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10 scriptures to feed your faith

1. Isaiah 40: 28 – 31 Do you not know have you not heard? The lord is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired and weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint

2. Isaiah 41: 10 Fear not for I am with you

3. Isaiah 54: 17 No weapon that is formed against you will prosper

4. Matthew 19:26 With God all things are possible

5. Romans 10: 17 Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God

6. 2 Corinthians 5: 7 We live by faith not by sight

7. Philippians 4:19 My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by
Christ Jesus.

8. Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

9. 1 John 4:4 Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world

10. 1 John 5:4 Whatever is born of God overcomes the world and this is the victory that
overcomes the world, even our faith

Living in freedom

Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free

When I think about freedom I think about the great freedom speech in cinematic history
In the movie Braveheart – William Wallace asks this great question to the Scottish troops
What will you do without freedom?
It’s a good question – without freedom we live in bondage

You look around the world today and see so many living in bondage
Living with weight, living with bitterness, living in fear

Keys to living in freedom

1. Receive freedom
John 8:32
 Jesus said, If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
When you receive the gospel – you have the opportunity for truth to come into your life
You don’t have freedom until you receive it from Christ
The world is living under a death sentence of it’s own sin
Until you accept the gospel and receive Jesus Christ – you are also under the it’s weight

If you carrying around a weight – receive freedom

What does freedom look like?
It is a life of faith, hope and love
It is lightness – you feel released
It is a life that is unburdened and unrestrained

2. Offload your baggage
John 8:36
So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
Freedom is the absence of baggage
Too many people are carrying around baggage that they don’t need to be carrying
To receive freedom you need to offload the weight

The devil wants you living a burdened life – and the world obliges
People end up stressed out, in credit card debt
Mortgaged up: Old French word, literally means death pledge
Relational stress, in therapy, in alcohol and drug abuse & physical abuse

But Christ has come to set us free from the weight of sin and death

3. Live differently
1 Peter 2:16
 – 17 Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

Honor God by living in freedom and using your body to glorify him
I see Christians who kind of take it all for granted – accepting freedom and then try living for no.1
I am changed by what Christ did for me
I don’t want to live the old life
If you have anger, un-forgiveness, anxiety, stress, guilt, self esteem issues
It’s time to change

Christ wants us to live a free life in a burdened world
He wants us to demonstrate freedom
To live the kingdom life

4. Don’t go back
Galatians 5:1
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

The devil wants you back in bondage – he wants you back in sin and back carrying your burden
And he knows your weakness
You need to stand up to him and stand firm in Christ!
Stand on the rock, stand with the faithful, stand in truth, stand in the presence of God

Freedom is a beautiful thing and Jesus Christ’s gift to us
Receive the gift – get free – walk in freedom

honor

1 Peter 2: 17

Show proper respect to everyone:

One of the kingdom traits is being able to honor others

Insecure people can’t honor anyone – they always have to drag others down to feel ok about themselves. Kingdom people know how to honor others

What is proper respect for each other?

Matthew 7: 12 In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

How do you want to be treated? Start treating others that way

It disappoints me to see arrogant Christians – It is such a bad example

It takes the smallest thing to set some people off. We let God down when we act like this

Love the brotherhood of believers

Romans 12: 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

When people walk into church treat them with respect and give them an uplifting experience of being around believers

Maybe they are coming in to really see if God is real

Can we show them a bunch of people that really care about each other?

Can we love each other and demonstrate God’s love that is in us

When I walked into church in 1986 I received that – these people weren’t perfect but they demonstrated acceptance and love and I want C3 church to do that for people

I want our church to do an amazing job of welcoming people into the kingdom

We have the most amazing thing here; Christian community

This idea could bring great change to our city if people see it working

fear God

What does it mean to honor God? – To put God in his rightful place

1 Timothy 1: 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

The bible says fear him – what does that mean? It means to have a healthy respect for who he is. He is big! He is the great God, the ancient of days, the alpha and omega

Revisit today the place God occupies in your life and put him in his rightful place

If you honor God in your life – you will see him honor you

1 Samuel 2: 30 Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.

honor the king

Honor those in authority

Romans 13: 1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.

Honor the boss – How do you treat those who you work for?

This is one of the most important witnesses you can have

In the bible Joseph was one of the greatest at honoring others, even though he was mistreated, he honored those in charge of him and God blessed him   

His honor put him on the pathway to greatness

The best tip to be successful in life is to do a great job at what you are working on right now

Honor church leaders

1 Timothy 5: 17 The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

At church respect and follow your leaders – you can’t love God and disrespect his leaders

Honoring our national leaders

So many people dishonor elected leaders – God won’t bless that behavior

David honors a bad leader in Saul unto his death – he killed the servant who killed Saul

Whoever our elected leaders are we should pray for them and respect them

We are not picketers and protestors – we are influencers in society

We are not the weirdo’s into Christian conspiracy theories – we are to be the head and not the tail – so lets act like it – lets honor people!

Respect: for the people of Christchurch

I have just spend a few days in Christchurch with a team from C3 Auckland. We wanted to do something to help out and send a message of love and support.

My trip has included a 5.1 earthquake this morning – which woke me up and shook the motel I was staying in. I’m sure many Christchurch residents didn’t even wake up – after all they have been through, but it was big for me!

As a Christchurch old boy I was really effected by the “ghost town” look of the inner city. Driving around the city is like navigating a 4×4 track and seeing all the port-a-loo’s around remind us of the many people who have to live everyday without proper water supply. But these last few days what I have really noticed is how nuggety the people of Christchurch are in dealing with this ongoing crisis. They have an amazing ability to “get on with it”. They just get up every morning and keep going.

I can see the potential of this great city bouncing back in the future – but it will be because of these incredible people who have hung in there and built their city back. I want to pay tribute to the great Canterbury spirit and say to the people of Christchurch that you are fantastic and an inspiration to the whole country!  We are behind you!

RESPECT!

Don’t forget the Sabbath

Exodus 20: 8 – 11 The fourth Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day

The term “Sabbath” comes from the Hebrew word Shabbat, which means “to cease”

Don’t forget to have God’s day of rest

We forget because our life is crazy busy – we forget because everyone else forgets

Common sayings in our world

I wish I had the time, I’ve run out of time, I’m trying to find the time, when I have time, If only I had time, there’s never enough time, I’m pressed for time, I’ll try to find time……

NZ article said this week: Let’s face it, stress is the blight of our generation

God is not wanting busy stressed out Christians!

The Sabbath was made to benefit and restore people

The Sabbath has been observed by God’s people for thousands of years

Remember to observe the Sabbath, Don’t put it off – Don’t forget it

By keeping it holy

Sunday is the new “it” day – Everything happens on a Sunday now

You have to make a choice in your life

Will you follow the path the world takes – or will you honor God’s day to rest and to seek him

Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read.

It was the custom of Jesus to go to the house of God on the Sabbath day

Don’t pursue your own interests, don’t turn a God day into a golf day – how many people today should be in the house of God but they are in the club house or their own house?

We make no room for God – no wonder we don’t experience God like we should

Worship: Worship renews our spirit – Stop working and let God work on you

Six days you shall labor, and do all your work; but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God

The principle is one in seven is a day off

Hebrews 4: 9 – 10 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his

Make it a habit in your life – One day a week you give to God

On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns.

Don’t work: Don’t mess with God’s day off

God says no work!! – on Sunday don’t run your business, don’t work, honor God

Don’t have your kids out doing everything, teach them the value of honoring God

The Sabbath is a day to rest our body

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day

Rest: God rested on the seventh day – God rested and we also need to rest

The Sabbath is about Gods plan for rest and replenishment

Everyone talks about burning out – if they did it God’s way they would be refreshed

God asked us to work and then have a day of rest

The Sabbath is a day to seek God and rest

David understood the revelation of rest and seeking God

In Psalm 23: 1 – 3 he wrote: The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths

He wants to restore your soul

How do we keep the Sabbath: Seek God and rest

Make the Sabbath a priority in your life!!

Living in the promises of God

Hebrews 6: 12

We don’t want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who by faith and patience inherit what has been promised

We don’t want you to become lazy

Ever had someone make you a promise & fail to deliver? It can make you a bit casual about promises. It’s easy to become lazy about the promises of God. But God doesn’t want us to be casual when it comes to his promises. God has made you a promise – as a believer you have an inheritance in God. Maybe you haven’t seen the promise of God yet – but don’t become lazy – keep believing. Be diligent in your pursuit of God – and you will walk into his promises!

but to imitate

We are not always good imitators and followers. We would rather follow our own path even though it doesn’t always lead to a good outcome. But instead of doing our own thing we need to follow those who have won the breakthrough. For me it is a no brainer – I try and put myself around people who are in breakthrough. Instead of being jealous of people we should get around them and follow them.

1 Corinthians 11: 1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. He says follow me because it makes people accountable to a leader.

Leaders take us to where we need to be in life. Before you listen to anyone you should look at how they’re life is working out. Some people have great theories but there is no practice – no fruit.

Those who by faith

If anyone had a reason to give up it was Abraham – 99 years old and no son – even though God had promised he would be the father of a nation.

He could have become a cynic, he could have turned his back on God – but he believed

James 2: 23 “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. Abraham believed God, kept believing God and received the promise.

We have an inheritance through Abraham and we tap into it by operating in faith. Faith is this relentless belief that God is faithful and will fulfill his promises. Do you have an expectation of the promise of God in your life? If not – it’s time to develop a fresh expectation. Believe like Abraham believed and God will credit you

and patience

Patience – is one of the fruits of the spirit – but who really values it in our world today?

Patience is one of the keys to inheriting the promises of God. Many have faith – but it is the combining of faith with patience that becomes a mighty force.

Who struggles with patience? I’m trying to learn how to be patient.

We live in an instant generation and we want it now – but we need to learn to wait.

God has made a promise and his promise will not fail – what could fail is your patience.

God’s promises are like the stars; the darker the night the brighter they shine

David Nicholas

inherit

You are the child of the king and that comes with privileges. But an inheritance is useless you are aware of it. Today become aware of what God has promised to you. It’s time to step into your inheritance. I live with a sense of promise – I would never try for such a big future if I did not believe that ultimately God is for me and he wants to bless me. I have an expectation that God will come through – I’ve seen before and I will see it again.

what has been promised

If you are walking in faith & patience – you are inheriting the promise. It is happening now – God is at work on your future – get ready. Become aware – walk in faith & patience and be expectant!

Message version: Don’t drag your feet. Be like those who stay the course with committed faith and then get everything promised to them.

10 promises to give you hope and change your world

Speak these scriptures over your life and your circumstances everyday and you will never be the same!

Psalm 34: 19 A righteous man has many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all

Proverbs 16: 3 Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed

Isaiah 54: 17 No weapon that is formed against you will prosper

Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future

Romans 8:28 All things work together for good to those who love God

Philippians 1: 6 Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ

Philippians 4: 19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus

Galatians 6: 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up

2 Thessalonians 3: 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one

James 1: 12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him

Disciple Making Part 2

The greatest thing on Christ’s agenda is making disciples

Without making disciples the church is left with attenders

Attenders never have & never will change the world – Attenders will never make the sacrifice to build the kingdom – but disciples will

6. Discipleship happens on the move

Discipleship is not a date – it’s a journey

The best way to disciple someone is as you are doing something together for God

Paul takes Timothy with him on ministry trips and church planting campaigns

Get your disciples to help you with what you are serving in around church

These are the best places because you are on the job serving God and building the church

Demonstrate your Christian life – a demonstration is better than a conversation

In the gaps – great conversations can take place

7. Build up your people

People don’t need advice or a few pointers – they need leaders and mentors to walk through a situation with them

Disciple making is about building people up – helping them become strong in faith & life

It brings the best out of you and the people you disciple

Disciple making produces people that will stand for Jesus Christ – and not fall or run when the pressure is on

8. Keep people accountable

Disciples need accountability – it is one of people’s greatest needs

A bit of advice now and then is not going to produce a disciple – you need to keep them accountable

Make sure they are in the word and seeking God, that they are living an appropriate life style

Give them an evaluation on their performance in church – help them become servants

They need to hear your voice – I am not shy about speaking into those I am discipling

Make sure they get into church every week

Psalm 92:12-14 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.

If you can get people locked into church – it will be one of your best pieces of leadership

9. Believe in them

1 Corinthians 4: 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

Paul became a father to the church leaders under him & a father to Timothy

The reason so many Christian leaders don’t make it – they have no fathers

Help people break down the giants in front of them & breakthrough into God’s anointing

Everyone needs someone that believes in them!

The power of your voice is huge to your disciples

Everyone needs someone telling them that they can make it!

Give them permission to succeed – be a father – be a leader

10. Be around to help the changes take effect in someone’s life

It is the most rewarding thing to be able to input into someone and to see them succeed

If you are going to disciple people – be committed to it – don’t leave your people hanging

Be around for your people, be an inspiring leader

Timothy becomes more than a disciple to Paul, he becomes a son and successor

He takes over from Paul & leads the church of Ephesus which grows to 60,000 people

I am passionate about my disciples – I believe in them and I want them to succeed

To think that God could use our flaws and failings to build up other people’s lives is amazing

Disciple Making Part 1

In such uncertain times in the world we need to be doing what Christ has asked us to do

In the last words of Jesus – he has asked us to make disciples

Matthew 28: 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

1. Before you can make disciples you have to become one

You can’t teach something you don’t really have yourself

Matthew 7: 21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

The number one thing on Christ’s agenda is making disciples

But there are many Christians around who talk about God, even go to church, but never get around to the will of the Father

The will of the father is that we would become disciples and go on to make disciples

Decide to become a disciple – which means a learner – be a follower – be teachable –

Be a great disciple – discipleship can be fun – enjoy it – someone is inputting into your life

2. Choose some people

Matthew 4: 18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Find some people you care about and have on your heart

Jesus saw these two brothers and thinks – I like those guys

Maybe they were really passionate about their job – he thought they would be great disciples

Find some people that you could get passionate about training

3. Disciple the willing people

There are projects and then there are disciples – Disciples are the willing

What made Peter and Andrew great disciples is that – they left their nets & followed

They heard the call & responded –some people have all the potential but just won’t respond

You can’t teach someone who doesn’t want to learn

Look for a willing spirit in your disciple

4. Invite them into your world

Many people never disciple anyone because they won’t invite people into their world

They’ve got a neat and tidy life and you don’t want to mess it up with new people

It’s so lucky Jesus never felt like that when he sacrificed his life for them

Some of the greatest people you ever meet with be those Jesus brings to you

Jesus invited the most unlikely people: Jesus disciples included 4 fishermen, a tax collector and a zealot – religious politician

He invited himself to lunch with Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector – who had a radical conversion because of meeting Jesus

Open the doors and invite someone into your world

5. Speak into their lives

People don’t need advice or a few pointers – they need leaders and mentors to walk through a situation with them

Share the truths, disciplines and experiences that have helped shape your life

What has God done in your life? – pass on the lessons you have learned

Listen to people and encourage them on the next step of their journey

Don’t allow people to get into trouble or go off track

Challenge the way they live their lives – this is real leadership

Don’t justify people in their behavior – but challenge them to live a Godly life

Invest what you have and you will see a harvest one day

Qualities of a great disciple

1. Disciples follow
In Matthew 4: 18 Jesus calls Peter and Andrew to be his disciples
What made Peter and Andrew great disciples is their willingness to follow him
They left their nets and followed him
You can’t be a great leader until you can be a great follower
So many Christians struggle to follow anyone, but if they can’t follow a leader they won’t follow God
God will ask more from you than any leader will

2. Disciples learn
The Greek word for ‘disciple’ is ‘math-ey-tes,’ which means ‘learner or student.’ In biblical times a disciple would attach himself to a teacher. He would follow him day and night, interact with him and learn – If we are going to be disciples we need to be willing to learn
Every believer needs to be in a discipleship relationship
Who are you learning from?
God will always put someone in your life, if your willing to see it and embrace it
A disciple will seek out people to learn from – will put themselves in positions where they can learn from others

3. Disciples commit
Luke 14:27
And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
There is a cost to following Jesus – the idea is great – the reality costs us something
Dietrich Bonhoeffer Salvation is free, … but discipleship will cost you your life.
Great Christians who advance the kingdom have always paid the price
Stick around long enough to see what God can do with you

4. Disciples grow
Have a hunger to grow and develop
1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation
Aim to grow every year in your spiritual walk – don’t be trapped in the same issue and the same challenges
Great leaders will help you grow and go to the next level

5. Disciples honor
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
The kingdom of God has a culture of honor
We honor God, we honor people, we honor those over us
Kingdom people are honoring and gracious
Whoever is your leader? – are you honoring them? – bless them, help them, serve them

6. Disciples produce fruit
John 15:8
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples
Disciples are fruitful – we should be aiming to produce fruit
There should be new life sprouting up around your life
Are people getting saved or revived around your life? – are they coming to church?
To produce fruit we need to plant seeds now – maybe it’s time to start planting

7. Disciples become like the master
Luke 6:40 Students are not above their teacher, but all who are fully trained will be like their teacher
When fully trained, disciples are like their master
How awesome is that –if you do the training –if you are a disciple you will become like Jesus
That is the test of a disciple – are you becoming more like Jesus?