HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH II

11 April 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Gal 6:9+10

Intro: All truth is parallel. Talking about the church assembly as a household.

Acts 16:15 Lydia and her household were baptized.

Household – unit – be as one. Eph 4:3

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Where the Lord finds unity – there is a commanded blessing Ps 133… where the brethren dwell together in unity.

-         Read Luke 15:11-32.

People must not think they can wound and betray their spiritual fathers and then walk on in life as though it doesn’t matter. It does matter. It matters to God. God expects us to make these things right. (All truth is parallel).

Luke 15:20+21 Prodigal son finally decided to return and repent before his father.

He must have been shocked at his father’s reaction of running to greet him and showering him with love.

The son only expected to be treated as a servant.

He again realized that, to be a servant in his father’s house, was greater than feeding swine in the house of a citizen in a strange land.

The Love of a Father

Father’s reaction is not surprising.

• Sons don’t comprehend the father’s capacity to love son intensely, to the point that it seems detrimental to his own well-being. (Parallel – Son taking advantage)
• Some sons in the house do what the prodigal did – betray, abuse, and use, pretend to be faithful sons.
• Don’t know beforehand who will do that.

A father must choose to love unconditionally

Walk without fear of being let down – believe the best. (1 Cor 13)

NB!! Everybody has the power of choice – Good / Bad

• Fathers must guard their heart – not to become offended, angry and bitter – it will shine thru in all relations.
• God’s love in our heart is awesome – Rom 5:5

The Pain of Lost Sons

• Fear what will happen to them – Lose so much – seduced and drawn away
• The separation – like tearing in my soul – not easy. Betrayal is on of the hardest and most difficult wounds to bear and heal. It strikes deep in the heart.
• When we are betrayed, we struggle in our identity and self-worth

Spiritual sons must know their fathers love them.

God places an unshakable love in a shepherd’s heart for his flock.

• Lay down his life for the flock. E.g. David and A parent for child.

(v20-24)

Father’s action not surprising – Never went to look for him!!

The Faithful Son.

(v25-30)

• Remember he was faithful throughout the story – he never wasted his spiritual heritage.
• Thought he wasn’t noticed or appreciated.

Sons working as a team

Family business (unit) success a team effort.

If one doesn’t do his part – the workload increases for the remaining team members. E.g. yellow card in Rugby.

The team is let down. Snowball effect is obvious. – Sunday school, band etc.

When the prodigal son ran out on his father, he also ran out on his brother.

Older brother and father had to work harder while the younger rejected his responsibility, was living it up wasting his inheritance.

Older brother was annoyed felt done in and cheated.

Inheritance lost.

(v31+32)

(v31) All that I have is yours – the younger had spent his – nothing left.

ALL THE REMAINDER BELONGED TO THE OLDER, FAITHFUL SON.

There are some decisions in life from which we cannot come back. We can be forgiven, welcomed back and have the past put behind us, but we cannot replace a wasted inheritance.

Father could not restore his younger son’s wasted inheritance.

HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

11 April 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Gal 6:9+10

Intro: All truth is parallel. Talking about the household.

Acts 16:15 Lydia and her household were baptized

UNIT

When we’re saved:

• Children: John 1:12… but as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become Children of God, …

1 John 3:2 … beloved now we are children of God…

• Sons: Luke 6:35… and your reward will be great, and you will be Sons of the Most High…

Rom 8:14. … For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are SONS of God.

Gal 3:7 & 4:5-7

Heb 12:5-8

• Bride of Christ: John the Baptist John 3:27-29

Rev 21:9 … come, I will show you the Bride, the Lamb’s wife.

Rev 22: … and the Spirit and the Bride say “Come!”

All agree I am child of God?!

All agree I am A Son of God?!

All agree we are Bride of Christ?!

ORDER IN THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

Luke 15:11-32. The Prodigal Son

Father – one in Authority

-         must love, protect and provide for children and discipline.

This is a tragic story of wasted inheritance.

All truth is parallel – like to the local church – Household of faith

-         Father – I am Spiritual Father of this Church.

-         Paul calls the church at Corinth his children

-         1 Cor 4:14, 1Thes 2:11+12

-         Gal 4:19 …my little children, for who I labour in birth again until Christ is formed in you…

Paul refers to Timothy as his son

1 Cor 4:17

1 Tim 1:2. To Timothy, a true son in the Father…

2 Tim 1:2. To Timothy, a beloved son;

2 Tim 2:1 you, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus

Also Onesimus in Philemon: 10… I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains.

Seen this happen in church many times.

Different vessels 2 Tim 2:20,21+26

Father had 2 sons with very different attitudes

-         Living in the same house

-         Had the same father

-         Same choices to make

-         Faced the same temptations

-         Shared the same inheritance

• Even in Great Houses vessels to dishonour.

You must cleanse yourself to be a vessel to honour.

God can’t do it for you.

Heart change.

Two Different Sons v 11+20

-         Both Heirs

Spiritual father of this household of faith.

-         All that’s mine is yours if you’re a son – promises, prophesies etc. IF YOU’RE PATIENT.

Younger son Impatient.

Demanded his inheritance immediately. Father not dead + he wasn’t ready.

Gifts vs. Character

Head knowledge, no maturity/character formed yet.

Demand to be released from the household.

Having a gift does not prove you are ready.

-         Gifting grows fast – it’s a gift.

CHARACTER is not free – great price to pay – you must die to self – develop God-Kind of character.

OFFENSES

Some become offended and rise up in rebellion against their fathers in their hearts.

Allow your inheritance to grow.

-         Rebellious son took his 1/3 of inheritance

-         Other 2/3 was growing continually.

(v12+13)… resign from responsibilities – then has no accountability and soon leaves.

(v13) wasted his possessions with prodigal living – wasted his inheritance with prodigal (wasteful) living.

Fathers pay a price for son’s inheritance…

The Famine (v 14)

-         Thought everything fine

• Rose branch cut from bush looks alive then withers and dies.

-         He began to be in want

-         You need spiritual depth – maturity

-         Stay where God has placed you. – Grass always looks greener on ther other side

• Rather live with Bill Gates!!

The Stranger. (v 15+16)

-         Lets him feed pigs – does not become Son

-         Show their gifts

-         Wise father will not be impressed by gifts (which are free and irrevocable.)

Hunger: (v17)

-         Realized spiritual hunger.

Pride: Don’t let pride steal, kill and destroy all that God has for you.

Sinned against the Father (v18+19)

-         Tendency to bypass the father – My relationship is with God!!

Fathers only there to feed them! – Call it being led by the Spirit – Pride.

God hates & resists pride.

-         Sons think they’re not accountable to Father only God.

Son realized he sinned against God and his father.

People must not think they can wound and betray their spiritual fathers and then walk on in life as though it doesn’t matter.

It DOES matter. It matters to God.

God expects us to make these things right = Restitution

(v21+21)

The Love of The Father.

On Mission:

TURN EXCUSES INTO CREATIVE THINKING

by Rick Warren

The Lord replied, “Don’t say, ‘I’m too young,’ for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. Jeremiah 1:7 (NLT)

Here are some common excuses for not being on mission -

‘I only speak English.’ This is actually an advantage in many countries where millions of people want to learn English and are eager to practice it.

‘I don’t have anything to offer.’ Yes, you do! Every ability and experience in your SHAPE can be used somewhere.

‘I’m too old or too young.’ Most mission agencies have age-appropriate short-term projects.

Whether it was Sarah claiming she was too old to be used by God or Jeremiah claiming he was too young, God rejected their excuses. “Don’t say that,” the Lord replied, “for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don’t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and take care of you.” (Jer 1:7-8, NLT)
Maybe you’ve believed that you needed a special “call” from God, and you’ve been waiting for some supernatural feeling or experience, but God has already stated his call repeatedly. God doesn’t want to use just some of his people; he wants to use all of his people. We’re all called to be on mission for God. He wants his whole church to take the whole gospel to the whole world.

If you want to be like Jesus, you must care about what he cares about most; you must have a heart for the whole world! You can’t be satisfied with just your family and friends coming to Christ. There are over six billion people on earth, and Jesus wants all his lost children found.

The Great Commission is your commission, and doing your part is the secret to living a life of significance. Jesus said, “Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live!”  (Mark 8:35, TLB)

REDEEMED BY GOD’S LOVE

04 April 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Aim: Is that we’ll remember and recognize the full complete, incredible and awesome price that was paid for us by Christ when He went to the cross – Became the Passover lamb for us.

Eph 2:1-6, Col 2:13-15, Gal 3:13

Intro: Time of ‘Easter’ everyone talks of the price paid by Christ – or the cross.

People who never serve the Lord, go to church religiously, in remembrance of the cross 2000 years ago – Religion.

I’m not talking Religion!

I’m talking Relationship!!

Remind me of Mr. Mandela! Freedom day 27 April

Everybody “knows” Nelson Mandela – SA or not.

In SA we even have a holiday to remember his release from prison.

Some have even read the book of his life – The Long Walk to Freedom.

We have respect for him! Can even say we love him and what he stands for.

We are talking Religion Here!!

Talk to those who love him, who know him, who have a relationship with him. His children family friends and you’ll see the true meaning of April 27 – Freedom day.

Now consider Is. 53 Living bible

Jesus – Righteous servant.

Righteous – one who is right, just, clear, clean.

We have been made the righteousness of God in Christ. 2 Cor 5:21 (KJV)

… have been made right (in right standing) with God through Christ’s price – death.

This (made righteous) thru faith in Jesus and the price He paid.

Rom 5:1 – …having been justified by faith, we have peace with God thru our Lord Jesus Christ.

Justified – being acquitted – just as if I’ve never sinned.

Rom 1:17…the just shall live by faith.

How did this happen?

(NKJ) 2 Cor 5:21 … for God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

(Righteous – in right standing, Justified – just as if I’ve never sinned.) No record of sin against me. Col 2:14 (took the list of sins and destroyed it by nailing it to the cross (TLB)).

Now we are reconciled to God.

Rom 5:10… we were reconciled to God thru the death of His son.

Reconciled=to be at peace with someone.

2 Cor 5:21 (TLB)…for God took the sinless Christ and poured into Him our sins. Then, in exchange, he poured God’s goodness into us!

(ALB)… Christus het nie een enkele sonde gedon nie. Maar God het Hom verantwoordelik gemaak vir al ons sondes asof Hy dit self gedoen het. Nou sê God as ons aan Christus berbind is, is ons skuld weggeneem, net so goed of ons self nooit sonde gedoen het nie…

Something happened when Jesus was crucified that never happened to anyone else, and it can never happen again. Jesus was totally innocent but when He died He was blamed for ALL your sin, and took ALL your punishment. It was as if Jesus actually went to hell for you.

No one can ever thank Him enough for suffering what you and I can understand.

At the same time, something just as amazing happened.  When Jesus died, all of the goodness of Jesus was given to you.

It’s just as if you are arrested for a terrible crime, but when the judge gives the sentence, he doesn’t blame you. A friend of yours has offered himself in your place and said, “Punish me instead Judge, and let my friend go free and innocent.”

Jesus is that friend who died in your place.

Rom 8:29+30 (TLB) …for from the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him – and all along He knew who would – should become like His son, so that His son would be the first, with many brothers. (v30) And having chosen us, He called us to come to Him; and when we came, He declared as “NOT GUILTY”, filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with Himself, and promised us His Glory.

REDEEMED BY LOVE DIVINE!!

- Rescued, released, delivered, freed, ransomed, repurchased by God’s great amazing undeserved love.

DON’T SELL YOUR BIRTHRIGHT

28 March 2010 (pm)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Gen 25:19-34

Birthright: – a right, privilege, or possession to which a person, especially the firstborn son, was entitled by birth in Bible times. In Israel, as in the rest of the ancient world, the firstborn son enjoyed a favored position. His birthright included a double portion of his father’s assets upon his death (Deut. 21:17). Part of the firstborn’s benefits also were a special blessing from the father and the privilege of leadership of the family (Gen 43:33). The inheritance rights of the firstborn were protected by law, so the father could not give his benefits to a younger son (Deut. 21:15-17). The firstborn himself, however, could lose the birthright. Because he committed incest with his father’s concubine (Gen 35:22), Reuben lost his favored position (Chr. 5:1-2), while Esau sold his birthright to his younger brother Jacob for a stew of lentils (Gen 25:29-34), or for “one morsel of food” (Heb 12:16). Jesus was both the firstborn of his heavenly Father (John 3:16), and his earthly mother, Mary (Luke 2:7); so he enjoyed the rights and privileges of the Jewish birthright. All Christians are His brothers, sharing in His spiritual inheritance (Rom. 8:17). They are counted as “firstborn” by God’s grace (Heb. 12:23). (Adopted)

Warning: The devil is out to seduce you with alternatives to your destiny in God.

God has a plan and destiny for each of our lives.

Fulfilling our destiny is dependent on our obedience and having a steadfast attitude toward the calling of God on our lives. – you cannot do whatever you want and that destiny will be fulfilled.

Treat your calling in Christ with awe and respect – Don’t serve your flesh – Serve God. Nurture your calling!!!

2 Tim 1:9

• Esau Was weary after the hunt  – very tired
• He had failed at what he set out to do.
• Tired physically as well as emotionally
• All he thought about was his stomach – his hunger – Jos 1:8
• Jacob saw a gap and pounced
• I can meet your immediate physical need – price – your inheritance (Notes: Gen 25:29-34)
• I can make you feel good NOW.

No temptation more that we can bear

1 Cor 10:13

There is always a legitimate, godly way of escape from the temptation.

No temptation comes from God.

James 1:13 …NO

Every good gift comes from God… James 1:17

God is always the same Heb 13:8

Esau questioned his birthright – through his mouth.

NEVER COMPROMISE.

Gen 4:7…sin lies at the door and its desire is for you, but YOU should rule over it.

Heb 12:16+17 (Notes)

1 Tim 6:12-14

Jacob father of Israel – Chosen nation.

Esau father of the Edomites – served Israel.

ON MISSION: THINKING ‘OTHERS’ INSTEAD OF ‘SELF’

by Rick Warren

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 1 Cor 14:20 (NIV)

The Bible says, “My friends, stop thinking like children. Think like mature people….” Children only think of  themselves; grown-ups think of others.
God commands, “Don’t think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too.” (Phil 2:4, TLB).

Of course, this is a difficult mental shift because we’re naturally self-absorbed; almost all advertising encourages us to think of ourselves. The only way we can make this mental switch is through a moment-by-moment dependence on God.
Fortunately, he doesn’t leave us to struggle on our own: “God has given us his Spirit. That’s why we don’t think the same way that the people of this world think. (1 Cor 2:12, CEV)

Begin asking the Holy Spirit to help you to think of the    spiritual needs of unbelievers whenever you talk to them. With practice, you can develop the habit of praying silent “breath prayers” for those you encounter. Say, “Father, help me to understand what is keeping this person from knowing you.”

Your goal is to figure out where they are in their spiritual journey and to do whatever will bring them a step closer to knowing Christ. You can learn how to do this by adopting the mindset of Paul who said, “I don’t think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved.” (1 Cor 10:33, GW)