by Pastor Wilson
Jesus calls, we follow: the start of disciple making
We have made a decision to follow Christ and unfollow the world
To be Changed and transformed by him and join in his mission
Big idea:
Jesus calls people into disciple making by inviting them to follow Him, by changed by Him and join His mission
Luke 5:1-3
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
Jesus converted a place of work to a place of ministry. By stepping into Peter's boat even when Peter was washing his net after finishing his work
What was Christ teaching the people?
Not millionaires or riches or how to be powerful but Kingdom values and kingdom principles, loving your enemies
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Luke 6:43
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
Luke 6:46
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?
Luke 5:1-3
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,[a] the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.
Kingdom truths such as:
- Loving your enemies (Luke 6:27-36)
- Releasing forgiveness (Luke 6:37-42)
- That one's life is seen by one's fruit (Luke 6:43-45)
- And how one should build his house on the foundation of God's word (luke 6:46-49)
Luke 6:27-36
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Luke 6:37-42
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
39 He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Luke 6:43-45
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
luke 6:46-49
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Luke 5:4-5
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
"But at your word I will let down the nets"
- Peter was tired, closed shop
- came jesus a carpenter to instruct Peter who was a fisherman by trade
- despite it, Peter obeyed
Luke 5:6-11
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
- Nets so full that boat began to sink
- Morning not a good time to fish
Divine encounter transformed Peter from fisherman to fishers of men
They repented and surrendered and gave their lives to follow Jesus, it was not idealogical but transformational
# This divine encounter transformed Peter, James and John from Fishermen into Fishers of men
Christianity is a religion that demands total dedication to Christ teaching and follow his mission
1. The first group comprises those who are afraid to have Jesus Christ come into the boat of their lives
"Spectators"
- Enjoy services weekly
- but you will only fully experience Christ when you fully allow jesus into your boat
- head knowledge Vs experiencing Jesus in your heart
- Unless you welcome Jesus into your boat, you only know Christ in your mind and not experiencing him in your heart
2. The second group comprises those who have welcomed Christ into our boat, but we don't want Him to interrupt us as we mind our business and clean our nets
- we are fine with jesus in our group
- We don't want him to interrupt us as we mind our business and clean our nets
- Christ must not rock the boat in my life
- we're afraid Jesus will take us out of our comfort zone and disrupt our activities
- we have changed the supernatural for the mundane
- Only James, John and Peter obeyed out of so many fishermen present. They become participants in the supernatural because they allowed Christ to interrupt and disturb their routines
God's power is meant for God's mission. We need to make space for holy spirit to come into our lives
Be ready for Holy Spirit disruption
3. The third group of us are those who have welcomed Christ into our boats, obeyed His words to release our nets, experienced His power, and yet we take our nets along to follow Him
- Nets become a burden for us as we follow Christ
- James and John most likely was raised as fishermen since young yet they left their security behind because they saw someone of higher importance and value than what they were doing
- Christ mission and purpose became their purpose
- we take our nets with us because we are afraid of being short-changed by Christ mission for us
We can have everything in life but yet the most miserable person living
Hear from the holy spirit and release whatever is our safety nets
Has God given you the success and the position of where you are just for personal interest or for God's intend and purpose?
Am I participating in the mission of Christ in Disciple Making till the day I stand before my saviour king to say I have lived my live in obedience?
Thursday, July 31, 2025
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
This changes everything
by Pastor John Lin
Disciple making Empowerment by the holy spirit
1. Holy spirit Affirms our identity and our calling
Luke 3:21-22
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Baptism affirms our loyalty to Yahweh. Holy spirit descends shows us that Jesus was God's chosen Messiah
Father said in whom I am well pleased echos Old testament:
Psalm 2:7
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
Isaiah 42:1
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
Before Jesus begins his mission, he was affirmed by the father and empowered by the Holy spirit
While Jesus is fully divine hebis also fully human. He chose to rely on the holy spirit
Luke 4:1-2
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
What happen during the baptism was the peak for Jesus. He could have gone to the temple to worship yet straightway he was led by the spirit afterwards to be tested
Devil tempted Jesus three times:
- If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread
- Worship me and I will give you the kingdoms
- If you are the Son of God .... throw yourself down ... the angels will catch you
Devil attacked Jesus identity as the son of God
Likewise, We will be tested in our loyalty and obedience. The holy spirit will affirm our identity and calling in God
We too can be filled with the spirit and depend on the power of God's word, and follow God's plan, Not the popular thought of the day or go with the general flow
When we experience the power of the holy spirit, our lives begin to transform
Do we follow false promises when we face .... Or go through it With the power of the holy spirit?
2. The holy spirit empowers us for ministry
Luke 4:14
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
We must go through Refining fire of loyalty and spirit led obedience
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
How are we proclaiming the good news to the poor?
Is it Only to people we are close to or we are comfortable with?
Let God use our hands and hearts to bring hope
www.graceaog.org/serve
Luke 4:43
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Outreach Is essential, is a compulsory mission for Jesus
If we are not making disciples or living for missions, then why do we need the holy spirit power and empowerment?
Are we moving on God's spirit or are we moving on empty?
Without the holy spirit, There will be no real conviction or transformation
Without power, we are just present but powerless
Without charge and power of holy spirit (empowerment), connecting to the divine source in our lives, we're simply running on reserve battery
Disciple Making requires empowerment by the holy spirit
If Jesus rely on the holy spirit to do God's ministry and mission, it is more so for us!
Disciple making Empowerment by the holy spirit
1. Holy spirit Affirms our identity and our calling
Luke 3:21-22
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Baptism affirms our loyalty to Yahweh. Holy spirit descends shows us that Jesus was God's chosen Messiah
Father said in whom I am well pleased echos Old testament:
Psalm 2:7
I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father.
Isaiah 42:1
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.
Before Jesus begins his mission, he was affirmed by the father and empowered by the Holy spirit
While Jesus is fully divine hebis also fully human. He chose to rely on the holy spirit
Luke 4:1-2
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted[a] by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
What happen during the baptism was the peak for Jesus. He could have gone to the temple to worship yet straightway he was led by the spirit afterwards to be tested
Devil tempted Jesus three times:
- If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread
- Worship me and I will give you the kingdoms
- If you are the Son of God .... throw yourself down ... the angels will catch you
Devil attacked Jesus identity as the son of God
Likewise, We will be tested in our loyalty and obedience. The holy spirit will affirm our identity and calling in God
We too can be filled with the spirit and depend on the power of God's word, and follow God's plan, Not the popular thought of the day or go with the general flow
When we experience the power of the holy spirit, our lives begin to transform
Do we follow false promises when we face .... Or go through it With the power of the holy spirit?
2. The holy spirit empowers us for ministry
Luke 4:14
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.
We must go through Refining fire of loyalty and spirit led obedience
Luke 4:18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
How are we proclaiming the good news to the poor?
Is it Only to people we are close to or we are comfortable with?
Let God use our hands and hearts to bring hope
www.graceaog.org/serve
Luke 4:43
But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
Outreach Is essential, is a compulsory mission for Jesus
If we are not making disciples or living for missions, then why do we need the holy spirit power and empowerment?
Are we moving on God's spirit or are we moving on empty?
Without the holy spirit, There will be no real conviction or transformation
Without power, we are just present but powerless
Without charge and power of holy spirit (empowerment), connecting to the divine source in our lives, we're simply running on reserve battery
Disciple Making requires empowerment by the holy spirit
If Jesus rely on the holy spirit to do God's ministry and mission, it is more so for us!
Sunday, July 6, 2025
Family & Sexuality : Sexual intimacies (God's loving design for sexual intimacy)
by Pastor Steve
Do not enter forbidden zone for gratification that lies ahead
Boundaries exist for purpose to ensure safety
God set in place boundaries for our own good and protection
World that distraught sex is contrary to God's teaching
World Pursue freedom without restraint.
Love to flourish
Trust to deepen
Big idea:
God design intimacy to reflect His love and holiness
Society is Aggressively rejecting biblical teaching
God is the author of sex and intimacy.
# Align with God's original design for intimacy
Genesis 2:24-25
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
- Shift in loyalty after married (clingy together)
Ruth 1:14
At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
The "one flesh" speaks of a deep physical, spiritual, emotional oneness that binds a couple together, designed exclusively for the context and boundary of marriage
Marriage build a safe space, nothing is hidden, nothing is covered, nothing to be used for ....
God's designed for intimacy reflects His character of self sacrificial love, holiness and faithfulness, fostering a deep connection solely between a husband and wife
Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Covenantal between couple.
Nurture and protect that one flesh union. Use it as a sacred gift. Invest emotionally, physically, spiritually into our spouse
Single:
Honour God through our body and please God through chastity, seeing sexual intimacy as God's original design and not romantic relationships, community relationships.
We are experiencing Serious distortion of sexual intimacy from the world
2. Pursue intimacy that honors God
Honors the marriage bed
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Until sacred covenant is accomplished.
Chastity in Singleness
Faithfulness in Marriage
World pushes instant gratification over covenantal relationship
NSA
FWB
Pursue intimacy that honours God
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
When Caught in temptation, run! Don't reason because brain will not win
Fight or flight?
All sins offends God, not just sexual sins which is Beyond violating Gods design and purpose
How to pursue intimacy that honours God?
- Resist cultural lies with biblical truth
2. Identify and avoid triggers
Intentional flee from them, avoid places or avoid situation, Avoid Digital triggers etc..
3. Set clear boundaries and guardrails
Avoid flirtatious words, do not transport opposite gender in your car
4. Find an accountability partner
One who can offer godly advise and counsels
5. Commit to your marriage covenant
Open communications
Gods boundaries are blessings and not burdens
Do not enter forbidden zone for gratification that lies ahead
Boundaries exist for purpose to ensure safety
God set in place boundaries for our own good and protection
World that distraught sex is contrary to God's teaching
World Pursue freedom without restraint.
Love to flourish
Trust to deepen
Big idea:
God design intimacy to reflect His love and holiness
Society is Aggressively rejecting biblical teaching
God is the author of sex and intimacy.
# Align with God's original design for intimacy
Genesis 2:24-25
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.
- Shift in loyalty after married (clingy together)
Ruth 1:14
At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
The "one flesh" speaks of a deep physical, spiritual, emotional oneness that binds a couple together, designed exclusively for the context and boundary of marriage
Marriage build a safe space, nothing is hidden, nothing is covered, nothing to be used for ....
God's designed for intimacy reflects His character of self sacrificial love, holiness and faithfulness, fostering a deep connection solely between a husband and wife
Ephesians 5:31
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
Covenantal between couple.
Nurture and protect that one flesh union. Use it as a sacred gift. Invest emotionally, physically, spiritually into our spouse
Single:
Honour God through our body and please God through chastity, seeing sexual intimacy as God's original design and not romantic relationships, community relationships.
We are experiencing Serious distortion of sexual intimacy from the world
2. Pursue intimacy that honors God
Honors the marriage bed
Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Until sacred covenant is accomplished.
Chastity in Singleness
Faithfulness in Marriage
World pushes instant gratification over covenantal relationship
NSA
FWB
Pursue intimacy that honours God
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
When Caught in temptation, run! Don't reason because brain will not win
Fight or flight?
All sins offends God, not just sexual sins which is Beyond violating Gods design and purpose
How to pursue intimacy that honours God?
- Resist cultural lies with biblical truth
2. Identify and avoid triggers
Intentional flee from them, avoid places or avoid situation, Avoid Digital triggers etc..
3. Set clear boundaries and guardrails
Avoid flirtatious words, do not transport opposite gender in your car
4. Find an accountability partner
One who can offer godly advise and counsels
5. Commit to your marriage covenant
Open communications
Gods boundaries are blessings and not burdens
Family & Sexuality : Building a legacy of truth & love
by Pastor Meng Cham
"Breaking barriers, building bonds"
There's a constant need for Healing and conflict resolution in a family
Family:
Deepest wounds
Greatest healing
Family thrives when we choose God's grace and forgiveness
1. The original conflict
- Devil disrupted the mandate between God and our first parents
- devil is the conflict instigator, he did it joyfully and gleefully
- division and distruction is the devil's goal
2. The inevitable conflicts
#Common causes of conflicts
- unmet expectations
- miscommunicatn
- unresolved past hurts
- fear and insecurity
We're not young enough to know everything
James 4:1-2
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
- Overbearing
- insistent of ones ways
Instead of asking Holy Spirit to search us, we allow the flame to burn, to divide us
Conflicts need not always be detrimental to relationship. Approach with a growth mindset instead of negative mindset
3. Thriving through conflicts
Marriage like a deck of cards
Starts with Two heArts and diamond, Not spade and clubs
1. Forgive as we have been forgiven
Ephesians 4:30-32
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Toxic build up, continue this will grieve the holy spirit )
Forgiveness is costly but unforgiveness cost more
"To forgive as God in Christ forgave you" is Of strength and insecurity. It takes courage to let go, and let guilty off the hook, choosing not to let unforgiveness define your future.
True forgiveness is no more remembering the person deeds against us
2. Be gracious as God is gracious
James 4:1-10
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[c] 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Forgiveness is Freely offered but with Humility with honesty,
His unmerited grace gives us second chance
3. Love as we have been loved
1 John 4:18-19
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
Fear triggers self defense mechanism
God display His love through his son by Sending Jesus to die on the cross to reconcile us to God
## Losing a conflict, argument, quarrel Does not diminish who we are in God ##
Love values People over personal preference
God's love break barriers, build bonds and Binds brokenhearted
"Breaking barriers, building bonds"
There's a constant need for Healing and conflict resolution in a family
Family:
Deepest wounds
Greatest healing
Family thrives when we choose God's grace and forgiveness
1. The original conflict
- Devil disrupted the mandate between God and our first parents
- devil is the conflict instigator, he did it joyfully and gleefully
- division and distruction is the devil's goal
2. The inevitable conflicts
#Common causes of conflicts
- unmet expectations
- miscommunicatn
- unresolved past hurts
- fear and insecurity
We're not young enough to know everything
James 4:1-2
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
- Overbearing
- insistent of ones ways
Instead of asking Holy Spirit to search us, we allow the flame to burn, to divide us
Conflicts need not always be detrimental to relationship. Approach with a growth mindset instead of negative mindset
3. Thriving through conflicts
Marriage like a deck of cards
Starts with Two heArts and diamond, Not spade and clubs
1. Forgive as we have been forgiven
Ephesians 4:30-32
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Toxic build up, continue this will grieve the holy spirit )
Forgiveness is costly but unforgiveness cost more
"To forgive as God in Christ forgave you" is Of strength and insecurity. It takes courage to let go, and let guilty off the hook, choosing not to let unforgiveness define your future.
True forgiveness is no more remembering the person deeds against us
2. Be gracious as God is gracious
James 4:1-10
What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people,[a] don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us[b]? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”[c] 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Forgiveness is Freely offered but with Humility with honesty,
His unmerited grace gives us second chance
3. Love as we have been loved
1 John 4:18-19
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us.
Fear triggers self defense mechanism
God display His love through his son by Sending Jesus to die on the cross to reconcile us to God
## Losing a conflict, argument, quarrel Does not diminish who we are in God ##
Love values People over personal preference
God's love break barriers, build bonds and Binds brokenhearted
The Running Father
by Pastor Martin Storey
1. Remember they want you more than your money
2. Protect relationship no matter what
3. Confess the promises of God until you see them come to pass
4. Make memories, no big budgets needed
5. Pray for your kids, fight for them in the heavenly realm
6. Remember your kids will learn from what you model, more than what you say
7. If you get it wrong say sorry. It doesn't make you a small person
8. Don't worship kids, worship Jesus
9. If your kids are doing great, stay humble - life is a long journey
10. Be fatherly to more than your own kids, others will need it
Luke 15:11-24
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
1 John 3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. More on Love and Hatred 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
What great love has the father lavish on us....
John 1:12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
John 20:17
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Whatever is my behaviour, my attitude, my achievement, my contribution, It does not alter the love of the father on me
1. The significance of the departure
(He doesn't ask for his inheritance cos it carries responsibility, he only wants the wealth, he doesn't care if the father dies)
Father gives him the freedom to rebel, to turn his back
Kezazah 'cut off' or 'the cutting off'
The son is going with the intention of not coming back
2. The dilemma of the return
- The son glued himself to a citizen
(We can't uncrash what we have crashed, the son knows he will face kezazah)
He made a plan, he hatched a plan. The son isn't actually repentance
3. The humiliation of the father
- Father is longing, looking over the horizon wondering the abusing son might return one day
- father filled with compassion
- father starts to run
The ultimate of the cross demonstrates the humiliation of God and His love for us
4. The choice of the son
- does the son has a moment of softening?
- father doesn't want dignity, he wants his son back
We can be prone, our flesh struggle to receive the love of the father
Galatians 4:6
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.”
1. Remember they want you more than your money
2. Protect relationship no matter what
3. Confess the promises of God until you see them come to pass
4. Make memories, no big budgets needed
5. Pray for your kids, fight for them in the heavenly realm
6. Remember your kids will learn from what you model, more than what you say
7. If you get it wrong say sorry. It doesn't make you a small person
8. Don't worship kids, worship Jesus
9. If your kids are doing great, stay humble - life is a long journey
10. Be fatherly to more than your own kids, others will need it
Luke 15:11-24
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
1 John 3
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. 4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. 5 But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. 6 No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 7 Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous. 8 The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. More on Love and Hatred 11 For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters,[b] if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: 20 If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. 23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24 The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
What great love has the father lavish on us....
John 1:12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
John 20:17
Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”
Whatever is my behaviour, my attitude, my achievement, my contribution, It does not alter the love of the father on me
1. The significance of the departure
(He doesn't ask for his inheritance cos it carries responsibility, he only wants the wealth, he doesn't care if the father dies)
Father gives him the freedom to rebel, to turn his back
Kezazah 'cut off' or 'the cutting off'
The son is going with the intention of not coming back
2. The dilemma of the return
- The son glued himself to a citizen
(We can't uncrash what we have crashed, the son knows he will face kezazah)
He made a plan, he hatched a plan. The son isn't actually repentance
3. The humiliation of the father
- Father is longing, looking over the horizon wondering the abusing son might return one day
- father filled with compassion
- father starts to run
The ultimate of the cross demonstrates the humiliation of God and His love for us
4. The choice of the son
- does the son has a moment of softening?
- father doesn't want dignity, he wants his son back
We can be prone, our flesh struggle to receive the love of the father
Galatians 4:6
Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba,[a] Father.”
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