Thrive Community Church

Dec 21 Stuart Jesus The Saviour

How good are you?

If I live a good life ....I'll make it to heaven. If you live a good life.. you will make it to heaven and bad people will go to hell.

How Good is good enough? Who's or what standards are we judged by? Do different deeds or acts have different values: Rom 3: vs 10 There is none righteous , no not one; vs 12 All have turned away.. no one does good; vs 23 All have sinned and fallen short.

Luke 18: Pharisee and Tax collector

Col 1: 21  Once you were alienated from God; vs 22 He has reconciled you by Christ's death; vs 23 continue in faith, don't move from hope in gospel.

Luke 23: 39-43  You will be with me in Paradise

Jesus: Creator...Ruler...Judge...God in flesh....Saviour

Dec 14 Glen Who is Jesus? Col 1: 19

Jesus is Creator, Ruler, Judge: For God in all his fullness was please to live in Christ. Matt 1: 21,22.

1. Who does Jesus claim He is?  Theme of OT  describes Saviour to come: Isa... govenment on his shoulders.

 a. I am the Christ: Jn 10: 24-25

 b. I and Father are one: Jn 10: 30

 c. Your sins are forgiven: Matt 9> 2

2. Evidence claims are true,People amazed at His teaching (Mk 1.22), Evidence in miracles : miracles I do in Fathers name speak for me Jn 10.25.

3. Who did eyewitnesses say Jesus is?

 Evidence from John: Word became flesh. Jn 1.14

 Evidence form Peter. You are Christ. Mark 8.28  God has anointed me.

 Evidence from Paul: preached Jesus is Son of God: Acts 9.20

Who do you say I AM?      [..Robert Coleman, PC]

Dec 7 Glen Jesus the Ruler

Jesus is: Creator of mankind; Ruler of mankind; Sustainer & Judge. Col 1: 15-18

Acts 10: 39-43.

What is God waiting for?  2 Pet 3:3-7  scoffers will come, 8-10 God is being patient, Acts 3: 11-15 wants all to repent: After His return, the window of opportunity is closed.

Who are judged: Jn 5: 24-29 Those who have not listened

How can a god of love send people to hell? AC/DC in Highway to Hell people choose hell Rev 4: 4-11.

Argument 1: I didn't know; Rom 1:20. Argument 2: Hell sounds cool, Heaven sounds boring [ who has gone to hell.. mass murderers, child killers, liars, cheats, haters, molesters, rulers who have exterminated whole nations (will spend eternity with each other, etc): PC] Argument 3  God of love and compassion: How can you send people to hell? He is Love AND Justice.

Spurgeon essay. Today is Day of Salvation.  Heb 3: 12-18 Don't harden hearts, Heb 4: 1-3...

Faith is a heart response. Once save => live by Faith => follow heart.

Our Choice: ...................Jesus will be your Ruler or Judge

Nov 30 Glen Why Suffering?

Col 1:17-18: Jesus is Ruler

Why suffering, disease, sickness, pain and death?

4 Possibilities God allows suffering: 1. You are a sinner and being punished for sin

2. He doesn't care about people Lam 3:31, 3. He is a sadistic God enjoying seeing people suffer Lam3: 33  4. He has a purpose for suffering.

Carrot & Stick approach: Spoilt brat approach.

Despite hardship, we glorify God Job 1:22.Job did not blame God...he praised God.

God's ultimate goal for your life is not comfort, but character development.

To get physically fit: requires pain and suffering. Similarly for character requires faithfulness and suffering ...Lamentations => Exile for a reason.

I Pet 1: 3-7 Suffering has a purpose: Not easy to accept  there is purpose,... (good).

Even when I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. Ps 23

Richard Wurmbrand

Col 1:17 Christ is head of church: church (people: from their experience and character development) minister to people who suffer. 

Hab 3: 17-19: Eventhough.......yet I will rejoice in the Lord....... I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.

Nov 23 Glen , Who is God

Glen speaks from Col 1: 15-20

Narnia: Lion, Witch and Wardrobe

Faith is  stepping thru a spiritual curtain

Scientific propositions are a belief system: faith  E=mc² 

Jesus is God: He walks on water  see also Jn 1:1

Who made God: Rom 1:20

Gen 2: 7:  He formed man

Ask the question: "I exist because ................."

Why do you exist? What is your purpose for being?

Jesus gives..Peace, Security, Belonging, Hope, Healing... 

Nov 16 Mark Chappell, From Seduction To Influence

Mark Chappell from GWFC, Speaks on Book of Daniel:

6 Keys:

1. Believe God is over parameters

2. Righteousness does shine.

3. Faith is Action

4. A commitment to excellent contribution

5. Consistent intimacy

6. Expect the Supernatural in the parameters.

Nov 9 Glen Kingdom Fighter

Glen speaks on 1 Cor 16:

The Boxer Paul Simon. Summary of 1 Corinthians

You have been ;1:4 Made Holy by Christ: 1:4 You belong to God; 1:8 Promises of God are not empty. He will keep you strong to the end; so you will be free from blame on day Christ will return.

God will do this : He is faithful; your invited to partnership with His Son.

v:10 Paul appeals to unity.

Spiritual Disciplines: strengthen&equip the church for difficult times ahead: strengthen your faith.

Don't quit- suffer now , live rest of life as champion. God at work in world.

1 Cor 16:Have Kingdom view of giving:

Conclusion vs 13-18: Be on guard: Stand firm in Faith: Be courageous: Be strong- daily discipline: Do everything in love.

1 Jn 4:11 Since God loved us-  we ought to love one another. 

Nov 1 Glen: 1 Cor 15, "Hope"

What's your world view? Pessimism or Optimism.

Rango video: People have to believe in Something!  Hope must be based on Some-one who is able to help. 1 Cor 15: 12-58 

Heb 15: Faith is the confidence...Hope will happen, that we cannot control.

vs 12 +

Implication 1; vs 13: alternative Christ is still being punished .... he was the sufficient sacrifice

Implication 2; vs 14: alternative.. Faith has no basis; vs 17, 19 We are lost  - more to be pitied.

Vs 21: Hope thru one man - Christ - is reason to endure: we are being prepared for the life to come.

Vs 22: The Order-- Christ raise first - humble his enemies - All will be under His authority

vs 35: our Resurrection body

First: Never give up hope: be immovable

Second: Work enthusiastically: nothing we do is useless, Don't give up -- everything you do counts.

Who or What is your hope built on? 

Oct 19 Stuart: 1 Cor 14: Without Love... Nothing

Stuart identifies that the birthing church had 3 main issues in its services: The apostle Paul responds the reactions to the Holy Spirits work in these issues: Speaking in Tongues,Prophesy & Women speaking during the services. These were culturally and individually recognisable but all 3 together created irreverance and chaos.

Paul's purpose: vs 5, 12, 26 & 31: Strengthen the church, encourage, learn, and build up.

Summary: All people must be strengthened. Tongues must be interpreted. Prophesy must be explained.

vs 34,35, 39, 40 Women to ask husbands, respectfully, in proper orderly way.

We are to seek out spiritual gifts to strengthen the church: make sure all see God as present: Church is not about ME.

Let Love be your highest Goal: 

frm 1 Cor 13: 1-3: If I don't Love .. I am nothing

Matt 22: 37-40 : Love God and neighbours as you love yourself

Jn 13: 34,35: Love each other

Is love my motivation or SELF: Not to be critical of others

Is love my default position.

! Cor 13:4-8: Love is... from MESSAGE version

Is my focus on strengthening the BODY or self. Is LOVE my highest Goal.

Oct 12 Andrew Christian Service 1Cor 12/13

Andrew speaks on Christian Service and Love

I Cor 12: 4-7

Most people want to serve God ... in an advisory capacity.

Every Christian has gifts for Common Good. to serve others

Self righteous Service: is a big deal, for external reward. Concerned about results. affected by mood. Is temporary. Without sensitivity. Fractures community.

True service: impossible to distinguish small or large service; rest contented in hiddenness; free of need to calculate results; Indiscriminate in its ministry; because there is a need; is a lifestyle; can withhold; builds community. Is work from God, for God, with God.

Getting involved with someones life

Love: 1 Cor 13: 4-8a

Make deliberate plan to serve

Acts of kindness

Help those who can't help themselves

Meeting needs for another, who can't return

Visiting ill or infirm

Guarding reputation of others

Extending courtesy, kindness, hospitality

Listening and bearing burdens

Speaking truth in love, Sharing Gospel