26 February 2023 - ENCS

The "what is church” series Pastor Josh did complete

Called by God, church is community where we meet

“Is it really worth it?” was the key question for today

Something often asked in tough times, Josh did say

Ephesians one says if we believe, we will get a seal

A supernatural Holy Spirit from God is what we feel

To love God, we must love others - ergo, community

As we experience this, more spiritual growth we see

We get “every spiritual blessing”, as per verse three

We are chosen, adopted as sons, accepted eternally

Having redemption through His blood and forgiveness

Obtaining an inheritance so our fear is infinitely less

Christ are us alive despite our sins, per Ephesians two

Giving us constant spiritual ‘oxygen’ helps us to renew

We have been saved entirely due to Christ's grace

And with Jesus, we will surely sit in a heavenly place

Caring for someone is oft more important than advice

Per Jesus’ wisdom and encouragement to be precise

Being in a community means having something to offer

Ensuring that our talents are used, not kept in a coffer

The church can help equip its people for such service

Building up the body of Christ without being nervous

Remember that Christ is the cornerstone of the church

We all fit together, so  let’s not leave others in a lurch

19 February 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the “What is Church” series today

Church is one body in Christ, Romans twelve does say

God sets us as He pleases per First Corinthians twelve

Into what this means for us, Pastor Josh did then delve

All we do is for the glory of God, per First Corinthians ten

First Corinthians three says Jesus is the foundation, amen

Paul also said faith should be based on the power of God

So to mere human wisdom we should never give the nod

The people who know their God, per Daniel chapter eleven

Will be strong and do great exploits with power from heaven

Second Timothy two says to be strong in Christ’s grace

This will inevitable lead to action points in our earthly race

Social responsibility is referenced in Jeremiah twenty two

Per Acts thirteen, applying our unique gifts in what we do

"Serving the city" can be also be stated as bringing good 

By helping the poor, needy, and downtrodden in the hood

In summary, Josh said church has three foundations

Missional: socially responsible, generations, nations

Spiritual: Honour God, Christ-centred, Spirit power

Relational: family, cultural and faceted every hour

12 February 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke on “What is Church?”

A topic that deserves serious research

Today’s sermon was “What do we do?"

Based on the book of Acts, chapter two

In Jerusalem for Pentecost, many were

Little did they know what was to occur

Jesus had told the disciples to wait there

One assumes they spent time in prayer

The Holy Spirit suddenly filled the room

Far more powerful than mere perfume

The Spirit can change us from inside

When we allow God’s Word us to guide

As His Word can apply in every situation

For people of every age, race, and nation

Jesus was crucified for everyone’s sake

This made the unbelieving ones quake

Peter told them to “repent and believe”

And then the community would receive

Everyone was filled with awe and praise

At the Holy Spirit’s raw power and blaze

Pastor Josh in conclusion had this to say

We should proclaim, mediate, and pray

These are elements of church fellowship

And ensure in our journey we do not trip

5 February 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh spoke about “What is Church” today

While referencing lots of Greek words, he did say

Church means different things to different people

Praying, sharing, or just a building with a steeple

Pastor Josh relied to the principle of first mention

Church appears to be a New Testament invention

Jesus asked who He was, as perMatthew sixteen

Simon Peter’s response was the best, it is seen

Since Jesus cares about individual relationships

Trying to reveal Himself before the apocalypse

It is effectively a continual journey of revelation

Allowing us to choose heaven over damnation

Church is an environment to expose God’s love

Our job is to on earth represent God from above

Similar to what Jesus told Peter, the little stone

Belief in Jesus is the solid rock, the real throne

Church means "called to a community" in Greek

Per John fifteen, it is not this world we do seek

For we are a chosen people, per First Peter two

Part of a community with many a shared value

Jesus said we should not fear physical death

For spiritual life continues after our last breath

What binds us on earth will in heaven do too

God can loose us from addictions -  it’s true

In summary, the church is a calling and a community

Connecting with other people at every opportunity

Church is also a commissioning, Josh did deduce

A people that can prevail, can bind, and can loose