(Luke 1:46-56, taken from the Song of Hannah, 1 Samuel 2) Luke 1:46, “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed’” What are the events in life that make you want to sing? Can you remember a time when your heart was so filled with emotion that you just wanted to sing? In many ways singing is a natural reaction to the good things that happen to us in life. Today, as we examine this, Mary’s Life Song, let us try to identify with an expression of joy that comes not because of human achievements, but that comes from knowing the high favour and great mercy of our Heavenly Father. As we prepare for Christmas and look forward to celebrating our Saviour’s birth, let us learn from this humble woman that the birth of Jesus is God’s greatest gift to all mankind. Therefore, in every situation it gives us good reason to sing with “spirit and joy.” “Blessed are you among women...” (verse 42) But look at the preceding verses; “At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.” The angel’s words to Mary earlier presented her with some difficult decisions. As a woman pledged to be married, it would have been natural for Mary to want to immediately go and see Joseph, her future husband. Certainly, the birth of a child involves him as well. But instead she goes to see her cousin Elizabeth. Mary probably wanted the advice of an older wiser woman. After all, Joseph may not believe her.... “What do you mean an angel came to you at night? He told you what?” She could not go to anyone else because they would logically assume that Mary had cheated on Joseph, an offence punishable by death. The pressure on Mary to make a quick decision based on her emotions or circumstance would have been great. But that’s not what she did.

Life Matters TV presents 'The Song of Mary – ‘A Life Song’', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv

Today I want to focus particularly on understanding what it means to live meaningfully in the place God calls you to. What does God think about what you do? Not so much what you do here in this church on Sundays, important as that is, but what you do the rest of today, and the rest of the week. The other 166 hours. What about your job, your work, your family, your hobbies, the little things that bring you joy and make life interesting for you? What does God think about those things? And how do those things fit in with God’s calling on your life? What does God think about your leisure activities, or your school work, your eating habits, your sleeping habits, how you manage your home or business, and how you take care of your children? What does God think about those things? The everyday, mundane, trivial things that fill our time and make up what it means just to be “human.” Do those things really matter to God? And how do they fit in with the calling of God? These questions may have been burning a hole in your mind for a long time now. So let’s examine the subject to see whether we can gleam anything useful or beneficial. Most of you love your jobs and find it hard to see how you could feel close to being fulfilled doing anything else. But you always get the impression from fellow Christians that doing business or work doesn’t matter to God as much as things like prayer, and church, and Bible reading, and mission trips, and other more “spiritual” pursuits. What’s more, the heroes of the faith that you heard about in church weren’t businessmen, or high school students, or elderly bed-ridden people. Neither were they homemakers, bankers or lawyers, or regular people like that. They were saints, monks, missionaries, pastors, and other types of people who had committed full-time to serving the Lord. So you may be excused for feeling a little second-rate at times. After all, if you were really serious about God and His mission then you wouldn’t be in a regular job. Would you? Some Christians even say that working a job was good for paying the bills, “but it was not going to count for anything in eternity.”

If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; they loose their way. But when they attend to what God reveals, they are most blessed. (Proverbs 29:18 - The Message) So many people have no practical direction for their lives. Why do I get up every morning? What is the point of my life? That is probably the most important question anyone could ever ask themselves! So why is it that we very seldom consider this? Are we afraid of the answer? Or are we afraid there is no answer? Why are you here? Not here in church, but why are you here on the planet; taking up room, using up the air, consuming resources? It may sound crude but maybe it’s a pertinent question. I suppose, what I’m trying to get across is this - “What is the real purpose of your life?” When would you consider addressing this issue? Is it only the kind of thing you think about when you leave school or university? Or, if you've ever had a serious health crisis, did you pause to ask this "ultimate" question? And even if you did, soon after, you get caught up in those day to day activities and lose sight of the very purpose you discovered. Surely, you don’t want to stay so busy that one-day you look up and your life has passed you by. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The psalmist said, “Lord, You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever” (Psalm 16:11).

If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; they loose their way. But when they attend to what God reveals, they are most blessed. (Proverbs 29:18 - The Message) So many people have no practical direction for their lives. Why do I get up every morning? What is the point of my life? That is probably the most important question anyone could ever ask themselves! So why is it that we very seldom consider this? Are we afraid of the answer? Or are we afraid there is no answer? Why are you here? Not here in church, but why are you here on the planet; taking up room, using up the air, consuming resources? It may sound crude but maybe it’s a pertinent question. I suppose, what I’m trying to get across is this - “What is the real purpose of your life?” When would you consider addressing this issue? Is it only the kind of thing you think about when you leave school or university? Or, if you've ever had a serious health crisis, did you pause to ask this "ultimate" question? And even if you did, soon after, you get caught up in those day to day activities and lose sight of the very purpose you discovered. Surely, you don’t want to stay so busy that one-day you look up and your life has passed you by. “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The psalmist said, “Lord, You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your presence and the pleasures of living with You forever” (Psalm 16:11).

Job 1:13-22, 42:12 Job was probably the most famous man on earth. He was extremely wealthy - the best of the best. Yet Job lost it all. Not only did he lose everything, he was also surrounded by carnal, judgmental friends, and even his wife urged him to curse God and die. Job quickly found himself in God’s waiting room. Some of you may be able to identify with Job because you are waiting to hear from God! In the Waiting Room you will experience three things: * The Difficulties Of The Waiting Room. * The Instructions For The Waiting Room * The Discoveries In The Waiting Room

Life Matters TV presents 'Waiting on God', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv

Many of us have often used the phrase 'waiting on God.' We probably know how important it is to ‘wait upon the Lord’ but are not sure how it fits into our everyday lives. In Scripture, there are times when the actual word 'waiting' or the phrase 'waiting on God' is used, yet the principle is often present without the express words 'to wait upon the Lord.' The life of Hezekiah provides a practical example of waiting on God. Hezekiah was King of Judah (beginning 729 BC). He was a great religious and political reformer. He suppressed idolatry and reconstituted the temple services. In his reforms both in church and state he had the assistance of the great prophet Isaiah. The early part of the reign was prosperous. He made a successful expedition against the Philistines, and refused to pay the usual tribute to Assyria. Soon after came two Assyrian invasions. And after a time of great anxiety the city was at last delivered, probably by a plague that broke out in the Assyrian camp. A year later Hezekiah died, after a reign of 29 years. During his reign, Hezekiah heard some very shocking news - he had became terminally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live’." (Isaiah 38:1). When Hezekiah heard that he was going to die it left him desperate and shaken. Note, the time-frame for waiting here, compared to Abraham, is much shorter. We are talking about days rather than decades. Therefore, the emphasis is very different. Hezekiah's matter was truly urgent! So how did Hezekiah respond to this devastating news?

Life Matters TV presents 'The Beatitudes Part 8 - (Persecution)', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv

The Sermon on the Mount - Jesus starts this incredible sermon by listing specific characteristics that are essential to the subjects of His Kingdom. Each Beatitude includes; (a) a pronouncement of blessings, (b) a description of the ones considered as blessed, and (c) an explanation of the blessing itself. Note, none of these characteristics can be found in the world system. For instance, a large number of people in today’s society don't like, or are very uncomfortable around, those who are pure, mild, peacemakers, and are principled or honourable in life. But we must understand that such people (those who are uneasy around ‘Christlikeness’), will act on these negative emotions and try to make themselves feel better by mistreating the “righteous.” However, persecution comes in many forms, and some of the persecution may come from people claiming to be Christians. Satan has cunningly placed people in all areas, ready to bring physical, material or emotional harm to anyone who is faithfully following Jesus.

Think about the risk of being a peacemaker, because to be a peacemaker is not natural nor normal. We probably all avoid confrontation due to the fact that it’s risky. Everybody who chooses to be a peacemaker enters into the “danger zone”, knowingly or unknowingly. For Jesus Christ, it was a cross. That's also true for any peacemaker. When you're called to be a peacemaker, one side can't be all right, the other side all wrong, and seldom is neither side in the mood for peace. Everybody who is a peacemaker lives in the “combat zone” - whether you choose to or not. Greece, at its height of glory, had all its gods and goddesses and Athena was the goddess of wisdom. Now wisdom was considered the highest value among the Greeks. So in the Parthenon, where they built the great temple that still stands today, they chose the goddess Athena, the goddess of "wisdom," to be the one in that place of honour. And Athena, the goddess of wisdom, wears a helmet, carries an olive branch, and she also holds a spear. Wisdom is peace with strength. You need the olive branch but you also need the spear for strength, for Peacemaking is risky business.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” - Matthew 5:7. A literal translation (from the original Greek)reads, “Exceedingly fortunate are the merciful, for they shall be set free.” Therefore, those who extend mercy are themselves liberated! This lines up with the ‘Parable of the Unmerciful Servant’ in Matthew 18:32-34, "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?' In anger his master delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was owing to him.” Being unmerciful imprisons you, but showing mercy will set you free! What is mercy? A devoted mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offence twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "It would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son. This is the essence of mercy. Mercy is compassion on someone based on their need. It is not justice, for mercy extends compassion on others in spite of their deserving it. The Lord tells us that we should extend mercy to others and then be able to receive mercy in return. And in this Beatitude He is teaching us that mercy should be a ‘lifestyle’ - an integral part of our daily Christian walk.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” - Matthew 5:7. A literal translation (from the original Greek)reads, “Exceedingly fortunate are the merciful, for they shall be set free.” Therefore, those who extend mercy are themselves liberated! This lines up with the ‘Parable of the Unmerciful Servant’ in Matthew 18:32-34, "Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had mercy on you?' In anger his master delivered him to the tormentors until he paid all that was owing to him.” Being unmerciful imprisons you, but showing mercy will set you free! What is mercy? A devoted mother once approached Napoleon seeking a pardon for her son. The emperor replied that the young man had committed a certain offence twice and justice demanded death. "But I don't ask for justice," the mother explained. "I plead for mercy." "But your son does not deserve mercy," Napoleon replied. "Sir," the woman cried, "It would not be mercy if he deserved it, and mercy is all I ask for." "Well, then," the emperor said, "I will have mercy." And he spared the woman's son. This is the essence of mercy. Mercy is compassion on someone based on their need. It is not justice, for mercy extends compassion on others in spite of their deserving it. The Lord tells us that we should extend mercy to others and then be able to receive mercy in return. And in this Beatitude He is teaching us that mercy should be a ‘lifestyle’ - an integral part of our daily Christian walk.

“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Meekness means a calm temper, someone who is not easily provoked. It is a special humility that is considerate and gentle. It does not mean weakness. The greatest leaders among God's true people were meek, that is, strong, but not swaggering: "the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3 KJV). Meekness is a ‘self-control’ quality that Christians are instructed to learn and develop. Jesus, while physically and psychologically strong, was also meek. The Lord was not proud, not arrogant, not abusive. He always had “power under perfect control” - a true rendition of meekness. Meekness is a necessary quality in a good teacher because all of the knowledge in the world is useless if an abrasive manner causes people to walk away with their hands over their ears. Teachers of the Gospel cannot afford to be obnoxious; the stakes are too high, for everyone. Be bold, be forceful, always proclaim the whole Truth regardless of who likes it or not, but don't be deliberately offensive. "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. In meekness instructing those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap.” (2 Timothy 2:24-26) Since this Beatitude is probably a reference to Psalm 37, a reliable way for finding out what “meekness” means is to examine how this characteristic appears within the context of Psalm 37... “Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” (verses 1-7)

Certain portions of Scripture seem to be etched more deeply into our minds than others. Psalm 23 is definitely one of these, as are I Corinthians 13 and Hebrews 11. The Sermon on the Mount is another. This detailed description of what the subjects of the “Kingdom of God” should become, is closer to being Christianity's manifesto than any other single portion of the Bible. It is the ‘Constitution of God’s Kingdom’. In this passage, the King (Jesus) summarises the character and conduct expected of His subjects. It was intended to be a system of laws and principles which were to govern the Kingdom’s citizens during Christ’s reign. It was meant for all - past, present and future - who acknowledge Christ as King. When Christ was on earth, it had direct application to His disciples. But now, while our Lord reigns in heaven, it applies to all who crown Him King in their hearts. The Beatitudes are as important to the Christ’s followers as the Law was to Moses’ followers. But notice, the Beatitudes were directed toward a change of ‘attitude’, whereas the Ten Commandments were directed toward a change of ‘practice’. The one tells you what you must ‘do’ or ‘not do’ (“You shall...” “You shall not…”), and the other tells you what you are to ‘become’ (“Blessed are...”). By helping to change our attitudes, Jesus knew that the Sermon on the Mount could effect what we do (change our code of practice). Therefore, when our attitudes are right - so too are our practices!

Certain portions of Scripture seem to be etched more deeply into our minds than others. Psalm 23 is definitely one of these, as are I Corinthians 13 and Hebrews 11. The Sermon on the Mount is another. This detailed description of what the subjects of the “Kingdom of God” should become, is closer to being Christianity's manifesto than any other single portion of the Bible. It is the ‘Constitution of God’s Kingdom’. In this passage, the King (Jesus) summarises the character and conduct expected of His subjects. It was intended to be a system of laws and principles which were to govern the Kingdom’s citizens during Christ’s reign. It was meant for all - past, present and future - who acknowledge Christ as King. When Christ was on earth, it had direct application to His disciples. But now, while our Lord reigns in heaven, it applies to all who crown Him King in their hearts. The Beatitudes are as important to the Christ’s followers as the Law was to Moses’ followers. But notice, the Beatitudes were directed toward a change of ‘attitude’, whereas the Ten Commandments were directed toward a change of ‘practice’. The one tells you what you must ‘do’ or ‘not do’ (“You shall...” “You shall not…”), and the other tells you what you are to ‘become’ (“Blessed are...”). By helping to change our attitudes, Jesus knew that the Sermon on the Mount could effect what we do (change our code of practice). Therefore, when our attitudes are right - so too are our practices!

“Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them” (Psalm 119:140).

Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible and virtually every verse praises some aspect of God’s Word. The Psalmist David seems to be in a crescendo of deep appreciation for the Word of God and yet the “Bible” he had would have been essentially the first five books of our present Bible - perhaps along with some of the historical books (hardly among our favourite sources of promises!)
 
“Your promises have been thoroughly tested.” Dr. Herbert Lockyer’s book titled “All the Promises In The Bible” lists over 8,000 promises. These promises are definite, explicit declarations God has made that we can all rely on. Notice, His promises are “thoroughly tested.”  The actual Hebrew words convey ‘a poker that’s constantly in the fire’ - in the refining process of gold.  The Amplified Bible states “tried, tested and well refined.”
 
Consider how these “promises”, that David had regarded as being “tried, tested and well refined,” have been around an additional three thousand years since his writing!  And now we have the entire Bible as a source of revelation from God and a greater source from which to glean His promises.  Notice, in the New Testament Peter writes of God’s “exceeding great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4).  We’re certainly blessed aren’t we!

Genesis 17:7, “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.”

God pledges that He will be the Lord Almighty to Abraham and his descendants forever. This pledge is irrevocable and is the foundation stone of all other biblical promises. The “covenant” between God and His people is one of the most important theological truths of the Bible, yet most believers have very little understanding of this truth.  The most striking thing about God’s covenant is that God is “holy”, “all-knowing” and “all powerful”; yet He consents to enter into covenants with people who are weak, sinful and imperfect (like you and me).

Covenant = A legal binding agreement between two people (or two groups of people) that involves specific promises on the part of each to the other - both parties binding themselves to fulfil specific obligations. The Hebrew word “covenant” is derived from a root word meaning “to join together/shackle” but it often implies ‘betweenness’, emphasising the relational element that lies at the core of all Biblical covenants. Human covenants can be between equals or between a superior and an inferior, however, divine covenants are always of the latter type. Furthermore, a divine covenant mostly signifies an obligation undertaken by a single person. When God “cuts a covenant” with His people it is never conditional upon the observance on their part, even though a penalty may be attached to its non-observance.

Faith is no longer faith when it becomes religious ideas and doctrines. Faith is not religion. Many times people say "We have our faith". What they really mean is this: "We have our religious ideas and doctrines, our traditions, and our ways of doing things - so don't try to change them." This is not the Biblical idea of faith. True faith is not a religious exercise or an ideological or philosophical view. And it definitely isn’t a formula! The ‘Faith Movement’ often gave the impression that faith was a technique used to get what you want. However, the danger with any such system or procedure is that man, and not God, is usually in control - making it a religious practice.

Life Matters TV presents 'How to Live by Faith', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv

Today we will be studying How to Live by Faith. Once again, this will be a practical exposition of faith and how to apply it to your everyday lives. Galatians 3:11 says, “The just shall live by faith.”  Here the apostle Paul is quoting from the Book of Habakkuk to show that God has always justified men by faith and not the law. The original Greek reads, “The just by faith shall live.” Literally, “Those whose conduct before God is right, by faith shall live.”  Therefore, your conduct before God must first be “right” if you are to live by faith. Notice that it says “by faith” and not “in faith.” You are not asked to live in faith, but rather, by faith - which implies that you use faith to live by.  It is a tool for right living before God, and this pleases Him.

Hebrews 11:6 states, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him.”  No amount of good works can compensate for lack of faith. Faith is the only thing that gives God His proper place in your life, because it proves that you have more confidence in Him than in yourself.  Faith not only believes that God exists, but it also trusts Him enough to know that He will reward those who diligently seek Him - those who exercise their faith to believe.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 God has messages for seven Churches in Asia Minor. There were many more churches, but God picked out these seven as examples of what the New Testament Church was like. But God’s message is actually to us: “Where do we stand? To which of these seven churches can we compare ourselves? Read Revelation 2:12-17...

Pergamos was one of the oldest cities in the region. It had served as the capital of the Roman province of Asia Minor for over twenty five years and was the official seat of the Roman government. It was also an important religious centre for a number of pagan cults. Pergamos was the first city in Asia to build a temple to Caesar and it became the capital of the cult of Caesar worship. Of the city, an ancient writer once said; “it was given to idolatry more than all Asia.” And this may have been referring to the 200 foot-high alter to Zeus in the city centre.

The book of Acts makes no mention of the founding of this church. According to Acts 16:7-8, Paul passed through the region of Mysia, where Pergamos was located, on his second missionary journey, but there is no record that Paul either preached the gospel or founded a church there during that time. Most likely, Paul founded this church during his ministry at Ephesus (Acts 19:10) when the gospel was preached throughout Asia. Doctrinally, this was a compromising church.

In Revelation chapters 2 and 3 God has messages for seven Churches in Asia Minor. There were many more churches, but God picked out these seven as examples of what the New Testament Church was like. But God’s message is actually to us: “Where do we stand? To which of these seven churches can we compare ourselves? Not surprisingly, God selected the first one of the seven to be the Church at Ephesus. This was the Church for which the Apostle Paul laboured more than for any other Church. Paul worked with them for about 3 years. If any of the first century churches should know right from wrong, it was the Church at Ephesus.

Some forty years after the commencement of the Ephesian congregation, Jesus issued a letter to these very same people (Revelation 2:1-7). He commended them for many remarkable qualities. They were obedient, energetic, enduring, sound in doctrine, and untiring. However, they had one serious problem - these believers had left their “first love” (verse 4). “Nevertheless, I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” The word “left” can mean; ‘to let go’, ‘to neglect’, ‘forsake’, or ‘leave alone’ (abandon).

Life Matters TV presents 'The Door with no Handle - VIDEO', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv

Revelation 3:20 reads as follows: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me." The Amplified says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he will eat with Me.”

What a wonderfully sad concept of Jesus - standing at the door knocking, softly yet persistently, seeking entrance. In the book ‘Christ And The Fine Arts’, someone had written about a picture depicting Revelation 3:20 that was found on a stained-glass window in a famous cathedral: ``The picture of a door with no handle portrays the moment when human destiny hangs in the balance, when Divine Love patiently waits upon human reluctance. Here is the perpetual issue between heaven and earth - choice. Here is the continual challenge of Christ to mankind. Here we see the ever-present appeal of love to lethargy. It is a call to decision in stained-glass.''

Many believers have never taken ‘ownership’ of what God has given them - of what they already possess! They have great and powerful tools in their hands that much of the time are not recognised and seldom used. Yet 2 Peter 1:3-4 declares, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life (the natural) and godliness (the spiritual), through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these (promises) you may be partakers of the divine nature.”  

The Moffatt translation says, “Inasmuch as His power divine has bestowed upon us every requisite for life and godliness by the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence - bestowing on us thereby promises precious and supreme, that by means of them (the promises) you would participate in the divine nature.” This implies, when we take ownership of (and responsibility for) God’s precious promises we in fact engage in the divine nature. This enables us to live a victorious and prosperous existence (both in the natural and the spiritual).

One of the elements of modern-day Christianity that we may consider guarding ourselves against is our love-affair with ‘bigness’ (mega-stature). We should be reminded of the need to "de-spectacularise" the church. Jesus declared that God’s Kingdom comes quietly, invisibly - spreading its influence like yeast in dough. But the corporate model of church growth is bigger crowds, bigger buildings, and bigger TV networks, etc. This seems distinctly contrary to the Lord’s view.

I wonder if 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 does not hold the key to this dilemma… Each time Jesus said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (New Living Translation).

One of the elements of modern-day Christianity that we may consider guarding ourselves against is our love-affair with ‘bigness’ (mega-stature). We should be reminded of the need to "de-spectacularise" the church. Jesus declared that God’s Kingdom comes quietly, invisibly - spreading its influence like yeast in dough. But the corporate model of church growth is bigger crowds, bigger buildings, and bigger TV networks, etc. This seems distinctly contrary to the Lord’s view.

I wonder if 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 does not hold the key to this dilemma… Each time Jesus said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong (New Living Translation).

“A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul” Proverbs 13:19. Achieving your goals is pleasing and enjoyable. But notice, there must be desire present before this can come about. In Matthew 15:28, Jesus links desire to great faith, “O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be as you desire.”  The Greek word literally means, “to will” or “to wish.”  But it implies a deep human determination. Therefore, any form of personal accomplishment takes resolve - the willpower to succeed.  And this is the universal Law of Desire at work.

God wants us to come of age. He wants sons and daughters who can take hold of their inheritance, and He has provided a sound process for achieving this. As the gifts that God has placed in the church equip the saints (that’s you), and as you enlarge through active and energetic service, you grow up and increase in all matters of life. Resulting in you being transformed into the image of Christ and becoming a true joint-heir with Him - ruling and reigning here on earth! However, growing up into maturity is a definite process (a journey), and it requires thought and determination.

In this story, it would seem as if Jesus could not look upon grief, without that grief becoming His own. In the similar case of Lazarus, it was the bitter thought of a lost and departed friend which opened the fountain of the Lord’s own tears.  At Bethany (as with here at Nain), it was simply the spectacle of human suffering that made its irresistible appeal to the emotional side of the Jesus’ nature. The anguish of human compassion moved the Rock of Ages, and streams of tenderness gushed forth. "When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews weeping which came with her …Jesus wept." Likewise, when the Lord saw this poor widow who had lost her only son, "He had compassion on her." Jesus had probably heard her bitter, heart-rending sobbing in the midst of the mourners, and this quickly drew His attention. So He uttered a soothing sympathetic word before He uttered the divine instruction that brought forth this astounding miracle – “I command you young man to get up!”

The word ‘compassion’ comes from two Latin words - ‘suffer’ and ‘with’. Therefore, to show compassion means to suffer with someone, to enter into a person’s negative situation and become involved in that person’s distress. Compassion is not a theoretical attitude, put a practical involvement. It involves doing, not just thinking or saying! ‘A compassionate response to suffering requires that (a) one be moved by the suffering of the other; (b) act to remove the immediate effects of the suffering; and (c) respond to correct the circumstances which may have given rise to the suffering itself.’ (New Dictionary of Christian Ethics)

Canon Andrew bring out the true meaning of Psalm 23.

If your thoughts are all negative so too will your confession be; and consequently your whole life. Perhaps you're like that. You're avoiding hope to protect yourself against being hurt. This type of behaviour sets up a negative lifestyle. Everything becomes negative because your thoughts are negative. God’s word does not promote negativism. The longer you serve God, and study his word, the more you will realise the tremendous power in being positive - in thought and word. Your actions are a direct result of your thoughts. A negative mind will result in a negative life, and a negative life is an unhappy life. But if you renew your mind according to God's Word, you will, as Romans 12:2 promises, prove (in your experiences) “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It is a vital necessity that we line up our thoughts with God's thoughts. But this is a process that will take time and effort.

Winston Churchill said, “The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” God’s word says, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). Therefore, the pessimist thinks and sees only difficulties, and the optimist thinks and sees only opportunities. Which one are you? Many people’s philosophy in life is: “If I don't expect anything good to happen, then I won't be disappointed when it doesn't.”

If your thoughts are all negative so too will your confession be; and consequently your whole life. Perhaps you're like that. You're avoiding hope to protect yourself against being hurt. This type of behaviour sets up a negative lifestyle. Everything becomes negative because your thoughts are negative. God’s word does not promote negativism. The longer you serve God, and study his word, the more you will realise the tremendous power in being positive - in thought and word. Your actions are a direct result of your thoughts. A negative mind will result in a negative life, and a negative life is an unhappy life. But if you renew your mind according to God's Word, you will, as Romans 12:2 promises, prove (in your experiences) “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” It is a vital necessity that we line up our thoughts with God's thoughts. But this is a process that will take time and effort.

Proverbs 10:26 says, “The prospect (hope) of the righteous is joy.” In other words, when you connect to your future (in God) you connect to happiness! However, we often neglect this truth. Have your hopes and dreams ever kept you awake at night? Do you ever wonder how all the pieces are going to come together to unleash all you are wishing for? Trusting God with your future is as simple as understanding that your future is God's History. Psalm 139:16 says that every moment of every day was recorded in His book before a single day had passed.

This means that when you place your hope in God you actually connect to your future. In Genesis 17, God appeared to Abram and made a covenant with him, guaranteeing he would become a mighty nation. He changed his name to Abraham, because he would be known as the father of many nations - even though Sarah was old and had not been able to have children. Can you imagine living with a promise like that? Everyday when Abraham looked to the heavens he was reminded that his descendants would be as innumerable as the stars. If any man had a right to be stressed and give up hope it was Abraham. The biological clock had certainly stopped ticking yet there was a promise of God hanging over His life. God's promises do not exist to frustrate our lives but rather to direct our hope and increase our faith.

We all need to laugh more – we need to have a “happy heart.” Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to “rejoice,” to “be joyful,” and to “be glad;” and you will find over 50 direct references to happiness. Being happy has great benefits. Not only does it strengthen you, it can completely change your attitude and outlook on life. Someone once said, “What everyone wants from life is continuous and genuine happiness.”

Proverbs 17:22, “A happy heart is good medicine” (Amp).

We all need to laugh more – we need to have a “happy heart.” Throughout the Bible we are encouraged to “rejoice,” to “be joyful,” and to “be glad;” and you will find over 50 direct references to happiness. Being happy has great benefits. Not only does it strengthen you, it can completely change your attitude and outlook on life. Someone once said, “What everyone wants from life is continuous and genuine happiness.”

The truth is… If you’re happy, you will know it. And if you know it you will show it! Research has shown that laughter actually releases tension, anxiety, anger, fear, shame and guilt. Laughter also increases antibodies and is believed to have a protective capacity against viruses, bacteria and other micro-organisms. Both science and the Bible agree that laughter is like a medicine. Studies have shown that laughter releases endorphins into the body. These substances help relieve pain and create a sense of well being within us. They also reduce stress, enhance circulation, boost the immune system, and strengthen the heart. Like a good massage, a hearty belly laugh can stimulate all the major organs in your body. Some say it’s like an internal aerobic exercise!

Deuteronomy 7:9 “Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations…”

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed and consecrated Jesus of Nazareth with the [Holy] Spirit and with strength and ability and power; how He went about doing good and, in particular, curing all who were harassed and oppressed by [the power of] the devil, for God was with Him.”

Last week Pastor Chris spoke on who God says He is and we saw the attributes of God. Following on from that, today I want to look at who God says we are, as revealed in His Word.
 
“Who Am I?” Is a great question that we should ask ourselves?
 
Even Jesus had to discover who he was. Virgin birth. In Luke 2 we read about his birth, how he was presented in the Temple. By v 39 he is 12 years old. Parents and family leave, Jesus stays behind and his parents come looking for him. V46-47 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. Church is a good place to listen and ask questions and find out who you are.

There are aspects of God that remain hidden from our eyes because we are finite beings. God is infinite and we cannot possibly understand everything about Him. However, God does reveal Himself in His own time and in His own way. And strangely enough, God does not reveal Himself to everyone. Probably, the number of people He does not reveal Himself to is far greater than to those He does.

So why does God like to remain hidden? Why doesn't He do everything right out in the open for all to see? Someone may say, “I do not believe God is hidden. I believe He does reveal Himself to everyone.” Therefore, the first thing to do is prove from the Scriptures that we are all dealing with a hidden God, and then to show that this God does not reveal Himself to everyone.

Malachi 3:6 – “I am the Lord God and I do not change!”

In order to understand what God reveals about Himself we must allow God to speak for Himself and be who He said He is! Let’s stop misrepresenting Him by voicing our own opinions and politically correct views. I am always amazed at how many false statements people make about God - or about what God ‘does’ or ‘thinks’. I can understand non-Christians having an unscriptural concept of the nature and character of the God, as they are ignorant of the Truth. However, there is no excuse for people who call themselves believers to be deluded about Him, or to misquote Him. Sadly many Christians are guilty of this very thing, and they make statements on His behalf that are totally opposite to what God as told us in His Word (in the Bible).

In Genesis chapter 1 the Bible clearly teaches us that man was made in God's image, but these days its seems that the God of the Bible is not politically correct enough for our society, so people re-create God to be how they, or others think He should be. We have turned God into a 21st Century icon! But He is the God of ages – the God of all generations! And He is the same yesterday, today and forever more!

In order to understand what God reveals about Himself we must allow God to speak for Himself and be who He said He is! Let’s stop misrepresenting Him by voicing our own opinions and politically correct views. I am always amazed at how many false statements people make about God - or about what God ‘does’ or ‘thinks’. I can understand non-Christians having an unscriptural concept of the nature and character of the God, as they are ignorant of the Truth. However, there is no excuse for people who call themselves believers to be deluded about Him, or to misquote Him. Sadly many Christians are guilty of this very thing, and they make statements on His behalf that are totally opposite to what God as told us in His Word (in the Bible).

Pastor Chris Lodewyk was part of the team that brought about the end of apartied and the forming of the peace process in South Africa and now speaks to government ministers worldwide.

Pastor Chris Lodewyk was part of the team that brought about the end of apartied and the forming of the peace process in South Africa and now speaks to government ministers worldwide.

In Mark 12:29-31 Jesus said that the most important commandment is this… “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.” And the second is equally important: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these. Note, the first and second commandments are a package deal. They are inseparable. Jesus calls them first and second but we can’t experience one without the other.

For years believers have tried to justify a separation. 1 John 4:20 says, “If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” Our horizontal relationships are an indicator of our vertical relationship. Our vertical relationship with God affects our horizontal relationships with each other. The only way for us to fulfil the greatest command is to get very serious about not only our relationship with God, but also our relationships with each other.

How can you build a life of purpose? You can seek the answer to this question in many places - in self-help books, mentoring programmes, professional advice or even new-age philosophies. But have you ever considered how Jesus would answer this question for you? As the world's most significant person, He can do what no one else can. He can give you peace, purpose and power to change.

Imagine for a moment that you're building a house. You hire a building contractor, but he never consults the blueprints drawn up by your architect (the designer). He casually builds without any detailed plan! An unwise move - I’m sure you will agree.  Every good contractor needs to know exactly where to lay the foundation, erect the walls, and place the doors and windows. Only then will the home look the way it was intended. Only then will it comply to the planning consent given by the local authority.

The same can be said of your life. How can you try to build your life without first consulting the great Architect of life? The One who predestined you according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5); who has created you for a wonderful and distinct purpose. The Bible says, "We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them" (Romans 8:28).

How can you build a life of purpose? You can seek the answer to this question in many places - in self-help books, mentoring programmes, professional advice or even new-age philosophies. But have you ever considered how Jesus would answer this question for you? As the world's most significant person, He can do what no one else can. He can give you peace, purpose and power to change.

Imagine for a moment that you're building a house. You hire a building contractor, but he never consults the blueprints drawn up by your architect (the designer). He casually builds without any detailed plan! An unwise move - I’m sure you will agree.  Every good contractor needs to know exactly where to lay the foundation, erect the walls, and place the doors and windows. Only then will the home look the way it was intended. Only then will it comply to the planning consent given by the local authority.

Many of us sometimes feel as if we’re living in a combat zone. It’s as if a battle is raging on all sides and we can’t seem to get focused. In combat, a critical factor for every soldier is whether he/she can outlast the battle in order to secure the victory. Therefore, surviving (coming through the struggle) means one of two things: (a) either you have gained the victory, or (b) you have escaped to fight again. But keep in mind, in spiritual warfare there may be spiritual captives!  Many believers do not come through and end up defeated, bitter, backslidden and blaming God for what’s happened.

2 Timothy 2:3,4 says, "You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  For no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier (his commanding officer)."  Enduring hardship as a good soldier is ‘militaristic commitment’, and this is essential in all spiritual warfare.  God is looking for good soldiers,  and the Greek word for "good" implies 'one who is fit, excellent and capable'. Therefore, a good soldier must possess all the correct virtues - he must be committed, skilled, disciplined, fierce in battle, driven and hardworking. You cannot live in the combat zone, and survive, without these characteristics.

John Watson of Vinesong talks about this vital subject bringing healing to those who have been hurt by life and knocked out of the race.

God seeks young people today. He seeks young people with great hearts who can make room for Him in their lives. To spread the Good News it is necessary to be youthful within (to have youthful energy). Also, to be capable of letting oneself be called into question about your faith. Jesus has a fondness for young people, as the conversation with the rich young man clearly shows (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22). He totally respects your freedom but never tires of proposing loftier goals for your life. Like Jesus, Cornerstone looks at young people with immense affection. You must understand that the church wants to be close to you - in moments of joy, in tests and trials, and in loss or failure. We’re family!

Dear young people, let yourselves be involved in the “new life” that flows from the encounter you’ve had with Christ and you will be able to become apostles of His peace in your families, among your friends, within your schools or colleges, and in the various spheres in which you are active.

Whenever you allow faith to rise above human reasoning, and then simply place your trust in God, He will work the miraculous in those seemingly impossible situations. "For with God nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37).

How reassuring it is for us to know that when we trust in God, His plan for our lives unfolds perfectly - each moment of every day. And the impossible becomes possible! Proverbs 3:5 encourages you to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”  
 
Note, trust is a heart matter not a head matter! And the degree to which you trust in God reveals the level of faith you have in His ability to positively affect your situation. Unfortunately most people have never actually trusted in God with ‘all their heart’. Most are simply leaning on their own understanding - trusting in their own ability to work things out!

Often I hear people use the phrase, "I don’t understand," and in this one statement we are showing that we are trying to find the answer to our dilemma on our own. We are trying to control the situation. Regardless of the problem or situation, we need to learn to accept, and trust that the guidance will come, and then patiently relax.

Many times in this life you won’t understand things. So if you learn to lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths. In essence, when we “don’t” understand, that is a good thing. It’s actually splendid, for the Bible tells us to “Lean not, on our own understanding.” The bible goes on to tell us, our Heavenly Father’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. So if you are seeking human understanding to your dilemma, how then can you expect to receive any spiritual guidance? If you are relying on your own understanding, you won’t have the capacity to interpret the thoughts of God.

Whenever you allow faith to rise above human reasoning, and then simply place your trust in God, He will work the miraculous in those seemingly impossible situations. "For with God nothing is impossible" (Luke 1:37).

How reassuring it is for us to know that when we trust in God, His plan for our lives unfolds perfectly - each moment of every day. And the impossible becomes possible! Proverbs 3:5 encourages you to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”  
 
Note, trust is a heart matter not a head matter! And the degree to which you trust in God reveals the level of faith you have in His ability to positively affect your situation. Unfortunately most people have never actually trusted in God with ‘all their heart’. Most are simply leaning on their own understanding - trusting in their own ability to work things out!

Isaiah 60:1-2

God is saying in the midst of calamity and darkness there is a generation who are arising.

•    Arise means to get to a higher level of living  -so that God can release his glory in and through you.
•    Glory  means all of God’s best (Exodus 33)
•    All of God’s best is in you
•    All of God’s best will be seen on you
•    All of God’s best can be released through you.
•    God is committed to [put in] and [pour out] all of Himself to a generation who ARISE.

Job 9:4-10 READ

•    God is sovereign. He controls all things
•    Sets up kings – takes them down
•    Sets up boundaries – Tells the Ocean where to stop
•    Set the planets spinning – controls the universe.

Hebrews 1:3

Hold all things together by the Word of His Power

•    Alpha and Omega –beginning and end –Holds the past and future in His hand.
•    When you give your life to God –you give Him control of it.
•    God is in control of every atom inside and outside your body.

Turn to Luke 8 and let’s read the first 3 verses… “Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with Him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.”

Notice, these women were helping to support Jesus out of their own means. One translation says, “Who ministered to and provided for Him out of their own property and personal belongings.” What’s quite obvious is that these women were women of substance, and they did three things with their resources; (1) they supported, (2) they ministered to [served], and (3) they provided for. Isn’t this exactly what we should all be doing?  

Back to those 3 verses in Luke… The question that arises is, Why? Why did these women demonstrate love and affection for Jesus? Why did they serve Him using their own property and personal belongings? I believe the key is held in the detail that is given concerning their previous state – who they were before meeting Jesus. Note, all three women were in need of healing and deliverance.

This is probably one of the most encouraging passages of scripture in the whole Bible. It vividly expresses the deep and profound love, which the Lord has for all His people. Notice the wonderful statement… "I have called you by your name; you are Mine!" Another translation says, "I have claimed you; you are Mine!" God can legally claim us as His own because He was prepared to send Jesus to pay ‘the price’ in order to secure our redemption. Notice also how God emphasises that we are precious in His sight – ‘greatly honoured’ and ‘loved’.
 
Furthermore, through the prophet Amos, the Lord declared that all the gentiles who are called by His name will be part of the restoration of the Tabernacle of David. "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be.” (Amos 9:10-11). This prophecy was forecasting the universal body of Christ becoming united in serving God. And according to ancient Hebrew custom, to be called by the name of anyone is to be regarded as a son or daughter. Therefore, it must also refer to all those who are to be included in the dynasty of David and considered children of God. Such a unique people will become a select community who have been given the ability to partake of the same divine Spirit. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God" (Romans 8:14).

We have authority in the earth I want us to gain a fresh revelation of our authority in the earth. I don’t want us to have just a passing thought I want us to have a revelation of authority. So what has God the Father put in place for us to use on His behalf as we travel in this earth? We have to remember God has limited Himself to what we allow or disallow in the earth, according to His will, His word, and His purposes. If we don’t pray in faith and speak in faith nothing will change in the earth or in our lives nor the lives of those we love. God the Father has given us authority in the earth to affect this earth towards His Word, His will and His desire. No we don’t have the power to change a person’s will; however we do have authority over every work of the evil one. Lets face it Adam was the first human God gave authority too; that desire is still God’s desire. God wants man to be in authority in the earth making sure His will is being fulfilled in the earth.

Romans 8:9 “If the Spirit of God lives in you; you are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” 1 Corinthians 6:17, “But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.”

Before Jesus returned to glory, He told His followers that they would feel destitute like orphans (John 14:18). Therefore, He promised that He would not leave permanently but would be with and in them as the Spirit of Truth (John 14:16,17). Jesus told the worried disciples: “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter [parakletos], that He may abide with you forever” (John 14:16). The word "another" is from words meaning ‘more of the same’ – not ‘different’.

According to the Bible, we are made in the image of God, the Creator of the universe. Our being is modelled after His divine existence. Through logic or intellect, we cannot see or identify God. Unless God chooses to reveal Himself we cannot know Him. Why is this? If God made the eyes, ears and mind of humanity, how would we know whom the creator is unless the Creator reveals Himself to His creation?

The Bible teaches that we are made in the Creator’s image, yet we lack the ability to know God apart from His willingness to reveal Himself to us. This is our predicament, how can fallen humanity know God? We cannot! That is the point; it is impossible for us to know God, unless He reveals Himself to us. Does God choose to reveal Himself? Yes, He does! The Creator of the universe wants to communicate with you!

James 4:2,3 – “You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

Many Christians don’t receive from God simply because they don’t ask Him for anything! These people ask (or expect) to get their needs met through other channels. Here in these verses we see that even in the act of ‘asking God for it’ such people were self-centred, and focused on the wrong motives.  James says, “You do not have because you do not ask.”  This is clearly a reference to personal prayer. Therefore, to many of people it does not even occur to them to ask God for help of any kind.

Luke 15:11-32… Here is the story of the Prodigal Son (or, as the real hero is the Dad, it could have been called The Parable of the Yearning Father). This is probably one of the greatest short stories ever told (and re-told).
Every one of us has encountered the four distinct relationships brought out in the parable of the Prodigal Son - self, things, others and God. It’s a story that encompasses all four. The youngest son comes to his father and says (in effect): “I wish was somewhere else. I can't find happiness hanging out with the people around here. Give me one-third of your goods and property, as it’s coming to me anyway! And also sell a portion of the land we've inherited from our forefathers. I want my inheritance now! Only money can make me happy.”

How do you receive your healing? The same principles apply today that applied 2000 years ago. We can all live in perfect health and Jesus actually did tell us how to do it! There is no expiration date for divine health. God’s healing power still works today as it did when Jesus walked the earth. But a key is to not give up! Pray fervently and be persistent. Yes, keep praying and keep asking! If you genuinely want to get better - don't stop - don't give up. God is ever faithful to honour His word in the area of healing. Therefore, be persistent. Luke 18:1-7 - Jesus gave us this parable as an example of how to pray and ask God in order to make things right. Jesus was comparing the widow to "us" and the judge to God the Father. He is telling us to literally ‘keep asking’ God for what we need. To ask until He gives it to us! Many of you have probably been told at one time or another, "Ask God only once for what you need, for if you ask Him more than once, you are not exercising your faith correctly".

By going to the cross and shedding His blood, Jesus not only purchased the salvation of our souls, but His sufferings also secured our physical healing. In fact, the word "salvation" (so frequently used in the New Testament), comes from the Greek “soteria”, which means ‘wholeness and healing - both in the physical and spiritual’. Years before Jesus came to the earth, the prophet Isaiah described the sufferings of the coming Saviour and gave this reason. He wrote, "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5). The stripes mentioned by Isaiah were the awful lashings inflicted by the Roman soldiers upon Jesus’ back. Thirty nine stripes were the traditional punishment for a condemned prisoner. And according to the scripture, these stripes upon Christ’s body were borne to secure our healing (1 Peter 2:24). Several years ago a well-known physician claimed to have discovered that all the world’s diseases could be traced to thirty nine root sources. A coincidence? Probably not! Jesus bore a stripe for every disease known to mankind.

If God is our source, then we must be able to receive from Him. In this series we will be examining the various ways we can apprehend the blessings of God. Here is the first: "Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" - Matthew 6:33. The Jews were greatly mistaken in respect to the nature of the kingdom which their Messiah was going to set up. They expected a kingdom like the kingdoms of this world, infused with earthly splendour. But Jesus sought to change their view. He told them that His kingdom did not come with outward visibility - that it existed within men. He wanted them to understand that it was spiritual, and not temporal. The simple idea of this kingdom is that Christ himself reigns in the hearts of his people, securing the perfect submission of the human will, and the setting apart of every power to Himself. Therefore, His kingdom is within; it is invisible. It puts on no outward expression. In the hearts of men God writes His laws (by his Spirit), and consequently rules over them to translate them into His glorious kingdom of peace and love. The subjects of this Kingdom abide in no particular location. Each residing where Christ has met with him, where he has become a legitimate member of this invisible kingdom. The Lord rules and reigns over us so that we may truly be subjects and citizens of the kingdom of God. It is this kingdom that we are all required to seek. The kingdom the exists within!

Hebrews 11:17, “By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received (accepted) the promises, offered up his only begotten son.” If God is your source then you must be able to receive from Him. In this series we are going to examine the various ways you can receive the blessings of God. How many of you simply accept God’s promises? If you were tested as Abraham was, would you respond the same way? Notice, according to this verse of scripture, there’s something that had preceded Abraham’s faith, “By faith, he offered up Isaac.” But notice, he had already accepted and received God’s promises! “…He who had received (past tense) the promises of God offered up his son.” You can never operate in faith until you have first accepted and then received God’s promises. Bearing in mind that this does not have anything to do with simply ‘accepting that the promises are true’, as this is “belief.” Faith has to do with intentionally accepting God at His word and receiving all His promises. It’s the process of inviting them to populate your life and making each one come alive in you. The Greek verb’s meaning is very clear. It is, “to receive by deliberate and ready reception of what is being offered.” In fact, it’s exactly the same way the Lord receives the spirit of a departing believer (Acts 7:59).

Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is mightily at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose and of transformation. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work among all the nations in the world. But most of all, it is a recognition that God’s work is being done through His people - as He pours out His Spirit upon them (Joel 2:28). This focus on the church’s mission to the world, and the enabling presence of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in the church (to empower that mission) should provide a powerful impetus for churches today, especially those like Cornerstone. Pentecost gives us a tremendous opportunity to use this time to see people transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

The Day of Pentecost in the modern charismatic church has to do primarily with the outpouring of God’s Spirit upon all flesh (as prophesied in Joel 2:28). But to fully comprehend how this takes place we must become totally familiar with the various workings (“operations”) of the Holy Spirit. We must also understand exactly how He has chosen to manifest Himself 'in' and 'through' us. God's will for you is to be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:17,18). Because the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church (and through God’s people), has to do with being constantly filled. I have found six operations of the Holy Spirit, and each one brings glory to Jesus Christ: • There are two operations that are concerned primarily with 'authority' - the various manifestations of power from on high or Gifts of the Spirit. • There are two which deal with the 'equipping of the Saints' - equipping for ministry and equipping for duties or service in the church. • There are two that deal with the 'outpouring' that comes straight from the throne of God (which contains His life and His nature). And flow directly into other people’s lives.

Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through His Holy Spirit is mightily at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose and of transformation. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work among all the nations in the world. But most of all, it is a recognition that God’s work is being done through His people - as He pours out His Spirit upon them (Joel 2:28). This focus on the church’s mission to the world, and the enabling presence of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in the church (to empower that mission) should provide a powerful impetus for churches today, especially those like Cornerstone. Pentecost gives us a tremendous opportunity to use this time to see people transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

“…And it came to pass, when Moses entered the tabernacle, that the pillar of cloud descended and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the Lord talked with Moses” (Exodus 33:9). Moses prepared a special place where he could meet with God and the Lord honoured this by speaking to Moses “…face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” (verse 11). If you wish to meet with God face to face, or if you would like God interrupt your life (as and when it pleases Him), then you too must prepare a special place for His presence to manifest. Under the Law of Moses, God’s divine presence could never take up permanent residency in the human heart. But under the Law of Grace the God Almighty abides in all believers. Therefore, the tabernacle of meeting you must prepare is in your heart.

Corinthians 2:13 (Literal Translation) - “When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human intellect. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.” Too many Christians are confused or misguided regarding their spirituality. The need to experience the supernatural (to be “spiritual”) often causes people to get involved in practices that are not authentic and do not agree with God’s word. Note, human intellect and spirituality just don’t mix. False spirituality is one of the most dangerous traditions in church life today, mainly because it can effect so many people.

Last Sunday morning we discovered how important it is to have an intimate and affectionate relationship with God. After having received the Spirit of adoption we can cry out “Abba Father” (“Daddy God”) knowing that He always hears us. However, adoption also means that we have been placed in God’s family as sons and daughters with the status and privileges of joint-heirs. We are now one family with one Father, “from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name” (Ephesians 3:15). The big question is this, “Do we act like a divine family?” This will be evidenced by the way each family member treats the other.

Verse 1 – The Jews considered 70 to be the number of the Gentile nations and therefore, this may have been the Lord's way of deliberately and dramatically emphasising the universality of His mission. The next thing we notice is that Jesus "sent" them out into every city "two by two". The Greek word for "sent" is 'apostello' which means 'to commission or set apart for a special service'. However, there are other notable uses of this ancient word. For instance, it is used when one is 'sent out with a mission to fulfil', and when one is 'dispatched with the full backing and authority of the sender'. Also, we see that the Lord had sent out these disciples "two by two", which I believe was for protection, strengthening and encouragement. Verse 2 – Today, the harvest is also great and the labourers are still few! Therefore, you too should continually pray that the Lord of the harvest sends out labourers into His harvest field. The heartbeat of our heavenly Father is to harvest every lost soul, and according to 1 Corinthians 3:9, we are "God's fellow workers" in this divine venture.

Salvation provides all the necessary qualities. Salvation is by faith, and faith is given to us by a sovereign God. A measure of faith was given to us as part of God's gift of salvation. Our salvation brings us into the true knowledge of God and of His precious Son, Jesus Christ. Salvation provides everything necessary for godly living, which we see in 2 Peter 1:3, “...His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness...” It is this salvation that has enabled us to become partakers of the divine nature. Verse 4 says: “...having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” The two go together. We've become partakers of the divine nature, and God's character is manifested in us, because we have escaped the wickedness that is in the world.

The information age in which we live is so full of rationalism, mental sciences, and analytical thought that most people choose to mock when they hear of someone claiming to be able to actually hear the voice of God. However, no one should scoff, for several reasons. Firstly, men and women throughout the Bible heard God’s voice. Also, there are some highly effective and reputable men and women of God alive today who regularly demonstrate that they hear God’s voice. Finally, there is a deep hunger within us all to commune with God and hear Him speak within our hearts.

Life Matters is a weekly audio and video podcast, dedicated to bringing you the word of God in a real and relevant way.  These teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou are designed to equip and strengthen individuals for the issues of day to day life, with the word of God. The vision of Life Matters is to strengthen the individual to build families to strengthen society. All teachings are recorded live at Cornerstone The Church in Esher, Surrey, UK.

Life Matters is a weekly audio and video podcast, dedicated to bringing you the word of God in a real and relevant way.  These teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou are designed to equip and strengthen individuals for the issues of day to day life, with the word of God. The vision of Life Matters is to strengthen the individual to build families to strengthen society. All teachings are recorded live at Cornerstone The Church in Esher, Surrey, UK.

Life Matters TV presents 'Authority & Ability', another teaching from Pastor Chris Demetriou at Cornerstone The Church. For more information visit our website at www.life-matters.tv