Baptism

Matthew 3:1-17

A story is told of a Baptist pastor who, at his very first baptism, became completely stage struck. Standing in the baptismal pool with the candidate for this sacred rite, the pastor became so overcome with nervousness that he forgot which sacrament he was ministering. Instead of using the words for the baptismal service, he instead uttered the words from the communion service and, in a loud voice gave the command, “Drink ye all of this!” Now there’s a challenge I saved you all from this morning!

For those who are perhaps visiting church for the first time, I can imagine you are asking yourselves the very valid question, why baptism in today’s world?

Firstly, as Christians, we believe baptism tells us who we are! That is why in many Christian traditions, including our own, babies are baptized. It is an indication that every child born into the household of faith is a child of God. Baptism tells us who we are. Whether we are baptized as infants, as was the case this morning with Gerrard, or teenagers or as adults, it is an announcement to the world that we are part of the family of God. Jesus, himself, began his ministry by being baptized. Baptism is central to our lives. It establishes our identity with Christ, and our heavenly Father, rather like our surname establishes our identity with our earthly family.

Baptism also tells us we have God’s seal of approval. Notice what happened at Jesus’ baptism. When he came up out of the water, he saw the skies open up and he saw God’s Spirit which looked like a dove, descending and landing on him. And, a voice said, “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.” Something like that happens, I believe, at every baptism. When we are baptized, God puts His seal of approval on us. We can no longer count ourselves as creatures of no importance. Christ died on our behalf. We are the redeemed by his grace.

An American woman, Louanne Johnson began her teaching career at a very tough inner city school. In fact, on her very first day, a student threw a hard cover dictionary at her head. However, to a former marine like Louanne, this was a challenge she was ready to face. She knew these kids were programmed for failure and so she took the massive risk to try re-programming them. The first thing she did was to inform her students she expected the very best from them. In her class, she said, they all started out with A’s; Whether or not they kept that A was up to them. Louanne inspired her students to achieve more than anyone had thought possible. So successful was her programme that the movie, “Dangerous Minds,” was made about her.

I believe Louanne’s method is a bit like what happens at our baptism. On the day of our baptism we receive an automatic A. We have done nothing to deserve it but it is granted just the same. That is what a sacrament is. It is a means of grace. It doesn’t mean we are perfect, just as the A’s given out to those students didn’t make them perfect, far from it. Baptism is when God puts His seal of approval on us and says we are forgiven. We receive an A without deserving it because of what Christ has done on our behalf.

So what’s with the water? One of the reasons water is used in the sacrament of baptism is to symbolize the taking away of our sins. In other words it makes us right with God. This wasn’t necessary for Jesus, but it certainly is for us.

Baptism also signifies our new birth into the family of God. Just as there is water present at our physical birth, so the baptismal water represents a new life, a new birth. Hence you often hear the terminology “reborn” or “born again” signifying a spiritual birth into the family of God. At baptism, God’s Spirit comes upon us and we begin living as citizens of God’s kingdom.

What does this mean? Think for a moment what it takes for an immigrant from another country to become a New Zealand citizen. Certainly, Kerry, both you and your family will know all about that coming from South Africa. There are so many hoops to go through and it also requires that person to live here continuously for a period of at least five years I think. However, these are only requirements for immigrants. If you are born in NZ you are automatically a NZ citizen. Think what a privilege that bestows on you, and you did nothing to deserve it. BUT, listen to even better news! Baptism is the symbol that you and I have been born into the Kingdom of God, having done nothing to merit that status. Baptism, is our citizen paper! In other words, our documents are in order, for we are now joined with Christ.

Being part of the family of God, that’s us as church, means we also have an obligation to Gerrard and his parents because we made that commitment in the baptism service to love him and share our faith with him. In fact it was more than just a commitment. It was a very serious promise before everyone gathered here today and most importantly it was a promise before God. I pray we will take this promise very seriously as will both his God parents, Nicki and Jackie

So, Gerrard, by this act of baptism, we welcome you into a journey that will take your whole life. In order to become a naturalized citizen of that country, once you’ve gone through the hoops, so to speak that’s it. Baptism, however is not the end of the journey, it is just the beginning. It’s the beginning of God’s relationship with you. What God will make of you, we know not. Where God will take you, we cannot say. But this we can say from experience and with confidence, God is with you, just as God is with us, as we too, continue to live out our baptism in the world.

Baptism tells us who we are, it tells us we have God’s seal of approval on us and it tells us we are the citizens of the Kingdom of God. What a miracle! All that from a little bit of water! But behind that water stands the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you richly, Kerry, Matt and Gerrard in the years ahead

Joy -Even in Adversity

When I began preparing this sermon last Sunday, I had a number of questions about the topic chosen. Yes I believed the Lord was leading me to speak about this idea of Joy. But what was there to say….. in a couple of minutes and it would be over!
So, I kept praying and reading the passage through a several times.The more I did this God began to speak to my heart….I believe He has given me a message to share with you and me today. Shall we begin?

The Oxford English Dictionary defines JOY as a vivid emotion of pleasure, gladness to the mind. A thing or event that causes delight.
The Old Testament compares two types of joy in Psalm 4:7
“You fill my heart with greater joy – than when the grain and new wine abound.”

This verse strongly suggests that inward joy comes from knowing and trusting God- whereas happiness comes as result of pleasant circumstances.
Inward joy is steady- provided we trust God. Happiness however is unpredictable.
Inward joy defeats discouragement. Happiness covers it up.

In Exodus 16 we find this important teaching. In this passage you will remember that the Israelites were being lead on journey through the deserts between Elim and Sinai. Even in that adverse situation the Lord continued to provide for them- bread and meat each day [except on the Sabbath]. The people were given this food because, basically, they had grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Verse 8 when Moses says to the Israelites “ You know that it was the Lord (when) he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in morning, because He heard you grumbling against Him. You are not grumbling against us but the Lord.”

Here in this difficult situation we find the people of Israel, despite God’s excellent care and provision- are grumbling against Him. They were not in a place of joy but a place of discontentment!!

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There is no doubt that the Israelites did not really want to go back to Egypt; they just wanted an easier life. In the pressure of the moment they could not focus on the cause of their stress and discontentment. In this case- it was a lack in trust in God.
When the pressure comes on us, do we resist the temptation to look for a quick escape and even question and perhaps even grumble about our circumstances.

No matter what our situation is - do not fall into the place of discontentment –even taking offence against God. This is not the life of Joy that God desires for us.

In James 1:2 we find this challenge: “Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Note that James does not say if you face trials but whenever you face them.
He is saying that when trials come it is possible to profit from them. Let us not pretend to be happy when we face pain and hardships but have a positive outlook in Christ. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning.

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Before I turn to the thoughts and encouragements of today’s Philippians passage, I would like to say some important points about this letter in general.
Philippians is Paul’s letter of joy.
In my Bible- the list of the chapter titles are set out like this: [ Yes, I realise they are not written like this in the original Greek]
Chapter 1: Joy in suffering
Chapter 2: Joy in serving
Chapter 3 : Joy in believing and
Chapter4 : Joy in giving.

As you can see the theme of joy and rejoicing is sprinkled right through the Book of Philippians.
The church in that Macedonian city was a great encouragement to Paul. The
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believers of Philippi had enjoyed a special relationship with Paul, so he wrote to them a letter of personal love and affection. They had brought him great joy (mentioned in 4:1).
Philippians is also a joyful book because it emphasises the real joy of the Christian life. The idea of rejoicing or joy appears 16 times in the four chapters. The pages cry out this tremendous message all the way through:

Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again- Rejoice! (4:4)

In Philippians chapter 1 verses 15-18 – the Apostle Paul demonstrates an amazing attitude. Some were preaching with false reasons – they were attempting to build their own reputations, taking advantage of Paul’s time in prison to make a name for themselves. Regardless of their intentions – Paul rejoiced! Why? Because the gospel was being preached!

Some Christians may serve for the wrong reasons. Paul would not condone this and neither does God. But we should be glad if Christ uses their message to bring others into the Kingdom.

We are not surprised when Paul writes: The important thing is……. that
whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes I continue to rejoice.

Further on Paul speaks of remaining on earth to continue the spread of the gospel and that Christians at Philippi would continue to work with him and experience joy in their faith.

Why is Joy Important to Christians?

1.It is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
2. It is a question of attitude- should we let circumstances get us down we will not be available for God to use us. It comes back to that classic question: “Is the glass half full, or half empty.”
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3. When we are joyful we can be effective in encouraging others in their faith and walk with the Lord. We are more sensitive to God’s leading and available to His service. [ Hebrews 10:24]
4.The Christian writer and minister, Selwyn Hughes tells this story of how not to provide counsel Two woman on a train journey were in conversation. One said to the other: “ I’m sorry I’m not good company at the moment. The reason is that I’m experiencing terrible grief. My husband died recently.”
“Oh, my dear,” said the other woman, ”I can feel for you. I recently lost my dog.”
Yes losing a cherished pet can cause us sorry….. but sharing that with another after the death of a family member is not very sensitive.
In Philippians 2:3,4 Paul reminds us of having a sensitive attitudes towards others:
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but the interests of others.
This a source of real joy- when look to the interests of others- & not merely our own.

How can we maintain our Joy?

In some ways we cannot just maintain it ourselves because it comes from our relationship with God. It is not a commodity that we simply bottle up and sprinkle over ourselves.
1. I mentioned before the fruits of the Holy Spirit . The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control- we cannot obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we desire the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to Him, we should meditate on them and ask God to build these into our lives.
2.Matthew 6: 33 reminds us to seek first God’s Kingdom and all these things will be given to you. What things ? Things for life- food and drink and clothes?
This means to turn to God first for help; to fill our thoughts with His desires, to serve Him and to obey him daily.
In verse 34, it goes on to say that we are not worry about tomorrow. Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted and will invariably rob us of our joy .
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3. Back in Philippians (4:4 and 6) we find Paul encouraging us:
Rejoice in the Lord always!
And in V6: “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition , with thanks, present your requests to God.”

Image never being’ anxious about anything’. It seems like an impossibility- we all have worries in our jobs, in our families, at school and university. But Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers.
Do you want to worry less (and to experience more joy)? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray!

4. Remember the challenge found in James 1:2
Consider it all joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that
the testing of your faith develops perseverance. This perseverance goes on to make us mature and complete.
We may not be ready to welcome trials into our lives for they will come. Ask God to help us to face them as we should - knowing what they will produce in us is for our good.
In Summary , what do we know about JOY:
● Let us not confuse Joy with happiness. One comes from knowing and
trusting God; the other from pleasant circumstances.

• When we are in trying and difficult circumstances be careful not to complain
  either to another or just in our thoughts. We could be grumbling to the LORD and in a place of discontentment thus losing our joy.
• We don’t need to pretend we are happy when facing pain and hardships. But we should strive to have a positive attitude- asking the Lord to turn our difficulties into times of growth and learning.
  * Remember to pray, both for the fruit of the Spirit and when we are anxious. It is God’s desire that our relationships with Him and with others are expressed with Joy!
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  Ilustration:
  Last week at Promise Keepers we were shown a short film clip of an American doctor who was on duty when he was called to give medical care to a man who had just arrived complaining of a sore chest. If fact he didn’t really have a chance to complain – he collapse on the floor of the Emergency Centre.
  The man was given immediate attention including CPR and even defibrillation. But unfortunately, he died.
  The doctor verified this and even filled in a some forms and just as he was leaving the Emergency Theatre – a good 15 minutes after the man had died, he distinctly heard God telling him to return to the patient and that he was to pray for him.
  The doctor’s response to God was to say “But this man is definitely dead !”
  But in obedience to God’s instruction he went back and began to pray for the man.
  The nurse , still in the theatre, was utterly amazed and screamed :”What an earth are you doing?!”
  “I am praying for the man”. There was no reaction.
  The Christian doctor asked another doctor to defibrillate the dead patient again.
  He too was amazed but did as the doctor told him.
  Yes, you have probably guessed it – the dead man came back to life !!

I am sure you can imagine the scene of joy on the faces of the doctor, his family and even the man himself when it was explained what had happened. That man was not a Christian but he soon became one! He cannot explain why God should have spared him at that time. But God is using the doctor and the saved man as living witnesses to the grace and mercy of God as they give their testimonies to thousands of people throughout the US and other countries. They are spreading Joy in the lives of others.
Let us ask the Lord, for us to do the same.
What aspect of Joy do you require from God-talk with Him today!?

-Roger Peel

Forgiveness

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, and the Lord of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called.” Isaiah 54:4-5

How liberating those words are for those in need of forgiveness! Indeed, how liberating they are for us all, for lets face it, we are all in need of forgiveness aren’t we? We all need God’s grace. Obviously forgiveness was big on Jesus’ agenda because, in fact, he spoke more about forgiveness than any other topic. Just as we listened to the story this morning where Jesus spoke to the woman at the well, I want to tell you another story about a woman in today’s world who also was in dire need of God’s forgiveness.

As a young girl, this woman grew up in a family of five: a mum and dad and two brothers. They lived in a small country town in New Zealand. As both the mum and dad worked, after school both the boys had paper rounds and the young girl had the job of preparing the family meal. That all worked pretty well until one afternoon, alone on her own, the young girl opened the door to find a young man, known to the family, standing on the doorstep. He made some pretence about needing to meet with her older brother and explained that he would wait. However, once inside, and realising the young girl would be on her own for some considerable time, he seized his chance.

Rape is a terrible thing and leaves the victim believing that she has done something to encourage this to happen. Not only did she suffer unthinkable sexual abuse but was then threatened with very her life and that of her family if she dared breath a word to anyone! Why did she not ignore the threat and tell someone? Well at age twelve, a threat of this kind is extremely real! Eventually, sitting on such a terrible secret became too much and the young girl determined to steel herself and divulge what had happened. However, after dinner that evening, her father, reading the newspaper, made the statement that a woman had been raped walking through the museum grounds in Auckland. “Well” he declared, “a woman putting herself in that position is asking for it and is nothing but a whore and a slut.” Such was peoples’ understanding of such crimes in those days.

Well you can imagine that young girl’s horror. All the determination to divulge her situation went right out of the window! And so began the years of hiding this terrible secret. Rape, I am told, affects women in two ways, especially if they haven’t received counselling and support. They either become very wary of men, or they become promiscuous, searching for love in the wrong places. Sadly, in this situation, the latter was the case. Fathers, as I mentioned last week, you are so very important not only in the lives of your sons but especially in the lives of your daughters. The input you make into their lives and how you demonstrate your love, will help your daughters make wise decisions when it comes to choosing a life partner, because as women, we often choose partners who emulate our fathers, whether good, or bad.

Sadly, as this young girl became a woman, the terrible secret, though buried deep inside her, began to affect her life, and finally after two marriages hitting the wall, God intervened. Through discernment, God revealed this woman’s deepest darkest secret to her Christian doctor, who, took her a course of the healing of memories. Through this journey she was finally able to release the secret that had crippled her development as a woman. Through time with a psychiatrist who specialised in this kind of thing, she learnt for the first time how, for any child who experiences serious trauma in their lives, unless they receive specialist counselling, their emotional development ceases. In fact, it became apparent that it had been nothing short of a miracle that this woman had managed to raise a family, while all that time, she was operating at the emotional level of a twelve year old!

I wonder have you, like this woman, been hiding a terrible secret all through your life? A secret that paralyzes who God wants you to be? Hear God’s word as he speaks into your life this morning. “Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace:” You see God is the great healer for those of you who have suffered at the hands of others, and to those who done things of which you are ashamed, he offers forgiveness.

And let me assure you, God’s forgiveness is a fact. It is the central truth about who God is. The Bible says that when we come to God, admitting our sin, repenting of it, we are forgiven. For, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9) There is no need to be like this woman in my story, who unwittingly, carried not only the burden of that secret but also the weight of her sins for far too many years.

So often, it seems to me, our problem is not feeling forgiven. We may understand with our minds that God has forgiven us, but somewhere inside we feel we don’t deserve it and when we continue to carry around the guilt and shame, we open ourselves up to condemnation. Condemnation tells us that we have really blown it and there is no way back. Condemnation tells us our sin has stained us forever. We are worthless and we might as well resign ourselves to it. There is no hope for the future. These, however, are condemning words and they run contrary to the Word of God. For Romans 8:1 tells us quite clearly, “There is therefore now, no condemnation, for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Please understand this; Condemnation is not the same thing as conviction, because condemnation is from Satan who wants to keep us in that place of shame and captivity whereas conviction is from the Holy Spirit. Condemnation reminds us of where we have been and it keeps us chained to the sin. Conviction reminds us where we should go, to God, for his free gift of forgiveness. If we will let it, conviction through the power of the Holy Spirit nudging us, can move us forward. Conviction signals where we’ve gone wrong so that we can do something about it, instead of burying it deep within our lives.

In the our reading of the woman at the well, and the woman whose story you have heard this morning, here were two women who saw themselves as unworthy and inadequate. But you know something? Jesus didn’t see either of them that way. He knew it all. He knew their wounded, longing hearts, just as he sees yours. He saw the way they could be. He accepted them where they were, just as he accepts us just where we are right now. He accepted them where they were and addressed their deepest needs without reproach. Jesus didn’t make excuses for either of these two women. He didn’t say, “Never mind, you’ve had such a hard childhood. It’s perfectly understandable you went looking for love in the wrong places.” No, he didn’t say that. But he also didn’t condemn. He met them where they were, loved them in that place, and then released them from their shame, with His grace, so they could move forward to be what God intended them to be. For the woman at the well, she changed her life and by her testimony, brought many others to Christ.

The other woman in our story, was healed, and truly understands what it is to be forgiven. You see, God had a job for her to do and when she repented of her sins and surrendered her life completely to him, God led her on to minister into the lives of others. How do I know this for certain? I know because that woman is me.

Why have I shared this with you? I have shared in order that you might understand how God sees you and loves you, right where you are. Most of all I have exposed myself in order to bring glory to God and to testify to the fact that he does heal brokenness, that he does take away the pain of loneliness and he does totally forgive sin without reproach, when we are truly repentant.

In the words of the song, I know, with absolute surety and conviction, that “I am redeemed. By His blood I am made clean and now I can know Him face to face.”

I wonder, do you have that certainty, or are you in need of his gift of forgiveness? I invite you to hand over whatever it is to Jesus, this morning, in order to receive his gift of forgiveness, so you like myself and that woman at the well, can be set free to live life with all the freedom and joy that God desires for you. Will you do it for yourself this morning?

Serving Others in the Community.

Ephesians 4:1-16

I hope you all understand by now that Christianity is not a spectator sport; that you are not invited to watch a game on Sunday and call in your opinions on Monday. You are actually invited to come out of the pews and join in the game; in other words, to become actively involved! I am convinced, if this church realizes it’s God given potential, it will be the direct result of you all becoming ministers, and I don’t necessarily mean the ordained kind, men and women, you and I becoming committed to building God’s kingdom and the whole congregation becoming an army for the Lord. Just thinking about it makes my spine tingle with excitement! Are you willing to join the team?

Paul said in Ephesians, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Let there be no confusion about this. There are certain qualities necessary for those who would be ministers in our congregation. “Be humble and gentle,” says Paul. When God calls you to minister, He is calling you to be a servant, not a big star

Humility, I believe, is the ability to know ourselves as God knows us. The word humble comes from the root word humus. Be down to earth versus putting on airs. Humble people neither exaggerate their goodness or their guilt. Just be who God has called you to be and always set your standard of life against the example of Christ who calls you into partnership of ministry with Him. Be gentle because gentleness is the ability to place each thought and each motive under the control of God.

“Be patient and loving,” says Paul. Patience is the ability to idle your motor when you feel like stripping the gears, something I have to remind myself of frequently! It is the ability to step back. Did you know that that love was such a unique Christian concept that they coined a new word for it in the first century? They called it Agape; the single minded determination to seek another’s highest good no matter what! Patiently, loving people are long suffering people. They persevere to the end.

Paul said, “To each of one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” And the Psalmist said, “I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” What God made you to be determines what He intends for you to do. You are something special. You are the only one of a kind. No one else is exactly like you. God has made you unique. You are uniquely shaped for ministry.

I believe there are sufficient spiritual gifts as well as practical giftings in every community of believers to do what God is calling that community to do in that particular moment of time. Most of us know what we are good at and where our passions lie. What do you feel passionate about? Where is your heart this morning?

God uses those who are willing to give their all to Him. Those who have a passion to serve others in order to grow His kingdom.

This morning I want to affirm those of you whom I am aware of, who have seen a need or followed a passion God has laid on your hearts and who have developed ministries out there in our community. Some of you may not even be aware it is actually a “ministry” because you are just doing something you love.

Karen, thank you for all you do at Churtonleigh Rest Home. Along with Rachel and other volunteers from our church, you have done the groundwork that has opened the door for my ministry in that place both to the residents as well as the staff.

Kas, your passion for bringing the Gospel to the Indian community has had a wide reaching effect, and you have not only experienced your father coming to the Lord but you have encouraged and inspired Raj to take up this ministry as well.

Sonia and Rodney, you saw the need and took up the opportunity to minister to those preparing for marriage. Not every couple who comes is Christian, so the way you minister will truly be a blessing to others.

Louise and Anne Allan, by following their passion, started a painting group in Churton Park which provides a ministry to Christians and non Christians alike.

Anne Jay, loves to read and saw an opportunity to form a book club for others in the community allowing all sorts of conversations to take place, including discussions about Christianity.

Wayne and Bronwyn over the years have developed a special prison ministry up at Arohata Women’s Prison, and we heard last week, how God is blessing them and opening more doors of opportunity that will possibly allow members of our church to become involved in the future.

Jim and his dog Jess do volunteer visiting to the children’s wards each week at Wellington Hospital and Jim tells me that … presence has a real calming effect, not only on the children but on their stressed parents. Jim also was concerned about people living on their own in the community and saw the idea of a travel club as a way of getting these people to come together to talk about and to organise trips together.

Phil and Kas heard of the organisation Drug Arm which ministers to those who work on the streets of Wellington at night such as the prostitutes etc. and became involved in that ministry.

Linda has a pastoral heart and works as a volunteer visitor at Keneperu Hospital through the Order of St. Luke.

Theresa, Louise, Karen, Anne, Daphne, and Vickie, have a heart for children coming to know the Lord and have committed themselves each week to teaching CRE.

Rachel has a passion for sign language and runs weekly classes for Christians and non Christians alike to pass on her skills under the guidance of Nicky.

Many of you, of course, have ministries here at church and I want to affirm all those of you who are involved in the children’s ministry: Anne Jay, roger Peel, Louise, Claire, Chi Wei, Peter, Karen, Rachel, Rodney, and Sonia.

Those who have a passion for our older youth and who are involved in that ministry are Roger Ellis, Ross, Rodney, Alex and Robyn.

Of course we couldn’t do without our music teams and Chris, Steve, Ross, Sharon, Anita, Marcus, Pepa, Jill, Robyn and Heather , Matthew, Anne, Dinesh and Caleb give very ably of their time and talents.

John Daysh’s passion to see others come to Christ sees him leading Alpha year after year. Thank you also to Dave Oldershaw whose passion for men in ministry has led him taking over the leadership of Promise Keepers in the church and the men’s four by four ministry that comes out of that.

Thanks to the commitment of those of you who lead Life Groups week after week, which are so vitally important.

Thanks also to the incredible engineering and practical skills of DaveMiddleton and because of their dedication we have a very workable sound desk. Our sound technicians are Dave Oldershaw, Dave Middleton, Matthew Peel, Anne Stainer, Andrew and Elmar who do a fantastic job in helping the service to run smoothly.

Of course we have those of you who are intercessors, greeters, servers at communion and those who serve and provide morning tea. Gosh, have I left anyone out?

What I have hoped to achieve this morning is to affirm all of you who are involved in ministry. You are truly helping to build God’s kingdom and He will bless you for it.

And lastly, but very importantly, I wish to affirm and acknowledge all the fathers in our church. Guys you do such an awesome job. Not only do you grow and nurture your own children but many of you are fabulous role models for other children in our community. May God bless you richly as we all celebrate Father’s Day today.

As members of the family of God we are all different. We have different strengths and talents and different passions. However, I don’t see our differences as a weakness but rather as our strength. I believe we need we need to see and affirm each other’s strengths, accept each other’s differences and celebrate our unity in Jesus Christ. May we as Church dare to be different as long as we are bringing glory to God.

What is your passion? Where does your strength lie? How are you using the talents God has given you for His service? God wants you to be fully involved in His game of life and you can do this by using both the talents and the passion you have for something to bring glory to His name.

Most importantly, remember, you cannot afford to stand on the sidelines and just be a spectator. God wants you in the game.