27 August 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued talking about Embracing Maturity

The thief comes to steal, kill, destroy in John ten we see

Jesus came that we might have life - and life to the full

Make sure it is overflowing with good things, not bull

Josh said that how we think determines how we live

We should be joyful even when trials life does give

Per Second Peter one, make effort to add to faith

That includes goodness and knowledge, it sayeth

Possessing these attributes in increasing measure

Prevents unproductively and ineffective for sure

Every grows old but not everyone actually matures

Maturity involves mistakes, as each person endures

The more we know God, the closer we get to Him

And his vision for us grows brighter, far from dim

Therefore let God define us rather than our history

Promises given to Abraham are ours, no mystery

Josh pointed out that we should mature together

No matter the circumstances or even the weather

Per First Corinthians twelve, we all have differences

In terms of gifts, service, working, and our senses

But the same Spirit and God is at work all the time

So trusting in Him should always be our paradigm

20 August 2023 - ENCS

Emerging Victorious is what Josh spoke about

Following on from the Maturity series with clout

Maturity requires trials, temptation, and trouble

James one says to consider them joy double

For the testing of faith produced perseverance

So complete maturity can make an appearance

Waiting and enduring pain makes you stronger

Per Hebrews twelve, discipline may last longer

For God demonstrates love through discipline

Which then enables us to His holiness share in

Perseverance also produces righteousness

One's character grows when under stress

Per Romans five, we should therefore rejoice

For going down this path is the best choice

Endurance leads to character and then hope

Hope does not disappoint but helps us cope

We face trouble in this world, per John sixteen

But Jesus overcame the world, it is then seen

13 August 2023 - ENCS

The “Maturing in Christ” series, Pastor Josh did continue

The title “A Mature Mentality” we did on the screen view

Josh stated that the journey to our maturity is the key

To experiencing life to the full, per Colossians three

A mature mentality is not playing the part of a victim

Saying always and never, plus criticising ad infinitum

It's also not saying I don’t have enough as if in poverty

And per Philippians four, “Christ who strengthens me"

A mature mentality is what in Numbers Joshua showed

And how Jesus humbled himself to take on our load

A mature Christian focuses on and trusts in God above

Which leads the individuals to serve others and to love

Taking off the old mentality and put in the new mentality

Ignore momentary pleasures, as per Colossians three

We are made in God’s image so should walk in unity

Letting Christ's word and wisdom dwell in us richly

6 August 2023 - ENCS

From the Firm Foundations series, Pastor Joey did follow

Per Hebrews six, more than baby food we should swallow

In order to be "taken forward to maturity", we then viewed

He therefore titled today's sermon “Beyond Baby Food”

Maturity in Christ is about moving forward and growing up

As per Hebrews five, on solid food the mature should sup

Growth is gradual, imperceptible, over time and seasons

We should grow up in the right things for the right reasons

Maturity is becoming more like Christ, per Romans eight

He equips us for good works, Ephesians four does state

For God uses everything and uses everything for good

Becoming more like Christ is critical, that is understood

The Lord God matures us by giving us the ability to do so

We are earthly and spiritual, First Corinthians does show

Like a gardener, God often prunes us per John fifteen

And gives examples to follow, in First John two is seen