WALKING WITH CHRIST IN THE NEW LIFESTYLE - 4 July 2010

WALKING WITH CHRIST IN THE NEW LIFESTYLE

Lina’s testimony from Alpha.

Acts 19; Ephesians 4:1-3,17- 6;9; Revelations 2:1-7

Intro: SIT, WALK, STAND

Recall SIT sermon on positional salvation: God’s grace in Christ saveds us from sin and certain eternal death and raised us up to be seated with Christ in the heavenly kingdom to pray down the k. of God on earth. Like directors on the executive top floor or seated in a jet plane above the clouds and dark sky.

Today: Walking with Christ the new Christian lifestyle

Intro: Eph: 4:1, 17,5:2,8 and 15 five times in the KJV St Paul implores us from his imprisonment to walk in a new lifestyle, a Christian lifestyle involving new re lationships, new morality and new attitudes. This is so important because it’s how we put feet on our faith, feet for walking out the new life. It’s where the rubber hit’s the road! It’s walking with a purpose like a soldier marching to get to a destination. ”We’re marching to Zion…”

In Ephesus the new Christians shined out with the love of Christ in a very dark and cruel Roman world: “See how these Christians love one another” it was said of them. Amongst the immorality of those times and fear of death they went singing to their deaths as the drunken crowd at the colosseums jeered at them. At Auschwitz a Nazi guard threatened to shoot a member of a labour group because a shovel was missing. Fr. Koller stepped forward and said it was him so he was killed. He knew the man had a family and that man and his family now are forever mindful of that amazing example of Christian life.

3 keys to walking the Christian lifestyle: LOVE: LIGHT and WISDOM.

(1) How to WALK IN LOVE: Eph 5.1-2: ‘Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.’

The things that love is not: Eph. 4:17- 24 (Living NT)

Four contrasts: Eph 4: 25-29

1. Stop lying……….. tell the truth

2. Be angry………… but get over it quickly

3. Stop stealing…… do honest work eg Kohatere boys

4. Don’t use bad language…. Say what is good and helpful eg me delivered from swearing

FOUR NEW RELATIOSHIPS: CHURCH; MARRIAGE; CHILDREN and FAMILY; WORK where you can walk out your Christian life.

1. CHURCH: Eph 4: 1-4( Living NT)

Paul’s earnest appeal to Christians

Ÿ Walk worthy because you have been chosen people and called by God

Ÿ Be humble and gentle and patient with each other in the church

Ÿ Eager to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace

Because we are one body in Christ, one Lord and one Spirit

2. MARRIAGE: Eph 5:21- 33(Amplified)

Mutual submission in respect for Christ

- a marriage makeover! Roman and Hebrew and Moslem marriage was very harsh and without much love. Christian marriage is centred not on rules but on Christ and at the foot of the cross together our sins and divisions are taken away. With Christ in the Marriage His love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit can help us love each other and forgive each other because we each have been forgiven much more by Jesus death and his blood shed for us.

Being open and transparent and saying “I’m Sorry” first is a key. Yes the Lords prayer applies to marriage. Ps. Murray Robertson quote

Ÿ Wives, serve your husband as a service to the Lord. Men need to be respected and this helps them feel appreciated. If he doesn’t feel respected at home sometimes a man will spend his time where he does feel accepted and respected.. let alone loved

Ÿ Husbands take responsibility: Find ways of supporting your wife and family e.g. pay the bills; put out the rubbish; do the dishes; plan the holidays; find ways to give your wife a break from always taking responsibility to do everything at home. Don’t be another child for your wife to manage!

3. CHILDREN and FAMILY : Eph. 6;1-4(Amplified)

Ÿ Children obey your parents because they are given toyou by the Lord to bring up. They are His representatives for them. By honouring your parents you will be blessed as God promises because he is committed to family life. Many of the 10 commandments are set forth to protect and honour marriage and family life.

Ÿ Fathers particularly are charged to oversee the spiritual development of their children. One of the greatest privileges we have as parents is to pray for and with our children and to share Christian books including the Bible with them. (Manna Books and music has great resources to help you do this. Fathers should make sure their children respect their mother. Discipline and boundaries is something parents need to talk through and agree on so they are in unity so the children feel secure and can’t play one off against another.

4. WORK: Eph 6: 5-9 (Living NT)

Another place to walk out the Christian lifestyle

Ÿ Workers serve diligently as unto the Lord and the Lord will reward you for the good you do.

Ÿ Managers treat your workers well because like them you are serving the Lord too Don’t be harsh with your staff or those for whom you have responsibility.

(2) How to WALK IN THE LIGHT of CHRIST Eph 5:8

Contrast the fruit of the Spirit with the darkness of the world

Ÿ Eph 4:!7- 24 (Living NT) The ‘sex in the city’ lifestyle is not of God. It is not funny and it creates many broken hearts. Eg Foxton and Shannon in the 1970s. Adultery and fornication were condemned by God not to spoil fun but to save people from hurt.

Ÿ Walk in the light of the relationships in Church, home and at work as above

(3) How to WALK WISELY

Contrast 6 ways of grieving the Holy Sprit with 5 ways of welcoming God’s Spirit

Ÿ Eph.4 30- 31: These 6 things grieve the Holy Spirit ; All bitterness; all wrath; all anger; all wrangling; all slander and all malice. This is how Satan works to ruin relationships in church, family and work. These attitudes cause division and hurt and many beautiful friendships and great revivals have been snuffed out by people choosing to hold on to their bitterness.; no matter how well deserved. Eg KPC,eg over an estate in a family.

Ÿ But God has a better way. Verse 31, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven you”

Ÿ Eph 5: 15-20(NRSV), eg couple at KPC with Cecilie Graham marriage healed.

Ÿ Don’t get wasted with alcohol or any drugs. Get stoned on the Rock of ages!

Ÿ Be being again and again filled with the Holy Spirit. How? 5 things

Ÿ speaking Psalms and Hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things unto God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eg Massey eg Wed at our last Alpha evening.

Ÿ NOW LET US COME BEFORE THE LORD. In confession then worship and communion.

A service of worship. 27 June 2010 Wayne Austin Reading: John 4:19-26

A service of worship.

27 June 2010 Wayne Austin

Reading: John 4:19-26

Intro - Different people, different denominations have their own peculiarities of how they do things. But when it comes down to our worship of God - does it matter? Do those outward things actually affect the way we worship? Should they affect the way we worship? What really does matter when it comes to worshiping God? What does worship of God mean to you? How should we bring meaningful and pleasing worship to God?

The Wine Press comment this week noted - "The deepest need of the human heart and the greatest purpose for which we are created is to know God personally and to worship him." I wonder if you agree with that - or is there something else that fills the need of your heart? It has been said that we have a vacuum in our hearts - an emptiness that needs to be filled to make us complete. I believe that vacuum, that emptiness can only be completely and satisfyingly filled by the love of God. And when it is you will know very clearly that is the case. You know when love fills your heart. It influences what you do. It influences your attitudes. It influences your thinking. It makes you want to respond in love.

This is the kind of response, or worship that God desires from his people - one of absolute awe and devotion and love, one that brings him pleasure - one that comes from the heart - a heart of love and devotion. So I do believe that "The deepest need of the human heart and the greatest purpose for which we are created is to know God personally and to worship him" is very accurate.

God even created us for this purpose. Ephesians 1:5 TEV says "Because of his love God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children - this was his pleasure and purpose."

What loving parent doesn't delight in his children? This scripture tells us that God is our heavenly Father and we are his children. God takes pleasure in you and me! Isn't that so amazing!! Doesn't that make you feel special?

For me, as a parent, I get great pleasure from my children, and now from my grandchildren, and what gives me the most pleasure from them is their love - a love that is not brought about by a sense of duty or obligation, but out of spontaneous love.

And that is exactly what God yearns for from us - worship that is out of love and devotion, not out of duty.

So WHY should we give worship to God?

1. Because God commanded it. The first commandment tells that that worship of God must come above everything else (Ex.20:3-5). That couldn't be clearer could it? We are to neither have any other idols or gods or to worship them - because God jealously wants our worship to be directed to him.
2. Jesus reminds us to. When he was tempted by Satan Jesus answered - quoting scripture - "You shall worship the Lord your God, and only him shall you serve." (Matt.4:10). And at a different time, in the answer to the question "Which is the greatest commandment?" Jesus replied "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment" (Matt.22:37-38 NIV). Jesus was quite clear about the requirement to worship God.
3. It is God's purpose in redeeming us. In Ephesians 1:11-12, Paul tells us this is clearly so that we might praise and worship God.
4. Because God is creator, giver, and sustainer of all life. We read in Rev. 4:11 how and why God is so worthy to receive all the honour and glory that we can give him.

We can only find our true reason for living, and fulfillment, when we worship God. Sin made us self-centred. Jesus came to make us God-centred again. This was to shift our attention from ourselves to God. Sometimes we question this thinking don't we? We tend to think we have to take care of ourselves and our families - and then do the other things. But that is not what God says. He says in the Great Commandment that we are to "honour and worship him first and foremost and all these other things will be taken care of." "Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matt.6:33). Here Jesus was talking about us worrying about the everyday things of life. He said they will be provided according to our needs - if we put God first!

HOW do we worship?

Well what is worship? Is it sitting through a Sunday service? Is it singing great hymns and songs of praise - praying - and so on? I don't believe so! None of these by themselves is worship.

Worship:

Is expressing by life and word the worth of our mighty God - it MUST be more than an outward ceremony or ritual - our lives must show it.

Must be the deep response of our hearts to God - in thanksgiving, praise and adoration. It has to come from the heart.

Is our spirit communing with God's Spirit - reaching out to God from the depths of our beings - from our hearts.

Is focusing on the greatness, the holiness, and the righteousness of God - and forgetting about ourselves.

The outward form of worship is not the important thing. It is not how dynamic the music team is. We are blessed with dedicated and talented musicians in our church. It is not the style of music even - whether we raise our hands or not - none of these or other outward signs is of the most importance.

It is the INNER attitude of the heart that really counts.

In our gospel reading (v23-24) Jesus said - and this is one of the few 'musts' in scripture - to worship God we must worship him in the right way. No matter what form of worship we follow there are two inner qualities of our worship that make it acceptable to God. So………

1. Our worship must be in spirit

God is Spirit and not an idol of wood or stone or anything else we place great focus on before God. He is living and since he is spirit, he is everywhere. So God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us in our worship (Eph.2:18). The Holy Spirit helps us overcome that natural self-centeredness and helps us to be God-centred. So before we can even worship God, his Holy Spirit must be living in us. Then we are able to be spirit led in our worship.

We must be the active ones in our worship, rather than being the audience when we come here to a worship service. For example, the musicians are simply here to prompt us. We are the performers. God is the audience. When our spirit connects with God's spirit - that is a very special experience. It is unforgettable, as Ross testified to us last Sunday.

If we start by praying and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us and help us then our worship will become more natural and meaningful day by day - and THAT will be worship in spirit.

Secondly Jesus said………

2. Our worship must be in truth

Jesus said he is the only way to the Father - to God. So Jesus is key to our worship of God. (Phil.3:3). Worship "in truth" is worship that glories in Jesus - that lifts him up - that makes him central. Worship "in truth" means having a knowledge and understanding of who God is. In our gospel reading (v22) Jesus said the Samaritans worshiped in an ignorant way, not really knowing God personally. If we have little knowledge of someone how can we possibly bring them true adoration and worship? We just wouldn't would we? So how can we possibly do so with God? The more we grow in our understanding of who God is the deeper and more meaningful our worship will become.

How do you get to know someone really well - as we need to know God? Surely it is only through spending time with them. So it is with God - we need to take that time - in quiet - listening - with him in conversation - reading your bible (all we can ever know about God is found in his scriptures).

For us to be able to truly worship a God we truly know we must spend time with him. We can't just drum up that love and worship. True worship comes from the heart - not from being emotionally revved up externally.

The where and when of worship. Do we have to come to a church service to worship - on a Sunday - or a particular day of the week? Where - and when - is the question?

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well how true worshipers will worship in the near future (v21). He in effect was saying that worshipers will worship anywhere and at anytime. Instead of the centre for worship being in a specific location like the Samaritans' temple on the mountain, or the Jews' temple in Jerusalem - or the Churton Park School hall for us - God's temple is now in a different place. Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 3:16 where that place is………

Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

God is spirit and is living in us. You and me - each one of us is God's temple. Not a building. God's kingdom is in each of his children - you and me. Don't you feel privileged and special? God has made his temple - his dwelling place - in you! What Jesus said to the Samaritan woman about where God would be worshiped in the future - is how worship is now……….

The place of True Worship is -

In the bodies of Christ's believers

Anywhere and everywhere

At anytime

So that means worship isn't just a Sunday thing. It is to be all through the week wherever we are - whatever we are doing. And that is exactly the thrust of the finding of our parish consultation - we are to be missional, reaching out to our community - each one of us. When we do, that is bringing worship to God.

Paul also says……….Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. (Rom.12:1)

What does this mean for us today?

As "living sacrifices" we are offering worship to God in:

1. All that we own

Where something dominates our thoughts and desires more than God does - that does not glorify or please God. So Jesus' instruction to" Seek first his kingdom and all these things will be given to you as well" - takes on real meaning doesn't it?

As "living sacrifices" we are offering worship to God in:

2. All that we do

Whatever we do, however menial or difficult or rewarding, it should be done with the attitude that we are doing it for God - that God is our "boss". This means showing love and consideration to others in thought and deed, and in what we say. It means trying hard and doing things to the best of our ability, wholeheartedly, and joyfully as unto God.

And in doing this we are honouring God and bringing worship and glory to him - and that pleases him.

It seems to me that if we follow the life of Christ and aim to live the way he did, there is no greater worship we can bring to God because Jesus showed us how to truly love. He said………….

A new Commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this will all men know you are my disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34, 35

Love is the key - it always is. God's love in our hearts - responded to by our love for him -shown in our love for others.

To draw all these thoughts together then, we can say that…….

True worship is

Ø devotional and from a heart of love

Ø sacrificial - putting God first before anything else

Ø "in Spirit" - when our spirit connects with God's spirit

Ø "in Truth" - when we know God so well, we can truly adore him

Ø anywhere, anytime

It gives God the glory, exalts him. It is not self-centred, but is Christ-centred.

And so I encourage you - that when we have discovered how to truly worship God with loving devotion, we will have found our original purpose for being created, and the greatest joy, fulfillment and satisfaction.

And when you do, you will truly be living for God and giving him a full service of worship.

20.6.10: Seated with Christ in Heavenly places to achieve the good purposes He has prepared for us

Ephesians 2:1-10; Luke 15; Ps 1,110; Acts 19 and Rev 2.

Intro; Ephesians series ‘SIT; WALK; STAND’ based on a book by Watchman Nee of the same name. Eph 2 Sit;5 Walk,6 Stand. John Tovey is going preach on Eph. 3

The importance of the letter to the Ephesians:

It’s one of the key documents by Paul about the Church in the NT. It was written to be read and studied by churches. It should be read in conjunction with Acts 19 which describes Paul’s 3 year ministry in and around Ephesus where he founded the church and developed it. Ephesus was a key provincial capital and trading town and religious centre of the Roman Empire and became the place where St Paul established a leading early Christian church. In Rev 2 it is the first of the 7 churches of Asia (modern Turkey) given a message by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle John when he had an amazing experience of God while confined for his faith in Jesus Christ on the Island of Patmos. John the youngest Apostle spent his last years at Ephesus where he looked after Mary the mother of Jesusas he had been asked to at Jesus crucifiction.

Eph. 2:1- 10.

A. What we were B.C !

1. DEAD v.1,5. spiritually dead to God like “you’re a dead man” bone pointed at you

2. DISOBEDIENT just following the desires of our bodies and minds with no thought of God who has created us and all creation

3. WORLDLY following the world’s evil way Psalm 1:1

4. DEMONISED controlled by the spirit of the air (Satan) fallen angles

5. DOOMED TO SUFFER GOD’S JUDGEMENT(wrath)

B. What God has done for us !

He has shown us:

Ÿ His abundant mercy while we were still dead in our sins

Ÿ His great love toward us

Ÿ His amazing grace and favour to us

1. He has made us alive in Christ.. Born anew as his sons and daughters (see John 1:12)

2. He has saved us from God’s wrath and judgement we deserve

3. He has raised us up with Christ…like putting us in a lift with Christ to the heavenly top floor executive suite. Eg. Hope Gibbons and sons with the first high rise building in Wellington with the executives on the top floor

Or like rising up to resurection life from the burial of baptism

NOW BY FAITH HE HAS SEATED WITH CHRIST SEE Ps 110

C. Seated us with Christ in Heaven

1. to reign with Him above every name that can be named. Eph. 1:18-23 eg in the city above every name on the concrete and glass buildings. Bnz, vodafone, microsoft

2. It’s by faith which is freely given to us by God

3. So we have nothing to boast about because it’s not by our own efforts but entirely by grace (like Rev. 4 in heaven there is only praise to God and the lamb who was slain)

4. We’re created for good works that He has prepared for us to do and to be our way of life.

Eg. the 72 in Luke 10 going out to proclaim the kingdom and heal the sick. They went out and witnessed Jesus authority and the power of his name. He rejoiced and said their names were recorded in heaven. The opposite to that happened to the Jewish exorcists at Ephesus in Acts 19 whose names were not recognised by the demons who overpowered them.

Some of you have been discovering something of those purposes that God has for you by doing the gifting course and I encourage you to step out in the gifts and motivations and talents that you are discovering in yourselves.

Finish with a time of Sitting and being still and listening to what the Spirit may be saying to us…