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Scripture reading by Debbie Baxter My first reading from Hebrews. Hebrews is a letter from a group of Christians to the Hebrews. God wants you to take time to read or listen to his word devetly spending time on it, not half heartedly. He wants you to swallow it, digest it, let it get on the inside of you and change you, to touch your heart. Hebrews 4: 12,13 NIV 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Contemporary English Version (CEV) 12 What God has said isn’t only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. 13 Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell him the truth. I am reading fron Eugene H. Peterson's "The message bible" 12-13 God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God’s Word. We can’t get away from it—no matter what. My second bible reading will be from John. John said in Revelation 10:19, God's word is like honey in his mouth, but when he swallowed, it upset his stomach. Tha's when he realized the word is correcting him, changing his motifs.. Just like a friend rubbing off his rough edges. In John's account of Jesus, Jesus not only speaks the word of God, He is the word of God. John 14:22-25 New International Version (NIV) 22 Then Judas (not Judas Iscariot) said, “But, Lord, why do you intend to show yourself to us and not to the world?” 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. John 14:22-25 Contemporary English Version (CEV) 22 The other Judas, not Judas Iscariot,[a] then spoke up and asked, “Lord, what do you mean by saying that you will show us what you are like, but you will not show the people of this world?” 23 Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them. 24 But anyone who doesn’t love me, won’t obey me. What they have heard me say doesn’t really come from me, but from the Father who sent me. 25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. John 14:22-25 from Eugene H Peterson's " The message bible" 2 Judas (not Iscariot) said, “Master, why is it that you are about to make yourself plain to us but not to the world?” 23-24 “Because a loveless world,” said Jesus, “is a sightless world. If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him—we’ll move right into the neighborhood! Not loving me means not keeping my words. The message you are hearing isn’t mine. It’s the message of the Father who sent me. 25-27 “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught. Jesus confronts his disciples to comfort them and inspire them. He wants them to know that when they start to love God, they start to experience it, feel it, sense and know it, the love of God. The word of God which is alive and active. Sermon : "The relevance of the word of God" by Kevin Harvey Because of circomstances, Kevin, had to change the topic of today's message. (note from the webmaster : please find here excerps ( that is notes I took while listening) from Mr Harvey's message) Great day coming much like that of a a bride and groom. What are wearing to the wedding : The groom ... suit The bride is the special person at the wedding..... bright white Acts of righteousness be prepared and.... Revelation 19:6-8 New International Version (NIV) 6 Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.)
Do we believe... Does it matter Trust relation with God Need to trust our heavenly Father Hope to have some heavenly scripture
The bride has made herself ready We the Church are the Bride of Christ (not any special denomination) Be ready for the coming of the God How do you differentiate the Bride Christ gave the Church bright linen. God gave the Church this dress. We must clothes ourselves with fine linen ----righteous acts. Matthew 5:13-16 New International Version (NIV) Salt and Light 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 24:12 New International Version (NIV) 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, Sometimes we have a hard time doing good things because our love grow cold... .....easier said than done.... But that is what the Church is there for... Galatians 6:9-10 New International Version (NIV) 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Do good things = sacrifice rewards but.. Things that stop us
Close your eyes, imagine there is a person getting ready for her wedding day...everything she needs is there....
All dressed getting ready = We the Church helping one another Bride's maid do not criticize the bride We the Church are going to a wedding -feast to a Father that loves us. Getting ready to meet....must show up ready God of all creations loves us but loves us ready He has given all the gifts must take from him Love ....... at our saviour Love is warmed James 2:14-19 New International Version (NIV) Faith and Deeds 14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. James 3:13-18 New International Version (NIV) Two Kinds of Wisdom 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heavenbut is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. We the Church have been given a responsability to love each other, help each other, feed the hungry, visit the sick = be do-gooders.... Hymn : Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus By: George Duffield Stand up, stand up for Jesus As soldiers of the cross. Lift high his royal banner; It must not suffer loss. From victory unto victory His army he shall lead Till every foe is vanquished And Christ is Lord indeed. Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The trumpet call obey; Stand forth in mighty conflict In this his glorious day. Let all his faithful serve him Against unnumbered foes; Let courage rise with danger And strength to strength oppose. Stand up, stand up for Jesus; Stand in his strength alone; The arm of flesh will fail you, You dare not trust your own. Put on the Gospel armor; Each piece put on with prayer. Where duty calls or danger, Be never wanting there. Stand up, stand up for Jesus; The strife will not be long; This day the din of battle, The next the victor’s song. The soldiers, overcoming, Their crown of life shall see And with the King of glory Shall reign eternally. 
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June 2022
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