Unexpected Joy

Christmas Day 2009

This was a special Christmas family service.
No message recorded

1. Authentic worship is directed to God

a) God�s work in the past [Exodus 15:1-12]

* personal confession [Exodus 15:2-3]

* narration [Exodus 15:4-10]

* personal confession [Exodus 15:11]

b) God�s leading for the future [Exodus 15:13-18]

2. Authentic worship is varied

i) the role of women

ii) drama

iii) musical instruments

iv) dancing

3. Authentic worship magnifies God

a) Enhances God�s reputation [Exodus 15:14-16]

b) Anticipates heaven�s song [Rev 15:1-8]

4. Authentic worship is fragile

a) Singing turned to grumbling! [Exodus 15:22-27]

b) The cycle of:

* Praise Songs

* Disappointment / bitterness

* Complaints

* God provides (again!)

There are three preachers during this evening service:
David Piper spoke on 2 Cor 11:1-15
Jonathan Loose on 2 Cor 11: 16-30
Fred Hughes then did an ‘epilogue’

2 Corinthians 10

* Paul�s looks

* Paul�s speaking

* Paul�s ways

1) Be careful how you use your spiritual weapons

2) Be careful how you measure your work

3) Be careful how you boast

The Gateway Fellowship is for adults with learning difficulties and meets in the Rodney Hall at 9.00am each Sunday.

Celebrating Gateway’s 22nd anniversary.

Part 1 – Slaves in Egypt / slaves to sin (2 Peter 2:19) (Titus 3:3)

Part 2 – Escape from slavery (Titus 3:4-7)

Part 3 – God guides (Psalm 119:105)

Part 4 – God provides (1 Timothy 6:17)

Part 5 – Facing problems and wanting to go back

Part 6 – Death is not the end

PLEASE NOTE :
There is no recording of this service available yet.

1. We know .. we have .. we groan! (2 Corinthians 5:1-4)

2. Life guaranteed (2 Corinthians 5:4-5)

3. Confident facing death (2 Corinthians 5:6-10)

�Therefore we do not lose heart� (2 Corinthians 4:1,16)

3 reasons for discouragement:

1) When folk do not believe (2 Corinthians 4:1-6)

2) When the pressures build from every side (2 Corinthians 4:7-12)

3) When the body gets weaker (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Two vital perspectives for the Christian Disciple:

1) Outwardly weak / Inwardly Strong

2) Momentary troubles / Eternal Glory

The ‘Lesser to Greater’ argument

* For OT background – see Exodus chapter 32 – 34

* For Paul and New ~Covenant ministry – 2 Corinthians 3

“…will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” 2 Corinthians 3:8

1. New Hearts (2 Corinthians 3:7-12)

2. New Minds (2 Corinthians 3:14-16)

3. New Faces (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)