25 November 2012 - ENCS

Pastor Larry gave the last sermon in the "Next Phase" series

He shared with us God's words, not just random theories

People often slip during phases of transition, he did us remind

But encouragement in Matthew 11:12 we can readily find

It speaks of the kingdom of heaven advancing and forceful men

We all need to grow and expand, he reminded us once again

But God knows that a transition period is something we each need

To prepare for the next phase of growth and to confidently proceed

Pastor then turned to Isaiah fifty four verses one to three

There are four ways to enlarge our tent, we did hear and see

 

The first is to rejoice by singing praises and shouting for joy

Especially when we are overwhelmed, this is a good ploy

By singing, we acknowledge that God is the one in control

For His love can save us from even the darkest hole

This was often practiced by the apostle we know as Paul

But also when shouting brought down Jericho's wall

Paul repeated Isaiah's words from Galatians 4 verse 27

He says that we are all children of promise from heaven

 

The second is to take a risk - to enlarge, stretch, and lengthen

Look at how David, Daniel, and Joseph God did strengthen

God helps ordinary people do extraordinary things

We should not hold back for God can give us wings

Remember the expression that good is the enemy of great

In the same vein, God really does not want us to stagnate

He needs us to be willing vessels to fulfill His plan

Prayer is very powerful for every believing man

 

The third, Pastor said, is for us to take responsibility

We should not hold back when opportunities we see

This is true whether they are for ourselves or another

And also whether the person happens to be a brother

Pastor read from First Chronicles chapter four verse ten

Like Jabez, we should ask for God's blessings again

"Pray like it is all up to God" DL Moody once did say

"But work like it is all up to us" so we can do God's way

 

The fourth and final point is to be ready to fight

Even in the early days, things were not always right

Acts six and eight mention complaints and persecution

Psalm 118:6 says that God's presence offers the solution

For when God is with us, we should not be afraid

With Him, great power and actions can be displayed

18 November 2012 - ENCS

The "Next Phase" series Pastor Charles did continue

On "Warfare", Luke 8:41-56 he did go through

About the enemy we read in 1 Peter five verse eight

Like a lion who brings fear with a roar so great

In the same way, the enemy tries to instill fear

But we should not be scared, we did then hear

Two stories of illness the Luke passage does contain

Jairus' dying daughter and a bleeding woman in pain

The Roman god of the underworld is named "Dis"

Dis-agree, dis-content, and dis-ease are far from bliss

 

About Jairus' daughter Pastor Charles then did speak

At Jesus' feet Jairus fell, healing for her he did seek

For a ruler of the synagogue, this was desperation

But it was the only way he could get her restoration

Their movement to his house, the crowd did impede

Then they were delayed by the woman who did bleed

Pastor asked how we handle what we perceive as a delay

We should be waiting on the Lord in more than one way

First is that we should wait, for He does things in His time

Second is that we should serve Him, not just pen a rhyme

Verse 50 says "don't be afraid, just believe, and...be healed"

Like Jairus' daughter's spirit was restored after he appealed

 

Pastor then talked of the woman bleeding for twelve years

She had used all her money and must have had many fears

But in spite of the crowds and the required social isolation

She was desperate for Jesus who was near her location

His cloak she did grab (or fasten if you look at the Greek)

In the same way, our desperation should be far from meek

Pastor said that we should grab God and never let go

Ask for healing, even though Jesus must already know

"Your faith has healed you. Go in peace" Jesus did to her say

If we approach him with faith, we will be healed in the same way

 

With words from a song, Pastor did then conclude

Hoping that his message will into our hearts intrude

"When you can't understand, when you don't see His plan

When you can't trace His hand, trust his heart", yes you ca

2 Corinthians 3:5-6

"Not that we are competent in ourselves"

Nor "to claim anything for ourselves"

"But our competence comes from God"

To think otherwise would be rather odd

For "He has made us competent"

"As ministers of a new covenant

"Not of the letter but of the Spirit"

That is what Paul did transmit

"For the letter kills" verse six does continue

"But the Spirit gives life" and guidance too

Dear God, my errors and sins you know

You are the only one to whom I can go

Whatever strength I have is from you

You are with me in all that I do

Dear God, you know what I need

Guidance. Not just what I read

4 November 2012 - ENCS

The "Next Phase" series today Pastor Larry did start

About "Lost in Translation" thoughts he did impart

We get stronger as through challenges we go

As God becomes closer, the more we know

To Job 32 verses 18-19 Pastor then did refer

About new wine, Luke 5:37-38 does concur

God brings growth in different life seasons

He wants us to grow for various reasons

To lift the lid of growth, Pastor shared three ways

These are lessons that can help us all of our days

 

The first way is that we should let go of our past
By it, we should not be enslaved or harassed

This is what Pastor calls the mindset change phase

If we are stuck in the past, we cannot change our ways

In Numbers 11:5-6, the Israelites complained about food

Despite being free, they kept their enslaved mood

Salvation is the biggest change and should be celebrated

God never puts lids on us to keep us down, Pastor stated

Willing vessels is what God wants us to be

Let Him do His work and then we will see

 

Pastor said the dependency phase was the next way

We should always take time to intercede and to pray

Prayer needs to be deeper, from inside our heart

This can bring growth, no matter where we start

From ourselves to God, our eyes will turn

As in Numbers 11:2,God's fire will not burn

Later in that chapter, around verse eleven

Moses poured his heart out to God in heaven

The burden of his people was for Moses too great

So he prayed to God to determine his fate

Remember that God can always bring stability

Try earnestly praying, then the results we will see

 

The faith phase was number three, Pastor did saith

Remember those who had a different spirit of faith

Joshua and Caleb did well to remember God's promse

Despite the situation, they were not like doubting Thomas

If we believe by faith, God will come through

For with Him, there is nothing we cannot do

God was testing his people in Deuteronomy 8:2

After forty years in the desert, their faith grew

In the same way, He often causes us to stumble

So that we remember lessons and remain humble

Pastor then turned to Jeremiah 29 verse 11

Plans for each of us, has our God in heaven

He wants to prosper us and allow no harm

There should never be any cause for alarm

His plans include a future and hope no less

This is true no matter how long the process

 

Pastor ended his sermon with the worship team along

We can lift our lids

4 November 2012 - 2 Corinthians 5:7

"We live by faith, not by sight"
A simple line that is forthright
We must trust in God for He knows best
Instead of following along with the rest
At times we may not fully understand
But we still trust in what God has planned
For His is the Way that we must continually follow
Even if at times bitter medicine we must swallow

So dear God, please let my faith be strong
And with your plans let my heart go along
For with you, my heart knows what is right
As you are the One that provides the light