Matt 22:37-39 In OT God spoke through His Word and the prophets In NT God spoke through His Word and the Holy Spirit (now) 1  Worship God  -  Love the Lord your God...worship God Matt 22.37, loving God.  God doesn't just want lip service, but fulfilling these life purposes. 2  Ministry -  Matt 22:39 - loving others.  Love people regardless, even the sand paper people.   3  Evangelism - Matt 28:19-20 - ethnic groups, make disciples - v19a, Evangelism Individualism has caused so much harm, especially Christians.  How do we go and make disciples?  A disciple is different to a believer.  Satan believes in God.  A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, and has a relationship with Him.  The Holy Spirit is our helper. 4  Fellowship.  Until you taken home as a baby you dont have a family.  Baptism, incorporating people into a family.  A baby becomes part of a family when the mother and father pick the baby and take that child home.  Matt 28:19b  To lead in Church (be a Pastor)

Scripture References:  Nehemiah Chapter 1; Ezra Chapter 10 Walls.  They are important.  Why?  Walls give protection and security. Nehemiah had inquired about how the Jewish people were faring in Jerusalem and was saddened to learn that although much had been done, the walls were not.  This meant that the people were exposed, enemies could easily strike and those living in Jerusalem had no protection. Nehemiah went before God in fasting, weeping and prayer.  He confessed the sins of his people, family and self.  He asked God for guidance and  assistance to move forward with a plan.  Nehemiah is compassionate in his care about others although he lived in a good place.  This brings to our attention that we too, should have concern for how our brothers and sisters in the Lord are living?  Do they have what they need? Although buildings are NOT the Church, they are a representation to the community of who we are.  How we care for the property we are entrusted with will be an example

Bible References:  Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 7 Ezra confronted the people over their sin especially with their marriages to foreign women.  Why?  Because unlike Ruth, who had chosen “You God will be my God and Your people, my People”, these foreign women had brought their gods and culture into the homes of the Jewish people. They did not live in the ‘temple’, which we today are called to live in.  So Ezra had to confront the problem which took a lot of courage.  God didn’t want the people to just confess their sin, He wanted them to repent.  When someone confesses they say “I’ve done the wrong thing” however, unless a person repents, they will eventually repeat the sin.  Repentance is about turning away from what you are doing wrong and going God’s way. The men listed in Ezra Chapter 10 had to not only confess their sin of marriages of foreign women, but they had to divorce the women and send them and any children from that marriage away!  This seems a harsh decision, bu

Philippians 1:1-26 (NIV) Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons[a]: 2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanksgiving and Prayer 3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. 7 It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best a

Bible References:  Romans 8; Rev. 12:7-12; Rev. 14:13-16; Psalm 23 -o0o- Romans 8 (GNB) : There is no condemnation now for those who live in union with Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit, which brings us life in union with Christ Jesus, has set me free from the law of sin and death.  What the Law could not do, because human nature was weak, God did. He condemned sin in human nature by sending his own Son, who came with a nature like our sinful nature, to do away with sin. God did this so that the righteous demands of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature. Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants. To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace. And so people become enemies of God when

Bible References:  Matthew 5:20; Romans 1:1-17; Romans 16:25-27 Our righteousness comes from Jesus Christ.  Live a life of victory.  God wants us to live a life of victory.  To do so we need to Read the Bible and Live by the Word of God.  Example:  The apostle Paul had is Damacus conversion, he then went and was taught, (approx. 3 years) before he began his ‘public’ Christian ministry.  Paul knew the Scriptures very, very well.  He knew Israel’s history, he knew the law.  He allowed God to re-teach him about His Son – Jesus Christ – Fully God and Fully Human.  Paul learnt to live a life of victory.  His obedience came from faith in God.  Why do we obey God?  Duty?  Peer Pressure?  This brings suffering and bitterness.  We obey God because of Jesus Christ in our life – He gives us Victory. Christianity does not consist of knowledge only (information) but obedience to the plan God has for each of us in our lives.  Obedience to the Lord.  Obedience in faith.  Trusting God will do what

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:  Duet. 6:1-23; Romans 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:1-14; Duet. 4:32-40; Ex. 1:11; Ex. 12:15; Ex. 19:24 We are called to live in obedience of faith.  We are to maintain what God gives us.  Before you gave your life to the Lord, you were in slavery – e.g.  to pride, sin, money, lust, things, other people. In the end what you gain materially here on this earth stays here.  God calls us to be obedient in faith.  We can’t save ourselves.  We can’t deliver ourselves from sin.  Only God can.  The world critizes the Church (just as they critize Israel).  We are called to obey God and be faithful. It’s not about what you or I have done.  It’s about being faithful to God .  God asked the Israelites to keep commandments. He gave them (Duet. 6) including the 10 commandments.           1.       Be devoted only to God           2.       Have no substitute “gods”           3.       Uphold the honour of God’s Name           4.       Keep God’s day for Him and for yoursel

Bible References:  1 Cor. 9:22-23; 1 Co. 1:10; Eph. 2:19; Gal: 3:26-29; Rom. 10:13 The Church: a special place to be a safe place where born again believers can learn, express love appropriately and talk about their faith so that they can be prepared when the go out into the world made up of people who are born again each of us have  a role in the family of God we exist as a Church because we have a common father - God our heavenly Father we exist to bring people into membership of God's family we exist to point people to Jesus so that they can meet Him and experience a life-changing personal relationship with their Lord and Saviour We don't change people (that's God's role) we do the accepting them as they are we exist as a Church to educate - teach people to read God's Word we exist so that glory is given to God's Name

The 2012 World Day of Prayer will be held at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Mabel Street, Atherton on Friday 2nd March at 10.00 am.  Everyone is welcome to attend.  World Day of Prayer website:  Click here

Church.  A one word statement.  What are we (the Church) to be and what are we (the Church) to do? Worship (Matthew 22:34-40) Evangelise - tell the world the whole gospel message Fellowship - Church should be a safe, protected place where people can learn, and share Equip disciples for ministry Have effective results rather than lots of activities/programs (check out how the early Church in Acts operated!) Bible references: John 17:18 Acts 2:41-47 Acts 2:44-45 Ephesians 4:11-16 Our Pastor will be sharing more about Church:  What are we to be?  What are we to do? once a month during this year. (posted Admin TCC)

The National Day of Thanksgiving May 2011.  Click on our NDOT Page for further information.  Check back to our NDOT page as one of our members adds information to inspire you on ways and ideas to say Thankyou!