Sunday Re Cap (16th Nov 2008)

No More Toil-Rest In The Blessing by Ps Samuel Hari

Heb 4:1-11, 14-16

16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.(REST?)

There is a revolution/revelation of REST that is coming into the church. This not something new but was there all along and was lost to man at the garden of Eden.

In the beginning...

When God began time, He did His work in six days. Then God rested. Gen 2:2

Adam was made in the image of God. God called all creation out of the earth; but Adam was called out of Himself (His breath; in His image). God and Adam functioned as one (in Him) (1 Cor 6:17). God blessed Adam and blessed him in him in Gen 1:28

Adam was blessed, God's work was finished and He rested.

And then...

As Adam lived in the blessing, the garden was supposed spread and expand throughout the whole earth. All Adam was asked to do was to step out there and flourish in the blessing...rest.

God's blessing was powerful enough to do it. He already provided everything to make it happen. Adam was just to rest in the blessing.

Through God's union with Adam,

• He had the energy (not tired) to live in the blessing.

• He had all the supply of the needs and desires in his life.

• But Adam let himself to be talked out of the blessing.

Adam and the generations that followed then chose his own way apart from God's plan and apart from the blessing of God. In Gen 1:37

The day is now here....

Ezek 36:33-36

I cleanse you from all your iniquities

We are in that day! The greatest day of His plan! By the blood of Jesus we are cleansed from our iniquities and He has delivered to the Body of Christ the blessing that Jesus has regained for us!

I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt.

He will cause us to dwell in our cities (inheritance and build the wastelands (to fruitfulness) in them.

This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited

Desolate lands and desolate people are being replanted and flourishing again as He intended in the garden of Eden though HIS REST....

Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it."

The people around us who don't know Him will see clearly that He is the one doing it!

Is it just sitting around? No. We can and must labor but need not get weary or heavy laden!

Eph 2:10, Mat 11:28

God' WORK done God's WAY brings God's REST!. Luke 5:1-7, John 6:1-15

Sunday Re Cap (9th Nov 2008)

BABES WHO REST by Ps.Samuel Hari

Introduction

In the midst of the current global situation, financial, political, working life, family, ministry there is a message found in the core of the Bible that promises not only to relieve stress and but actually causes us to function more effectively. This is not only to be done once/day or once/week but is to become a lifestyle of every believer. One of the key elements of experiencing NEW BEGINNINGS is REST!

Matt 11:25-30

Observation

1. Who are they hidden from? Who are they revealed to? Who do you want to be?

2. The wise and the prudent. Why is it hidden? Because they strive with their own strength. What are things hidden and why does it seem good to the Father? 1 Corinthians 1:18-29

3. We all need to labor-school, work, family, ministry, etc. Gen 3:17-19. It may be (1) sin; (2) excessive demands of religious leaders; (3) oppression and persecution; (4) weariness in search of God.

Application

1. How? Come to Him. Release every other yoke. It is a step of faith like Peter walking on water. Mt 14:24-29.

2. The Lord desires that we find this easy & light. Imagine doing this & enjoying it rather than be heavy laden with our expectations or of others. This is the yoke that is heavy & makes us weary, heavy laden.

3. We are already pleasing to Him based on the atoning work of Christ. We don't need to carry anyone else's' yoke of expectations, approval, etc. The rest that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God; not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless worrisome toil to spiritual productivity and purpose.

4. Take on a the easy new well fitting (easy: (greek) chrestos: pleasant, good, comfortable; built on a personal relationship with God by the indwelling Holy Spirit) yoke. His yoke. Grace. His righteousness. His approval, acceptance. Remind rehearse, confess daily.

5. Just like new shoes-it takes time to break into it. But once we are used to it, we actually look forward to wearing it! Walking in it, going the distance. Work, ministry, family, school, friendship , relationship, etc.

Conclusion

This scriptures suggest that Jesus is the lead oxen. He will lead and we follow. The moment, we try to take over, we become weary and burn out quickly.

• these things are revealed to BABES WHO REST!

• BABES ARE READY to experience new beginnings because they are new creations.

• when we have rest in our souls (mind, will emotions), we PROSPER and remain in HEALTH! 3 Jn 2.

Sunday Re Cap (2nd Nov 2008)

UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES & THE SEASONS by Paul Ang

David remained in Jerusalem when it was a season of war. It was because he did not understand the times and seasons that he fell into immorality. There are times and seasons in everyone's lives. How we interpret and respond to it will determine the outcome and destiny of our lives. (Read 2 Sam 11:1)

• Ruth 1:1 there was famine in the land.
  
• V2-Elimelech went to the world's system for wealth.
  
• V3-5-they experienced a season of great loss-death.
  
• Do we react or respond to the season of loss?
  

Job 1:1 blameless & perfect. Even when he went through a great season of loss he responded correctly. How?

Two ways of responding:

1. Surrender to God's sovereignty.

2. Worship God (Heb13:15-Continue to worship)

God restored to Job double. The end is more important then the beginning.

Ruth 1:20 we can be better or bitter.

• V22-2nd season (after loss) is harvest! It was the season of Barley Harvest.
  
• Ruth 2-Our success & destiny in life is connected with being connected with the right people (Boaz, "it so happened v3"-no coincidence).
  
• Your season of adversity prepares us for a season of harvest.
  
• Ruth found provision & favor.
  

V23-end of harvest.

Chap 3-4 last season

• Ruth 3:1-Listening to the Holy Spirit -Naomi was a type of the Holy Spirit.
  
• V3-put on the best garment (vs widow's garments). Close the old chapter & releasing the past. We are created by God to live in the future.
  
• The Holy Spirit (Naomi) often tells us to do something risky-the midnight season-deliverance/salvation Examples of midnight hour deliverance-The Children of Israel left Egypt, The Phillipian jailer and household saved!
  

Final season-3rd day-IMPACT & INFLUENCE NATIONS & GENERATIONS. A season of GREAT FAVOR!