PENTECOST

23 May 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

1 Cor 2:1-16

Pentecost is 7 weeks after first fruits offering. (50 Days)

Aim: To understand a little, of the work of Holy Spirit.

(v10) …but God has revealed them to us thru His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God…

You must be born again to see God’s kingdom.

John 3:1-10 … unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… (tithing, grace, forgiveness, love etc.)

Pentecost & Disciples.

John 20:19-22 – Born Again – 10 disciples.

Thomas John 20:24-29

Jesus asks for another helper.

The world cannot receive him. John 14:16+17, John 16:5-15

Jesus gives great commission

Luke 24:44-49 …eyes opened after new birth..

Acts 1:8 – WAIT!!

Filled with Holy Spirit. Acts 2:1-4

Peter’s boldness v 14, sermon v 38+39.

Revealed to us. 1 Cor 2:10, 2 Cor 5:7 …for we walk by faith, not by sight…

2 Cor 10:3-5… casting down arguments…

Thru faith – in the Spirit we “See” all that He has prepared for us.

God reveals things to us thru His Spirit.

Eph 1:3-19

Conclusion: 1 Cor 2:9+10, 12 & 16

God Smiles When We Trust

by Rick Warren

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. . . . As a result, Noah became intimate with God. Hebrews 11:7 (MSG)

Imagine this scene: One day God comes to Noah and says, “I’m disappointed in human beings. In the entire world, no one but you thinks about me. But Noah, when I look at you, I start smiling. I’m pleased with your life, so I’m going to flood the world and start over with you and your family. I want you to build a giant ship that will save you and the animals.”
There were three problems that could have caused Noah to doubt: Noah had never seen rain because prior to the flood God irrigated the earth from the ground up (Gen 2:5-6). Noah lived hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. Even if he could learn to build a ship, how would he get it to water?
There was the problem of rounding up all the animals and then caring for them.
But Noah didn’t complain or make excuses. He trusted God completely, and that made God smile.
Trusting God completely means having faith that God knows what is best for your life. You expect him to keep his promises, help you with problems, and do the impossible when necessary.
The Bible says, “He takes pleasure in those who honor him, in those who trust in his constant love” (Psalm 147:11 TEV).
It took Noah 120 years to build the ark. I imagine he faced many discouraging days. With no sign of rain year after year, he was probably criticized as a “crazy man who thinks God speaks to him.” I imagine Noah’s children were often embarrassed by the giant ship being built in their front yard.
Yet Noah kept on trusting God.
In what areas of your life do you need to trust God completely?
Trusting is an act of worship. Just as parents are pleased when children trust them, your faith makes God happy. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).

GRANTED REQUESTS

16 May 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

1 Chron 4:9+10

Intro: This very well loved and known prayer of Jabez. 1) Bless me indeed. 2) Enlarge my coast (territory). 3) Let your hand be with me. 4) Keep me from evil. 5) Keep me from grief (TLB – disaster).

Imp. Here (v9) Now Jabez was more honourable than his brothers.

Honourable: Worthy of honour, respect, esteem.

Thinking of honourable men in the Bible.

Samuel an honourable man. 1 Sam 9:6 and 1 Sam 12:1-5

Samuel an honourable man – a man of integrity.

• Learned to hear God’s voice.
• Heeded God’s words.
• Spoke God’s truth no matter the consequences.

Joseph

Impeachable character, faithful and trusted God. Adjusted and remained faithful, in favour and disfavour, slavery and freedom, as servant and master.

Content and happy in adversity or success.

Outstanding witness for God Gen 39:3-6; 40:8; 41:8-39

Found grace in the eyes of all, except his brothers.

Served with distinction in every place of responsibility.

Maintained moral purity in the face of severe and daily temptation.

Suffered for righteousness.

How do you become honourable?

Prov 29:23 … a mans pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honour…

Humility is Honourable – recognizing your dependence on God.

Prov 15:23 … before honour is humility.

Prov 18:12 … before honour is humility.

God resists the proud. James 4:6 & 1 Pet 5:5

Moses in Ex 33:15 …if your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here…

Our Goal is to reflect Christ in our lives.

Humility is the character trait that best enables us to do that – No more “me, myself & I”, but what would Jesus do?

Jesus our example in all things.

Phil 2:1-10

1. Took on the form of a servant.
2. Obedience to God – the Word. Submits to the Word – not my will, but thy will be done. Jesus humbled himself (v7&8) …made himself of no reputation…
3. Allow God to exalt you – don’t try to exalt yourself.

Humbles WW Matt 18:4 devoid of all arrogance and self-exaltation – a person who willingly submits to God and His will.

v     If you know you’re humble, it’s pride!

• I’m humble and proud of it!

Humility is not weakness or passivity but strength under control (disciplined strength).

God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (Num 12:3 Moses most humble man).

Know all we have comes from God!!

Natural ability and talents – gift from God.

Character – your gift to God.

2 Chron 7:14 … if my people who are called by my name…

2 Chron 12:6+7

James 4:10 …humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

HOW?

Deut 8:1-20 Remember where He brought you from.

2 Tim 2:21 ♣ cleanse yourself and you will be a vessel for honour.

Become honourable – and have your requests from God granted!

Remember Josh 1:8 …this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success…

HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH – LIFESTYLE

09 May 2010 (am)

Pastor Melody vd Merwe

Gen 9:20-27

Intro: We are of a household of faith – Father, Sons in house. Understand the lifestyle we are to live in the house as God has ordained.

• Children of God
• Sons of God – Male & Female
• Bride of Christ – Male & female
• Father of the House – Leader of house male/female

Head of the house – ONLY ONE!!

God appoints the head – we don’t always understand why someone is chosen, but we are to submit to the leader.

Any living-thing with more than one head is a monster.

God chose Moses – Did not change the order when Moses complained he couldn’t speak – Aaron was appointed to help Moses (Ex 4:10-16)

Household of faith – all truth is parallel.

We have been commanded to honour our parents.

Read Gen 9:20-27 – Principles of how to live.

(v20) The vineyard Noah planted was not for him it was for his family – to feed those entrusted to him.

Pastor

• 1^st for God – called and commanded by Him.
• Called to feed His sheep.
• Lay down my life for the sheep.
• Father commanded to do the same for his house.
• Work is often tiring and tougher than you would imagine it to be.
• Often taken for granted
• They do not understand how hard a father works to provide for his family – don’t expect them to or to repay their father.

Father ask (+need) is respect and rest when finished working. There are those who help, but the responsibility rests on the father – Well cared for family.

Sons take it for granted – sustenance for body

-         Don’t know the cost

-         The sacrifice, – Church House…

A Gift Eph 4:11-12

Unfortunately many children in the household think the fathers are there simply to benefit themselves.

Those who do this – who have this attitude often become suspicious of fathers and leave the door to their heart wide open to receive offence.

Good children reveal a healthy and hones respect for the gift God has called to father them.

Drunkenness (v21(a)) Then he drank of the wine and was drunk.

-         VINEYARD – Church

Work of farming for those who are pastured the sheep – sons and daughters in the house.

Wine (fruit of labour) – Bitter and sweet.

Wine – fruit of the vine (labour)

Wine – product can be bitter and sweet at the same time, and it induces (causes) drunkenness.

Bitter (of the wine)- personal attack

Betrayal, lies, misuse me, break me down, misunderstand me, slander me, blacken my name, falsely accuse me and use other forms of attack on (my person) who I am, because of ministry.

-         This causes great emotional impact – causing the drunkenness.

Bitter – emotional strain

Well-being of the house cause strain – happy with the happy, trauma with the traumatized sorrow.

Love the sons and feel with them. – Causes drunkenness.

At war

• we wrestle not against flesh and blood Eph 6:12
• Opposition to the gospel

Discipline

• Prov 13:24 – hurts parent more than child
• Very draining – more wine – drunkenness.

Watchful

• Protect the sheep –wolves – wine – causing drunkenness.

Heartache

• Loss of children of the house
• Betrayal when hearts turn against me – wine drunkenness).

Just because it’s not evident to see, does not mean that the deep wound is not there!!!

Sweet (of the wine) victories – Conversions, repentance

• Growth, submission to the Word, acceptance of the Word.
• Changed lives (answer to prayer, restored relationships) wonderful, faithful, obedient sons.
• Provision in the house – joys are much more than difficulties.

This is wine – fruit – causes drunkenness.

Drinking the Wine.

Fathers get drunk from this wine (The fruit affects you).

NB!! Everything about being in the ministry is not easy!!

God never said it would be easy.

Sons should realize that their spiritual fathers need them to be there for them.

Naked (v21(b)) and became uncovered in his tent.

Uncovered – exposed, vulnerable, defenseless, open.

Noah was at the mercy of those who entered his tent and looked at him.

-         Drunkenness caused him to be defenseless – not able to act in authority.

-         He was weak in the flesh because the (fruit) wine caused him to become drunk.

-         His tent was Noah’s only defense and he was in it.

(Tent his) personal, private space – only by association or invitation is someone allowed in.

-         Trusted people – Noah was to feel safe in his own tent.

-   Sometimes sons are disappointed when they discover their fathers are human…

Fathers are not perfect people!!

-         They also have a soul and body – not only spirit.

When we enter the ministry our souls; will, intellect and emotions, are not magically removed.

When talking about drunkenness of father I’m not referring to sin.

Talking about the humanity of fathers (leaders).

When leaders become vulnerable and expose their humanity, they often lose their “hero-status” – Father to his young children.

WRONG SPIRIT (v22+23)

-         Ham was exposed to his fathers

-         Nakedness, allowed into his tent because of his association.

To justify an offence.

-         Look for faults in father to justify his attitude.

Used his privileged position

To enter in and see the nakedness.

• Appoints himself judge and sheriff over his father!!

Ham’s heart was to degrade his father and he wanted to ‘REVEAL’ his fathers nakedness to his brothers – telling others.

Sons in the house may have seen their father’s nakedness (humanity) for years but because of offense and root of bitterness springing up, they choose to expose their father.

INTERESTING was God more angry at Noah for getting drunk (being human) or at Ham for abusing his father’s nakedness?

Guard your heart against a critical spirit.

-         Don’t allow yourself to become the houses self-appointed sheriff.

A godly attitude (v23)

-         Also allowed into tent (privacy) but had a different attitude.

-         Covered their fathers nakedness instead of exposing it.

You will see your fathers nakedness (humanity) at some stage – what are you going to do with it?

(v23b) Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their fathers nakedness.

YOU DECIDE

How will you respond when you discover your father’s humanity?

Will you:

Sneer and despise it, use it as ammunition for your own gain?

Use it to justify your rebellion?

Choose to act in love, integrity?

Turn Away.

Shem and Japheth chose not to side with Ham.

Instead they turned their heads and would not look on.

-         ALL ABOUT ATTITUDE

Guard your heart – allow God to be God – You’ll be blessed.

-         Don’t kick, missus your father when he’s down – revealing his nakedness to whoever will listen.

Everything revealed (v24-27)

You will be held accountable for your actions.

Blessing or curse – you get to choose

Act with Honour.

When you see your father’s humanity choose not to reveal it!!

-         Honour your father and God’s blessing will overflow in your life – you will prosper.

1 Cor 13:4-7.