Manasseh, King of Judah

                             Manasseh King of Judah      July 8, 2012

Intro: Last Sunday was July 1^st and because we did not have a place to meet we volunteered in the community.  Today we are going to talk about Manasseh one of many Kings of Israel.  Manasseh reigned during the time of the Prophet Isaiah, he was a wicked king but God intervened in his life. 

Scripture: 2 Chron. 33:1-17

In order for us to appreciate and understand this story we need to go back into chapters 29- 32 and try to find some background information about Manasseh. Chapter 29 starts out by telling us that Hezekiah, Manasseh’s father, was 25 years old when he became king and that he, “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”  As you read through this chapter and on to chapter 32 you see that Hezekiah was a religious reformer, and a King dedicated to serving the Lord.  After his illness and God’s intervention Hezekiah had a son named Manasseh.  During the latter years of his life God tested Hezekiah to see what was in his heart because he had become proud. 

A good heritage: From the background given in the story so far how would you evaluate Manasseh’s religious training in the light of who his father was and what he did?  (For the most part Manasseh’s father was a positive influence on him) Despite this good example what do we learn about Manasseh from 2 Chron. 33:2? (He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the pagan nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites.) 

Depths of Sin: Verses 2-9 of chapter 33 describe the depths of depravity to which Manasseh sank.  Read these verses and see what you can learn about Manasseh’s character.  He had no respect for the reforms his father had made; he went so far as to undo them all. He not only followed the pagan religions, he promoted them. He was anti God in his behaviour, almost taunting God with his idols which he set up in Solomon’s temple.  He had a total disregard for God and seemed to be bent on doing more and more evil. Why do you think that God wanted us to know how evil Manasseh really was?  As you think about this man, how would you describe his spiritual journey?

Affects of Sin: It has been said that no-one is an island, no-one lives only to themselves.  How did Manasseh’s choices and behaviour affect his life, his family’s life and the lives of his subjects? (He was a murderer of his own children, vs. 6, he provoked God to anger, vs. 6B, and he led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord destroyed before the Israelites.) What kind of picture of Manasseh is emerging for the reader? (Godless, faithless, depraved rebel)  If each of us were to sit on a jury and had to cast a vote on Manasseh’s guilt, how would you vote? (guilty) As we think of the makeup of someone who may respond to God where would Manasseh fit? (Least likely candidate) There is a turn of events in this story; despite Manasseh’s rebellion and obvious guilt God does not destroy him. Take just a moment and reflect on this scenario; have you seen any modern day examples?

A Merciful God: Verses 10-13 records God’s intervention in Manasseh’s life; what happens and what does this tell us about God.  (First God warns Manasseh-but Manasseh pays no attention.  Next the nation of Assyria overpowers him, takes him prisoner, and exiles him to Babylon where he is put in prison for 12 years.)  What do the circumstances of Manasseh’s life bring about?  (See verse 12, first distress, and then he sought the Lord, and then he humbled himself greatly and prayed) How did God respond to Manasseh, and what does that tell us about God? (The Lord was moved-compassion-by Manasseh’s plea; God listened to him-mercy- God brought him back to his kingdom and reinstated him- God of restoration)

As you reflect on the change in Manasseh can you think of a contemporary example?  Do you know of someone who was running from God, maybe even in open rebellion against God?  But God pursued them, even afflicted them because of His great love and mercy.  How do we know that Manasseh’s change of heart was genuine? (See verses 15-17

True repentance shown by Changed Behaviour

 Manasseh got rid of the foreign gods, removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as the altars, he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed peace offerings and thank offerings on it.  He told Judah to serve the Lord.) As you reflect on your own relationship with God can you identify times in your journey when your behaviour changed?  Sort of like this: when I was running from God I used to….. but now that I have a personal relationship with Him I …

Conclusion: So what can we learn from this story.  In a sense this account is an Old Testament account of the Prodigal, but instead of a prodigal son we have a prodigal King.  Though Manasseh grew up with a Godly influence this did not guarantee he would turn to God in his adult life.  Manasseh is a worst case scenario of a lost, rebellious sinner, guilty before God and deserving of punishment.  His sin had destroyed his own life and the lives of countless others including his family.  Despite his rebellion, God intervened in Manasseh’s life because of His great love and mercy.  God pursues us and in love brings us back to Himself.  He endures our sin and rebellion to a point and if need be He will intervene in a loving, though sometimes painful way to restore us to Himself. 

    

Paul's Prayer for the Ephesians

                             

        Prayers in the New Testament      June 24^th

                  Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

Review: Last Sunday we began to look at another one of the Apostle Paul’s prayers for the Ephesians.  In this prayer Paul was petitioning God for strength for the Ephesian believers.  Can anyone remember what the source of that strength is?  (God’s glorious riches) We learned that these riches are boundless, immeasurable and that they exceed anything we can even imagine.

Next we learned that this strength was with power, God’s power, for His agenda and His purposes.  We also learned that God’s power is stronger than anything we know; it is a power that cannot be calculated because it is unlike anything we know here on earth.

The Agent of God’s power and strength is the Holy Spirit.  Divine strength flows from God to the Holy Spirit and then to us; if God’s Spirit lives in us.  We need God’s strength to live the Christian life and empower and enable us to do His will.

If we are in relationship with God, His Spirit resides in our inner being.  It is here deep within us that God renews us day by day and transforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.  This renewing strength and power enables us to faithfully live for Christ and follow Him despite the difficulties life throws at us or the chaos the Devil tries to create in our lives. 

Finally our motive for praying and asking God to strengthen us is that Christ would dwell (settle down) in our hearts by faith. 

Scripture:  Let’s read the passage in Ephesians again and move on to the next part of Paul’s prayer.  Eph. 3:14-21

Power: The second request in Paul’s prayer is for power.  Before we look into the nature of this power and all that is connected to it we need to examine the position Paul talks about in the second half of verse 17.  Here we read, “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…”

Positioned for Power: What do you think it means to be “rooted and established in love;” how would you describe this to someone else in your own words? The power Paul is asking for here is somehow connected to being rooted and established in love.  What do these words mean?  Lets’ examine them to see if we can gain a better understanding of what Paul is trying to communicate to us. 

A) Rooted- Gk. Rhizoo-means to take root, become rooted, be rooted.  It also means, strengthened with roots, and firmly fixed. In a physical sense, roots are anchored in soil.  In a spiritual sense where are the believers roots anchored? See verse 18 (in love, the Love of Christ) In the physical world what is the function of the root/s of a tree? (Roots draw nourishment; roots create stability so the tree can withstand the wind) What is the result of poor roots or little roots for a growing tree?  (Poor growth, little growth or no growth and eventually the tree will die) Now take this idea and apply it to the spiritual life.  Are you rooted in God’s love; how far down do your roots go?  Or are you rooted in religion, doctrine or some other seed bed.  Exactly where you are rooted is critical because being rooted in the right place leads to power.  Are your roots deep enough to stabilize you from the winds of life?  Is there a way for us to be more intentional in putting down our roots, deeper and deeper into the love of Christ? 

B) Established-Gk. Themelioo- to lay the foundation of anything.  There is another related word in the Greek, themelios, which carries the metaphorical meaning of elementary doctrines, fundamental doctrine or principle, i.e. Gospel, teachings of Christ.  What Paul is saying here is that the foundation of our faith must be built on, or laid in, the love of Christ, His teaching, the Gospel.  In the building trade any structural engineer will tell you that one of the most important parts of any structure is its foundation.  Remember the earthquake in Haiti, the mass destruction and devastation. Poor foundations and standards that were not up to code, inferior building material resulted in unthinkable death and destruction. Do you know, understand and believe the basic doctrines of the faith, the Gospel and the love of Christ; is this what your faith is built on? So then being rooted in the love of Christ enables us to be nourished and sustained.  Being established in the love of Christ means our foundation is solid and will withstand the storms of life.   

Power: Now that we have gained a better understanding of these words and how they relate to the love of Christ we can see their relationship to the power Paul is talking about.  When we, as believers, are rooted and established in love we will experience God’s power.  But what is the significance of this power and why do we need it?

A) Verse 18 starts out with the phrase, “may have power.”The word used here for power means, to be strong, able, full of strength.  It is the strongest word available to indicate strength or ability.  Being rooted and established in love gives us our best chance at being able to appropriate God’s power.   

B) Notice that verse 18 also says, “… may have power, together with the saints…” This being rooted and established in love and experiencing the power of God is a corporate affair.  We learn, grow, love and serve in community.  There is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian; we need each other, it is critical for us to be part of the body of Christ, the church, of which He the head.  Just like a coal taken from the fire and left on its own will die out, we as believers disconnected from the church will eventually shrivel up and die. This doesn’t mean we lose our salvation but it does mean we no longer give heat and light, we become ineffective for God.       

C) Look closely at the next phrase, “to grasp,” which gives us more information about God’s power and why we need it. The word grasp means to, “Seize with the mind.”What is it that we are to grasp?  (The love of Christ)  How is this love described for us?

The Love of Christ

·     Wide, long, high, and deep

·     To know(come to know, experientially, to gain or receive a knowledge)

·      Love that surpasses knowledge (Goes beyond what we can know intellectually-not just something we know in our heads like facts and formulas but something we know through experience) As we experience God personally in the realm beyond the teaching of man, beyond what we can learn in a fellowship meeting; as we encounter God day to day, moment by moment and see His hand in our lives and interact with Him and begin to recognize the part He has given us in His plan.

There is also another aspect of this love that we need to experience.  This experience can only be ours through revelation.  Rom. 5:5 says, “…God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.”This is a divine act of God not something we can learn or acquire on our own. We certainly need to study the Scripture, learn the truth of the Gospel and the basic tenants of the faith but if we are lacking a personal one on one experiential relationship with God Himself we have only religion.    

The purpose of this love is to fill us up to the measure of all the fullness of God. (Moral fullness)The Greek here implies to be fully supplied, to abound.

Conclusion: When it comes down to knowing the love of God would you describe yourself as being rooted and established in the love of Christ?  Would you say that your experience of being rooted and established has led you to greater power to know the depth of God’s love? In your Spiritual journey do you have both intellectual and experiential knowledge of God? Is God someone you know about or someone you know personally?  Do we need to Join Paul in petitioning God to help us know Him better?  I know I do, and I know I will; will you join me?  This may seem like a huge mountain to climb and it is but we must never forget the truths of the doxology in this chapter.  Look at verse 20 which says, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory…”

Take heart, we can know Him and know His love better too because He can do more…immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine… according to His power….that is at work within us.  This is a process, we are God’s construction project and He is continuously at work in us through His Spirit.

Prayers in the New Testament            June 17

 Paul’s Prayer in Eph. 3:14-19

Review: Last week we talked about the Apostle Paul’s last petition in his prayer for the Ephesians found in chapter one. We examined God’s power and how it relates to us as believers.  In our discussion we learned that God’s power is for us, and is unlimited and greater than any power we can know. Can you recall anything else about God’s power?  (Miraculous, flows in and through us, our faith finds its origin and sustenance in God’s power, we are shielded by God’s power and finally that power is in the person of Jesus Christ)

Introduction:  Today we will examine another prayer of Paul’s found in Eph. 3:14-19.  Let’s start by reading this passage.  You will notice that Paul begins with the phrase, “For this reason.” The reason he is referring to here is the fact that the Gentiles (all non Jewish people) who have become believers in Christ are now part of a new Spiritual Body (The Church) united with the Jews who have also become believers in Christ.  Paul speaks of this being the mystery of Christ.  Whereas in the past the Jews were God’s chosen people to bring God’s message of salvation to the world, now God has created a new Spiritual Body, made up of believers in Christ.  Because God has done this Paul prays this second prayer for the Ephesians. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what Paul is asking God for. 

Strength: What is Paul’s first request? (Strength) Paul connects four things with strength, four characteristics; can you pick them out? See vs. 16 (out of His glorious riches-Source, with power, through His Spirit-Agent, in your inner being-place of strengthening.)  In order to better understand the nature of this strength that Paul is praying for we need to look closely at these four truths. 

A) Source of Strength:  What is the source of this strength that Paul is praying for? See vs.16 (His glorious riches) Now we know that God’s glorious riches are beyond measure but the way this is translated here we may not get the full meaning.  The NIV uses the phrase, “out of,” which is better translated, “according to.” You may be saying what’s the big difference here, out of or according to.  But let’s say for a minute that a millionaire was going to give you some money.  If he gave you money “out of” his riches, he may give you only a small amount, say 200 dollars.  But, on the other hand if he gave you money “according to his riches,” this would be more in line with the standards he is used to; on the scale of his riches or according to the style of his riches.  The idea of immeasurable, bountiful, beyond what we can imagine is more the meaning we should understand here.  This idea is meant to build on the concept of our glorious inheritance that is ours in Christ.  So we are praying for that strengthening that comes from God’s riches, unfathomable, unquantifiable glorious riches that we are learning to comprehend but that we will never fully understand the depth of in this life. 

B)  Power:   Next Paul explains that this strength is “with power.” Last week we learned about the nature of this power; it is God’s power for His agenda and purposes, and that it is incomparable and great.  Two words used to help us understand that this power is unlike anything we know or can comprehend. It too is something off the scale that cannot be measured.    

C)  The Agent:  According to our passage who is the agent of this power?  (Holy Spirit) Eph.3:16 says, “…He may strengthen you with power through His Holy Spirit…” Have you ever asked yourself this question; why do I need the Holy Spirit in my life?  What if we could just ask God for His forgiveness, and be given a ticket to Heaven.  Would that be enough for us? Even though God has asked us to live holy (separate) lives, lives that reflect the character of Christ to others, can’t we do this on our own?  Do we really need that deeper connection with God that only comes from having God’s Spirit living in us? Can we accomplish the divine tasks that God has given us without His Holy Spirit in us? Can we live the Christian life as God intended us to in our own strength? Do you find it hard to live the Christian life; are you feeling defeated and weak as a Christian most of the time? That is a good thing; but, you may ask, why is that a good thing? 

In his series on Ephesians Charles Price from the Peoples Church in Toronto says, “Unless we (believers) understand that for every divine demand we need divine dynamic.  For every divine enterprise we need divine energy, and enabling.  For every divine strategy, we need divine strength; we are never going to live the Christian life as God intended us to.  We are only going to religionize Christianity, make it a religion, a set of rules that we do our best to implement and follow. Unless there is supernatural involvement in our lives we cannot live the Christian life. Does God’s Spirit live in you; and if He does, then where exactly does the Holy Spirit reside in us?

D)  In Your Inner Being: The remainder of Eph. 3:16 says, “… in your inner being.”The Holy Spirit comes to live in a person at the time of conversion.  Prior to His taking residence within us our nature inside and out are identical, we are dead to God and unable to respond to Him.  God draws us to Himself by the Holy Spirit who illuminates our understanding, convicting us of sin and rebellion toward God and eventually bringing us to a place of repentance (where we turn around and begin to respond to God).  Next we confess our sin and ask God to come and live within us and direct our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Once God’s Spirit comes to live in us, our inner being, which was dead to God, is regenerated.

  This truth is revealed to us in Eph. 2:1-5 which gives us a picture of who we were outside of Christ and who we have become in Christ.  Listen to some of what is said here, “As for you, you were dead…but because of His great love God made us alive with Christ…raised us up with Christ.”  The change that has occurred in us is also described in 2 Cor. 5:17 were we read, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”If we are in Christ our inner being is the abode of the Holy Spirit.  Paul goes on to encourage each of us by reminding us that, regardless of what is happening in our lives we are being renewed daily from within.

 2 Cor. 4:16 says, “Therefore we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away but inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”  What Paul is referring to here is the work of the Holy Spirit in our inner being.  This is the only way Paul could cope with the life he was living as he was writing and preaching the Gospel.  A life described in the book of Acts that included being whipped, stoned and left for dead; being persecuted, maligned and mistreated.  How did Paul get through this stuff, how did he cope?  While his outer man was suffering, his inner man was being renewed day by day, by God’s Spirit. Do you know this truth in your own life?  That though outwardly you may be suffering, for example; ill health, financial difficulties, family or marital problems, or business failures, inwardly, if you are in Christ, you are being renewed day by day, by His Spirit.

Are you praying daily that God would strengthen you with power, through His Spirit, in your inner being?  What is the goal in praying like this on a daily basis?

Conclusion: The answer to that question is found in verse 17 were we read, “… so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.”  In the Greek the word dwell conveys the idea, “settle down.”  Christ settles down in our hearts by faith; by faith we trust Him.  Christ changes our hearts, and consequently our words and thoughts; in short we are being renewed.  What happens to us as this process takes place is a deepening confidence in God to carry us through anything the world or the Devil can throw at us.  We begin to exhibit the peace of God even though we are going through the wringer of life.  We begin to live out of the growing confidence we have in Christ instead of living in fear of the future.  Our daily living is not characterized by anxiety and failing hope but a quiet trust in God, a quiet knowing that He has our best interests in mind.  This doesn’t mean that everything will be rosy and God will do everything we ask Him, but it does mean that despite what is going on around us we do not lose heart because we know that through His Spirit we are being renewed day by day and strengthened daily to stand, in faith, to rest in Christ.   

Let’s begin each day by asking God that out of His glorious riches, He would strengthen us with power in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith.          

Prayers in the Bible

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians/Power

Review:  Today we will be talking about Paul’s prayer in Eph. 1:15-23 and dealing with his final petition.  Paul has been asking God to help the Ephesians know God better. He has prayed that the Father would give the Ephesians the spirit of wisdom and revelation in order to help know Him better.  Paul has also asked that the eyes of their hearts may be enlightened so that they would know three things.  Can anyone remember the first two?  Right, the hope to which God has called them, and the glorious inheritance that is theirs in Christ.  Paul’s final petition for the Ephesians is that they may come to know God’s power. 

Scripture: Eph. 1:15-23

God’s Power:  We want to examine closely verses 18 and 19 and then break down the adjectives Paul uses to describe God’s power.  Verse 18 starts out, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know… His incomparably great power for us who believe.” It is imperative first that we realize that the enlightening of the eyes of our heart is not something we can accomplish for ourselves humanly speaking.  This is an act of God, only He can do that for us. So we are asking God to do for us, and others what we cannot do for ourselves.  Now let’s look at how this passage describes God’s power.

God’s Power 

What is the first word Paul uses to describe God’s power? His, we must never lose sight of the fact that the power we want to know and experience more and more is God’s power. Stop for a moment and think, why do people want power; ask yourself, why do I want to experience this power.  If we were honest with ourselves we would have to admit that we want power so we can use it for our own ends, to help us accomplish things, to further “our” agenda.  But if this is how we want to use God’s power we will have to ignore the fact that it is His power, for His purposes and His agenda. 

Incomparably Great

These two words in their original Gk. are very interesting.  The word incomparably, “Huperballo” means to attain a degree that extraordinarily exceeds a point on a scale of extent, to go beyond or surpass.  The second word, “megethos,” means, greatness; a quality of exceeding a standard of excellence.  There is nothing here on earth that compares to this power; it exceeds anything we can imagine. 

Power

The word used here is the Gk. Word “dunamis,” a word from which we get our English word dynamite.  It carries the meaning of, miraculous power, by implication, miracle power, strength, mighty work.  It is spoken of God, the Messiah, and great power of God meaning His mighty energy.  It implies the greatness, omnipotence, and majesty of God.  It is also spoken of a person or thing in whom the power of God is manifested. 

For Us

How does this power relate to us?  How do we experience it in our everyday lives?  Why do we need this power?  In order to more clearly understand this question we will have to examine Scripture.

A)  Eph. 3:20 tells us, “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us…”Because God lives in the believer His power is at work within him or her.  That means that His power is at work changing us from the inside out and that His power also flows through us to accomplish His purposes.  What exactly is that power doing in us?  Phil. 1:6 says that God is doing “a good work in us.” In Gal. 4:19 the Apostle Paul says that he is experiencing the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in the believers of the Galatian church. God’s power is at work in us because He is changing us to become more and more like Christ as we die to self and respond to the work of His Spirit in us.

B) In 1 Cor. 2:5 Paul talking to the Corinthian believers says, “… so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power”.  The word rest carries the meaning, resting upon something, being dependant on it for ones origin and continual existence.  So our faith finds its source in God’s power, but it is also sustained by God’s power.  Since we cannot live the Christian life without faith and faith rests in God’s power it is to our great advantage to become more and more familiar with this power.

C) 1 Pet.1:3-5 tells us that through faith we are, “shielded by God’s power.  Eph. 6:16 exhorts us to,” take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” In our spiritual journey we may lose sight of the fact that we as believers are in a spiritual warfare.  The day you gave your life to Christ you became an enemy of Satan and his evil forces and they are constantly warring against you. God’s power protects you by shielding you through your faith, extinguishing the lies that Satan launches at you.

D) Lastly we need to come to a clear understanding that God’s power, that power we need so desperately, is not some intergalactic force, or some kind of unexplainable energy source but is actually a person.  In 1 Cor.1:23 were Paul is again talking to the church he says, “Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” As we come to know Christ we gain a deeper understanding of the power of God in our lives; an experiential understanding that only comes through relationship. 

Conclusion: Let’s recap as we close our time together. 

·     God enlightens the eyes of our hearts

·     The power we are praying for is God’s power, for His agenda and purposes

·     God’s power is greater than anything we can imagine, it exceeds every power we know

·     God’s power is miraculous, it lives in us and flows through us

·     God’s power is, for us. It enables us and flows through us to create Christ likeness

·     Our faith rests in God’s power

·     We are shielded/protected by God’s power

·     This power is Jesus Christ living in and through us

This has not been an exhaustive study of the power of God.  Scripture is loaded is more helpful information to assist you in your faith journey.  Since I gave you a handout last week, and there are two more parts to that handout I thought it better not to overload you with too much material.  If however you would like to learn more about God’s power come and talk to me and I will do what I can to help you. 

  

Attention!  New temporary location for July and August.


Hi everyone, due to a summer closure at the Middle School, we will be meeting at the Chestermere Recreation Centre, from Sunday July 1st until Sunday, August the 26th, in Meeting Room #2. (blue and white room) Our service begins at 10:30 am. 

Prayers in the Bible- Paul’s Prayer for the Ephesians

June 3, 2012

Review: We are continuing our series on prayer, specifically prayers in the New Testament.  Our Scripture passage we have been studying includes a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the Ephesian Church.  His greatest concern for them was that they would know God better through the knowledge of Christ.  His deep concern for them is demonstrated by his prayer where he continually asks God to give the Ephesians the spirit of wisdom and revelation so they may know Him better.  Paul has also prayed that the Ephesians would come to know the hope to which God had called them. 

Introduction: Today we will re-read our passage in Eph.1:15-23 and discuss the last two aspects of Paul’s petitions.  A) that the Ephesian believers would come to know the riches of His (Christ) glorious inheritance in the saints, and B) that they would come to know His incomparably great power for us who believe.

The Inheritance:  CBS news recently reported on the story of Max Melitzer, a 65 year old man who has been homeless for decades in Salt Lake City.  Max and his brother lost touch with one another many years ago, but in 2010 his brother died and left him $100,000.  The family hired a private investigator to look for Max and a year after his brother’s death, following a two month search, found him in a Salt Lake City park.  The investigator told Max the good news and then took him out for a seafood dinner.  As inheritance stories go this is an interesting one but you may be asking yourself how this applies to me.  Let’s see what we can learn from this story. 

Points to ponder: Max wandered around Salt Lake City for a year as a homeless rich man.  His needs were met, but he did not know it.  The investigator who found him did not make him rich.  He already was, but didn’t know it.  The PI gave him the good news; spoke the truth, truth he needed to be reconciled to his inheritance.  Due to nothing more than, “not knowing” what belonged to him, Max missed approximately 365 good night sleeps, over 1000 good meals, and perhaps 365 hot showers.

A Homeless Rich Man: Max was a homeless rich man, he was rich but he didn’t know it.  As a believer you too have an inheritance; a glorious inheritance, do you know what it is and when you will receive it? Scripture describes your inheritance with phrases like, guaranteed, rich, eternal, kept in heaven and something you will receive at a later date.  In part this is true; these Scriptures speak of one aspect of the inheritance but, the inheritance really has two parts.

 As believers we are like children not yet old enough to become heirs of the full inheritance due us.  We are currently enjoying a small part of the total inheritance but when we get to heaven, we will receive our full inheritance. So we have an inheritance in part right now and the second part is coming later.  Most of us may be tempted to think that an inheritance is something we receive after the fact; and in part, this is true.

Stop for just a moment and ask yourself, “What is my inheritance?  What part of this inheritance is available right now for me?”  Maybe the question we should be asking ourselves is not what my inheritance is but who my inheritance is.

Jesus Christ is Our Inheritance 

As I was reflecting on all of this I realized that what our   inheritance is can be summed up in two words, Jesus Christ, He is our inheritance. Next I had to ask myself what benefit that is to me today, right here, right now.  How does this fact affect my day to day living? Or another way to say this is, “What is mine in Christ?”  Let’s examine Scripture and see.

Saviour: Jesus is my Saviour; I have salvation in Him alone.  Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”If you are here today and have any doubt about whether or not you are saved (born again, have given your life to Christ) you can settle that issue today.  Admit your need to God, confess to Him that you are a sinner and ask Him to save you in Christ and He will. 

Hope:  Jesus is my living hope.  1 Pet. 1:3 says that God in His mercy has “given us new birth into a living hope.” At times some of the difficulties in our lives drain us of all hope and we despair.  There is a way out of this hopelessness, we need to refocus on Christ our living hope, and His unfailing love and care for us.  We need to reflect on the many times He has met our needs and answered our prayers.  This reflection builds faith and increases our hope.

Joy:  As believers our joy is based on our relationship with Christ and Scriptural facts.  Unlike happiness, which is based on happenings, real joy comes from relationship.  John 15:9-11 says, “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love.  If you obey My commands, you will remain in My love, just as I have obeyed My Father’s commands and remain in His love.  I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Are you experiencing joy in your walk with Jesus; is that joy based on scriptural facts.  Facts like God loves you more than you can know, regardless of what you think of yourself or what others say about you or what may have happened to you in the past.  If you are a believer you are a child of the King, the very life of God, eternal life is in you.  Nothing Satan can throw at you can defeat you because you are In Christ, kept by the power of God.

Wisdom: In Christ we have all the wisdom we will ever need, for every situation in life.  Col. 2:1-3 says, (Paul talking to the Colossian church) “I want you to know how much I am struggling for you…my purpose is…be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”  In James 1:5, the author says “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously and without finding fault, and it will be given him.”  Are you currently struggling through a difficult situation, confused and unsure of even what to do? Will you pray and trust God to give you His wisdom through Christ.  Are you willing to wait for His Holy Spirit to lead you?  Are you willing to trust God to meet this need just like He has met so many of your other needs? 

Conclusion: Remember our story of Max, the homeless rich man.  How many believers (some of us included) walk around seemingly unfamiliar with all they possess in Christ?  Instead of rest and peace they live anxiously.  Instead of joy and meaning they live with emptiness.  Instead of assurance of love they live in shame. 

The world is full of people like Max; people wealthy in Christ beyond imagination, but walking around in spiritual poverty.  Do you know all of what is yours in Christ?  Are you interested in finding out more?  I have prepared a handout for you which will help you learn more.       

Volunteering



In keeping with our three cornerstones of, "Loving God, Loving Others and Serving,"  we as a Fellowship are going out into the community to help out wherever we can. 
Our first venture was to volunteer at the Mustard Seed (a ministry to the homeless) with food preparation.  We helped by peeling vegies for salad, mashing potatoes and putting together Shepard's pies for 500!  It was a lot of fun as you can see by the pictures!  Following our volunteer time, we went out for supper and talked about what we had done; we all agreed that we had enjoyed ourselves and wanted to do it again.
If anyone would like to join us in volunteering, please feel free to contact us and we'll include you in our next venture.

Peter, Dale and Deb

Dale trying to keep the guys in line!