17 January 2016 - ENCS

The “Discipleship Simplified” series Pastor Josh Harris did continue

Focusing on “Establish Biblical Foundations”, as step number two

Last week, he talked about “engage”, including making a friend

Having conversations and making new disciples becomes a trend

Pastor Josh ran through five points about how we can “establish”

For establishing ground that produces fruit and shade is our wish

The basis for his message, Colossians chapters one to two did form

Although Josh did intersperse other passages, as is often his norm

The first point was that we should establish a foundation in CHRIST

For He is the Rock, our inheritance derived from what he sacrificed

Jesus is head of the church and pre-eminent in every relationship

We can have peace and thus any worry in the bud we should nip

The second point was that we should establish a foundation in FAITH

Trusting God and the Holy Spirit’s presence, Colossians two does saith

If we walk with thanksgiving like Jesus, our faith will assuredly grow

Rhema-hearing Christ’s message is how His Word we can really know

The third point was that we should establish a foundation in HIS WORD

Meditating on it day and night, per Psalm one and Joshua one we heard

And, Pastor Josh did opine, if we happen to be going through a dry season

Not studying the Bible enough, feeling distant from God, may be the reason

The fourth point was that we should establish a foundation in COMMUNITY

In one day the church grew by thousands, in Acts chapter two we do see

For when we work together in peace, God can use us to do even more

Reminding us about the importance of relationships at a church’s core

The fifth point was that we should establish a foundation in LOVE

Per Ephesians three, being rooted in love gives power from above

The love of Christ surpasses knowledge, as per verse nineteen

Therefore our faith is unshakeable, and our heart will be serene

10 January 2016 - ENCS

The “Discipleship Simplified” series Pastor Josh did continue today

Discipleship is helping others follow Jesus, he did emphatically say

Getting rid of the great noise is the best way to ensure simplification

As it allows focus and eliminates things which cause consternation

To engage, establish, equip, and empower is the discipleship process

By remembering these four steps we can focus instead of face stress

The best way to engage is to discuss what is relevant to a person

Speaking the language of the culture sure helps get the job done

Given that Jesus is the answer, we need to identify the question

As caring for people for who they are is the best love expression

The most important question to ask one’s self is of course “why”

Per Second Corinthians five, Christ’s love should compel us to try

Without firsthand experience of God, it is hard to have maturation

We can always pray for others who are in pain or a tough situation

Form verse twenty of that chapter, we are ambassadors for Christ

We are reconciled with God because Jesus’ own life was sacrificed

So we must determine what is really most important and so prioritise

By focusing on the mission, we work together no matter the team size

Having head knowledge means nothing unless we for others care

One way to do this is to our individual testimony with others share

Saint Francis said to preach the gospel, using words when necessary

But our words can speak volumes, Pastor Josh did then politely parry

The other question about engaging that must be answered is “how"

Since Jesus called us, the Holy Spirit will surely gifts to us endow

Per Mark three from verse thirteen, Jesus went to a mountaintop

That is where He worshipped and communed with God nonstop

Acts chapter ten says the Holy Spirit enabled Jesus to do good

And because God was with Jesus, healing others Christ could

Fasting helps align our heart with God's, per Isaiah fifty eight 

Hearing His heart about the lost and hurting keeps us straight

And by praying for others, we often find that changes our heart

Then our light breaks through and the glory of God does its part

Per Acts ten, Peter spoke and the Holy Spirit fell on the others

Drawing them closer and turning them into Christian brothers

In summary, engaging others is critical for our discipleship

To do this, we should allow the Holy Spirit to us duly equip

3 January 2016 - ENCS

Josh spoke about “Discipleship Simplified” on this first Sunday of the year

If we have oppressive fear in our heart, God’s voice is very hard to hear

But when we know our purpose, decisions are so much easier to make

Especially, Josh said, when it is a significant decision with a lot at stake

To understand what God wants we then turned to Matthew twenty two

We are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind - in all that we do

This is what Jesus said was the first and the greatest commandment

To have us walk and talk with God in a relationship is the clear intent

Such a relationship allows us, not forces us, to do things out of love

And also enables us to see things as God views them from above

Josh then referred to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, in chapter two

Verse twelve says all were separated, without hope, not just a few

But Christ reconciled us with God so that there is no more hostility

So we are all now citizens in God’s household, like one big family

But how we manifest our love for God, Pastor Josh did then impart

Per verse twenty two, we are to make a dwelling place in our heart

Then returning to Matthew twenty two, following verse thirty seven

We are to love neighbours as ourselves, as we would do in heaven

Eight hundred laws in the Old Testament boiled down to just two

Making it much simpler to understand, although still hard to do

Three points about being part of God’s family, Josh did then share

First, we should search for lost members since for all we should care

Per Matthew eighteen, rejoice when we FIND the one who was astray

And in the mean time, no matter where we are, we can always pray

Second, it is better to FIGHT than to keep things bottled up inside

But we must fight fair, and per Matthew six, not do so out of pride

We must make sure that we do not have a log compared to a speck

And before criticising others, we must ensure that anger is in check

If we do approach others, per Matthew eighteen, speak truth in love

And if an agreement is reached, then it will be blessed by God above

Per Nehemiah four, it may also be necessary to fight for our families

Particularly to ensure that the enemy does not them injure or seize

Third, Josh said that to FORGIVE was a critical part of the process

In Matthew eighteen, Jesus told Peter to forgive no matter the mess

“I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven” Jesus did say

In other words, forgiving other people as God does for us every day

It is often easier to forgive if we have messed up in the first place

For then we recognise that God has granted us mercy and grace