Talks

Bob brings us the third part in our series on “Resilience.”

Speaking on the passage from Ephesians 3: 14-19, Bob explores Paul’s prayer to the church in Ephesus and how we can learn some top tips for being resilient today.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth
When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

1. Pray First! Assume the best posture.  Set our posture right - a posture of prayer.
2. Resilience is best done together!
3. Trust Him to hold it! Jesus is in charge!
4. Resilience stems from rootedness.
5. Focus on the problem solver and not the problem.
6. Take a step back and rest in His presence.

Matt brings us the second part in our series on “Resilience.”

Jesus told His disciples that “living water” would “flow” from within them!  If that’s still true today, then could it be possible for God to be the source Himself that we can learn to locate within us, and provide the resilience He intended for us to have?

John Eldredge says: “The nature of true resilience – something imparted into our being by the God who created us.  Resilience is not gutting it out; it is not roughness and toughness.  Resilience is imparted into our humanity as our entire being comes into union with God.”

We have 3 parts to our being:

The Shallows – Characterised by the distractions where we spend most of our life!
The Midlands – Characterised by what Jesus called “the cares of life” – deeper concerns, heartaches, the challenges of life.
The Depths – What David called our “innermost being”.  The essence of who we are.
We live most of our life between the shallows and the midlands, but we all have an “innermost being” – the question is how much attention we pay to it.  “Our souls were never meant to carry the weight and the sorrows of the world – only God can do that.”

Through a practice called “Benevolent detachment”, we can become untangled from the shallows and the cares of life and find the presence of Jesus in the depths of who we are.

Matt mentions the “Pause App” and a 30 day programme towards Resilience – things that have helped a number of people in Ashwood.  Take a look if you’re interested.

“Lord Jesus – we give everything and everyone to you! Make my heart more and more your HOME! Amen.

On the same day as our Vision offering for our NEW ASHWOOD HOME – Matt finishes part 3 of our series on our ETERNAL HOME.

Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that “God has planted eternity in the human heart.”  So many people believe that there is some kind of life after death.  Why? Somehow, whether people believe in God or not, we all have a sense that we were made for THIS world but also Made for something beyond this world too.

Matt talks about 4 things:

The greatest STOPOVER.  Our final destination is the NEW HEAVEN and the NEW EARTH – but before then the bible authors tell us that we will wait in “paradise” or “present heaven”.  The place where God is now, and where all the people have died are waiting until Resurrection day – after Jesus returns.
HEAVEN’s REWARD Scheme. Although we arrive on earth with no material possessions and we can’t take any with us, it’s clear that the way we live will have a bearing on our life beyond the grave.  (2 Corinthians 5 verse 10)
Reward for FINANCIAL CHOICES – Luke 18 verses 22-30 / Matthew 6 v verses 20-21
Reward for PERSEVERANCE - 2 Timothy 4 verses 6-8 / Matthew 5 verses 11-12
Reward for SEEKING FIRST THE KINGDOM - Matthew 6 verse 33
Reward for SHEPHERDING GOD’s PEOPLE - 1 Peter 5 verses 2-4
Reward for OUR WORKING ENDEAVOURS - Colossians 3 verses 23 – 24
Your Future’s Bright!  What’s the Difference between A Christian Believer and A Non Believer? Paul tells us that Christian Believers – don’t live without hope! 1 Thessalonians 4 vs 13-18
Orienting Ourselves around Heaven – Jesus encouraged us to be thinking about Heaven every time we pray!  Remembering that our FATHER is in HEAVEN right now, and that our goal and our desire is to see more of the realities of HEAVEN (God’s will) here on earth as it is in HEAVEN.  So let’s set our sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3 verses 1-2

Whether News is Good is dependent on who you are. For example for some, the fact that they get up only twice in the night is good news, but that might not be true for others.
The Good News (or Gospel) Bob talked about is Good News for EVERYBODY.

The story is all about Jesus. It doesn’t end with Him dying: Death could not hold Him, He rose!
Why is this good for you?

It is a story of hope, redemption and restoration
It is a testimony of sacrificial love and companionship
It is inviting us into a relationship
It is for all people
No matter where you come from, or what your past looks like, Jesus says: I love you!

Baptism is celebrating Jesus and declaring our faith, knowing that we are part of a story that goes beyond all circumstances as described in Colossians 2:11-15 and John 3:16-18.
Saying Yes to Jesus has eternal consequences!
Now let us shine our light because our lives are the biggest reflectors of His love.

Gill talka to us from Revelation Chapter 21 - written by the apostle John who had a vision from God seeing forward to the end of our world as we know it now!
She explaina that it’s not easy to understand – partly because it was written originally in secret code because the church was in danger!

John has a vision of our future home.
This has always been part of God’s rescue plan for us!:To one day create a “New Heaven and a New Earth”.

We will become new creations, with new resurrected bodies, still the same people, somehow recognisable to each other. We’ll have the same soul.
The outlook is very very good!  There will be no evil, pain, tears or death but peace, wholeness, healing, thriving, satisfaction, restful pleasure.
There will be work - but it will be enjoyable, fulfilling and with purpose. And in the centre will be God living there alongside us.

“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.  (Revelation 21 verse 3)

Jesus said that He will come back for us, and if He says He will, then He will. Peter said: ‘The day of the Lord will come like a thief’ and Jesus in Mark 13 - ‘Only the Father knows when that day will come’
So we need to be alert, on guard and be ready for it.

The early church lived as if that could be tomorrow which helped them be faithful in the face of persecution.

Challenge (and inspiration) for us before the “age to come”:
We need to get our perspective on what is eternal and not on the things of this world.
Hold possessions lightly and Rejoice because suffering is only temporary.
We should pray ‘Your Kingdom Come’, but we can also play our part by bringing the kingdom of God now, by the way we love each other, our neighbour and the stranger.

It was our pleasure to have Roger Bretherton come to speak to us!  He was brilliant!!  He started a mini-series in our Sunday meetings talking about Resilience.

He gave us this Definition of Resilience:

“Resilience is the capacity to face challenge, complexity and change which enhances us rather than diminishes us.”  Resilient Leadership Foundation

Roger talked about Jesus’ famous sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapters 5-7) and explained how the principles and the content of that message explain how we are to live so that we can live life well – the way God intended. And at the same time build resilience into our lives.

He shared some amazing stories and simple illustrations.

On our first Sunday back after our “Summer Sundays” Matt revisited our theme of the year: “HOME”
He said if you look out for it, you will see the concept of “Home” everywhere! In songs, in films and in well-known phrases that we use every day! (He even sang part of a Michael Buble song to illustrate!)
And the reason it’s used so often in so many places is because we can all relate to the need and desire to find HOME and be at HOME, not just in a physical sense, but emotional and even spiritual as well.
OR you could say:  “In every human heart there’s an aching and a longing for HOME….”

Our longing for HOME goes right back to the Garden of Eden which was the perfect home created for humans by our Father God.  Through their disobedience, Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden, and we have lived with the consequences ever since. But God had a plan to undo and reverse the Eden curse.  And “Jesus left His HOME so that He could welcome us HOME!” (See Romans 5 verses 15-19 for the explanation.)
Welcome HOME! God has a place for you! > “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.” John 14 verses 1-2.  God has a place and a space for you now – today!!
Welcome HOME! The embrace of the Father. > We are safe and loved by our Father. The shocking story of the lost son who left his Father’s Home with his inheritance, only to realise that he was always better off at HOME.  Even though he had no right to be there, the Father welcomes him HOME with a huge embrace and acceptance.  Jesus told the story to illustrate how his Father responds when people return to HIM.  Arms wide open! We continue to pray for Prodigals!
Welcome HOME! God’s Address. > Jesus said to His disciples: Make your home in me as I make my home in you. (paraphrase of John 15 verse 4) This invitation stands every moment of every day, good and bad days. The phrase “I can’t be at two places at once” does not apply to Jesus! His current address is both in heaven (at the right hand of the Father) and in me and you if we choose to accept and welcome him in!
Welcome HOME! God’s heart is for everyone > God is knocking on everyone’s door! NOTE: **Vision Offering for the new Building >> Sun 29th September”**
Welcome to our final HOME! -> Our aching and longing will only ever be fully satisfied when we are HOME with Jesus. C.S. Lewis says: “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” Find more details of what Heaven is like in Revelation 21 verses 1-5 and in talks over the next two weeks!
To watch, go to our Facebook page: https://fb.watch/uGlQsFi8wR/

In this first part of our new mini series “Our Eternal Home”, Matt speaks to us about what the Bible authors tell us about death and what comes after.

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3 verses 1-2

Matt’s 4 Points to consider:
1) Mindset change: This Life is temporary: Billy Graham summarised it beautifully: “My home is in Heaven. I’m just traveling through this world.”
2) Death is real and shouldn’t be taboo: It will happen to all of us sooner or later (unless Jesus comes back first). What if death is the beginning, not the end? It’s good to be aware of it: “Where you are, we once were. And where we are you soon will be.”
3) Death no longer has a sting: Being saved by Jesus, we have a certain hope that death is just a doorway “into the better” that Jesus prepares for us: “Death though it appears to be man’s greatest enemy, in the end proves to be his greatest friend!  I know it’s a shocking thought but it’s the ultimate liberation!” (David Oliver in “All About Heaven”)
4) Longing for Heaven: What would you answer to this question: Are you willing to stay but longing to go? OR: Are you longing to stay but willing to go? (David Pawson) Randy Alcorn puts it like this in his amazing book “Heaven”: “I’ve never been to heaven, yet I miss it.  Eden is in my blood.  The best things in life are souvenirs from Eden, appetisers of the new earth.  There are just enough of them to keep us going, but never enough to make us satisfied with the world as it is, or ourselves as we are.”

Matt encouraged us to read: 1 Corinthians Chapter 15.

Good morning Ashwood Family!
In the final of our “Summer Sundays” series Gareth and Rachael shared with us what it looks like for them to serve the Lord in their situation.

Rachael described how 20 years ago at the Grapevine Celebration (now called Awaken) she felt inspired by God to respond to his “calling” on her life, as she read the words of the prophet Isaiah.  Her response “Here I am send me!”
Serving God for Rachael finds her in the classroom bringing God’s kingdom to the lives of the children.

What does it mean to serve God in Education?
Striving for excellence for all children.  Helping to meet their holistic needs.
Hospitality in the classroom - All children to feel welcomed, valued, safe and appreciated – and have fun!
Being a role model for the children – Demonstrating truth and positivity, resolving issues with patience and kindness (And other fruit of the Spirit) Modelling compassion and love!
Prayer – So important!
We prayed together for everyone involved in education.  So many challenges faced these days!  Lord Jesus would you give all those people involved in our education system, extra grace, kindness, resilience and courage. May they bear your image and bring your love to every child in their care. Amen!

Gareth explained that he serves the Lord firstly in the HOME as a husband, a father and a son.  He then described his several roles all connected to football and what it means to serve God in such a competitive environment.

Gareth told a great story of when he was younger and he and his brother met someone in the street who asked them a question: “Who do thou belong to?” (in other words “Who are you parents?”) When Gareth gave the answer the person said “you must be good at football then!” because the family had a reputation in the town!  Gareth explained that it’s so important that we know “who we belong to”.  We are “Children of God” which impacts every area as we seek to serve him!

He outlined his philosophy – serving God in the coaching / sporting environments:
Serve – In the same way that Jesus did. “Foot washing” with kindness and compassion.
Inspire – inspire his players and colleagues to build their lives on a solid foundation.
Drive – Sometimes “tough love” discipline and even correction is required!  “I want the best for you! Not just average!
Unite – Remember there’s something bigger than just us!

In the third of our Summer Sundays, Linda and Denny told us how they serve the Lord in their daily living.

Linda who is a nurse highlighted 3 areas by giving us examples in her everyday working life::
Rely on God
Be kind and empathetic. Gal 5:22-23
Be dedicated to your work
Ending her talk, Linda left us with three quotes:
Brighten the corner where you are. Matthew Chapter 5 verse 16
Leave a legacy behind. How would you want to be remembered?
“Aspire to inspire before you expire.” Eugene Bell Jr
Denny started with an opening verse “Serve the Lord with Gladness”. Psalm 100 verse 2 and gave us a few pointers as to how we can represent Jesus at Work (actually good advice whether our “work” is out or at home):
Don’t complain
Watch your language
Encourage others
Pray for your co-workers
Shut down conversations that are centred around gossip or just walk away
In everything you do, do it as a form of worship unto God
And above all: “Give thanks in all ;circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:18

How do you serve the Lord?

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