MEN OF DESTINY - Winning at Work & Home

Sunday Re Cap (19th August 2012)

Mark & Linda Drake

The Mystery of Christ Living in and Through us

1 John 1:19

Confidence or Condemnation before God?

Do we read our Bible correctly?

The single greatest problem that many Christians make; pulling sentences out of context from the Bible and building a belief around it. We would never do that with any other literature or reading. If we read the text above out of context we will be condemned. If we keep reading the next verse, we understand what the Apostle John was really saying.

The Commandment is simple: put your faith and trust in the Name of Jesus Christ. The result would be Christ Himself would live inside us and would lead us from the inside out. We would then no longer need a list of do's and don'ts; because the Lawgiver Himself, Jesus Christ, would be living and leading us from the inside out. This is a crucial truth as it would either lead us into condemnation or confidence before God.

Paul said that the Old Covenant was a ministry of condemnation which was a list of rules that never gave us the power to obey it.

One of the questions we are going to look at is; is God ever going to be angry or unhappy with us if we live under the New Covenant? Is it ever possible for God to be disappointed with us?

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:1. There is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION for those who are in Christ Jesus....this is an absolute statement and not just a possibility. Then why is CONDEMNATION the most common experience of most believers worldwide? There is only one possibility; that we do NOT believe what the early believers believed in. We need to be fully aware of "The Mystery of Christ Living in and Through us" to have CONFIDENCE before God!

Come for The Seminar on the 23-25th Aug at Rivers of Water Bkt Mertajam to fully discover "The Mystery of Christ Living in and Through Us" starting at 8pm.

Click here to listen to this message.

Sunday Re Cap (12th Aug 2012)

PASSION. ENCOUNTER. OBEDIENCE.

Acts 9:1-19

PAUL
Paul was zealous - he approved of the killing of Stephen and was on his way to bust up the Damascus church.
But it wasn't just a zeal for killing - when he was confronted on the road to Damascus, he asked "Who are you LORD?"...he was zealous to really know (and serve God), and he recognized his hand, even if he didn’t understand what he was doing at the time.
Paul was used to calling the shots...but when Jesus said "GO, and I'll TELL you what to DO.", he went.
Those around him heard the sound, saw the light, but couldn't understand...sometimes, when God speaks to you, even those closest to you won't get it.

ANANIAS
Ananias was scared, but obedient...with his whole heart ("BROTHER Saul").

JACOB - from "jake the fake" to "contender WITH God", all from one encounter. 

DAVID - a filthy sinner...prepared to admit his sin and cry out for mercy when confronted by God ("YOU ARE THE MAN").

PETER - A big mouth...and a big heart. Went from failure to leader of the church when he met Jesus at his weakest point.

SAUL - from persecutor to proselytizer, Saul wanted God more than his own agenda, and turned 180 degrees when he met Jesus face to face.

• You need passion to begin, but passion itself is not enough.
• You need to encounter God, face to face...but even that is not enough.
• It's when your passion leads to an encounter, and that encounter changes your life, and God calls you to radical obedience...that's when the rubber hits the road.

Aaron and Alison Boots

Passion. Encounter. Obedience.

Click here to listen to this timely message.

By Rev Aaron Boots
5ONE4 Foursquare Church
Perth, WA.
Australia

Sunday Re Cap (29th July 2012)

Jesus Name Made This Man Strong-Part 3

Acts 3:1-16

1. The content of the word;

2. The content of the wonder;

3. The relationship between the wonder and the word of God preached—is it a pattern that God wants us to use today?

1. The Content of the Word (Acts 3:13-15)

a. Five Exaltations of Jesus

b. Four Charges against the People

2. The Content of the Wonder

In verse 12 "Why do you stare at us as though by our power or piety we had made him walk?". It was not Peter’s power or piety that healed this man.

First, notice that the faith to heal is "through Jesus"—that is Jesus gave it. It came through the working of Jesus. The living Jesus did something in Peter, and Peter knew it was the day. Jesus gave the faith to heal, and Peter acted on it.

But the first part of v 16 says, "Jesus' name, by faith in his name has made this man strong." So here the healing agent is said to be the NAME of Jesus.

So if we put the two statements together (16b: faith has given the man health; and 16a: the name of Jesus has made him strong) the point becomes this: the faith Jesus gives to heal is effective because it is faith in the NAME of Jesus; and, in fact, the NAME of Jesus is bringing about healing.

How is that? Because the name of Jesus stands for the reality of Jesus. His name stands for who he is. When I speak in his NAME, with the faith that HE has now given me for your healing, HE is acting not me."

So who stretches out his hand to heal? God the Father. And through what means? Through the NAME of his holy servant Jesus. The Father is the ultimate source of all healing. Through Jesus the Father does his healing will. Jesus, in agreement with the Father's will, gives the faith to Peter. Peter recognizes that this is the time for the man to be healed. And by the faith given him, he speaks the healing in Jesus' name. And God gets the praise.

3. The Relationship between Wonder and Word

The relationship between the wonder and the word of God preached is that the wonder attracts the crowd to hear the word (3:11) and the wonder testifies to the living truth of the exalted Jesus in the word. In other words, the wonder is a powerful pointer to the truth that Jesus is alive and that he is all Peter says He is.

We believe that one of the forms this pattern (of the HOLY SPIRIT through Peter) takes today is in the exercise of the spiritual gifts given to the church according to 1 Corinthians 12—including gifts of faith, healings, and miracles (1 Corinthians 12:9–10). The church is called to desire the spiritual gifts:

1 Cor 12:31; 1 Cor 14:1 The gifts are not an end in themselves, they testify and point to Jesus!

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A Dose Of Positive Attitude

Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.


Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood... or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim... or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining... or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.

"Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."

I reflected on what Michael said. Soon thereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied. "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.

"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon to be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live... or I could choose to die. I chose to live."

"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.

Michael continued... "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read "He's a dead man. I knew I needed to take action."

"What did you do?" I asked.

"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. "Yes, I replied." The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, "Gravity." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."

"Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. Matthew 6:34 states: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." After all, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. Enjoy each day, each breath and mostly... each and every friend.

And remember to start each day with an "attitude of gratitude!"

Sunday Re Cap (22nd July 2012)

Jesus Name Made This Man Strong-Part 2

Acts 3:1-16

There are five exaltations of Jesus—that's the essence of this sermon, to magnify Jesus. He is

1. The long-awaited servant of the Lord;

2. Glorified by God;

3. The Holy and Righteous One;

4. The Author of Life; and

5. Raised by God from the dead.

This ought to be the pattern of preaching of the gospel. It must always start with exalting Jesus; who He is, what He has done…but it does not and must not end there as we see the other part of this sermon. The other half of the sermon, as at Pentecost, is to show the listeners how utterly far they are from the truth and how dishonoring they have been to the worth of Jesus.

Four Devastating Charges against the People

The first two are mentioned in verse 13: "The God of our fathers glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered up [that's the first one] and denied in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release him [that's the second one—they even went farther than the pagan Pilate in denying Jesus' truth and worth]." The third indictment comes in verse 14: "But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you." You traded infinite righteousness and holiness for a murderer. This shows how suicidal it is to reject Jesus. Finally, verse 15 says, "And you killed the Author of life." He gave you life and you killed him. Peter's point in these four charges is to drive the point of the insanity of rejecting Jesus: it is taking the life of the giver of life, and worse, it is asking for takers of life to be released on the world instead of the giver of life. Rejecting Jesus is utterly anti-life. It is murderous and suicidal.

How does it apply to us?

Firstly, when we do not exalt Jesus in our conversations, testimonies and preaching then we will begin to slowly but surely stray from the truth. Eventually we may even begin to reject the truth that is found in Christ. It is a slippery path to destruction to reject Jesus.

Secondly, when we begin to exalt Jesus, then there will be true conviction firstly in our own hearts of how far we are from the truth and this will lead to genuine repentance and not repentance for the sake of our conscience or having been caught “red handed”. It’s an Isaiah 6:1-5 experience!

Next, exalting Jesus will cause the hearts of the listeners to turn to him in genuine faith and repentance. Acts 2:37; 3:19

Good News Acts 3:19: "Repent therefore, and turn again that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord."

This is a pattern for us to follow when we preach the good news. By the way, Acts 4:4 says that about 5,000 people are converted by this message! )

Click here to listen

The Purpose and Use of Flags, Banners and Shofar in a Worship Service

Dear Church Family

We have been blessed the last few weeks through the use of flags and banners during our worship services. Most have embraced it and are enjoying worship more than ever before. More importantly, many are enjoying breakthroughs in their personal lives and we hope to post some testimonies here soon.

However, to help us understand better and fully enter into this new season at Rivers Of Water, we encourage you to read as much as you can about this. One such article can be found below.

Please click here to read. 

Some of us may also have some questions about the use of the Shofar in the Worship Service.

Here is an article that may enhance our worship experience. Click here to read.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to email us and we will be more than happy to help you understand.

Sunday Re Cap (15th July 2012)

Jesus Name Made This Man Strong

Acts 3:1-16

There are three things in this text that we want to look at the next 2 weeks:

1. The content of the word;
2. The content of the wonder;
3. The relationship between the wonder and the word of God preached.

1. The Content of the Word

Between v12-16 comes the first part of his sermon that is so much like the Pentecost sermon. What Peter does is exalt Jesus in five different ways and show how his listeners have been totally opposed to him and heaped disrespect on his value.

Learn these five exaltations of Jesus and make them part of your praise vocabulary. Jesus is:


1. The long-awaited servant of the Lord. (v13)

2. Glorified by God (v13)
3. The Holy and Righteous One (v14)
4. The Author of Life (v15)
5. Raised by God from the dead (v15)

The other half of the sermon, as at Pentecost, is to show the listeners how utterly far they are from the truth and how dishonoring they have been to the worth of Jesus.

The first two are mentioned in verse 13: ..you delivered up [that's the first one] and denied in the presence of Pilate when he had decided to release him [that's the second one]. The third charge comes in verse 14: "But you denied the Holy and Righteous One; This shows how suicidal it is to reject Jesus. Finally, verse 15 says, "And you killed the Author of life." He gave you life and you killed him. Asking for takers of life to be released on the world instead of the giver of life. Rejecting Jesus is utterly anti-life. It is murderous and suicidal.

However, Peter has awesomely good news for these suicidal kinsmen of his in verse 19: "Repent therefore, and turn again that your sins may be blotted out and times of refreshing might come from the presence of the Lord."

Let us begin to exalt the Name of Jesus. If we do not do that, we will begin to gradually reject Him, His power and authority. Let the essence of our preaching, conversations be exalting the Name of Jesus. When we do that, Jesus is glorified, his power begins to flow in and through us and we will be Christ focused and not self focused. Miracles are about to flow! The lame raised, deaf hear and pre-believers will turn to the Lord. Are we ready to be the new wineskin for the Lord to pour out His Spirit?

Next Week….The Content of the Wonder!

To listen click here

Mark Drake Seminar

Christian Marriage Seminar

Sunday Re Cap (8th July 2012)

An Anointed Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)

Five reasons this prayer is relevant to us today:

1. The Answer That Came

Acts 4:31: The answer that came shows us that Pentecost was not a unique event, but the Holy Spirit is freely available now if God’s people would pray! This outpouring of the Spirit is exactly what is desperately needed in the church in Malaysia because of the challenges that face us.

2. Who Is Praying

This prayer is relevant because of who is praying. Acts 4:23 Luke does not say they went to "the other apostles." He says they went to "their friends," literally: "their own." Therefore this prayer is relevant to us because it is prayed not by someone with special rights and privileges, but by Christians. So the prayer is relevant because of who prayed it—people like you and me.

3. When It Was Prayed

The occasion for this prayer is very dangerous threats against the preaching of God's Word in the name of Jesus. They do not assume that they can keep on and advance in effective ministry without a fresh baptism of the Spirit. If the early Christians needed to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to carry on in their situation, how much more we.

4. To Whom It Was Prayed

It is remarkable that these Christians take five verses to tell God who he is, and two verses to ask what they want from him. God does not need to be told who he is. But Christians need to know who He is. They identify God in two ways. First, they say he is the Creator of all things. Verse 24. Second, they say that God is the one who is ruler of all, even the deeds of evil men. Many would tell us that doctrine and theology are not important if you can have the power of the Holy Spirit. But these early Christians knew their doctrines well.

5. What Was Asked

They ask for three things: that God would give them boldness; that he would stretch out his hand to heal people; and that he would cause signs and wonders to happen—all this through the name of Jesus. In other words their desire is to be empowered in such a way that the name of Jesus will be vindicated. This is relevant for us because it shows us how we should be seeking the power of God's Spirit. We should be praying for it like they were—and remember Jesus says not to lose heart, but to keep seeking and knocking and asking the Father for the Holy Spirit (Luke 11). And that means praying not only in general ways for the outpouring of God's Spirit but in specific ways: for the gift of bold proclamation, for his hand to be stretched out to heal, and his Son's name to be honored and vindicated through signs and wonders. Preaching is primary but signs and wonders are helpful witnesses to the Word of grace (Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4)

It is a very relevant prayer. Not for an inward looking people who are merely interested in unusual experiences, but for a people who long for the salvation of sinners and the magnifying of God's glory and the public vindication of Jesus' name. If that is what we want, then this is the way to pray.

Click here to listen to this important message.

Crossing Over-Message by Rev David Lai

Rev David Lai

Have you been "stuck" in your condition for some time and not able to cross over to your rightful position in Christ? Jesus our Savior has made all the provisions for us to cross over. Let the second half of this year be a season of crossing over. We are called to be Christians who operate out of our position instead of our condition. We can either give in to our circumstances which is our natural condition i.e. sickness, poverty, depression, etc. or begin to stand on our position which is revealed through the Word of God and fly like an eagle through the storms of life. An eagle uses the storm to rise higher. We are called to be "eagle" Christians! Let's abide in Christ through His Word by studying, meditating, confessing the Word of God daily and slowly but surely we will be begin the process of crossing over. 


Click here to listen to this timely message at GROW BM on Sunday 1st July 2012.

Sunday Re Cap (24th June 2012)

The Power of Blessing THE SEED

The Abrahamic Covenant in Gen 12:1-3; Gen 22:18


We are called by God to bless Israel and are told if we pray and bless Israel, we will be blessed. Read Ps 122 6-9. The promise given to Abraham and his descendants was that those who bless THE SEED of Abraham will be blessed and those who curse (NKJV) or dishonor it will be cursed. What does the NC says about THE SEED because God says there’s BLESSINGS IN BLESSING THE SEED…

Gal 3:29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

What is the implication here to the Abrahamic Seed and to those who have THE SEED in them?

The Abrahamic Covenant is not only to the JEWS through the natural lineage of Abraham but it is for those who have received JESUS as THE SEED of Abraham. In fact it takes on a greater SPIRITUAL significance. If we bless Israel, we are blessed. If we BLESS a BELIEVER in CHRIST JESUS, we are BLESSED EVEN MORE! How? Pray, speak well, honor, bless, love and be kind to one another. Not just in words but in deeds!

If you don’t bless or honor them, you are dishonoring them. How do we dishonor or curse? When we gossip about them behind their back, don’t pray for them, don’t love them, use harsh words against them, and hurt them verbally or physically.

We wouldn’t think about doing that to a JEW. NEVER curse or dishonor another believer who has THE SEED ever again. If we’ve done that in the past, then it’s time to stop. REPENT! We have the HOLY SPIRIT to help us in our weakness. Grab another believer who has THE SEED and bless them. You WILL be BLESSED!

Let’s begin a culture of BLESSING one another as we would bless Israel. It’s a three way thing. We would be BLESSED, they would be BLESSED and there will be true LOVE for one another! Let THE BLESSINGS FLOW!

What did Jesus say? Mark 12:28-34 also John 13:34; 1 Peter 4: We are CHOSEN BY GOD FOR FRUITFULNESS AND NOT BARRENNESS!

Let’s pray:
“Father, forgive me for my ignorance. I have sinned by cursing and dishonoring your SEED in my brothers and sisters lives in so many ways in the past. In spite of all that, you still love me and gave your SON for me. I thank you that as I confess my sin, You are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from ALL unrighteousness. From today, I will BLESS those who have your SEED and I am blessed according to the Abrahamic Covenant. Blessed in my health, finances, business, family, church and relationships and much, much more! I am going to see every promise that you have for me fulfilled just as you blessed Abraham and so much more! In Jesus Name I pray!”

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Sunday Recap (27th May 2012)

Holy Spirit- The Enabler

Revival is never the initiative of man or the result of man’s actions. The Holy Spirit is directly or indirectly mentioned in the Great Commission? First let’s look at Matthews’ account of the GC. Matt 28:18-20

¹⁸ And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Go therefore …And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

It’s so important to realize that Jesus mentioned not only the commission but the enablement to do it. He gives a clue at the beginning of the commission and completes the clue in the last lines. How is He with us always? Who is the ONE who manifests CHRIST IN US? The Holy Spirit!

In Mark’s version of the GC and we will see EVEN MORE why it began with God and not man. Mark 16:14-20

¹⁴ … and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen…..  ¹⁷ And these signs will accompany those who believe: in … they will speak in new tongues…

²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.]

Notice first of all that it did not start with the disciples’ initiative. It’s alright if we notice people in unbelief and hardness of heart. It’s alright if we are in that condition because the God can still get to us!

In v17, something or someone accompanies them. There seems to be an enabling, empowering given to the disciples to carry out the commission. What or Who is IT? “they will speak in new tongues”; It’s The Holy Spirit!

One key event of this enabling is not mentioned by Mark between vv19-20. Luke mentions it in his version of the GC and then further expounds on it in the Book of Acts. Luke 24:44-49

⁴⁹ And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

1.      Jesus opens our minds to understand the scriptures (OT and NT).

2.      He opens our minds to the message of the Gospel throughout scripture. “Thus it is written”. He defines the message that is in the OT and NT. The work of CHRIST. The purpose of the CROSS.

3.      How does He do it? Through the HOLY SPIRIT. The HOLY SPIRIT points to CHRIST. We cannot point anyone to CHRIST. Only the HOLY SPIRIT CAN! In us and through us!

Jesus chooses us and the HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES us to fruitfulness! 

Sunday Re Cap (13th Nov 2011)

The Life of Abraham-Faith Expressed Through Giving

Gen 14:17-24

Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Today, we are going to see why so we are to do the same. We believe there are at least three reasons Abram gave that day.

1. Because he recognized God already owned it all.
In verse 19, Melchizedek said that God was the possessor of heaven and earth, a phrase that Abram repeats in verse 22. God owns it all, and He owns it all in three ways.

He owns it by right of Creation. "In the beginning God created…”
He owns it by right of sustaining.
He owns it by right of purchase. He owns it all because Jesus shed His blood to redeem both man and the creation.

When we give, we don’t give God anything He doesn’t already possess. He expects us to express our recognition of His ownership through a faithful tithe back to Him.

2. Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God to him and his tithe was an expression of faith, an offering of love and gratitude.

Melchizedek was a type of Christ, and God explained this principle in Hebrews 7:1-10. It shows us how Christ is symbolized by Melchizedek and is greater than him.

Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, suggesting that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.

Abraham was not under the law. He tithed before the law was ever given to the Levites. Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God and Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude expressed his faith in God by giving.

2 Cor 9⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

He doesn’t want to force our offerings; He wants us to express our heart toward Him through faith. When we give, we express love and gratitude and trust.

To be continued…

Sunday Re Cap (6th Nov 2011)

Abram-Faith Expressed Through Giving

Gen 14:17-24

Read Heb 6:12-15

Who is the writer of Hebrews asking us to imitate? In v13, it’s Abraham (waited patiently and received what was promised).

Abram was great because of his faith in God. He was not always faithful, but God saw him through and his faith was strengthened and settled.

We are going to see a third event in Abraham’s life that is an example of his faith and it concerns giving.

Following the victory, Abraham faced a greater temptation as he met the King of Sodom. It is usually true that Satan tempts us immediately after a great spiritual victory. The King of Sodom wanted to bargain with Abraham and get him to compromise by accepting the wealth of Sodom, but Abraham refused. The wealth of Egypt had proved a snare. The wealth of Sodom would be worse. Abraham ignored the king of Sodom, but he honored the king of Salem.

Hebrews 5–7 makes it clear that Melchizedek (“king of righteousness”) is a type of Christ, our heavenly High Priest. As King of Salem (“peace”) Christ gives us peace through His own righteousness, made possible by His death on the cross.

What an encouragement it is to see Melchizedek meeting Abraham just when the king of Sodom tempts him! As King and Priest, Christ is able to give us “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

The bread and wine (v. 18) typify Christ’s body and shed blood and like Melchizedek, the heavenly priesthood of Christ is made possible through the cross. Melchizedek met Abraham, fed him, and blessed him. What a wonderful Savior!

Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Abraham refused the riches of the world but shared his wealth with the Lord, and God richly blessed him.

Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, signifying that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.

Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God, Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude he expressed his faith in God by giving.

Sunday Re Cap (30th Oct 2011)

The Life Of Abraham: God’s Ways Are Higher (Than Our Ways)

Gen 14:1-7 This is the first war listed in the Bible. Zumim: TALL or Powerful Ones; Rephaim: STRONG ones. These were the first attacked to strike fear in all the other kings. It was a one sided and devastating war. Keep this picture in mind.

Gen 14:8-12 These 5 kings were no match to this well organized army. Calvin captured the mood when he said, “The runaways chose the pits rather than be captured”. They took LOT. This man fell from the height of worldly riches to the depth of captivity. The prosperity we long for is captivating; it can both entice us and enslave us if our motives are not in line with God’s desires.

1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil…

The abduction shows so clearly that separation from Abram meant forfeiting the divine protection provided by the favored patriarch. We must remain in Christ’s favor.

Gen 14:13-14 Abram was bold enough to take on this task because he had seen God’s divine protection before. We also see that Abram went to rescue LOT. What would we have done in the same situation? Abram could have just left Lot. He goes to rescue him! Why?? Abram was able to extend that kind of forgiveness because he had experienced that kind of forgiveness himself when God sovereignly rescued him and Sarai from Abimelech in Egypt. Remember the parable of the unforgiving servant? When we have difficulty forgiving, we may have lost sight of the CROSS.

Abram took 318 servants only but with God one is a majority against this ruthless and powerful army.

Gen 14:15-16 Hobar is north of Damascus; almost 200km? (One Way) to recapture! Were the 318 servants super soldiers? No way! God intervened! God did miracles!

Common pattern…God deliveres…self reliance…rebellion…captivity…cry out…God delivered….again and again.

Sometimes the way God works and they way we think HE SHOULD work are completely opposite. Is 55:8-9

When we surrender our destiny to Him, HE can work miracles and gets ALL the glory!

God wins the battle because the battle belongs to the Lord. Eph 2:8-9 says we are saved by grace…lest anyone should boast…God despises boasting in our own abilities!

The church is full of life when Christ, and not man is in charge. Let’s surrender ourselves through the 10 days of fasting and prayer and see God move in our nation and in the church.

Sunday Re Cap (23rd Oct 2011)

Life Of Abraham-Give Us an Undivided Heart

How do bring ourselves to having an undivided heart before God in every situation?

Gen 13:1-4

It is not only how a man responds in times of adversity (Gen 12) but also in times of prosperity (Gen 13) that reveals his true heart. 

How do we develop an undivided heart?

1.      Abram REPENTED & RETURNED to the place where he WORSHIPPED and HEARD God’s voice.

We need to understand the difference between condemnation and conviction. Condemnation drives us away FROM God but conviction draws us TO God.

Ps 103:8-13

Abram got back up and fell on his knees. Worship always gives us a fresh start.

Gen 13:5-13

2.      The way we handle wealth (SUCCESS) reveals the nature of our heart. It will determine our testimony and destiny.

Lot fell for the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and the pride of life. 1 John 2:15-17

What happens to Abram? Did he lose out? Let’s read on in Gen 13:14-16. Abram’s life was now in a life of obedience and surrender… It was gracious of Abram to give Lot the freedom to choose where he wanted to take his family and possessions; but even that was going to be Abram’s.

Gen 13:17-18

3.      God tells Abram to Arise, Walk… But HOW???

What does the land represent? It is God’s Promised Land to Abram; but to us it is the promises of God in Christ Jesus. We need to hold on to the word of God. This is the most precious key to having an undivided heart!

For us the Promised Land is the Word of God. ONLY the WORD can give us STRENGTH to ARISE & WALK!

Sunday Re Cap (9th Oct 2011)

Abraham-THE CALL & THE BLESSING

 

Gen 12:1 The Call of Abraham; Gen 12:2-3 The Blessings/Promises to Abraham

Matt 28:18 -20a (THE CALL); Mt 28:20b (THE BLESSING) is Christ’s calling upon Christians.

So is the Abrahamic covenant (Gen 12:1-3) A PROMISE OF BLESSING or is it a CALL OF GOD?

This is found in WORLD MISSION. An Analysis of the World Christian Movement, published by the William Carey Library when it mentions these verses:

This biblical text is one of the foundation stone of the Christian missions.

“The church of God is a multinational missionary community, under orders to evangelize until Christ returns” John Stott

The purpose of today’s message is to bring greater clarity to what was THE CALL and what is THE BLESSING in the LIFE of ABRAHAM. Only then can we see how it PROPERLY relates to us:

1.      Why study THE CALL of Abraham?

As we look at his life, we get a better picture of our call in Christ. Our call in Mt 28:18-20 is the full expression of Abraham’s call Gen 12:1-3.

2.      Clearly define THE BLESSING.

He gives us ALL the BLESSINGS we need to fulfill HIS PURPOSE, not ours! It is the supernatural enablement, timing, resources, gifts of the Holy Spirit, talents, finances, contacts.

3.      Understand that we are LIVING for the CALL and not for The BLESSING.

What is the difference between a pilgrim and a drifter? A pilgrim lives for THE CALL of GOD. In the process he is BLESSED with everything he needs to fulfill that CALL…and MORE! A “Christian” drifter lives for the BLESSINGS. In the process he loses HIS BLESSINGS and everything else.

Conclusion

What are we living for today; THE CALL or THE BLESSING?