30 June 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Mark Chew spoke about parables three

In Matthew twenty one and twenty two we see

The focus of all three is actually Jesus, the Son

“What do you think?” is appropriate for everyone

The parable of two sons Jesus shared, not afraid

One son pretended obedience, the other delayed

True obedience is like Jesus, following God’s will

It may not sound that exciting but it sure does fulfil

Obedience also reveals the trust we have in God

It is the hallmark of Jesus so we should be awed

The parable of the talents talks about stewardship

And faithfulness to use our talents on our life’s trip

For this is how we should give honour to our God

Fruitfulness serves to revere the Son we applaud

This parable also acts to foretell Jesus’ final days

His suffering and death due to others’ evil ways

The wedding banquet parable has persuasion

The first invitees were indifferent to the occasion

So the invitation then became open to everyone

Akin to our imputed righteousness via the Son

23 June 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Seth Trimmer from Oregon spoke on “Church Hurt”

A topic which is both universal and historical, he did assert

From a passage in Second Corinthians chapter thirteen

Even Paul struggled with the Corinth church, it was seen

He said that people hurt leaders and leaders hurt people

This is true in many workplaces but also under the steeple

But church hurt tends to hurt even more than other places

As our expectations are for loving and supportive bases

When we experience pain, we tend to want for it to stop

But God wants us to achieve growth as our pain we swap

Jesus knows all about pain, both physical and emotional

His pain helps us achieve glories, so it’s not just notional

Pastor Seth said there are three questions we should ask

When dealing with hurt in church or elsewhere is the task

Who hurt you? Were you hurt or were you harmed? is next

Was the hurt initiated or aggravated? then gives us context

Tim Fletcher says that healing requires a surrogate family

And of course that is what a church community should be

Excitement often leads to disappointment which we loath

We should follow on from there to adjustment and growth

16 June 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Arnie Manzano this morning shared wisdom aplenty

His sermon “Lord Like No Other” based on Matthew twenty

Starting with an important reminder from the chapter before

Many who are first will be last, many who are last will get more 

Arnie said Jesus being The Generous Master is clearly seen

Per the parable of vineyard workers in verses one to sixteen

For expectations develop easily and can go on to breed envy

Comparison is the thief of joy, per the Roosevelt named Teddy

God’s salvation is open to all so we should trust His generosity 

For it is by His grace we are saved, in Ephesians two we see

Jesus The Servant Leader is seen through verse twenty eight

He shared with His disciples what in Jerusalem did Him await

Entitlement breeds expectations but Jesus said to be selfless

Those wanting to be great must serve and then God will bless

Jesus gave His life for many so we must trust Jesus’ sacrifice

Isaiah fifty three had prophecied that Jesus would pay the price

Jesus is The Compassionate Healer per the final eight verses

Two blind men were persistent despite others yelling curses

Jesus hears our cries and He causes change to be revealed

We should trust God’s compassion and to the Holy Spirit yield

9 June 2024 - ENCS

The series on Matthew Vicki Tekwani did continue

Chapter nineteen from verse thirteen on we did view

“Entry Requirements of the Kingdom” was the title

For this is often discussed, it is a topic most vital

Vicki began by sharing what such entry it is not about

Age and experience do not guarantee a heavenly route

Similarly, good deeds alone can never earn eternal life

Likewise even if our efforts and achievements are rife

So what are the requirements, the question becomes

Having a childlike faith leads to the desired outcomes

Implying utter dependence on God, not on what we do

Absolute surrender to God’s will we should not eschew

And for those who gain entry, what rewards do await

Children of God inherit the kingdom, per Romans eight

The treasures in heaven far outweigh those on earth

And of course eternal life provides for immense worth

2 June 2024 - ENCS

The series on Matthew Pastor Josh did today continue

The second part of chapter eighteen we did thus view

Josh reminded us to remember what is on God’s heart

Having relationships with both God and others is smart

How to deal with sin in the church starts in verse fifteen

Start with a one on one conversation it is clearly seen

Then bring two or three others and then to the church

Always doing so in love, being careful not to besmirch

If all these steps fail, like a “pagan or tax collector” treat

And remove tham from any leadership position or seat

But remember that Jesus said everyone we should love

In the same way, we sin but are still loved from above

The subsequent versus touch on the topic of forgiveness

Forgive seven times, Peter in verse twenty one did express

“Seventy seven times” is the response Jesus did give

Which is still far less than how often He does us forgive

In summary, Josh shared points in a voice quite vehement

Relationships require honesty, accountability, agreement

Unforgiiveness results in anger, ruins lives, rejects mercy

Forgiveness requires God’s grace, as so often we do see

26 May 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today

About value, based on chapter eighteen he did say

Who is the greatest in heaven the disciples did ask

Calling a little child, Jesus Christ took them to task

Jesus said that only those who have faith like a child

Will end up in heaven and with the Lord be reconciled

For children are also willing followers, seemingly lowly

Jesus came not to lead but to serve, as we often see

Ergo, we must take care not to cause others to stumble

Although we have much power, we must remain humble

Watching where we go, what we do, and what we say

From sources of temptation, we must clearly stay away

The real message of the lost sheep in verse thirteen

Is the lone sheep’s isolation presents dangers unseen

God is our shepherd who doesn’t want any to perish

So saving lost sheep is something we should cherish

The shepherd’s voice often comes through other sheep

By sharing God’s word with others, His plan we do keep

Pastor Josh then showed how to do so with the SQ App

In “Proclaim", “The Good News” button we should tap

We should value little and lost ones, and lowly positions

Avoiding sights, words, and places with tempting conditions

We can receive the love of God, our Shepherd from above

Then with the rest of the world, show and share His love 

24 May 2024 - Freedom

Pastor Josh Harris led a session entitled “Freedom” last night

We were made for freedom, as in Genesis two Josh did cite

Freedom enables us to choose life, per Deuteronomy thirty

As the alternative has implications for one's generational tree

Being rightly related to God is known as spiritual freedom

Being rightly related to others is called relational freedom

And being rightly related to ourselves is physical freedom

While being rightly related to resources is financial freedom

Through God’s truth and God’s spirit, His freedom we see

Per John eight verse thirty two, His "truth will set us free”

"For where God’s spirit is, there is freedom” is thus seen

In Second Corinthians chapter three verse number sixteen

Spiritual freedom releases us from spiritual disobedience

Also from spiritual oppression which we may experience

Alternatively it enables us to follow Jesus wholeheartedly

And to experience fruitfulness by  loving others willingly

Spiritual freedom in turn empowers freedom relationally

From unforgiveness and bitterness which are far from holy

Also from relational dysfunctions which are hard to survive

But to forgiveness and walking in love, per Ephesians five

For physical freedom, spiritual freedom also does empower

Taking us away from anxiety, stress, and pasts that are sour

Instead into the peace of God, per Philippians chapter four

As well as to power, love, self-discipline, and so much more

Spiritual freedom also does empower freedom financially

Financial aspects include time, energy, as well as money

From addictions, habits, and false refuges Josh did tell

But into serving others and stewarding God’s grace well

19 May 2024 - ENCS

The Matthew series was continued by Pastor Vicki

Saying that “What Ifs” often lead to much anxiety

In Matthew chapter seventeen from verse fourteen

Vicki said three such “What Ifs” can be clearly seen

First is what if our faith isn't enough, Vicki did sayeth

Remember that miracles require having an active faith

Jesus continues to show compassion and His grace

Through which our weaknesses He does displace

The genuineness of faith matters more than the size

As First Peter one verse seven more than just implies

The second example is what if the call gets too difficult

In verse twenty two, Jesus said his death would result

As Christians there is a call to suffer, not just be blessed

There is also a call to go through pain, often as a test

We must answer a call to step out of our comfort zone

Remember that Jesus promised hope as His capstone

Vicki said the final one is what if it does not make sense

The annual tax Peter did not want Jesus to dispense

God’s authority is above worldly systems, it is true

But we should not offend with the things that we do

Instead we should demonstrate maturity in authority

For God’s provision for our submission we will see

This sermon resonated with me in many different ways

Especially given what has been going on for many days

The suffering and the pain I often struggled to endure

Only served to confirm that in God’s hands I am secure

12 May 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series from gospel Matthew

Talking about what Mountaintop Moments actually do

Josh focused primarily on chapter number seventeen

When the story of the Jesus’ Transfiguration is seen

Up the mountain, Peter, James, and John Jesus took

Jesus shone like the sun as the three disciples did look

“This is my Son whom I love and I am well pleased”

God’s voice said these words on which they seized

Jesus told them not to be afraid but also not to share

For like John the Baptist, He would suffer - beware!

Life is a journey with highs but is at times demanding

Greater encounters lead to greater understanding

In conclusion our faith is affirmed, anchored, aligned

Our relationship remembered, reset, restored, refined

Our ministry gains more conviction and commitment

And most importantly, we become more competent

Reflections

As some of you know, the past month has been a bit rough

The inside of a hospital room, I have seen more than enough

Like my energy levels, my weekly poems ground to a halt 

Missing several good sermons I wish I had been able to exalt

Not using my computer for a week was a shock to the system

But perhaps I needed the time to refocus and get some wisdom

In that vein, Jimmy Nedham’s song keeps coming into my mind

“Clear The Stage” lyrics are ones with which I should be aligned

“Take a break from all the plans that you have made

And sit at home along and wait for God to whisper

Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister"

…

'Cause I can sing all I want to

Yes, I can sing all I want to

And we can sing all we want to

We can sing all we want to

We can sing all we want to

And still get it wrong

Worship is more than a song

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

If that's the measure you must take to crush the idols”

Your prayers really have helped me through this test

As I try to learn the meaning of the words patience and rest

I guess what I am really saying as I attempt to wax lyrical

Nothing is more important than health, physical and spiritual 

24 March 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today

His sermon was aptly titled "Melt The Doubt Away"

John the Baptist asked questions in Matthew eleven

About whether Jesus was the One sent from heaven

We all face challenges when offences come through

Answered prayers in the SQ App we can now view

We face difficult situations and painful circumstances

Then often disappointment or self-doubt advances

In hard times, remember what we’ve seen and heard

Repent and believe what is written in God’s Word

Only then can we receive what Jesus has revealed

And be blessed for on our behalf He has appealed

Josh said in childlike faith is thus the way we respond

We should come to Him for He has never us conned

Taking his yoke and respect His direction and speed

For in Him we will find the peace and rest we need

17 March 2024 - ENCS

On the topic “Worth It”, Pastor Josh did speak today

Continuing the series on Matthew this St Patrick’s Day

In that Irish spirit, some of us decided to wear green

But from Josh’s sermons several points we did glean

Jesus’ discipleship is not about crowds, Josh did say

Sometimes He pulled away to with His disciples pray

Nor is it about comfort, but wolves sheep can overcome

And control is ceded to God’s guidance and wisdom

Jesus often called the unlikely, unliked, and unclean

Eating with tax collectors and sinners he was seen

For Jesus did not call the righteous but the sinners

New wine into new wineskins so all became winners

Jesus sends ua with prayer, power, and perspective

These three serve to make His disciples effective

For taking up Jesus’ cross requires follow through

But Jesus watches, cares, and sees all that we do

10 March 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on the book of Matthew

Moving from Jesus’ words to the miracles Jesus did do

He referred to events detailed in chapters eight and nine

Which somewhat coincidentally are favourites of mine

About the power of Jesus, Josh did immediately share

For those hit by sickness and disease Jesus did care

In Matthew eight, He healed the leper and the servant

To fulfil prophecies in Isaiah, from heaven He was sent

Jesus had power over storms, from verse thirty three

Great winds and waves the disciples did fearfully see

He rebuked the great winds, saying “ye of little faith"

Remember that trials will oft hit us, Josh did sayeth

Over demonic spirits Jesus also had complete power

In the presence of possessed men, a town did cower

Jesus sent the demons into swine who then did perish

Then for Jesus to leave the area, the townfolk did wish

The compassion of Jesus was also evident in the book

He touched the “unclean” even if others dare not look

He loved the “least” and the “impossible” He did engage

Which means from our sin and pain, Jesus can assuage

In conclusion, how we should respond Joshua did ask

Not with fear and refusal or with false accusation bask

We should humble ourselves and in God fully trust

"Walking by faith, not by sight" as is often discussed

3 March 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today

Scripture without Jesus is merely words, he did say

God does want us to prosper - starting with our soul

Incorporating Jesus into our lives should be our goal

"Judge not, that you be not judged" per Matthew seven

Remember that eternal judgement comes from heaven

Focus on the plank in our eyes before other's speck

Otherwise our hypocrisy will be a visible side effect

Verse seven talks about asking, seeking, knocking

When we do, the Lord's response will not be blocking

Remember not to act before asking - and praying

We need to wait to hear what God to us is relaying

Hebrews six verse ten states that God is not unjust

In His plans and timing we should thus have trust

This requires both faith and patience, Josh said

The latter concept is one which many of us dread

Per Matthew, the golden rule Jesus does eschew

Do unto others as you would have them do to you

We need God’s love in order to truly show love

For our heart, not actions, are judged from above

25 February 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Vicki spoke on Matthew chapters five to seven

Specifically the Sermon on the Mount, words from heaven

Sharing principles that also apply to our current reality

And today’s sermon entitled “An Antidote to Anxiety”

Verse nineteen says not to lay up treasures on earth

For heavenly treasures have infinitely more worth

Remember that where our treasure is, so is our heart

That provided Vicki with a concept on which to start

Vicki then asked three questions on which to reflect

First, what is the treasure we want most to collect

Second, what are we filled with - darkness or light

We cannot serve both  God and money, Vicki did cite

Third, who are we serving or who is our life’s guide

Like Daniel, before being tempted we should decide

That then led Vicki to ask what do we do from here

Anxiety arises when the above answers are not clear

As Jesus said not to be anxious, it must be doable

We should trust God’s nature, always renewable

Plus seek first His kingdom and His righteousness

Then we can say goodbye to anxiety and stress

18 Febrary 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today

Focusing on chapters five and six with much to say

Per Jesus in John five, reading the Word is not enough

For the Pharisees, acknowledging Him was very tough

Per Matthew five, Jesus came to fulfil the OT Laws

And therefore to release us from sin’s powerful jaws

His words really turned up the heat of righteousness

Sin is not just actions but what our thoughts express

In Matthew six, Jesus taught us how we should pray

Give honour to God, give thanks each and every day

Submit to His will, pray for sustenance and strength

And His guidance to avoid temptation at every length

Josh then talked about purpose, referring to chapter five

We are to be salt of and light for the world while alive

Letting our light shine is rightly representing the Lord

And linking back to the start, is as critical as the Word

13 February 2024 - Second Wind

Looking through the SQ App from an earlier date

Sometimes we wonder if it might in fact be too late

To find a new purpose in life we can always pray

God can always change our trajectory in a big way

Remember eighty year old Moses who was on the run

God had a plan for him despite what he had earlier done

Moses found a new purpose and changed Israel’s destiny

In both the Old and New Testaments we can clearly see

As per Second Corinthians five, whoever does believe

Is a new creation and about the past should not grieve

For no matter our age, we can always have a fresh start

Learning from mistakes and following God with our heart

11 February 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Joey continued the Knowing Jesus series today

Although from laryngitis his voice must rest, he did say

Pastor referred to Matthew chapters two through five

About two distinct contrasting kingdoms, he did derive

Jesus and Herod represented the clash of kingdoms

One legitimate, one illegitimate, thus two outcomes

One validated via a Micah prophecy, one invalid

One the Son, the other an imposter turned pallid

The Spirit of Two Kingdoms seen in Matthew four

Jesus was led by the Spirit to be tempted and more

He resisted, preferring the Spirit to flesh as a guide

Submission over power and humility over pride

The Values of God’s Kingdom, as per Matthew five

The Beatitudes say to new values we should strive

Humble, meek, and merciful may make some frown

Because these everlasting values seem upside down

4 February 2024 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani preached this morning on quite short notice

About the person of Jesus, he delivered a magnus opus

Things like mission, vision, strategy, and denomination

Along with leadership style as well as political affiliation

These are all good but are in reality a means to an end

Knowing Christ is key, as in Philippians three Paul penned

Vicki took us to chapter sixteen of the gospel of Matthew

Jesus really wants to know who He is to me and to you

The fundamental premise is knowing and being, not doing

Our level of intimacy with Jesus is key to our well-being

To study who Jesus is, Vicky went back to Matthew one

Written after four hundred years of silence was done

Jesus is the Messiah, as prophesied in the Old Testament

To save us from our sin, He is the Saviour fro heaven sent

Per verse twenty two, He is also Immanuel or God with us

He will never forsake us nor in our suffering, kick up a fuss

Vicki’s final point was highlighting who Jesus came for

For those waiting in hope, our Lord God does not ignore

His promise and His Abrahamic covenant, God remembers

Covering all rejected, excluded, and disqualified members

Look at Jesus’ earthly geneology for many who did stray

Christ Jesus came for those willing to believe and to obey

28 January 2024 - ENCS

Vicki Tekwani concluded the Set Apart series today

Focused on the biblical view of holiness, he did say

As per First Peter one, our conduct should be holy

We must aim to be holy since God is holy, we see

Confirming to God’s character leads to our holiness

To God, we are called into a relationship with access

To be holy like God, commands Leviticus eleven

We should desire to see God here and in heaven

We should want to be holy not to impress others

Building relationships with God must be our druthers

Throughout the Bible, the focus is on relationship

But we should do willingly, not due to a guilt trip

How we can be holy, Romans twelve does share

Present our body as a living sacrifice in prayer

Surrender and sacrifice, worldly patterns resist

Per Joshua one, renewing our minds is the gist

23 January 2024 - The Ghosting Trap

The other morning as I scrolled through my SQ App

There was a devotion entitled "The Ghosting Trap”

Engaging relationships can suddenly just disappear

Like a disconnected internet that becomes unclear

But as written in Deuteronomy chapter thirty one

Abandoning us is something God has never done

And per Isaiah forty one, we should never fear

For the Lord God and His strength are always near

21 January 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh Harris continued the Set Apart series today

Asking that to live out holiness, is there an effective way?

He mentioned two distinct mountains - Sinai and Zion

One was for Moses but the other points to God’s scion

Moses received the ten commandments on Mount Sinai

Those at the base could even see God’s fire from on high

Per Hebrews twelve, God’s laws without love insttill fear

That causes many an unbeliever to resist pulling near

Conversely, Mount Zion is the picture of a new covenant

Direct interaction with God is now available to a supplicant

We gain confidence knowing our names are in heaven

And our faith cannot be shaken, per verse twenty seven

God’s all-consuming fire can be destroying or refining

We must throw off all that hinders so we can be aligning

Remember that loving discipline oft seems like hardship

And loving others is following the law on our life’s trip

13 January 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh shared some thoughts at a get-together

That seem appropriate whether in fair or foul weather

The prophet Isaiah, in chapter sixty three verse seven

Mentions the all-loving kindness of God in heaven

We should remember all of our answered prayers

A testimony to how much our Lord God for us cares

All that God has bestowed on us, Isaiah did continue

Opportunities and talents that help in all that we do

So we thank God for blessings on our life’s trip

As we all pray, meditate, proclaim, and fellowship

7 January 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh kicked off a new series on holiness

‘Holy" can be taken in two ways, Josh did express

It can describe God who is above all that is bad

But many view it in a judgemental way that is sad

In chapter six, Isaiah saw God sitting on a throne

The fact that King Uzziah was a kind of milestone

Reminding us that in order to obtain our inheritance

We must at times from our old ways put a distance

Because God is holy, from the world He is separate

Human infirmity, impurity, and sinfulness are our fate

We all fall short of God’s glory, per Romans three

So were dead in our sins, in Ephesians two we see

God's perfect love can make us healthy spiritually

That helps us mentally, emotionally, and physically

Per Romans five, we have been justified by faith

By His grace we have been saved, Paul sayeth

God is holy - separate, sacred, and superlative

We are not holy - sinful and selfish in how we live

God makes us holy - setting us right and free

Enabling us up to do His good works with glee

31 December 2023 - ENCS

Pastor Josh ended the year talking about thankfulness

A feeling we should always bear in mind, he did stress

Per Acts seventeen, Paul said God made everything

That is why in many Psalms, David did praises sing

The SQ App has a function to see answered prayers

A powerful reminder that God both listens and cares

Josh stated we should be thankful to God every hour

For His provision, His protection, as well as His power

We should be thankful for God per Hebrews thirteen

Because God will never leave or forsake us, it is seen

And we are more than conquerors, per Romans eight

God’s presence, peace, and person will never abate

Be thankful to God for each other was his final point

For our fellow believers support and never disappoint

In First Corinthians one, Paul said to give thanks

Per Romans one, he said we help fill in others’ blanks

In Romans twelve, Paul said  be thankful to God above

For multiplied wisdom, mutual faith, and genuine love