Faith for Dummies
Pastor Riaan Niemand - Eastside Community Church 26th May 2013
Content and personal reflections!
Gift of faith is often God just saying 'Push through!'
Faith, an internal awareness that we can't explain but prompts us to respond!
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. (Hebrews 11:1-3 NIV)
In today's language we saying 'I know in my gut that God is going to do this!' Faith is not a magic potion. Great men and women of the faith acted on this gut feeling and God came through for them.
Faith means responding to God, showing himself to us through the wonder of the creation that he has made.
However, having faith in my view can only be appropriate if lived by following the core of what we should be learning from, Gods word, the Bible?!?
So how do we filter what is in your gut?
... It's more than just the power of positive thinking.
... Understanding that this inclination toward faith is something that God has placed in you. Ecclesiastes 3:11
... God initiates the process in you towards faith. Romans 1:20
... You have to learn to hear the whisper of God by being in His presence. Hebrews 11:3 and
Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Romans 10:17 NIV)
... Be open to whatever God wants to say.
Faith can be rewarded because God is ABLE!
When you have the correct gut feel you have to trust God for the outcome.
Godly gut feelings can and does happen on all levels.
... Personal life - a life of meaning and purpose, a healing from past hurts, a restoration of the vision of Gods vision for your life.
... Work
... Marriage
... Children
... Community
... Church
... Country.
Seek God to be able to listen to His promptings!
Would we arrive late for a sporting event - not often because the sense of expectation we arrive with is enormous.
So when I arrive into Gods presence, Gods holy place am I coming with the same sense of expectation and actually an expectation much greater to be in the presence of the King of Kings, Lord of all!
Reach out in Faith!
So we can be either ordinary dummies or we must continue on assignment, the assignment God has set in place for us as a church and on our individual paths.
A great Kingdom impact, through walking in faith, by His word!
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Could you become this missionary coaching the best in the world?
Sometimes greater plans are in place for you without realizing it at that moment in time, but time eventually shows you are have the ability to coach and develop athletes to become the best in the world.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Hillsong Cape Town
Hillsong Cape Town
14th April 2013
The power of invitation!
Greatest is Christ entering our lives and us entering His.
Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock!
... It's open and available to us.
The Holy Spirit is with us and in us. He is all the time with us!
The wonder and miracle that Heaven holds for us! The Holy Spirit seeks to draw us to Him through knocking on our hearts.
God will use whatever it takes to draw us closer to Him.
John 10:9 I am the door and who ever opens to me ... A rich green pasture.
... You we will be astounded.
Many of us are drowning in misguided valleys ... Valleys of loneliness and despair.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 NIV)
"Under the surface, none of them feel like they belong!" The impression could be there that people look as though they have everything and belong. But if its not about Jesus Christ and belonging to Him, then we don't belong! We get locked in e valleys!
The older we become the longer we been walking the road, the more we need to seek His face and walk closer through a strong desire and will to do His work.
There's no formulae to Christ coming into our lives and inviting others in, but the truth of the greatest love story of all time, the love story of God sending His son, Jesus Christ to save each one of us!
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NIV)
Our Hope in Christ should be magnetic in a toxic world!
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV)
Inviting to come celebrate in the glorious celebration of the truth!
There is miracles everywhere and in everyone, we need to be aware of it and be willing to share it!
Jesus he knocks to come in and knocks to go out! To go to the mission - go and share Gods greatest!
Sent from my iPad
14th April 2013
The power of invitation!
Greatest is Christ entering our lives and us entering His.
Revelation 3:20 Behold I stand at the door and knock!
... It's open and available to us.
The Holy Spirit is with us and in us. He is all the time with us!
The wonder and miracle that Heaven holds for us! The Holy Spirit seeks to draw us to Him through knocking on our hearts.
God will use whatever it takes to draw us closer to Him.
John 10:9 I am the door and who ever opens to me ... A rich green pasture.
... You we will be astounded.
Many of us are drowning in misguided valleys ... Valleys of loneliness and despair.
Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14 NIV)
"Under the surface, none of them feel like they belong!" The impression could be there that people look as though they have everything and belong. But if its not about Jesus Christ and belonging to Him, then we don't belong! We get locked in e valleys!
The older we become the longer we been walking the road, the more we need to seek His face and walk closer through a strong desire and will to do His work.
There's no formulae to Christ coming into our lives and inviting others in, but the truth of the greatest love story of all time, the love story of God sending His son, Jesus Christ to save each one of us!
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:1-6 NIV)
Our Hope in Christ should be magnetic in a toxic world!
let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22-25 NIV)
Inviting to come celebrate in the glorious celebration of the truth!
There is miracles everywhere and in everyone, we need to be aware of it and be willing to share it!
Jesus he knocks to come in and knocks to go out! To go to the mission - go and share Gods greatest!
Sent from my iPad
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunrise service @ Eastside Community Church
Sunrise service @ Eastside Community Church
Children's Pastor - Robyn Ball
How close are you walking to the Rose of Life?
The rose, is known for one of its most symbolic aspects, being a symbol of Love! Many people saw Jesus the rose. The two Mary's saw Jesus, but others along the way denied and were not willing to 'see' him - they were blinded by their feelings that Jesus could not have risen. Many people could see and experienced the Love of Christ and Jesus.
But Jesus did rise. 'He has risen, he has risen indeed!'
The ultimate symbol of Jesus' love was that He was willing to die for us, but more so the fact that God and Jesus went through with his promises - He rose from the dead to conquer sin!
One of the other significant aspects of a rose is it amazing aroma and smell. That being said, those who has seen the Rose, smell it but ultimately choose to acknowledge the smell and specifically live close to the Rose.
Can people smell the Rose, the aroma of the Rose, the Aroma of Christ, in You?
How close am I and you living to the Rose so that others can see its beauty and smell its Aroma?
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV)
So how close am I and you walking and living to the Rose of life? Am I that sweet smelling aroma of Christ!?!
Sent from my iPad
Children's Pastor - Robyn Ball
How close are you walking to the Rose of Life?
The rose, is known for one of its most symbolic aspects, being a symbol of Love! Many people saw Jesus the rose. The two Mary's saw Jesus, but others along the way denied and were not willing to 'see' him - they were blinded by their feelings that Jesus could not have risen. Many people could see and experienced the Love of Christ and Jesus.
But Jesus did rise. 'He has risen, he has risen indeed!'
The ultimate symbol of Jesus' love was that He was willing to die for us, but more so the fact that God and Jesus went through with his promises - He rose from the dead to conquer sin!
One of the other significant aspects of a rose is it amazing aroma and smell. That being said, those who has seen the Rose, smell it but ultimately choose to acknowledge the smell and specifically live close to the Rose.
Can people smell the Rose, the aroma of the Rose, the Aroma of Christ, in You?
How close am I and you living to the Rose so that others can see its beauty and smell its Aroma?
For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV)
So how close am I and you walking and living to the Rose of life? Am I that sweet smelling aroma of Christ!?!
Sent from my iPad
Friday, March 29, 2013
Being Good is not enough - the X of life!
Being Good is not enough - the cross of life!
Easter Service Good Friday
29 March 2013
Why is it that Jesus had to actually die?
God was and is offended by the way we lived and live our lives. So he needed to do something about it. Something radical needed to happen to help us on our spiritual journey.
We believe we live a 'good' life so we should be allowed. But being good is not enough!
The sacrifice in some way made atonement for the sins. Previously the slaughtering and sacrificing of an animal was a symbolic moment to get rid of our sins.
However the bible states that blood had to be spilled for the sacrifice to be an atonement. The blood which symbolizes life, had to be splattered and spilt.
We should not be romanticizing the act. It was not pleasant but had to take place.
Death by crucifixion is seen as one of the worst ways to die. An animal was not good enough to be sacrificed for a man, as we then see in the new covenant. Man had to die and the new covenant is seen through Jesus being crucified for our sins on the cross!
God's dilemma is that someone had to be sacrificed for each of us! He had to make a plan - the plan was Jesus Christ. Jesus, a real man became a real man to die for each of us, WILLINGLY!
He was willing to hold nothing back for each one of us!
By this we can have our relationship with God healed.
This sacrifice was made ONCE for ALL!
Thank you Lord Jesus!
Easter Service Good Friday
29 March 2013
Why is it that Jesus had to actually die?
God was and is offended by the way we lived and live our lives. So he needed to do something about it. Something radical needed to happen to help us on our spiritual journey.
We believe we live a 'good' life so we should be allowed. But being good is not enough!
The sacrifice in some way made atonement for the sins. Previously the slaughtering and sacrificing of an animal was a symbolic moment to get rid of our sins.
However the bible states that blood had to be spilled for the sacrifice to be an atonement. The blood which symbolizes life, had to be splattered and spilt.
We should not be romanticizing the act. It was not pleasant but had to take place.
Death by crucifixion is seen as one of the worst ways to die. An animal was not good enough to be sacrificed for a man, as we then see in the new covenant. Man had to die and the new covenant is seen through Jesus being crucified for our sins on the cross!
God's dilemma is that someone had to be sacrificed for each of us! He had to make a plan - the plan was Jesus Christ. Jesus, a real man became a real man to die for each of us, WILLINGLY!
He was willing to hold nothing back for each one of us!
By this we can have our relationship with God healed.
This sacrifice was made ONCE for ALL!
Thank you Lord Jesus!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
No eye has seen - Bruce Collins
No eye has seen - Bruce Collins
@Eastside community Church
What can truly describe God and Lord Jesus - nothing!
The amazing things God has prepared for those who love him ... We can't describe and explain. It's just so Amazing
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10 NIV)
The world is a desperate place. The world values temporary pleasures but forget the root of our problems.
God is the root of correcting what we experience currently.
We are currently a spec on the rope of eternity! So if we get wrapped up on the specs of this world we forget the promise of eternity. By living in God we live through a real Hope, a hope that we know is real, a hope that does get fulfilled because we know it WILL happen!
However we are being prepared for this, this eternity. However through this promise of eternal life, we must make the choice the choice to follow.
This HOPE is a present reality. The promise in action and is secure!
However the promise of heaven impacts our lives as we live it right now. The hope we have in Jesus impacts on our present way we living. How
1. God looks after us, Now. He cares about the smallest things about me right now.
2. Gods love. It's relentless and steadfast. We miss the mark all the time as we live our lives as a spec, but God shows us grace for everything. There is consequences of our actions, yes, but there's grace. You can come back to The Lord and ask his forgiveness.
3. Christian community is a picture of the future. If you willing to live in community.
Our present reality is linked to our eternal hope. Our promise of eternity makes our calling on earth crystal clear. However if we don't believe in the awesomeness of eternity and what to come and it's set in our heart, then the great commission is meaningless and heavens truth pointless.
Heaven is real. It's not a secret. If you RSVP your in!
So do you live with this promise of eternity in your heart and life it out through our daily callings?!?
It's about loving Jesus! Heaven is the restored relationship between Man and GOD!
If we believe e amazing promises of heaven then it must affect our current reality!
If my life's work is based on the great commission, we can and will live full lives!!!
Sent from my iPad
@Eastside community Church
What can truly describe God and Lord Jesus - nothing!
The amazing things God has prepared for those who love him ... We can't describe and explain. It's just so Amazing
We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived" — the things God has prepared for those who love him— these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:6-10 NIV)
The world is a desperate place. The world values temporary pleasures but forget the root of our problems.
God is the root of correcting what we experience currently.
We are currently a spec on the rope of eternity! So if we get wrapped up on the specs of this world we forget the promise of eternity. By living in God we live through a real Hope, a hope that we know is real, a hope that does get fulfilled because we know it WILL happen!
However we are being prepared for this, this eternity. However through this promise of eternal life, we must make the choice the choice to follow.
This HOPE is a present reality. The promise in action and is secure!
However the promise of heaven impacts our lives as we live it right now. The hope we have in Jesus impacts on our present way we living. How
1. God looks after us, Now. He cares about the smallest things about me right now.
2. Gods love. It's relentless and steadfast. We miss the mark all the time as we live our lives as a spec, but God shows us grace for everything. There is consequences of our actions, yes, but there's grace. You can come back to The Lord and ask his forgiveness.
3. Christian community is a picture of the future. If you willing to live in community.
Our present reality is linked to our eternal hope. Our promise of eternity makes our calling on earth crystal clear. However if we don't believe in the awesomeness of eternity and what to come and it's set in our heart, then the great commission is meaningless and heavens truth pointless.
Heaven is real. It's not a secret. If you RSVP your in!
So do you live with this promise of eternity in your heart and life it out through our daily callings?!?
It's about loving Jesus! Heaven is the restored relationship between Man and GOD!
If we believe e amazing promises of heaven then it must affect our current reality!
If my life's work is based on the great commission, we can and will live full lives!!!
Sent from my iPad
There's Life after Life
There's Life after Life -sermon Pastor Mark Eastside Community church
2 places exist after this life.
... There's a heaven and a hell
... We assume that most Christians believe there is a heaven and a hell. But is this really true. It's very easy to believe Heaven - well we serve a loving caring God - so surely if our God is this loving, can't create a hell - something bad, awful and a place we don't want to go to?!?
Question thus is ... Why were Heaven and hell created?
... Heaven to be a place where God and man can remain in contact and intimate.
... Heaven will be a place where nothing will and can stand in your way for perfect intimacy.
... Hell however was created for the devil and his demons! Nothing else. God created a place where they could be separated from Gods presence. It's a choice to be separated from God!
As soon as we start deciding who is going where, we have crossed a line where we tend to be trying to play God. However, I / we / you will know where you are going!?!
The example is the crucifixion. If we were just watching it from the sideline we would have thought the other thief would end up in hell, however we would not have know about the intimate conversation that the thief and God / Jesus had on the cross, where Jesus ends by saying to him ... Today I will see you in my house ... God provided salvation to him, salvation that is a special thing chosen by you and given to you by God!
Eternity has only two options! We are invited to attend the great party in Heaven.
Matthew 12:30 "whoever is not for me, is against me!" It's our choice, God gives each of us the choice - our loving and caring God! We are all chosen and predestined to Heaven, but we still have e choice to get there!
The worst thing about hell is that it's a place so separation. Hell is a place is death. It's a separation from anything good. But while we are on earth we have an option still and a choice. There is still the potential of salvation! God is still gracious. However in hell, there is nothing like this, there is no potential.
Heaven is a place of transformation!
...1 Corinthians 15 verse 5 onwards
... For the new body to live, the old body must die!
... The plant that rises from the soil has a different body from the dead seed.
... Even Jesus Christ went through the same process. He had to die to give life and give life to us in abundance. Jesus the ultimate vessel of our salvation.
The new body is glorious in unique splendor! No eye can see no ear can hear what God has in store for us ...
Sent from my iPad
2 places exist after this life.
... There's a heaven and a hell
... We assume that most Christians believe there is a heaven and a hell. But is this really true. It's very easy to believe Heaven - well we serve a loving caring God - so surely if our God is this loving, can't create a hell - something bad, awful and a place we don't want to go to?!?
Question thus is ... Why were Heaven and hell created?
... Heaven to be a place where God and man can remain in contact and intimate.
... Heaven will be a place where nothing will and can stand in your way for perfect intimacy.
... Hell however was created for the devil and his demons! Nothing else. God created a place where they could be separated from Gods presence. It's a choice to be separated from God!
As soon as we start deciding who is going where, we have crossed a line where we tend to be trying to play God. However, I / we / you will know where you are going!?!
The example is the crucifixion. If we were just watching it from the sideline we would have thought the other thief would end up in hell, however we would not have know about the intimate conversation that the thief and God / Jesus had on the cross, where Jesus ends by saying to him ... Today I will see you in my house ... God provided salvation to him, salvation that is a special thing chosen by you and given to you by God!
Eternity has only two options! We are invited to attend the great party in Heaven.
Matthew 12:30 "whoever is not for me, is against me!" It's our choice, God gives each of us the choice - our loving and caring God! We are all chosen and predestined to Heaven, but we still have e choice to get there!
The worst thing about hell is that it's a place so separation. Hell is a place is death. It's a separation from anything good. But while we are on earth we have an option still and a choice. There is still the potential of salvation! God is still gracious. However in hell, there is nothing like this, there is no potential.
Heaven is a place of transformation!
...1 Corinthians 15 verse 5 onwards
... For the new body to live, the old body must die!
... The plant that rises from the soil has a different body from the dead seed.
... Even Jesus Christ went through the same process. He had to die to give life and give life to us in abundance. Jesus the ultimate vessel of our salvation.
The new body is glorious in unique splendor! No eye can see no ear can hear what God has in store for us ...
Sent from my iPad
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