 Enemies: we were reconciled by His death v 10 (reconciled = to cause to be friendly or harmonious again – establish harmony, in this case us

Bible References:  Romans 2:17 – 3:18 The Religious Man has the law, he knows the law.  He claims a special relationship with God.  He knows God’s will.  He knows how he should live.  Yet he rejects the truth by doing the very things he preaches against. He will dishonour and break the law of God.  He refuses to apply Scripture to his own life (Ch 3 of Romans) but claims he has a special relationship with God. These three types of people are not going to make it to heaven.  We can’t make it to heaven ourselves.  In the end we are all sinners and we all fall short of the glory of God. Simple:  misses the point Educated:  over analyises Reglious:  know it all but is busy critizing others and misses the point in his own life. The point?  All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  We ALL need Jesus.

Living a Life of Victory - 3 Types of People (1) Romans 1:19-31 New International Version (NIV) 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Cre

Colossians 2:18 (GNT) Do not allow yourselves to be condemned by anyone who claims to be superior because of special visions and who insists on false humility and the worship of angels. For no reason at all, such people are all puffed up by their human way of thinking Worship God, not a god, not some god.  We need to make sure about where we are going (our faith journey with God) so we are not misled.  Don't follow those who are "religious"in the way of burning candles bowing to idols/statues etc.  God tells us we are not make carved images for ourselves.  Don't serve things ( e.g. new motor car, money, house etc)  These things are resources for you to use. Always remember to forgive one another, we are not our brothers (or sisters) judge.  Give all to God - He will bring those who hurt us to account. Bible References:  Rev 21:8; Col 2:18; 2 Kings 17:14 (v7-23)

Bible References:  Hebrews 3:7-4:7 ·          Read God’s Word ·          Enter God’s Rest Be very careful not to fall away or harden your heart in your daily journey through life and living out your Christian faith.  Many Churches run ‘entertainments’ but these things don’t bring belief /faith to people. Deut. 6:20-25 Our first purpose in life is to Worship God.  How do we keep the laws of God today?  Through Jesus Christ.  God has called us out through Jesus Christ.  He calls us through grace.  Worship= celebrating God’s presence in our life and giving Him honour, love and ourselves. Deut. 7:1-5; 1 Peter 2:9-10 Remove the things from your life that drag you down, people who turn you away from God; places and situations that cause you to stumble. Remember your position in God.  We are a kingdom of Priests (a bridge builder) a holy nation, under our Great High Priest (Jesus Christ). Deut. 14:1-2 Christians are to be distinctive and separate.  This d

Bible References:  Genesis 12:4-9; Genesis 13:4 We need to be ready.  Ready to go where and when God calls us.  Like Abram.  God called him.  He went.  Did he build a big, fancy house?  No.  He lived in a tent.  Abram was looking for not for an earthly city, but the heavenly city. Abram obeyed God.  He simply was what God called him to be.  And God blessed him for being who God made and called him to be. We need to be what God wants us to be.  Who made the nations?  God.  In Australia - we are Aussies.  That's who God wants us to be.  In Australia part of who we are is that we respect our leaders but never make them out to be 'gods'. In the past you can come to Australia from another culture and we accept YOU and you can come and live in Australia and become a part of the Australian culture.  It is saddening that this has been undermined where Australians are being subtly told they must accept the person's culture and lose own own. In this, the Age of Reason, ma

Bible References:   Matthew 5:13-16; 2 Chronicles 26:4-16; James 1:7 In the early Christian Church there were some noticeable practices: ·          Prayed for the Emperor ·          Prayed for the people around them ·          Sacrificed and helped the less fortunate – widows, orphans, poor, destitute ·          They witnessed to the world around them by their life and service to God. Today: ·          Christians are generally known for opposing abortion ·          Christians should be known more as those who love and care for orphans and seeing orphans adopted into loving families ·          Christians are to be imitators of God who has adopted us into his family ·          Take care of people and love them as God loves them ·          Christians need to be careful to live properly among unbelieving neighbouts ·          Christians should and could care for those in prisons and coming out of prisons by being there with them on release (having s

References:  Psalm 91, Joshua 1:8 Our Soul:  who we are, personality, relentless desire to know God. Our soul longs for th peace to know God: thirst for God - a relentless desire to know God peace - within ourselves, with others, with God. Until we experience redemption and forgiveness in Jesus Christ, our souls won't settle. You can try to quieten down the desire to know God through good works, alcohol etc, but only in Jesus Christ can you have real peace in your soul. In spite of all going on in our lives, when we know Jesus Christ, our soul can be at peace. God wants Christians to live a victorious life.  He designed our lives with purpose. God should always have first place in our lives, not our jobs Unforgiveness and strife will pull us down Walk in love - God's love (reference 1 Corinthians 13) Line up your words with God's words Always maintain an attitude of gratitude Count your blessings and name them Honour God continually in your

Bible References:  Phil 4:4; Prov. 2:3-5; Rev.1:3; Prov. 4:23, Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 4:4; Ezekiel 48:35; John 10:11; Genesis 22:8; 2 Cor. 1:8-10; Ex. 15:26; James 5:11-17; Phil. 3:9; Phil. 2:12-13; Lev. 20:8; Judges 6:24; Ex. 17:15 Every Church will be known by what they are committed to.  Every believer will be known by what they are committed to.  If you don't practice the Christian life as a Christian, you will sit, soak and sour.  That is, if you don't read the Word of God, pray, fellowship (spend time with God's people), worship and then put into action what you have learnt, you will simply sit, soak up negative influences and then go sour (bitterness). Worship is celebrating God's presence in your life.  Praising God is where we start.  Don't go around trying to show how good you are, how much you have it together, or think you do.  Our victory is only in Christ Jesus, not in ourselves.  The One who lives in you is greater than the one who lives in the wor

Bible References:             Proverbs 14:4; 1 Corinthians ch 12-14; 1 Corinthians 13:1-2; Romans 12:9; Romans 12:9-21; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 4:3; Romans 14:19; 1 Peter 3:8, Colossians 3:13-17; 1 Peter Ch.3; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Timothy Ch.3 Church Structure: ·          Should be a safe place where love, patience, honesty and care for each other abide ·          The saying “You should love your brother but you don’t have to like him”, is a lie.   You need to both like and love each other . ·          The Church is a family (organism) not a club or business (organisation) ·          As we care for our bodies and promote their well-being, so too we should care and promote the well-being of the Church body ·          Each member of the Church family has a role ·          Harmony and unity should abide within the local church family ·          We are bound together because of Christ ·          Care for each, help each other Fellowship is a priority: ·         

Bible References: 1 Peter ch 3; Prov 31; Ephesians ch 5; Ephesians 5:22-31 Obey God in Our Marriages.  Why is Marriage important?  It is a picture of Christ's relationship with the Church.  God has set an order in marriage.  Wives are to submit (obey) their husbands.  Husbands are to love their wives and submit to God (humble themselves).  God wants husbands to be husbands - NOT bosses in their marriage.  Being a husband is not a title - it is living the role (fulfilling the role). Marriage is between one man and one woman for life.  Salvation is between God and person.  As Christ loved the Church so much He was willing to give up everything for the welfare of the Church.  As Christ put aside even his life for the Church, a husband puts aside "his life"for his wife's welfare. Obedience from wife will come when a husband shows tender love.  The husband wants to make his wife holy - totally set apart just for him.  (Jesus Christ sets the Church a part for himsel

C/Ref: 1 Peter 2:11-12 Satan wants to be god. God wants us to be humble - Satan wants us to be proud God wants us to love others - Satan wants us to be selfish God wants us to be pure - Satan wants us to be full of lust God wants us to be obedient - Satan wants us to rebel We are the targets in a spiritual war (1 Peter 2:11). Satan wants to keep us under his control.  He knows how he can tempt us by appealing to our 'flesh'. James 4:1 We should live, as God wants us to (1 Peter 2:12) - in good conducts, in pure lives and htis will silence our enemies and help them to believe in God. Satan was to take your past and make it your future. (Mind games, low self esteem, anger, fear,"you will never be good enough") When we ask Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Saviour God deals with our past and gives us a future.  So then we an live as 1 Peter 2:12 directs us. "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoer

Bible References:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:1-11; Phil 2:2-11; 1 Cor. 1-20; 1 John We need to let people know what they do right - more than what they do wrong Divisions and strife occur when we become more concerned about the things that matter to "me"and what matters to the Church Read 1 Corinthians - there are about 10 problems that Paul addresses throughout this epistle We need to be careful that worldliness doesn't take over our Church - the want to power, and corruption of the mind. Being ignorant of what Scripture says is not acceptable We should be committed and self-discipline We should NOT live loosely We need to hold to the TRUTH in Scripture not some weak doctrine We should not be self-indulgent As God's people we are commanded to love one another - God's Way It can cost people their lives if we don't tell them about God who loves them and the way to eternal life. Identity and Destiny - Who Am I and Where Am I Going? The L

Bible References: 1 Peter 1:1-12; Romans 12:5; John 3:36; Romans 6:17-18; Romans 8; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 john 1:7; Romans 5:9; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23- Team Work Working together as a team to accomplish a mission/task.  We're not called to compete against each other but to work together as a "body".  As a team member we need to become a true, obedient Christian.  Not saved by works because no one can be saved this way.  But saved through accepting that we cannot save ourselves and in faith and obedience accepting God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Obedience is an important part of being a Christian - it's non-optional and part of the deal.  Your "being a Chrisitan'is kept by the power of God -not by you. When you give your life to Jesus it's eternal - it's a covenant forever.  There is a price to pay being a Christian - you can't serve more than one master.  As a Christian we choose to serve Jesus Ch

Psalm 32 A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. [ a ] 1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. 4 For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6 For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him. 7 You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do

Luke 13:18-21 New International Version (NIV) The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast 18 Then Jesus asked, “What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.” 20 Again he asked, “What shall I compare the kingdom of God to? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds [ a ] of flour until it worked all through the dough.” A small seed that grows into something much larger - it matters what the seed is.  The man planted the seed which grew and when it had grown into a tree it supported the birds of the air and new life (they stayed in its branches) Cross references: Luke 13:18 : Matthew 13:1–52; Mark 4:1–34

It's not about You. Tough statement.  I have witnessed seeing in a Bible Study one person open PDL, read that statement and then shut the book and put it down.  In giving glory to God's name, the purpose of your life is greater than your personal fulfillment.  If you want to know why you were placed on this planet at this time then it begins with God. puzzled? glory of God What will You live for? The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people since the fall of mankind.  Why is it a puzzle.  We start from the wrong starting point.  We focus on ourselves in stead of focusing on the life purpose God has for us. The ultimate goal of the universe is to show the Glory of God.  What is the glory of God?  It is WHO God is.  The essence of His nature; atmosphere of His presence; expression of His good and all of His other qualities. Living for God's glory in our greatest accomplishment.  God's glory is best seen in Jesus Christ. What is worship?  It is

Job says, Ï know that my Redeemer lives"..  Do you know this?  "As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,          And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. "  Job 19:25 In tough times do we remember that our redeemer lives, and that we will yet see God?   We can hold onto the promises of God’s Word during the difficult times in our lives. It’s easy to become defensive or strike out with harsh words when we are under stress.   I know because I have done this. I have also had to live with the consequences of such actions – broken friendships, distrust of others because of their actions, being defensive about what I am doing or decisions I’ve made.   But hurting others with words doesn’t build people positively, it hurts and builds wall between people.   Job wanted God to answer him.   Plain and simple Job wanted God Himself to explain why he had to go through such dark times.    Job sought God during this time of great suffering and misery.   His friends

Our Worship Leader on Sunday shared with us about Hope when it hurts most. Sharing from Louie Giglio's talk on Hope when it Hurts most. The Anchor of Hope... The good news is that we know where peace is found - in Jesus Christ - because trouble is coming.  John 16:33    Where do you turn when life hurts most?  The cross of Jesus Christ.  At the cross we see that:  God loves us (1 John 4), God allows freedom but he maintains control (Acts 2), God can use the worst for eternal good, God paints a canvas bigger than we can see or understand. The cross is proof that He always has a purpose through every circumstance. The cross anchors us to that hope - Jesus Christ - when trouble comes. (posted by Administrator on behalf of TCC)