Your Best Life-6 Basic principles to leading your Best Life

Heb 6:1-2

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,

2 instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.

Make a decision and not really understand how to get further.

Only accepting the keys to the car. Keys, Car and gas make up the Christian Life

We can get decisions but fail to make disciples.

Today talking about Baptism

Key Scripture-Acts 2:38

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”

1. Repentance

• Get right before God
• Admit I’m messed up and need help

2. Baptism

• Repent and be Baptised

Scripture indicates there are three major baptisms for the Christian:

-Baptism by one Spirit into one body

-Baptism in water

-Baptism in the Holy Spirit

1. Baptism Into One Body (Our Identity)

This occurs at conversion when we are born again. We become part of the community of faith – the church.

Our Identity is secured! Devil wants to steal our identity!

1 Corinthians 12:12-14.

‘The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ.  For we were all baptised by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one spirit to drink.’

Joined the same unit

Army has many parts GI, Medics, Tank and vehicle drivers, engineers etc.

All do a part to build the Church

Jesus Church-Unit

Ephesians 4:4-5.

There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Paul’s talking to the Ephesian church

Worshiped many Gods-Diana temple Goddess

NO! One God, One Faith, One Baptism

Over all

Baptised into the Church

Not designed to go it alone-its one of Gods first thought towards us!

Heb 10:25

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another”

Church is an encouragement Factory!

Get to the factory to be buffed up and our oil changed.

When we don’t we get all wrinkled & rusty and squeaky

2. Baptism In Water

Water baptism is a believer’s baptism.

Baptism expresses repentance and faith in Jesus.

It is a physical act expressing a spiritual truth.

The original meaning behind the word ‘baptise’ is ‘to dip’ or ‘immerse’.

The word was used to describe the immersion of a cloth in a dye.

Romans 6:3-6. In water baptism the three stages of Christ’s work of salvation is acted out.

• Jesus died.
• Jesus was buried.
• Jesus rose from the grave.

Rom 6:3-6

Or have you forgotten that when we became Christians and were baptized to become one with Christ Jesus, we died with him? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised as he was. 6 Our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. NLT

When we obey Christ’s command and are water baptized, we identify with what Jesus has done for us.

• He led a Sinless life,
• He was put to Death for us,
• He was Resurrected to save us!

At the same time we make a declaration to the world of what happened when we were born again. We declare that:

• My old life has died. New Creation, New Direction New Identity
• It is buried and no longer has power over me. Don’t dig up dead stuff! Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returns to its Vomit so fools repeat their folly.
• I have risen and received a new life from Christ.

‘I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.’ [Galatians 2:20]

3. Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Next Week)

Why Should a Person Be Water Baptized?

1. It’s a command of Jesus.

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20]

One of the last things Jesus says. Must be pretty important

2. It’s the pledge of a good conscience towards God.

“And this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience towards God.  It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, [1 Peter 3:21]

When our consciences are clean before God or we want to pledge ourselves to Him-Baptism is the next step.

3. Because Jesus Himself was baptized.

Matt 3:13-17

Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John.

14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

16 As soon as Jesus was baptised, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him.

17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

If its good enough for Jesus-it’s good enough for us!

Ephesians 5:1 “Be imitators of God”

Imitate-Copy, Emulate, duplicate

4. It was a foundational doctrine of the early church.

“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” [Acts 2:41]

That Day!!

Saul was Baptized after 3 days!

We took 10 years!

Acts 8:35-38 the man from Ethiopia

Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him.

36-39As they continued down the road, they came to a stream of water. The eunuch said, “Here’s water. Why can’t I be baptized?” He ordered the chariot to stop. They both went down to the water, and Philip baptized him on the spot. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of God suddenly took Philip off, and that was the last the eunuch saw of him. But he didn’t mind. He had what he’d come for and went on down the road as happy as he could be. Message

Acts 16:25-34 Paul and Silas in Prison

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.

27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.

28 But Paul shouted, Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.

30 He then brought them out and asked, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

31 They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved— you and your household.

32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.

33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptised.

34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God— he and his whole family.

Summary::

1.   It is an outward confession of an inward experience.

2.   Baptism expresses our identification with Jesus. [Romans 6:1-11]

3.   My ID is with Christ

4.   I’ve chosen which team I’m on and stepping up to bat!

5.   Outward confession of an inward experience.

Thinking you need to get Baptized…………………..??

Go for it!

Isaiah 40:11

He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart.

He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young……

God Wants you to know this morning:

• He loves your children/Grandchildren… holds them close to his heart
• You are exceptional Mums created in his image, you have his nature in & available to you. He will lead You thru every Valley/Mountain

The Best Advice you’ll ever get from Small Children

1. No matter how hard you try, you can never baptize a cat!
2. When your mum is mad at your dad, don’t let her brush your hair.
3. If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second person.
4. You can’t trust dogs to watch your food.
5. Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
6. Dogs still have bad breath even after eating all your Mums tic-tacs.
7. Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time.
8. You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
9. If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.

As I traveled to Australia I started to write this on the plane to look at Mary and the Gift of an encounter with God can transform our hearts our nature our future:

Do What Mary Did:

Luke 1:26

²⁶ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, ²⁷ to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. ²⁸ Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you”

MSG BIBLE Good morning! You’re beautiful with God’s beauty, Beautiful inside and out!

(Can I just say I couldn’t continue to write this message with out letting someone know this morning what God sees first and foremost is what is on the inside of you your heart, soul, mind).

Your JOURNEY

• I am passionate about Luke 10:27 to love the Lord you God with all Your heart , Soul & Mind “Everything on the inside of us”
• God sees our inside before he sees our outside – (whether Male/female), YOUR passion, thoughts, how hard you try, your challenges and how YOU are going to succeed HE Believes in You. No matter what the situation, or the world would say he has the way thru it!

28 The angel said Greetings favored woman The Lord is with You!²⁹ Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! ³¹ You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

³⁵ The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. ³⁶ What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For nothing is impossible with God.”

The sense I kept getting that there is someone here today….

“as you persevere in the presence of God in seeking him you are going to start to see the impossible becoming POSSIBLE”.

• For Marry It happened in a moment seeking God, God saw HIS FINGERPRINT on her Heart, Soul, Mind and in his timing…

Anything is possible in the presence of God

• 3 Words/thoughts for someone here today

1. BELIEVE Don’t under estimate what God can do: Mary is told by Gabriel Luke 1:31-34 ^{31 “}You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. ³² He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. ³³ And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!” ³⁴ Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen”? Gabriel said…“it WILL” 7x’s = Mary had a Faith perspective

MARY: But how can this happen? she went to that…. “What do you need me to do?”…

Compared to above in Luke1:18 …The same angel goes to Marys Cousin 10xs Gabriel said “it WILL happen” to Zechariah – Gabriel reveals and confirms his deepest Dream Then… ¹⁸ Zechariah said to the angel, “How can I be sure this will happen? I’m an old man now, and my wife is also well along in years.”

¹⁹ Then the angel said, “I am Gabriel! I stand in the very presence of God. It was he who sent me to bring you this good news! ²⁰ But now, since you didn’t believe what I said, you will be silent and unable to speak until the child is born. For my words will certainly be fulfilled at the proper time.”

Zechariah He questions and disbelieves His response is different than Marys he says… “How can I be sure this will happen”…Church sometimes we just need to Go to faith + Believe!

• NZ–>;Syd…..I had a Million Zacharia questions forming over 24hrs How can I be sure this will….
• Kids cope…..Fulltime study…..Schools…..House Jesus grab my cheeks”Just do it!”
• Marys approach the How “can” this happen+ wdintd WHAT DO INEED TO DO?? Email college =YES

Start asking God..How can this happen + What do you need me to do

2. Encourage some people here today…“Keep Your Eyes on Jesus”

• if you are in a season confused or disturbed “Don’t be afraid” Luke1:29 it says… v29. Confused and disturbed,… Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. ³⁰ “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her

Right now you need to hear this “Don’t be afraid-Don’t give up” Look at him more than what you believe the answer is right now.

John 5:6-8

The sick man (pool of mercy) had looked at the water for 38 yrs.

Jesus says v.6 “Do you want to get well?” ⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹ At once the man was cured;

• He was consumed that The issue here is the people around me
• I am left behind the answer is in the water, my job,money…..

How many moments could we miss if our eyes are on the pools of water being the only answer rather than on God.

MSG prep storyè “would you stop looking at all that and look at me”…GASP.. “Do you want to be healed”

• What are you looking at most right now?
• Problem or the solution?… identify problem Be part of solution
• Trust in God that is when we are truly Blessed

1. Final word for someone here today “Stay Close to Jesus”

• Just because trials have come along it does….
• Not necessarily mean you have stepped out of the will of God or…
• lost your Gift or talent it may be a time of timing or testing

but if the enemy can disappoint you or discourage you he knows he can defer you. Zacharia silent for 9mths angel said ..Luke1:v20 for my words will be performed at the proper time

CHECK – Is your heart aligned with the heart/word of God

Look at Mary Yes It was Gods plan prophesied, waiting for a saviour. Were there….

• speed bumps on her journey of carrying out the will of God Yes!!!
• trip on a donkey in the night during delivery = MUMS
• plans to kill her child,
• husband passes away, other siblings never really captured who Jesus was family connections were limited

BUT There were Unbelievable God moments!!! she had treasures stored up in her heart.

What are your treasures?…

Mary Under a tree… in the presence of God, Anna+Simeon, Sheherds Kings, the Cross. Her greatest hope and dream is recognized Gods promise is fulfilled in her life. it took 33 Years

Her courage was in her relationship with God to persevere thru every twist and turn as a:

• Young person under tree praying
• As a young Adult getting married finding a home
• As a Parent
• As a Widow
• As someone who loses a child

Mary did all this thru: 1. Faith Believed 2. Keeping her eyes on what is true 3. Staying close to Jesus

Pray: close eyes…

• Maybe today is the day when you need a fresh touch of faith or your belief needs to be watered today… Rom15:13 may the God of all Hope fill you with all Joy & Peace IN BELIEVING.
• Maybe today you have seen the solution other things, people,”water” today time to turn to Jesus to be set free from the burden or the weight of it, too be healed. John 8 whoever Jesus sets free is free in deed
• Maybe today its about getting Close James 4:8 drawing nearer to God…

Do what Mary Did

What is it?

Fasting is- “Abstaining from food for spiritual purposes”

Matthew 6:16 “And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, who try to look pale and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I assure you, that is the only reward they will ever get. 17 But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. NLT

● Not normally Liquids but food. Could be anything but it is generally doing without something to focus on prayer.

●         It’s a time of extra special Holy Spirit led prayer. Above normal.

Its spending the time that would normally be taken up in food prep and eating and spending that time in prayer.

●         It’s a faith thing to believe that God wants us to Fast.

Hebrews 11:6 says “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

You fast because of belief in God-that’s faith!

You fast believing in faith for something to happen!

●         You must have the right motives

Matt 6:17-18But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. 18 Then no one will suspect you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in secret. And your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward you. NLT

It’s a personal thing between man & God

Not a show off thing between man and man

Promises to those who fast according to Gods will or “What’s in it for me?”

Isaiah 58:6

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:

To loose the bonds of wickedness,

To undo the heavy burdens,

To let the oppressed go free,

And that you break every yoke?”

Isaiah58:8-12 “Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your health (Healing) shall spring forth speedily:

and your righteousness shall go before you;

the glory of the LORD shall be your reward.

9 Then shall you call, and the LORD shall answer; you will cry for help, and he shall say, Here I am.

And the LORD shall guide you continually,

and satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones:

and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.

12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.

These are the promises to you…..

1.Your Light break forth. Wake up with passion!

2. Your Health & Healing. Clean out from the inside out! Physical

3. Your Righteousness. Integrity before God clears your path.Spiritual

4. Your rewarded with Gods Glory. You will see God at work

5. Your Prayers Answered. When you call-He will answer ”Here I am”

6.Your Continual Guidance. See point 5 Get the edge!

7. You will be Satisfied Proverbs 27:7”The full soul loatheth a honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.”

Fasting builds appreciation

Bible talks aboutFat bones gives internal strength and fortitude.

8. Your Refreshed. You are watered, fresh, growing, alive. Not wilted!

9.Work that endures. Build a foundation that lasts for generations.

10. Restoration for you and others. Passion for the lost & broken

Reasons to fast-“How to fast successfully”-Derek Prince

1. To humble ourselves Psalm 35:13 David said “I humbled my soul with fasting” We come to God humbly-then he comes to us. 2. Draw near to God. James 4:8”Draw near to God …He will draw near to you”

3. Understand Gods word more clearly.

4. To seek Gods will and direction. Ezra 8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. KJV 23 So we fasted and earnestly prayed that our God would take care of us, and he heard our prayer NLT

5. Healing-Matthew 17:21” But this kind of demon won’t leave unless you have prayed and fasted.”

6. Crisis Intervention Story time. 2 Chronicles 20

Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon

1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, “A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazazon Tamar” (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:

“O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’

10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.”

13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the LORD, 
   for his love endures forever.”

22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. 23 The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 When the men of Judah came to the place that overlooks the desert and looked toward the vast army, they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped. 25 So Jehoshaphat and his men went to carry off their plunder, and they found among them a great amount of equipment and clothing and also articles of value—more than they could take away. There was so much plunder that it took three days to collect it. 26 On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah, where they praised the LORD. This is why it is called the Valley of Beracah[f] to this day.

27 Then, led by Jehoshaphat, all the men of Judah and Jerusalem returned joyfully to Jerusalem, for the LORD had given them cause to rejoice over their enemies. 28 They entered Jerusalem and went to the temple of the LORD with harps and lutes and trumpets.

29 The fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of the countries when they heard how the LORD had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.

7. Pray for others.

Partial Fast-Coffee Fast for unborn child testimony

Daniel Fast-10:2-3”I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled.”

●         Drink lots of liquids

●         Make and take extra time for Bible reading and prayer

●         Beware of spiritual attack. Have faith.

● BELIEVE

“And your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly” Matthew 6:18

Further Reading

“How to fast successfully” Dereak Prince

“Fasting” Jentenzen Franklin

Everyone is on a journey

“Its not the destination that’s important, its what happens along the way”

Ask your kids and they will differ “Are we there yet?”

Our journey is important.

It makes us who we are. Each place we’ve been has its own culture and values. Similar but different.

Sydney is similar but different to Southland, Auckland is similar but different to Gore.

Each time we visit or spend time in a place part of that culture rubs off on us and us on it.

Every place we have been to, we have left our impression on it.

People will remember you for something.

People would lay down memorial stones to remind them each time they passed that way what happened. We do the same today with our cenotaphs. They are there to remind us of the cost to a safe journey.

Bible is full of people who were on a journey.

Some travelled to far away lands others their journey was from insignificance to prominence and vice versa.

• Adam & Eve made the greatest journey when they travelled out of Gods Presence.
• Noah made a journey to the peaks of Mount Ararat
• Abraham packed up his family and travelled to Egypt and back
• Jacob travelled 1000kms to escape his brother Esau to live with Laban in Haran.
• Joseph is taken from Jerusalem to Egypt followed by the whole family.
• Israel leaves Egypt to journey in the desert 40 years
• Joshua journeys into the Promised Land. Fighting battles along the way
• Israel taken captive and exiled to Babylon.
• Israel’s return to Jerusalem

Jesus spent his ministry moving around from village to village.

Our journey is important

Listen to Paul

2 Corinthians 11

23-27I’ve worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death’s door time after time. I’ve been flogged five times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.

Try telling Paul his journeys were insignificant!

You would think he would give up!

Jailed, beaten, flogged, beaten with rods, stoned, shipwrecked, lost friends, betrayed

Not Paul

Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me”

Our journey is important to remember. It helps build faith to release our future.

The Bible is a book of true stories of men and women who took journeys. Some big and some small.

All significant

Some so big it involved millions of people moving through treacherous lands to get to a place they would call home.

Some it was simply a journey of faith to see a man named Jesus, who by getting close enough would produce a healing and a complete change of life.

Location & Geography is important because we always need to know where we have come from, where we are going and so we can find the way home.

Prodigal son went an a journey away from his fathers house and when he came to his senses he said ‘I will journey home”

Why are locations important-because they are places of meaning, safety & security, danger and distress.

The son learned on his journey where not to be.

He remembered that the best place for him was in his father’s house.

Jesus had made a journey to Jerusalem with his parents. On the return home His parents found he was not with them. They finally caught up with him and found Him teaching in the temple courts.

 Luke 2:49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”

Jesus knew where home was.

Do you know where home is?

Do you know of others needing/looking for home?

Bodies of Water

Mediterranean Sea

• Enter from the Atlantic Straits of Gibraltar and exit via Suez Cannel.
• Bible times the Mediterranean Sea was the world and trade wars and city’s were all around it.

Sea of Galilee

• 21 km long, and 13 km wide. total area of 166 km²
• Just bigger than Manapouri or Hawea

Jordan River

• 251 km long and drops into the Dead Sea. 150km straight line
• 33 m wide. Size of the Mataura.
• Abraham & Lot separate here
• Israelites cross over on dry land
• Elijah & Elisha divide it and cross
• Naaman is healed in it
• John Baptized Jesus in it
• Mentioned 180 times OT, 15 NT
• Currently Boarder of Israel and Jordan

Dead Sea

• 423m below sea level
• 1020 km2 Nearly twice as big as Lake Taupo.
• Jordan flows in but nothing flows out so it

Nile River

• 6,650km. Runs through Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.

Tigris & Euphrates Rivers

• Tigris flows from Turkey through Iraq. 1800km
• Mentioned in Genesis and in Daniel

Euphrates-2800km runs through Syria and Iraq

• Home of the city of Nineveh
• Mentioned in Genesis and Revelation 9 & 16

Persian Gulf

• Hot Seat of the middle east
• Borders Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq.
• Named by King Darius 500BC
• Time of Daniel

Main Locations

Garden of Eden

• Exact location is unknown but is at the convergance of 4 rivers, two are the Euphrates and the Tigris.

Canaan/Israel/Palestine

• Crazyest piece of realestate in the world. It has no oil but everyone wants it.
• Changes its name through the bible. In Genesis its Canaan. When Joshua enters it its called Isreal. When Jesus is there its called Palestine.

Jerusalem

• Capital of the nation of Isreal
• King David made it the capital of Isreal
• Jesus was crucifed there Friday april 3, 33
• During its long history, Jerusalem has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times.

Egypt

• Abraham, Moses, Aaron, Exodus

Assyria

• Major super power seeking world domination
• Israel made treaty’s with them against Gods advice
• Overthrown by Babylonian Empire

Babylonia

• Modern day Iraq
• Several Kings most famous was Nebuchadnezzar
• Destroyed Jerusalem in 586BC and exiled its people to Babylon
• Daniel, Ezekiel, Habakkuk, Obadiah prophets

Persia (Iran)

• Conquered the know world under King Cyrus
• Allowed the return of Israel to build the temple of God. 500BC

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Structure-What is it?

Def-“A System of parts”

• A system or organization made up of interrelated parts functioning as a whole.

The Bible is a whole group of parts interrelated that function as a whole.

Look at a car and it all looks real simple. Just jump in and away it goes.

You turn on the radio and it goes, you turn on the air con and it goes.

If it doesn’t go you can ask a mechanic to have a look at it and get it fixed.

But do you ever sit back and wonder how it all works, how it all fits together.

You can get others to fix it for you like you can get others to interpret the Bible for you but with a little wisdom and knowledge you can start to get an understanding of the Bible, its themes, its promises and then you’ll be able to have the tools to fix yourself.

Same as a car it all fits together to function as one.

Radio is connected to wires that connect to the fuse box-wires-battery-generator-engine-chassis.

Chassis that holds it all together.

A Building looks big on the outside and we can marvel at it and it can seem unbelievable how it all stays standing.

Buildings have a super structure designed to hold it up and together.

In the same way the Bible has a structure that holds it all together.

When we break it down it gets a whole lot easier to understand.

When we know where to go and why it saves a whole lot of mucking around and just throwing in the towel because we are lost.

Story of Charles Steinmetz 1900

Electrical engineer who was top of his field and had retired.

Asked by a major appliance factory to find a problem that they were unable for time, expertise and money to find.

He looked around the plant, tested a few pieces of machinery and finally placed a chalk mark on a piece of machinery and said that’s where the problem was.

They took it apart and sure enough that’s where it was.

He sent them the bill for $10,000 which they protested and asked for a break down. He sent back the itemised bill. Chalk mark $1-knowing where to make it $9,999.

Today that would be $26 chalk and $260,000 for knowing where to put it.

When you come to reading the Bible if you know where to put the chalk mark it will save you a lot of wandering around.

We can go straight to the concordance and look up a word like “Faith”

Turn to some readings in Hebrews and read that “By faith” so many heroes are listed-“By faith”

• By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did.
• By faith Noah built an ark
• By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
• By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
• By faith the people passed through the Red Sea
• By faith the walls of Jericho fell

Double Faith…..What does it mean?

What was happening for those people?

What was happening for the people around them?

What was God thinking at that time?

How did God respond?

Ask the same question of yourself-

What is happening to me?

What is happening to people around me?

How does God feel about it?

How would the God of the Bible-Your God respond?

Reading the Bible cover to cover can seem a task like climbing a mountain. Great starting off but as energy levels fall and you hit a few outcrops it’s easy to turn back. But if you have a few benchmarks to aim for and why they are there you have a goal to aim for.

Goal for this year is Start with the basics and get deeper.

Structure

Two major divisions

• Old Testament
• New Testament

A “Testament” is a document that the author has sworn to be true.

OT is an old covenant. Sworn to be true

NT is a new covenant. Swore to be true. All scripture is God breathed

Like God wrote out His will for the people in the OT

He updated His will in the NT

Old Testament spans approximately 4,000 years

Starts with Creation and is the story of the Jewish people up to the time of Christ.

39 books-Written by 28 authors.

New Testament is covering only around 100 years

It’s the Record of Jesus birth, life & ministry.

It’s about the Ministry of His disciples and the early church.

27 books-Written by 9 authors. Total is 66.

Old Testament is the story of God, and the Hebrew people, their poets and prophets.

Old Testament is broken down into three different kinds of books

• Historical Books 17 tell the History of Israel
• Poetical/Wisdom Books 5 tell the poetry of Israel
• Prophetical 17 tell the prophecy of Israel

These are rough outlines as there are pieces of all three mixed into the others.

People make the mistake that the OT is one long story -which it is not.

New Testament

New Testament is the story of Jesus, The Church He founded and its growth under the leadership of His Apostles after His death.

Also broken down into three kids of books

• Historical Books-5 (4 Gospels & Acts)
• Pauline Epistles-13 Written by Paul
• General Epistles-9 various writers

Epistles are letters in book form.

Primary function of the Epistles is Christian Doctrine and lifestyle.

Written to churches and individuals

History of the entire New Testament (100yrs)

• Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts

Pauline Epistles (Letters) to Churches

• Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians,

Pauline Epistles (letters) to individuals

• 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.

General Epistles

• Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1,2,3 John, Jude, Revelation
• Written by James, Peter, John and Jude

66 Books make up the Bible, 39 in the OT, 27 in the NT

People say “why do we need the Old Testament?”

• The OT predicts the NT and the NT explains the OT.

It’s like any book-miss the first half and you loose the plot for the second.

Without the OT we wouldn’t understand-

• Why the Jews were looking for a Messiah. The saviour King.
• Why was his “Messiah” was coming
• OT prophesy’s His birthplace (Micah 5:2); His manner of death (Psalm 22, especially vv. 1, 7-8, 14-18; Psalm 69:21), His resurrection (Psalm 16:10), and many more details of His ministry (Isaiah 52:19, 9:2).

Book of Hebrews Ch 8-9 explains the Old and the New Covenants

The OT is a covenant made through Moses. It’s the Mosaic Covenant

The NT is a covenant made through the Messiah. The Messianic Covenant

Benefits of the New Covenant-The Upgrade made possible by Christ.

1.OT- Gifts and sacrifices by those guilty of sin.

NT One sacrifice by a sinless Christ

• Jesus died for us to pay the price, He was the sacrifice

2. OT Focused on the physical building where you went to worship.

NT Focused on the reign of Jesus in believers hearts

• Immanuel God with us not God of the tent or temple

3.OT A Shadow

NT A Reality

• Not temporal, but eternal

4.OT Limited Promises

NT Limitless Promises

• All Gods promises are yes and amen through Christ Jesus

5. OT Failed Covenant by the people

NT Faithful Covenant by Christ

• Jesus has kept the agreement where we couldn’t.

6.OC External rules and standards LAWS

Internal standards written on a new regenerated heart

• We are directly accountable to God not a list of rules

7.OC Limited access to God. Only the priest

NC Unlimited access to God. All a royal priesthood

• God is now personally available to us.

8. OC Legal Cleansing

NC Personal Cleansing

• Jesus cleansing is enough to cleans us completely

9.OC Continual Sacrifice

NC Conclusive and final sacrifice

• Jesus was the perfect, spotless and final sacrifice

10. OT Forgiveness earned

NT Forgiveness freely given

• Jesus paid the sacrificial price. Forgiveness is a free gift

11. OT Available to some. Jews

NT Available to all. Jews or Greek, Slave or free

• New Covenant is available to you.

The Greatest Words of God to Man.

::A collection of literary works chosen by the compiler.

• Poems
• Short Stories
• Songs

These are the greatest things that the Lord wants us to know.

He knows we couldn’t handle any more.

His ways are far above ours.

Bible says John 21:25 (NKJV)

25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

The Bible is a sneak peek into God and His plan for us.

Like looking down a telescope and seeing just so much but there is so much more out there.

The Bible is what God has left us. Out of all the books that could have filled the world this is what is left to us.

Didn’t leave us a

• Encyclopedia-but it will fill you with knowledge and wisdom
• Medical journal-but it will heal you
• Wall Street journal-but it will make you prosper
• Mills & Boon-but it will make you cry
• Book of riddles-but it will make you ponder
• Book on Nuclear Physics but there’s enough power to light up every life on planet earth.
• Diary-but you will get to know all about Him
• Time machine-but the ability to touch Heaven

If this is all we have then we better believe that every part of it is important!

It’s been on my heart because we can often not be into our Bible.

We can just hope that we will get by with little snippets.

Like just having coffee with your wife or husband once a week/month. Is like a dead sea scroll you have to blow he dust off.

That’s a catch up not a relationship!

Lord wants a close relationship with Him and He’s given us a blueprint on how that works in his Word.

This Anthology is a collection of the Greatest Words of God to Man.

Pentecostals can often be referred to as being a mile wide & 1 inch deep when it comes to our knowledge and understanding of the Bible.

This year I want us to change that!

I want us a mile wide and a mile deep and fill the whole space with Gods Word and his Spirit!

We are Spirit filled, Bible reading, God believing Christians ready to steam roll the works of the enemy!

Full of Gods Word Power and Authority-Amen!

We need the Word and the Spirit.

One of my mentors said this “Too much Word you Dry up, Too much Spirit you Blow up. Get the mix right and you’ll grow up!”

The Word and the Spirit are living.

You might look at a Bible and think its just paper and ink but it’s alive and will live forever

Isaiah 40:8 “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

Ps 119:89 “Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.”

• Gods word like Him is eternal. Its not going to change and its going to last forever..

• There is not going to be a recall on our bibles saying there’s a typo and God got it wrong

Isaiah 55:11 “so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

• These are God inspired Words that are still able to accomplish what He desires and achieve the purpose for which He sent them.

How? They were written thousands of years ago.

Hang on a minute!

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

• It’s alive and active!
• Its not in a coma on life support
• Sharp and gets into our soul and our spirits.

We will spend roughly 30 weeks going from Genesis to Maps

• 14 weeks in the Old Testament
• 5 weeks in the New Testament
• 11 weeks going over the Ten Great Doctrines of the Bible.

• We will look at all the major men and women
• All the major events and where they took place.

This is what David thought of Gods word

Psalm 119:130

The Message (MSG)

129-136 Every word you give me is a miracle word—how could I help but obey?

Break open your words, let the light shine out, let ordinary people see the meaning.

Mouth open and panting, I wanted your commands more than anything.

Turn my way, look kindly on me, as you always do to those who personally love you. Steady my steps with your Word of promise 
so nothing malign gets the better of me. Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women 
so I can live life your way. Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live. I cry rivers of tears because nobody’s living by your book!

David is crying “rivers of tears” because people were not living by the book.

• Ever tried to build without the instructions?
• When you do it all fits together real easy

Jesus said my burden is easy and yoke is light

• We think we can do it better so we “cast off” the wisdom of Jesus and try and do it all ourselves”
• Jesus is saying if you follow my instructions you’ll find it easy going. You’ll find rest for your souls.

Go by the Book!

Live by the Book!

David had received the revelation that “every word given me is a miracle Word.” 

This year you will receive a miracle word from God because we are going to go hunting them.

When we look for His miracle Word

When we receive His miracle Word

When we believe His miracle Word

You and I will find God pouring out His Spirit!

Loving my Bible Reading Plan. The Bible in 90days.

Able to really get inside the story. Like being in a movie.

Awesome to devour huge chunks at a time and get some trends.

• Genesis-God is a Creator and a Provider
• Exodus-God is a Deliverer and Protector
• Leviticus-God is Holy so you better be Holy too!
• Numbers-God is counting on you!

As I’m reading Genesis I see that God speaks to people a lot through dreams.

• People encounter Him through Dreams
• He warns people through Dreams
• He provides super natural strategies
• He gives people glimpses of the future
• He gathers Dreamers to other Dreamers

As we kick off 2012 I want to encourage you that it’s a

“Time to Dream”

Eleanor Roosevelt

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

The poorest man is not the one without a cent, but the one without a dream. Annon.

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams.-John Barrymore

Without a Dream in our hearts we lay about stagnant.

Dreams, Plans, Vision and hopes propel us to our future.

Bible says in Proverbs 23:7 “as a man thinketh (Dreams) in his heart-so he is” (paraphrase mine.)

So this is saying that where we focus, think about, ponder on, get excited about is the direction we will go, follow or pursue.

The same is true of negativity if we focus on that.

Job had fears that he pondered on and they came to pass because that’s where he pointed his thought compass.

Paul said this- whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Its time to reset your thoughts and dreams for 2012

Time to set the Compass for 2012

If 2011 was tough-do a 180 and start focusing on 2012

This is why we have Dream Sunday.

It’s a chance to make a focused effort on Praying for our Dreams and desires for the year ahead.

To present them before the Lord and get them anointed.

We could worry about the year ahead or we can come in faith!

Again Paul said “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God”. Phil 4:6

We will be thanking Jesus in advance for what He is going to do.

So why Dream? How do I Dream?

One of the reasons we don’t dream is because we are simply to busy!

Too busy to pray, reflect and allow ourselves to hear from God

Dreams and Visions are the language of the Holy Spirit

If we are too busy God wont always interrupt

When we stop and allow God some room- He will speak.

Jeremiah 33:3

‘Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

I had know idea my life would make a dramatic turn until……

Doesn’t have to be a special place although if you can that’s great

We just need God time like we need oxygen.

You cant see it but its really really good for us!

So what’s the big deal with all this God Dreaming?

Why take time to Dream?

1. Take time to Dream if you want to hear from God

Genesis 28:10 Jacob left Beersheba and set out for Haran. 11 When he reached a certain place, he stopped for the night because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones there, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep. 12 He had a dream in which he saw a stairway resting on the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 There above it stood the LORD

Jacob is finally out on his own when God comes to him in a dream

Its while he is alone and available that he has an encounter with God

• Jesus would often retire to lonely & desolate places to talk to God.
• Moses went up the Mountain to meet with God & get instructions.

To get our God Dream placed inside of us we actually have to get away with the giver of Dreams

Away from distraction and allow the Holy Spirit a chance to speak to us.

Jacob was in a place where God had a chance, had an opportunity to speak to him in a dream.

And this is what He said “I am the LORD, the God of your father Abraham and the God of Isaac. I will give you and your descendants the land on which you are lying. 14 Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you and your offspring. 15 I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.”

To give God the same opportunity to speak to you in 2012….

Take time to Dream!

2.Take Time to Dream if you want a Strategy for your plans

Genesis 31:10

Jacob and the streaked spotted and speckled sheep.

“In breeding season I once had a dream in which I looked up and saw that the male goats mating with the flock were streaked speckled or spotted.”

Jacob is making plans on how to achieve the best outcome for his mating period.

Mating period is the most important time on the farmer’s calendar.

Get mating wrong and you jeopardize the next season and beyond.

Its as he’s pondering his plans that he dreams and God drops into his spirit a super natural strategy!

11 “The angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob.’ I answered, ‘Here I am.’ 12 And he said, ‘Look up and see that all the male goats mating with the flock are streaked, speckled or spotted”

Farming is survival of the fittest and strongest

God has shown him who out of the sheep will be the strongest, most virile (sexually potent) breeders.

Weather its farming, retail, business, investing it still works on the Principal of  “Survival of the fittest”

When we take time to dream especially in the Presence of God we gain not only plans but strategy to fulfill those plans.

A Dream without a strategy to see it come to pass is a pipe dream!

Jacob had a desire to be a successful farmer

God gave him the strategy to take it to a whole new level

3. Take Time to Dream if you want to glimpse of your future

John was on the Island of Patmos and wrote Revelation

He saw way into the future the end times and Christ’s return.

Habakkuk 2:1 says

“I will stand my watch
 and set myself on the rampart, 
      And watch to see what He will say to me, 
      And what I will answer when I am corrected.

2 Then the LORD answered me and said:

“ Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.

• Taking time to Dream takes faith
• Takes faith to believe that God will turn up
• Takes faith to set out and do what you receive

Joseph had to live by faith. He had to believe in his God Dream!

God gave him a dream of his future.

He stepped out in faith and told his family about it.

His dream seemed dead and buried

He thought he was back on track by being part of Potiphar’s team.

Bang he’s back in prison joining a butler and a baker.

But God is faithful and delivers Joseph to interpret Pharaohs dream.

Before you know it he’s running the whole country and seeing the fulfillment of his childhood dream of his brothers bowing down to him.

But the dreams God gave Joseph were not just about him

The God dream inside of him was all part of a bigger plan

The God dream inside of you will be for you and ultimately others.

God is always thinking way outside the box and bigger than us!

4. Take Time to Dream if you want to be apart of other Dreamers plans.

Dreamers attract Dreamers

Joseph is called to Pharaoh to interpret his dream.

Dreamers attract Dreamers!

When you’ve got the God Dream inside of you-you cant help attract others to it.

It bubbles out and ignites the Dream in others.

Synergy happens.

Next week we are going to be praying for your dreams in 2012

Not only yours but those of your kids as well.

Jesus greatest dream is you!

Crazy new years resolutions

• Start looking after neglected children-mine
• Change my password from “password” to username and my username to password
• Last years was to grow my hair long which failed so will change resolution to keep short. I think I can keep that one

New Years resolution is all about making a change.

It’s a distinct time to draw a line in the sand and start something new.

It’s a time to “re-focus” to “re align” previous plans that may have gone off course.

Was God the first person to make a new years resolution?

• Things aren’t working the way I’d like
• I had this great plan for man but things have gone way off course.
• Time to make a few changes around the place.

So God looked at the planet and decided to clean house.

Everything that was bad and evil was to be chucked out and everything that was good was to be kept. Spring cleaning.

The only one He could find who was good and righteous was Noah.

Everything else was in chaos.

So God literally cleaned House or cleaned up the planet with a good wash!

A new start, a new day, a new way of living.

Jesus did the same thing by shedding His blood to give us a new start.

Imagine many years after the flood a news crew doing a documentary on Noah’s experience on the Ark and asked him what would be his top ten resolutions he would pass onto people.

1.Don’t miss the Boat

Time and chance happen to everyone. Ecc 9:11

We all have the same number of days left in 2012. 

How will you use them?

Where do you want to be at the end of this year?

Do you want any change?

If you do then get on the boat!

2.Remember we are all in the same boat.

Make a decision to be a nice person and be nice to others

Who will you look out for this year?

Think about others

Make room for others in your life.

“I” life or “we” life

Lay down your life for others.

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. John 15 13

3.  Plan Ahead. It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark.

Time for everything.

Are you in time of sowing or harvesting?

Go the Ant

Proverbs 6-11 “look at an ant.

Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two.

Nobody has to tell it what to do.

All summer it stores up food;

at harvest it stockpiles provisions.

So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing?

How long before you get out of bed?

A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there,

sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next?

Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life,

poverty your permanent houseguest!

4. Stay Fit.

When your 600 0r 60 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big that’s never been done before.

• Ark was 140m long. Nearly 1.5 rugby fields.
• Three stories high and 22 meters wide. Bus length
• Life isn’t slowing down so nether should you!
• As I get older I am getting busier not bored.

If you’re bored with life?-Get busy!!

5. Don’t listen to the critics, just get on with the job that needs to be done.

People would have called Noah a fool

Proverbs 26:4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are.

• Noah could have spent all day trying to explain it all and what was happening and argued to the cows came home-but that wouldn’t get the boat built!!
• There are times when we just have to get on & persue our dreams regardless of what people say.

6. Build your future on the right ground.

What Noah was building was not only going to save his life but that of his family as well.

Make a fresh commitment in 2012 to be in the Word, Prayer & Church

“Jesus said that on this Rock I would build my Church”

We must build our future on stable ground

How do we do that-we learn more about the “Rock” Jesus!

Start a Bible reading plan.

7. Travel in pairs for safety sake.

Connect Groups

• Maybe you’d like to start one
• Maybe you need to join one.

Don’t do the journey alone. Life’s too short

God isn’t doing the journey alone

Jesus sent His disciples out in twos.

Ecc 4:9-10 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 
10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. 
But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

Connection is life! Connection will save your life!

8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

Don’t blow a valve. Slow and steady wins the race

Ecc 9:11 “The race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong”

Wisdom to know what to do is the key.

An article on time management

Regarding 100% of your time:

85% of what you do anyone can do…sending an email, attending a meeting, etc…

10% of what you do someone with a little training could do…teach a study, lead a meeting, etc…

5% of what you do only you can do.

• Only you can be a companion to your spouse.
• Only you can be a parent to your kids.
• Only you can exercise your body.
• Only you can keep yourself spiritually fit and engage in activities that bring you closer to God.
• Only you can choose to enjoy life in community with others.

On these points there is no delegating.

9. When your stressed……… float awhile.

Remember to brrrreeeaaattthhhh…………………………..

Do you ever have those times when your like Noah?

Worked really hard for a long time, built, gathered supplies spent time with your family and you’ve shut the door and all of a sudden everyone starts knocking? Phone keeps ringing, txts keep coming

Jesus said “Get away, Shut the door and Pray”

Wait on the Lord”? Those that do will renew their strength

Are you planning your next holiday?

Are you planning your first holiday?

Bible over and over stresses the Sabbath day and keeping it Holy.

Exodus 20:8-11

New Living Translation (NLT)

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.

What’s God saying to us in 2012?

Take a day off. Rest and Relax and you will be blessed.

10. Remember the Ark was built by amateurs, the Titanic by professionals.

Noah didn’t even know what an Ark was.

Like God calling you to build a thingamajig!

It’s a thingy, doodad, thingamabob, gizmo or a doodacky!

Remember your calling, your dreams.

Don’t say it cant be done!

Did Noah say “Nah cant be done” No! he started nailing!!

Eat the elephant one bite at a time but start eating!!!!!

11. No matter the storm,

No matter how big the waves of life crash around you

No matter how hard the winds of change try to blow you off course

When your following Gods direction there is always a Rainbow.

Don’t abandon ship in the storm

Don’t give up hope in the valleys of life

Children of Israel gave up hope in a valley.

They became dry brittle bones. Why? Because they stopped and gave up.

Keep going through the valley because there is always a mountain at the other end of the valley.

It’s at the mountain top you get to see that the valley was a time of stretching & growth.

Without the valley experience you wouldn’t have the strength, capacity or tenacity to climb the mountain of reward.

It’s on the Mountain of reward that you get to see the best rainbows.

Rainbows are the reminders that God keeps His promises

Noah was on the ark 370 days- That’s a long time at sea.

Long time wondering if God had forgotten him.

Maybe your wondering if God has forgotten you?

Get ready to send out your Doves

There’s a Rainbow coming.

What do you do when you get a word, prompting, vision from God?

If we are people of faith who believe in the Holy Spirit then we should be believing the Scripture in

Acts 2:17 (NKJV)

17 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
 Your young men shall see visions,
 Your old men shall dream dreams.

God is still speaking to people through His Word, Dreams, Pictures & Visions and

Through other people

Don’t be surprised if the Lord speaks/calls at an unusual time or when you least expect it.

• Samuel was called at night
• David was tending sheep
• Joseph was playing with his brand new coat
• Disciples were busy fishing “Hey follow me”

There is no set time. God calls when He’s ready

• Moses was hanging out on a mountain grazing sheep 40 years
• Jesus was 30yrs old before God called
• I was 37 before God Called me

So what do we do?

1. Write the vision down

Write it down immediately, as much as you can but keep it clear

Habakkuk 2:2

You will be challenged over time and you can respond “It is Written”

2. Trust someone with it

Entrust a close friend or Faith filled follower with what God is saying

Prov 15:22 Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

I told my Wife, Pastor and my closest friend.

Trusted people will help you facilitate vision.

Help you stay the course.

3. Don’t tell Everyone

Not everyone will get it. Tell almost everyone.

Proverbs 23:9 (NKJV)

9 Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Matthew 7:6 (NKJV)

6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

Josephs tells his family about his visions

My experience of vision being trampled

Even Jesus only entrusted Himself to a few-He knew the hearts of men.

4. Get Wisdom on it

Proverbs 4

Your Life Is at Stake!

1-2 Listen, friends, to some fatherly advice; sit up and take notice so you’ll know how to live.

I’m giving you good counsel; don’t let it go in one ear and out the other.

3-9 When I was a boy at my father’s knee, the pride and joy of my mother,

He would sit me down and drill me: ”Take this to heart. Do what I tell you—live!

Sell everything and buy Wisdom! Forage for Understanding! Don’t forget one word! Don’t deviate an inch!

Never walk away from Wisdom—she guards your life; love her—she keeps her eye on you.

Above all and before all, do this: Get Wisdom! Write this at the top of your list: Get Understanding!

Throw your arms around her—believe me, you won’t regret it; never let her go—she’ll make your life glorious.

5. Be prepared to wait

Rick Warren explains in surfing you have to wait for the right wave-then paddle

Waiting is draining, exhausting, feel like giving up.

That’s why the word says ‘that those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength”

6. Be prepared for the Desert

Jesus spent 40 days of trial in the desert before starting His ministry

Moses spent 40 years in the desert minding someone else’s sheep

Joseph in prison before running the nation

7. Be Prepared to say “Yes Lord-Here I am”

Isaiah 6

He saw the Lord seated on the throne-high and lifted up.

Here I am send me

Jesus called the disciples and immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

He didn’t tell them where they were going, what there 3 year plan would be.

He just said “Follow Me”

Follow Me and I will change your life

Follow me and I will give you a real life

Follow Me and I will give meaning to your life.

Matthew 22:14 “Many are Called few are Chosen”

Make an active faith filled step and say “Yes I’m going

Jesus is doing something in our midst.

He is positioning people in places ready to used by the Holy Spirit to see an amazing move of God in this city, region and beyond.

Luke 24:13 The Road to Emmaus

“Two of them were travelling”

• Two guys are on a journey
• I’m on a journey, Your on a journey, Church is on a journey

I Love catching up with people in our church and hearing about their journey with Christ

As we talk I can feel and sense this excitement in your hearts.

Jesus said where two or more are gathered I am there also.

Sadly many churches around the world aren’t talking about Jesus and what He’s doing.

Its 5 points on how to get ahead with sometimes no reference to the Bible or testimony

Its while the two of them are talking about Jesus that He turns up!

Asks them why they are so sad?

They respond with “Don’t you know Man?” “Where have you been? Don’t you know what’s been happening”

Jesus responds with “What things?”

Jesus loves to hear us talk about Him

“He was suppose to be our King and free us”

Turned out to be an epic fail

Jesus wants to hear us talk about Him.

He’s given us “His Story” so we can.

Its when we talk about Him to each other He turns up

When we talk about Him to others…..He turns up

He sets our hearts ablaze.

He walks with them and talks them through the bible from Moses to the Prophets showing them it’s all about Jesus. Its all about Him

Get to the village and he is keen to just keep on going but they ask him to stay. As they are having communion he reveals himself to them and then disappears.

They reflect, “ Didn’t our hearts burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”

What has this story got to do with the building?

The building is a place where people can come and have Jesus walk alongside them and at the right time

• Reveal Himself to them
• Cleanse peoples hearts
• Set people a blaze with life changing story’s all about Jesus and what He has done for them

Jesus disappears

These guys jump to their feet and immediately go off to tell others about experiencing the risen Christ.

33 They rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem

They have just walked 7 miles 14 kms Inv-Wallacetown.

What do they do?

“Hey its true!!! Jesus is alive!!!”

And while they are talking about Jesus guess what?

He turns up!!!!

We are building a church where people can gather together, talk about Jesus and experience Him turning up.