Dec. 14, 2008--THE PENTECOST MOVEMENT--FROM THE VERTICAL TO THE LATERAL

This message looks at the aftermath of Pentecost in Acts 2:42-47 and points out how when the Holy Spirit comes upon us (vertical), He moves us to focus on others around us--within the church and outside.

An audio file of the message is available for download/listening by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/file/izyk0mxwmmu/.

The entire service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?lzditmdbdbh

Be blessed!

Dec. 07, 2008--WHAT SHALL WE DO?

Today's message from Acts 2:37-41 focuses on the response of the people to the message that Peter preached: WHAT SHALL WE DO?



You may listen to the message or download an mp3 file of the message by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?j1fqkxmtjzi


The service in its entirety is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?diyadxmluim

Nov. 30, 2008--IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS

The content of Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:22-36) is the focus of this message. To sum it up succinctly, IT'S ALL ABOUT JESUS!

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?lhmgamywmm1

The service in its entirety may be accessed at: http://www.mediafire.com/?mdqtko2ynld

Nov. 23, 2008--WHEN GOD POURS OUT HIS SPIRIT

This message looks at the fulfilment of Joel's prophecy on the day of Pentecost and how there is an increase in prophesying and seeing visions and dreaming dreams when God pours out His Spirit on us.

The message is available for listening or download at: http://www.mediafire.com/?atmzmiogjm5

The entire service is here: http://www.mediafire.com/?yyhkdmungym

Be blessed!

Nov. 16, 2008--LET THE FIRE FALL, LET THE WIND BLOW, LET YOUR GLORY COME DOWN

This message, based on Acts 2:1-21, looks at what happened on the Day of Pentecost and ends with a time of inviting the Holy Spirit to fall on us again.

An audio file of the message is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zjgmhnm4tdz

The service in its entirety is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zjgmhnm4tdz

Be blessed!

Nov. 09, 2008--PRAYER PRECEDES POWER

This message, based on Acts 1:12-26, focuses on verse 14 that talks about how the apostles spent days on end in prayer. The awesome display of God's power in Acts 2 (Pentecost) is preceded by the act of prayer. Two aspects of their prayer...it involved waiting to hear from God and they prayed together "in one accord." We need both closet prayer and corporate prayer.

You may listen to or download an audio file of the message by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?hmd5uomnzvz

The service, which incorporates the theme of Remembrance, is available here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?mdmndtydjhm (we apologize for the volume of the recording in certain spots...ran into unexpected technical difficulties!)

Nov. 02, 2008--POWER...TO WITNESS

We begin a new sermon series on the Book of Acts, following the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the apostles.

This message, based on Acts 1:1-11, focuses on the POWER that the church receives from the Holy Spirit and how the primary purpose of that power was TO WITNESS.

An audio file of the message is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ddnmmuumdmy

The entire service is here: http://www.mediafire.com/?iwznnynmdoz

Be blessed!

Oct. 26, 2008--ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY

Guest speaker, Irv Augustine, delivers today's message as we celebrate the 168th Anniversary of Morgan's Point United Church. The text is Hebrews 13:1-16, with the key verse: "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

The message is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?dzozyozmrgi

The entire service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?4ytmzxy1dd1\

Be blessed!

Oct. 19, 2008--THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

The reading from Matthew 12:15-32 gives three valuable insights on the person of the Holy Spirit--He is gentle, He is powerful, He is God.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?hggcn2nnuzu

The entire service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?3zdzgdzj3zw

Be blessed!

Oct. 12, 2008--HOLY SPIRIT FILLING & HAPPY THANKSGIVING

In Ephesians 5:18-20, the apostle Paul suggests that where there is a Holy Spirit infilling, there will be an outpouring of thanksgiving...a very appropriate message for this Canadian Thanksgiving Sunday.

You may download or listen to an audio file of the message at: http://www.mediafire.com/?zlznzji44en

The entire service is available at: http://www.mediafire.com/?dyndvfnvdgd

Oct. 05, 2008--HOLY SPIRIT RIVERS

This message in the series on the person and work of the Holy Spirit looks at Jesus' words in John 7:37-39 that the Holy Spirit is released as "rivers of living water" flowing from the inner being (heart, belly) of a believer.

An audio file of the message and the communion service is available for download or listening at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?nclj1ktdjtm

You can listen to the entire service by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?nclj1ktdjtm

Sept. 28, 2008--The Wind of the Holy Spirit

We continue our series on the person and work of the Holy Spirit by looking at Jesus' words from John 3:8--"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

An audio file of the message is available for downloading or listening by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?h4qoityzz5z

The entire service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?zmozhmtnhyh

Sept. 21, 2008--FILLED UP...TO BE SPILLED OUT

We continue our series on the person and work of the Holy Spirit. Today we look at the gospel of Luke and how the Holy Spirit was revealed in the life and ministry of Jesus. The key passage, Luke 4:14-21 contains Jesus' quotation of the passage from Isaiah 61:1-4 and lets us know that the purpose behind being FILLED UP with the Holy Spirit is TO BE SPILLED OUT into the lives of others.

The entire service is available for download or listening at:http://www.mediafire.com/?lmimidm32ey

To listen to the message or download it, click on: http://www.mediafire.com/?dmueyodhanu

This Sunday we commissioned Roy & Cathy Kitchen to be missionaries in Uruguay for two years through Operation Mobilization. (OM). You may listen to the service of commissioning or download it at http://www.mediafire.com/?3qmdmyy0otu

Be blessed!

Sept. 14, 2008--THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT--CONVICTION

This message, based on John 16:-7-11 and Acts 2:37, focuses on the ministry of the Holy Spirit which results in a conviction of sin, producing repentance and leading to salvation.

The message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?buq41zt7gox

For an audio file of the entire service, please go to: http://www.mediafire.com/?tievgdwyj1o

September 7, 2008--THE HOLY SPIRIT'S ASSIGNMENT--Part 1

In this first of a series of preliminary messages on the person and work of the Holy Spirit, leading to a more extensive series on the book of Acts (of the Holy Spirit!), we look at 1 Peter 1:1-2 and John 14:15-17, 25-27 and discover that the Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus taught, and more importantly, helps us live in obedience to Jesus.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at: http://www.mediafire.com/?vz21om1w1bz

The service in its entirety may be found at: http://www.mediafire.com/?659kjercuiu

Be blessed!

August 24, 2008--WORDS

Based on James 3:1-12 & Ephesians 4:29-32, this message focuses on the importance of the WORDS we speak.

You may listen to the sermon or download it at http://www.mediafire.com/?xv0xfoce92c

The entire service is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?pkqfw7myndj

Be blessed!

August 17, 2008--THE BLESSINGS OF UNITY

In this message, based on Psalm 133, we discover the high value God places on unity among His children.

An audio file is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?egbwr5nkche

The entire service may be accessed at: http://www.mediafire.com/?bzq5t4nudhe

August 10, 2008--WHY CELEBRATE THE LORD'S SUPPER

Taking our cue from I Corinthians 11:23-26, we look at one answer to the question: Why Celebrate the Lord's Supper. The cue? "Do this in remembrance of me."

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?zxjchw4i4kw

The entire service is available at: http://www.mediafire.com/?gjer12rygcg

Be blessed!

Aug. 03, 2008--THE TWO FOUNDATIONS

In this concluding sermon of the series on the Sermon on the Mount, we look at the two contrasting foundations--rock and sand--that Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:24-29.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=449464aa4bfd667cef77406be8d056c21bb6023cf153a112

The entire service is available at:
http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=449464aa4bfd667cef77406be8d056c265d6820cab3e418a

Be blessed!

July 27, 2008--THE DANGER OF DECEPTION & SELF-DECEPTION

Based on the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:15-23, this message looks at the reality of false prophets and DECEPTION as well as God's strategy of DETECTION...and tackles the hard saying of Jesus regarding SELF-DECEPTION...pondering on his words: "I knew you not."

An audio file of the message is available for download or listening by clicking on http://www.mediafire.com/?d1zg41jzc13

The entire service is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?dnmvm1c1tym

Be blessed!

July 20, 2008--THE TWO GATES

Based on Matthew 7:13-14, this message looks at the choices before us...The Wide Gate and the Narrow Gate...and explores what it means to walk through the Narrow Gate.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?0ytmmj9jmln

The enire service is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?mgznjbnli6q

July 13, 2008--THE GOLDEN RULE

Today we look at what makes the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12) Christian.

You may listen to the message or download it by clicking on
http://www.mediafire.com/?o0isima59ob

The Opening Praise Time is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?ewt2ntzb2go

You can access the entire service at http://www.mediafire.com/?91icyxy3mm5

July 6, 2008--DOUBLE DOUBLE REVISITED

On this first anniversary of serving at Morgan's Point-Forks Road East United Churches, we re-visit the story of Elisha receiving a double portion of Elijah's spirit from II Kings 2:1-15--which was the theme of the service a year ago.
This message focuses on what made Elisha a suitable candidate for receiving the double portion and the condition he met in order to receive it.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or downloading by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?krstgxe5bkg

The entire service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?mvmsgmmy2le

Be blessed!

HEALING & IMPARTATION SERVICE, June 29, 7 p.m.

Here are links to audio files from the Healing & Impartation Service held at Morgan's Point United on June 29. The Holy Spirit moved in a powerful way and ministered healing. We also imparted the healing anointing from the Lakeland, Florida Outpouring to all who desired it by anointing with oil. (I, Pastor Jeeva, had just returned from spending three full days at the Outpouring last week).

Opening Worship http://www.mediafire.com/?it7hlj3gywp (led by Larry Dahmer & Chris Orme)

Message http://www.mediafire.com/?yhwyijvfjpm

Healing Ministry http://www.mediafire.com/?ww4jyfdygtm

June 29, 2008--ASK, SEEK, KNOCK

This message focuses on one of the simplest teachings of Jesus, found in Matthew 7:7--Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?z2erytyyolx

BE BLESSED!

June 22, 2008--JUDGE NOT

"Judge not that you may not be judged", Jesus says in Matthew 7:1. This message explores the kind of judging that is not acceptable to Jesus...the need to examine ourselves and remove the plank from our eyes before pointing out the speck in another's eye...the difference between judging and discernment...and the permission Jesus gives us to be fruit inspectors!

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?m1yyp4mtjg9

June 15, 2008--OUR FATHER ABRAHAM

In this Father's Day message, we look at the life of OUR FATHER ABRAHAM and allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what it means to be a model father like Abraham.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?gimjmbnzznq

June 8, 2008--DO NOT WORRY

From the words of Jesus in Matthew 6:25-34 and the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:7 & 19, this message looks at why followers of Jesus are told point blank: "DO NOT WORRY." Hope you are blessed by listening to this message at http://www.mediafire.com/?3qb1ekictvj

The entire service is available for download or listening at
http://www.mediafire.com/?dlgzeyrjiy1

June 1, 2008--SINGLE VISION

If your eye is "single" (King James Version)...what does Jesus mean by this saying about the eye? In the context of Matthew 6:22-24, he is calling us to develop a SINGLE VISION to keep him in front of our eyes all the time.
An audio file of the message is available for download or listening at

http://www.mediafire.com/?5hxcck0pv1m

You may also access the entire service at http://www.mediafire.com/?ejxbo4o2tvy

May 25, 2008--STORING TREASURES IN HEAVEN

This message, based on Matthew 6:19-21, explores the futility of storing treasures on earth and offers practical suggestions on how we can fulfil Jesus' command to store treasures in heaven.

You may download the message or listen to it by clicking on
http://www.mediafire.com/?egovaswr5tw

The service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?0yidzgytwzx

The article on "19 reasons" to which a reference is made in the message is available here: http://www.epm.org/articles/givquest.html

May 18, 2008--WHEN YOU FAST

We get back to the series on the Sermon on the Mount and focus on Jesus' teaching on Fasting in Matthew 6:16-18.

Jesus begins this teaching with the words "WHEN you fast"...he assumes that fasting is part of his disciples' lifestyle.

This message includes an overview of fasting in the Old & New Testaments and some suggestions on how we could also make fasting part of our lifestyle today.


An audio file of the message is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?dftiwdqjybl


You can also access an mp3 of the entire service at http://www.mediafire.com/?jplm4mteayy



We will be pleased to e-mail you copies of the handouts mentioned in the message...please send your requests to jeevasam@gmail.com.

May 11, 2008--THE GOD OF OUR MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS

On this Mother's Day, we focus on the words of Paul to Timothy regarding the faith of his mother Eunice and grandmother Lois which lives in him (II Timothy 1:5).

You may listen to the message or download an audio file by clicking on http://www.mediafire.com/?yt2af9mm9zz

The entire service is available at http://www.mediafire.com/?txnd0myfyil

Be blessed!

May 4, 2008--For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever

The sermon series on the Lord's Prayer concludes with a close look at the ending--the significance of every word--and how this is indeed the model prayer for all of Jesus' followers.

To listen to or download the sermon only, please click on
http://www.mediafire.com/?y2fbbviaiws

For the service in its entirety, please click on http://www.mediafire.com/?mtxmw5cujir

April 27, 2008--LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

The series on the Lord's Prayer continues with the only "negative" request in the entire prayer... Lead us NOT into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Texts used include James 1:12-15 and I Corinthians 10:13
An audio file of the entire service is available for download or listening by clicking on
http://www.mediafire.com/?oe4jbtwuyou

To listen to the sermon only, please click on http://www.mediafire.com/?z3wkwwmuyjq

April 20, 2008--SPIRITUAL GROWTH

This message by Terry Sitts, a member of Morgan's Point United Church, stresses the need for followers of Jesus to keep on growing spiritually.

An audio file of the entire service is available for listening or download by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?tkcjdkcg2jc

April 13, 2008--FISH FRY

In this message, based on John 21:1-14, guest minister Brian Baxter focuses on how Jesus seeks out his disciples who had "gone fishing" and restores them back to the fold.

An audio file of the entire service is available for download or listening by clicking on:
http://www.mediafire.com/?caj9weiekpy

April 06, 2008--FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES

This message looks at our need to ask God to forgive us as well as the necessity to forgive one another as we have been forgiven. The parable of the Unforgiving Servant from Matthew 18:21-35 is the main text.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?x1wzilneqn1

March 30--GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

We return to the series on the Lord's Prayer with the first of three petitions that focus on OUR needs..."GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD." Since "daily bread" would have conjured up visions of mannah for the Jewish audience of Jesus' day, our Scripture reading for this Sunday is the entire chapter of Exodus 16.

An audio file of the entire service is available for download or listening by clicking on: http://www.mediafire.com/?ddmbmyjm2mv

Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008--YOU HAVE BEEN RAISED

Based on Colossians 3:1-4. Romans 6:3-11 and Romans 8:11, this message is about how not only has Christ been raised, but so have we!

The service is available for download or listening at http://www.mediafire.com/?2yga4maeold
(We had to edit out all the music due to some unexpected distortion in the recording process... our apologies)

Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008--Sunrise Service

ENCOUNTERS WITH THE RISEN CHRIST is the theme of this service, as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and highlight certain encounters Jesus had with his friends and followers--way back then, and now.

The entire service is available for listening or download by clicking on this link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?4wx3tyzcjhh

March 09, 2008--THY WILL BE DONE

The sermon in its entirety is posted here...

THY WILL BE DONE...ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

For the past several weeks, we have been focusing on the Lord’s Prayer, one line at a time. Today we look at the petition: “THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.” What can we expect to happen when we pray: “THY WILL BE DONE?” Will we be able to know God’s will for our lives...just like that? Perhaps some of us are saying: “I’ve been praying this petition for years and I’m still not totally clear about God’s will for my life!”

Right off the bat, we must acknowledge that knowing the specific will of God for our lives can be tricky. You may have heard about the middle-aged farmer, who always wondered in the back of his mind whether God really wanted him to be a great evangelist. One day he took a break from working in the fields and lay down under a tree. Looking up in the sky he saw the clouds form what seemed to be the letters “P” and “C”. He was sure it stood for Preach Christ. So, he got up, sold his farm, and went out to do evangelistic crusades, because he was quite confident that this was God's will for his life. The only trouble was...he was a terrible preacher. One night at one of his crusades after a horrible, horrible sermon, a compassionate friend of his who knew the story of how the “evangelist” got his "calling" went forward and whispered in his ear, "Is it possible that when the clouds formed the letters “P” and “C”, God was asking you to simply Plant Corn?"

While we may not be able to discern God’s specific will for our lives readily all the time, we are able to find in the Bible a number of clues about God’s general will for us--as individuals and as a church and for the world. Certainly we can expect God’s will to be done in these particular ways when we pray: “THY WILL BE DONE”, amen?
Let us look at a few of them...

#1. In John 6:40, Jesus says: “God’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise Him up at the last day." We read something similar in I Timothy 2:4, where Paul says that “God our Saviour...wants all men (and women) to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” In other words, it is God’s will that everyone believe in Jesus as the Messiah, as the One who saves us from sin, as the One whom God raised from the dead...and be saved. So, when we pray: “THY WILL BE DONE”, we are praying that everyone be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.

Do you know anyone right now who is not saved, who has not yet come to a knowledge of the truth? Someone in your family? A friend? A co-worker? A neighbour? An e-mail contact? Someone with whom you play games online? Take a moment right now and pray for them as Jesus taught us. Just repeat after me:
“Father, it is your will that all men and women be saved, and come to a knowledge of the truth. So, I pray “THY WILL BE DONE”, for everyone who needs to be saved, especially (now name them before God).........................................”

#2. We read in I Thessalonians 4 verse 3 onwards: “It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God...For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.”
God’s will is not only that we be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, but that we not simply stop with the experience of salvation. He wants us to be sanctified, which means, to be made holy, to be set apart, to be pure, to be made more and more in the likeness of Jesus. In verse 8 of the same chapter, we are told that God gives us his Holy Spirit, so that we may be sanctified and avoid sexual immorality and learn to control our bodies, so that we may live a holy life.
So, when we pray: “THY WILL BE DONE”, we can expect God to sanctify us. Have you ever had difficulty in controlling your own body? You’re smiling, because that’s like asking: “Have you ever given in to temptation?” Would you like to live a life that is holy, that is continually being made holy, sanctified? Then, repeat after me: “Father, it is your will that I be sanctified, and live a holy life. And, so I pray: ‘THY WILL BE DONE.’”

#3. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we read, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." It is God’s will that we give thanks IN everything, not FOR everything. So, when we pray: THY WILL BE DONE, we can expect to give thanks to God in all circumstances.
Easier said than done, isn’t it? Is it possible, though?

Matthew Henry, the great Biblical scholar, was walking home one night when he was mugged, beaten to a pulp and his wallet was stolen. That night in his journal, he wrote these words: "Lord, I thank you. I thank you that I have never been robbed before. Lord, secondly I thank you that they took my wallet, but not my life. Thirdly Lord, I thank you that I was the one who was robbed, not the one doing the robbing." Obviously this petition of the Lord’s Prayer worked for him, amen?
Anybody here want to respond like Matthew Henry did? Just repeat after me:
“Father, it is your will for me, to give thanks in everything. And so, I pray: ‘THY WILL BE DONE.’”

We began this message by talking about how we would like to know the specific will of God for our lives as a result of praying this petition. While this may not always be easy to discern, we do have some clues from the reading from Romans 12 about how we could place ourselves in a position for this to happen. Let me read those verses again:
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. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Paul tells us in these verses that it is indeed possible to know God’s will. After all, it was possible for Jesus, wasn’t it? How was it possible for Jesus? These verses give us the keys. Verse 1 talks about “offering our bodies as living sacrifices.” Another way to phrase this might be to say that we are called to surrender ourselves totally to God, as Jesus did. Offering comes before knowing the will of God. We want to know His will first, and then decide if we want to give ourselves to it. That’s not the way God operates. He says: “Give me your life and I will show you my will.” If you do not know God’s will for your life, could this be why? Would you like to put yourself in a position where you can know God’s good and perfect will? If you are, please pray with me:
“Father, I give you my body, as a living sacrifice. THY WILL BE DONE.”

Another clue is in verse 2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. We read something similar in I John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful humanity, the lust of the eyes and the boasting of what you have and do—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

When we pray THY WILL BE DONE, the Holy Spirit of God creates in us a craving for the things of God, and a corresponding dislike for the things of this world. It begins not in the body, but in the mind. He transforms us by the renewing of our mind. It is not rocket science to realize that we are called to co-operate with Him in this process. By a conscious act of our will, we decide that we will no longer conform to the pattern of this world, to the thought processes of this world, but we will put ourselves in a position where our thoughts are transformed.

How do we do this?
We feed our minds with the thoughts of God. We spend time in His word. We spend time with Him in prayer, particularly silent prayer, soaking, where we allow Him to speak to us, where we allow the Holy Spirit to get into our minds and make this renewal happen.

We also do this by a conscious editing of what we allow into our minds. If we are allowing the patterns of this world to have an input into our mind, by what we watch on television, what we hear from those with whom we hang around, from what we listen to on the radio and on our mp3’s, then we consciously cut that input out, so that it does not interfere with the renewing work that is being done by the Holy Spirit, amen?

Jesus taught us to pray: THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. Think about heaven for a minute. In heaven, there is total surrender, total non-conformity to the world, total transformation of the mind...hence God’s will is done in heaven! For His will to be done on earth, we are called to total surrender, total non-conformity with the world and total transformation of the mind. Makes sense, doesn’t it? Are you ready to make a conscious choice not to conform to the world and to have your mind renewed? Just pray with me:
“Father, I choose from this day forward, not to conform to the pattern of this world, especially in my thoughts. I choose to allow your Holy Spirit, to renew my mind. THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.”

A Sunday School teacher once asked her class: “Who can tell me why Jesus wants us to pray: ‘THY WILL BE DONE?’ One child quickly piped up: “Because his will isn’t done?” Out of the mouths of babes, eh?

After today’s message, one thing is for sure. If God’s will is not revealed or done in our lives because we did not know His will for us, that is no longer the case. We do know that it is God’s will that:
All be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth,
That we should be sanctified and
That we should give thanks in everything.

We also know now that we can put ourselves in a position to know God’s will when we:
Surrender ourselves to Him as a living sacrifice and
Refuse to conform our thoughts to this world, but choose the renewal of our mind instead.

Next Sunday, we will look at discerning God’s will in difficult situations by spending time with Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane. But, for now, we can be confident that when we pray: THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, we can expect it to happen here on earth in our lives!

Thanks be to God. AMEN.

March 02, 2008--THY KINGDOM COME--part 2

This message continues our exploration of the petition "THY KINGDOM COME". It focuses on Jesus' saying: "The Kingdom of God is within you" and explores "The Ambassador Mentality & Embassy Lifestyle" based on II Corinthians 5:16-21. The message concludes by looking at what it means to "take the Kingdom by force", particularly in the area of restitution.

You may listen to the message by clicking on http://www.mediafire.com/?zckmtdjjfbm

The entire service is available here: http://www.mediafire.com/?dn9bvy30xq0

Feb. 24, 2008--THY KINGDOM COME

This message looks at the meaning of the word "kingdom", the teaching of Jesus regarding the "kingdom of God/heaven", and the effects of praying these words of the Lord's Prayer. It calls us to Repent, Receive and Release the Kingdom of God, on earth as it is in heaven.

You may listen to the message only by clicking on http://www.mediafire.com/?fyyttvw6cyy

or the entire service: http://www.mediafire.com/?cjmxtnde9tj

Be blessed!

Feb. 17, 2008--HALLOWED BE THY NAME

The sermon series on the Lord's Prayer continues with what Jesus meant when he told us to pray: "HALLOWED BE THY NAME." The Scripture reading from Exodus 3:1-15 focuses on the name by which God wanted to be identified in His conversation with Moses--I AM.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?1rzwe6cyqyx

You can also listen to the entire service (including the message) by clicking on http://www.mediafire.com/?aqmjyzdozum

Feb. 03, 2008--RETURNING TO OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN

RETURNING TO OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN

An audio file of this message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?f9nbfiibdnm

Below are my sermon notes.

The Audience:

From Luke 15:1-3, it is clear that this story is not for the general public, but for "the Pharisees and the scribes"--the good, upright, God-fearing, law-abiding, religious leaders of the Jewish faith.
We in the church are the modern equivalent of the Pharisees and the scribes. This story is not for our "pagan" neighbours out there, but FOR US, THE INSIDERS.

The Focus:

Even though we have traditionally tended to focus on the younger son, the focus of this story is in Jesus' opening words: "A Man had two sons." THE FOCUS IS ON THE FATHER.

Can you imagine going to your parents while they are still alive and asking for your share of the estate? The Father grants his son's request for his share (1/3), even though it was a slap in the face...as though the son were saying..."Drop dead, Dad." The Father had every right to tell the son to drop dead, refuse the request, but he grants it without any conditions, without a lecture or warning.

The Father's Love allows us to have our own way, to make poor choices, to live in rebellion. He could stop us, but chooses not to. HAVE YOU HAD THIS HAPPEN TO YOU...WHERE GOD LET YOU HAVE YOUR OWN WAY?
Have you as a parent experienced this with a child?

The Son wastes his inheritance in a distant land, in "dissolute (reckless, wild) living." Most likely, this refers to seeking sexual pleasure (as implied by the older brother later on in the story) and drunkenness...both of which can be a drain on a fortune. He seeks to replace the intimacy he had with his Father with a counterfeit that gives the illusion of intimacy.

Highly publicized "falls from grace" of Christian leaders who were leading others to the Lord and operating in the anointing of the Holy Spirit also seeking counterfeits to the Father's love.
Similarly...Christians seeking refuge in adultery, pornography, sex before marriage—counterfeit intimacy; similarly alcoholic excess in bars...

Then a famine hits the land, he goes from living high on the hog to looking after pigs...only a desperate Jewish young man would stoop to such a low position. He hits rock bottom.

The Father's Love does not want to interfere with the gift of free will, so He allows us to go our way, get lost, and get to the place where we can sink no lower. ..JUST LIKE IT IS WITH OUR KIDS SOMETIMES.

The young man comes to himself...to his senses... and remembers his Father's house...giving children proper foundation, e.g. church school so critical...starts heading back with a rehearsed speech...note part of the speech... "I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

GUILT vs SHAME:
"Guilt says I've done something wrong; shame says there is something wrong with me. Guilt says what did was not good; shame says I am no good."
Guilt says: "I did something unworthy." Shame says: "I am unworthy."

The closer we had become to the Father, the more shame we have when we went away from the Father...keeps us from coming back...we wonder whether we will be truly received or not. (Falls from grace)

The Father, in the meantime, does the only thing he can do...wait and watch for the Son's return. (See on the portals He’s waiting & watching)

When the Son is still far off, the Father runs to him (act of indignity for a Jewish father to lift up his robe), hugs him and kisses him...no speech, no reprimand, no "told you so" (I would’ve!)...just welcome. The Son goes into his rehearsed speech, but the Father does not respond to him. Instead he tells the servants to get him a robe, a ring and sandals. These actions speak more loudly than words ever could: "You are still my son."
CELEBRATION..fatted calf...

The Father is so glad to see us "come home" again. As far as he is concerned, "You were my son, you are my son, you will always be my son."

AN INVITATION:

To all the "younger sons"...come home. Whatever counterfeits you have chosen, whether you've hit rock bottom or not... SHAME ISSUES...Ask the Holy Spirit to show you if you are in the Father's house or how close or far you are from the Father's House. Father Loves You and wants you in His house. He is so glad when we make that choice.

Our Father WHO ART IN HEAVEN

This message compares earthly fathers with our Father WHO ART IN HEAVEN, showing how our view and experience of earthly fathers can affect the way we approach our heavenly Father.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?3etmi2zbz2j

Jan. 20, 2008--OUR Father who art in heaven

This message asks and answers the question: Why did Jesus teach his disicples to begin the prayer with the word "OUR?"

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?4yn9x1u3nnd

Jan. 13, 2008--Our FATHER who art in heaven

We begin a series of sermons on the Lord's Prayer with a look at what it means to address God as our Father. We look at how Jesus experienced God as Father by looking at his baptism, the prayers he offered before Lazarus was raised from the dead, in the garden of Gethsemane, and his final words on the cross.

An audio file of the message is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?8b03nt51ldj

January 6, 2008--WHEN YOU PRAY

Based mostly on Matthew 6:5-8, this message focuses on what Jesus taught about prayer, prior to teaching his disciples the Lord's Prayer.
An audio file is available for listening or download at http://www.mediafire.com/?fvm3st203jb

Some points emphasized...
Jesus says: "WHEN you pray"....Prayer is not optional, but essential for followers of Jesus.
The secret of prayer is secret prayer...go into your room (closet), lock the door and then talk to your Father in heaven.
The greater problem facing the Christian faith is not that more people are coming out of the closet, but not enough Christians are going into the closet!
Those who stay in the closet the most are the closest to the Father.

Why pray when He already knows our needs before we ask? He’s our Daddy, He wants us to spend time with Him!

More words do not make prayer more effective... "let my words be few." Repetitions don't cut it. No formulas.
All prayer (including the Lord's Prayer) begins and ends with God.

Before we get to the how, what, where, when and why of prayer, we need to focus on the WHO of prayer, our Father in heaven.