In a sense the church is an education centre to learn and know what we believe.

Is there something we need to be guarding? We need to remember our faith and theology. We need to know what we believe and check what our preachers are preaching so we can stand firm in God’s Truth.

“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith” ~ 1 Timothy 1:3-4.

The video featured in Christian’s sermon shows emperor penguins in the cold icy lands of Antarctica. The penguins work together in groups, they huddle together to stay on course and stay strong.

Like the emperor penguin we are stronger in community, LifeGroups are a place of authentic community.

So let us draw near to God as it says in Hebrews.

“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,” Hebrews 10:22.

Let’s hold unswervingly to the hope we profess and let’s spur each other on in love and good deeds.

A way this can be done is through encouraging each other by meeting together in groups such as LifeGroups.

Let us not give up meeting together…

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-U8h1SCDbU

The Church Nursery is open each service with an audio and video feed for anyone that has a Baby too tend to.

• Put themselves into a position to receive God’s truth.
• Put themselves into a position to participate in the supernatural work of God.
• Put themselves in a position to have deep relationships with other believers.
• Live a generous life.

Follow Northreach on Twitter @northreachtsv.

Genesis 41 is a bible example of setting a vision.

Pharaoh in Genesis 41 is written about as having visions which he doesn’t not know the meaning behind. Pharaoh calls upon his servant Joseph who is known for his accuracy in interpreting dreams – a gift given by God. Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dream and paints a picture of the future of Egypt – which was a severe famine.

Many of the ministries at Northreach have also taken on the 1-1-1 vision.

Joseph interprets these dreams and tells Pharaoh the vision God has given Egypt – God has shown a picture of the future. The dream in Genesis 41 was a warning to Egypt about the seven good years of harvest and seven years of famine.

“I will make you into a great nation … and I  will bless you; I will make your name great and you will be a blessing… and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” ~ Genesis 12:2-3.

The vision for Northreach can be found in Matthew 28:19-20 which in our vision is seen as, “Following Jesus, Reaching People.”

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ~ Matthew 28:19-20.

Psalm 34:1 reads, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

The Psalmist in Psalm 34 David commits himself to singing a song of praise to the Lord despite being driven away Abimelek.

How are you going? Great… Why? Because God is with me.

In Psalm 34:6-10 an inductive method of experiencing the faithfulness of God is seen.

Psalm 34:8 reads, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

Psalm 34:11 talks about what it means to fear the Lord.

Psalm 34:11 reads, “Come, my children, listen to me;I will teach you the fear of the Lord.”

What is this fear of the Lord? To fear God is an attitude of devout reverence towards God. This holsters our behaviour and it shapes our conduct. It permeates into the core of our being and forges who we are giving us the necessary expansion of our admiration of God.

The outcome of fearing God is perfect inner peace. This is what David is writing about in Psalm 34.

Elephant in the Room situations can happen in work, everyday conversations, marriages, politics, teams, friendships, families or even church.There could be an elephant in the church auditorium, for whatever reason people don’t want to tlak about it. To get rid of the Elephant in the Room you’ve actually got to talk about it.

How do you have an awkward conversation that isn’t going to damage relationships.

Philemon gives a great example about how to approach these difficult subjects. How you approach these awkward conversations actually makes a very big difference.

Philemon is a letter written by Paul that is addressed to Philemon and he writes it in a way that he communicates the awkward problem without approaching the situation in an ungodly way (Philemon 1:1-25).

Nine ways to have that awkward conversation:

1. Acknowledge your common faith. (Philemon 1:1)
2. Recognise you’re on the same team. (Philemon 1:1)
3. Keep the health of church in mind.(Philemon 1:2-7)“It is surely due to Paul’s vivid awareness of the essential oneness of the church.“
4. Don’t pull rank unless necessary. (Philemon 1:8)
5. Emphasise love and forgiveness. (Philemon 1:9-14)
6. Appreciate, in God’s providence, bad things can be used for good. (Philemon 1:15-16)
7. Absorb the costs and losses. (Philemon 1:18)
8. Work confidently for ‘win, win!’ (Philemon 1:21)
9. The goal is to live together in harmony (Philemon 1:22)

The passage makes it clear the resistance that many nations have to the word of God. It’s not only resistance but people are in opposition to God, they Hate God.

“The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the LORD and against his anointed, saying, ’Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles,’” Psalm 2:2-3 (NIV).

How does God respond to the resistance of the people? Psalm 2: 7-9.

God owns, rules, controls and judges the entire world by his Son, the anointed King, Jesus Christ.

How do we serve God? Psalm 2:11 answers this question well, “Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.”

We have two choices; You can ignore God and ignore his Kingship or His reign can be accepted.

How Should we live? This is explained in Titus 3:1-2 in seven different points including; Be subject to rulers and authorities, Be obedient, Slander no-one, Be ready to do what is good, Be peaceable and considerate, Show true humility.

Shrimp On The Barbie Screenshot Marketing Campaign

How we did live? Titus 3:3 tell us how we use

d to live.

“foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures,” Titus 3:3.

What God did to change us Titus 3:4-8 – It’s a team effort – the Trinity at work

“The kindness and love of God our Saviour,” The washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,” “Through Jesus Christ our Saviour.”

At Northreach we have what’s called, “Simple Church.” We have One service, One LifeGroup & One Serving – It’s our vision.

What to avoid Titus 3: 9-11 as Titus explains is, foolish controversies.

Being known and loved by someone more powerful, experienced and knowledgeable seems to be built into the very fabric of life.

Watch the story below of a teenage girl who was adopted as a baby and as you watch it see if you can feel the depth of her desire to be known by the parents who bore her.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp4hAD49lro

The God who Knows Us -- Psalm 139:1-6

This psalm expressed the relationship between God and an individual in such a warm, familiar intimate way. Theologians have a word to describe what David is talking about, they call it omniscience of God.

There is nothing in our lives that can surprise God. He knows what we’re like, He knows what we’re doing, He knows what we’re thinking. He defines the boundaries of our life from before our life begins to after it ends.

The God who is with Us -- Psalm 139:7-12

In this Psalm David finds three completely opposite places, but God often seems to live in tensions and contrasts. In the heavens God is there!

In the comfort and safety of dawn as the sun rises on another day God is there! At the far and unknown side of an ocean that is unexplored and intimidating, God is there!

The God who made Us -- Psalm 139:13-18

Some actually reject that passage. How easy it is for King David, this magnificent specimen of a man to say that. On another level it is accepted the theory of what David says here but we are left wondering if we’re a dud. Some of us may even hate the way God made us.

Our Response to Psalm 139 is we recognise it’s an unequal relationship. We have this God who knows everything there is to know about us, but yet we have this God who we know so little about.

The Bible tells us that life is always going to be an unequal knowing but one day that will change.

1 Corinthians 13:12 reads, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

Golgotha – Crossing Over

2 Kings 2:1, speaks of when the Lord took Elijah up to heaven, this was at the time Elijah and Elisha were on their way to Gilgal. Gilgal is known for the crossing in Joshua 4. This word reminds us of the place where we have crossed over from our life to life within the spirit. When you believe you have the spirit of God dwelling within.

Bethel – The Presence of God

2 Kings 2:2, tells of the “presence” of God. The presence as the Lord lives in you, experiencing the presence of God by living in a relationship with him. Crossing over and living in the presence of God.

Jericho – The Victory

2 Kings 2:3-4, is the “victory” over Jericho. Victory over temptation, you can have victory over any temptation in any way. (Joshua 6)

Power Challenge – Launch out into 2012

Launch out into what Jesus wants you to do, launch out into the deep with God, as we learn to live in his presence, his victory and his power. (Joshua 7:37-39)

The Bible is a community document, “Scripture is designed to be understood, worked out, interpreted and lived out amongst the people of God and beyond.”

In the book of Titus 2:1-8, Paul is writing a letter addressed to Titus as the leader of the church.

What is Sound Doctrine? 

“You, however, must teach what is appropriated to sound doctrine,” Titus 2:1.

Right Living + Right Thinking = Sound Doctrine

Are you struggling to adjust to your season?

There are four seasons that are found in Titus 2.

Season One – “Older” Men.

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance,” Titus 2:2.

Season Two – “Older” Women

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good,” Titus 2:3.

Season Three – “Younger” Women

“Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,” Titus 2:4.

Season Four – “Younger” Men

What does it mean to grow up, to move beyond the lack of care experienced by young men during their younger years.

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us,” Titus 2:6.

What does this all mean? 

You should be able to see that in every season in every aspect there is a calling to negotiate where we are in our lives. We need to think through the season of life that we are in. How things change that may be different now compared to what it you used to do 20 years ago.

More to come.

G – If you want to receive grace in your life, you’ve got to go to the Lord. Going to God is the gateway to Grace.
R – Receive God’s gift of Grace. Psalm 40:4 reads, “Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust.”
A – When we receive from God you need to decide whether you are going to act on what he says.
C – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness,” 1 John 1:9.
E – Expect amazing favour in Psalm 40:16 it reads, “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, “The LORD be exalted!”

• Go to God.
• Receive from Him
• Act on it!
• Confess my sin
• Expect amazing favour

This service we remembered we have a saviour and that his name is Jesus.

The message is simple at Christmas, “Christ came into the world to save Sinners.”

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” ~ Romans 2:23

The name ‘Jesus’ means ‘Saviour,’ because He will save people from their sins.

Jesus came into the world to save those who would believe in him so that they may receive eternal life.

Christmas is the story of God reaching out, of God truly becoming part of the human family.

Chapter one of the book of Hebrews established Jesus’ divinity.

‘But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom,’ Hebrews 1:8.

The general idea is, “Jesus shared in their humanity… make like his brothers in every way.” (Hebrews 2:14 and 18)

As the bible says he became the, “faithful high priest in the service of God.” (Hebrews 2:17)

In all of the trials and temptations that Jesus endured he stayed faithful, “He became sin who knew no sin.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

He knows exactly how we feel, he became to in order to know what it feels like to be in the world. The bible says he can carry our sorrows and we see he can help us.

“For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17)

The word ‘helps’ (Hebrews 2:16) means ‘he takes by the hand.’

“When we compare the teaching of the New Testament with the Old Testament revelation… the Spirit is above all still the experience of God powerfully present and active in the midst of his people.” G.W. Bromiley.

Luke 1: 15 – 17 speaks of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

How can we experience the Holy Spirit; for the first time and in an ongoing way? If we are filed with the Holy Spirit what should that look like?

“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit,” Luke 3:16.

Repentance – Luke 3:3.

Genuine repentance is demonstrated by a generous and action life towards other people. When grace touches you, it flows out from your heard.

#1 Share with those who have a need. #2 Resist the sin of Greed.

There are many signs that show someone’s repentance.

\/ Repent < Reflect /\ Respect Luke 3:3 > Luke 3:8 > Luke 3:16.

The life of Jesus and the Life of the Holy Spirit are so closely connected.

What does a life filled with the Holy Spirit in an ongoing way, what might that feel like and look like?

“The Holy Spirit will need to have control,” Luke 1:15.

A major purpose of the filling of the Holy Spirit is to help fulfil God’s mission, which could be summed up as: Following Jesus, Reaching People. (Luke 1:17)

“The filling of the Holy Spirit is a purifying and sometimes, a terrifying, fiery experience,” Luke 1:16.

The points looked at in this message were:

• Christmas reminds us Jesus was an asylum seeker.
• Shows God wants to change the world.
• Proves God has a plan – Herod understood that Christmas was a conflict of Kingdoms, the rule of Jesus or the rule of Herod.
• Confronts us with the kingship of God – How does Jesus Rule? Jesus takes evil on himself as we written about in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
• Challenges us to engage with the world.

Is there really nothing more powerful than love?

Listen to this podcast to find out what the bible teaches regarding same-sex unions.

Peter Coleman – “… if we ask the biblical writers what they actually meant, the answer is clear. They intended to place a ban on homosexual behaviour.”

It’s a question of what or who you believe is the most important thing in this universe, this world.

Bible scholars from Thomas Aquinas to Karl Barth agree: To ask whether homosexuality is natural is to ask whether God made it. To answer to that question has to be negative.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 say, “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

‘We human beings have a wonderful faculty for snatching fantasy from the jaws of truth’’ ~ Malcolm Muggeridge.

As we come close to Christmas there are several questions to think about; What if Jesus is an unexpected rescuer? What if we are enjoying the spirit of Christmas but missed the real point of Christmas, Jesus?

Jesus doesn’t look like we would expect – Jesus was born in a manger, not what King Herod was thinking.

For many people, Jesus doesn’t look like God to them. It’s not what they would expect. Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 1.

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Jesus doesn’t say what we would expect.

This is the Jesus who says we should loose our lives to find him. this is the jesus who Comes like an intersection saying, which road do you choose or way?

Jesus doesn’t do what we would expect.

Mark 4 puts it a good way where he calms the waters for his disciples. Read about this in Mark 4:37-41.

Jesus doesn’t look like we would expect, Jesus doesn’t say what we would expect, Jesus doesn’t do what we would expect

A Christmas challenge for the seeker.

John Stott writes, “If you find it hard to believe in God, I strongly advise you to begin your search not with philosophical questions about the existence and being of God, but with Jesus of Nazareth. Most people, like myself, feel on more solid ground when we are thinking and talking about Jesus Christ. The concept of God as he is in himself is beyond us. But with Jesus of Nazareth we are dealing with a historical person. Besides, we believe that this was God’s purpose. God himself is infinite in his being and altogether beyond our reach and comprehension. That is why he has taken the initiative to reveal himself — for we could never come to know him otherwise. And the climax of his self-revelation was the coming of his Son in human flesh. God means us to approach him through Jesus Christ, not the other way round. So if you can’t believe in God, let me urge you to read the four gospels [Matthew, Mark, Luke and John] which tell the story of Jesus. I’m astonished how many intelligent people haven’t read the gospels since they were kids at school. But if you read again the story of Jesus, and read it as an honest and humble seeker, Jesus Christ is able to reveal himself to you, and thus make God the Father real to you.”

We need to meet that Jesus again this Christmas. We need to remember that time where we knew we were just right with Jesus.

The word doctrine in simple terms means, “Ideas about God.”

Some things from scripture should not be taught – 1 Tim 1:8.

The law is good if used properly – 1 Tim 1:8

The law is made for lawbreakers – 1 Tim 1:9 – murders, sexually immoral.

Ideas about God change how we relate to one another.

Bad Doctrine Hurts – Get God Right and we need to Get Right with God.

Bible passage looked as: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15

Growth Stunters:

1. ‘Still worldly’ 3:3
2. ‘Divisions over emphases personalities’ (3:4)
3. By implication, not getting on with building up the church.

Chapter 3:9 says, “We are God’s fellow workers.” Which sets forth in striking fashion the dignity of Christian service (Leon Morris)

What contribution are you making to the growing of this church? The energy and excellence that you bring to the ministry / activity that God has called you to do.

The call is to serve the lord – 1 Sunday, 1 LifeGroup and 1 Serving.

A mature disciple has a strong constitution and uses that strength to give God-glorifying, gold-quality service to the life of the local church.

‘Prayer links us to God, putting us in a dialogue that will never end.’ Darrel Bock – What do you think of this?

Prayer is also the place where humans can say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to God.

Luke 11:1-4 – You see a picture where the disciples ask Jesus, ‘teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ Jesus than answers their request in verses 2-4.

Prayer is about believing that God is going to listen to your prayers and answer them.

How should we pray? ‘If our life depended on it?’

Luke’s gospel looks at this in chapter 11:7-10. Jesus is saying here you should be bold and shameless when it comes to prayer.

Our calling is to pray, but our problem is often finding the time to pray.

At the end of the day, when it comes to prayer, where are you at?

‘Prayer is the summary of our faith, we cannot afford to stop doing it’ – Christian A.

Covering four ideas to do with discipleship including:

• Prayer.
• The Word.
• Witnessing.
• Fellowship.

1. Know the occasion of the parable.
2. Determine the main point of the parable.
3. See the secondary parts in light of the whole or main point.
4. Don’t get bogged down on the secondary parts.
5. Never build a doctrine society on a parable.

Points taken from the passage:

1. Use worldly wealth to win friends and receive an eternal welcome (v9)
2. You need to be proved trustworthy with the wealth you have.
3. You can’t serve both God and money (v13)

Ian took Northreach Baptist to the book of John where he looked at the question of, “What is a disciple?” (John 8:31-47)

At a deeper level we find what the definition and characteristics of a disciple of Jesus is like.

Some flavors of discipleship found by looking at John 8.

• 1. We hold to his teaching / remain in him.
• 2. We know his truth and it sets us free.
• 3. We reject a sense of entitlement.
• 4. We do what he does.
• 5. We love God passionately.

The flavour of discipleship – “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” ~ Philippians 3:16.

Listen to the sermon from Northreach Baptist Church by Christian Aguilera where he looked at Seven Intense sayings of Jesus.

Watch the video of this sermon here.

Six scenes from the gospel of Luke:

- The virgin birth.
- Jesus as a boy - Didn’t you know that I would be in my Father’s house? (Luke 2:49)
- Jesus Interactions with Demons – Luke 8:26-31.
- No one knows who the son is except the father – Luke 10:22.
- Fifth
- The Son of God rose from the dead – Luke 24:51