A Praying Church

1. When the going gets tough

2. God gets going:

* But why the wait?

* And what about the peace?

3. Prayer meeting expectations

4. Evaluating a good prayer meeting!

1. Old Testament promise (Joel 2:28-32)
2. New Testament experience (Acts 2:1-47)
3. Jesus introduces �THE GIFT� of the coming Holy Spirit:
(John 14:1-16:33)
* To be another Counsellor

* To be with you forever

* To teach you and remind you of all things

* To guide you into all truth

* To convict of sin, righteousness and judgement

4. A personal Pentecost: The filling of the Holy Spirit

[7 NT references: Matt. 3:11; Mark 1: 8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 11:16; 1 Cor. 12:13]

1. Going out, not staying in (Acts 11:19-20)

2. Multicultural, not mono-cultural (Acts 11:20-21)

3. Risk takers, not comfort seekers (Acts 11:22-26)

4. Equipping, not dawdling (Acts 11:26)

5. Sending, not hoarding (Acts 11:27-30)

Two ordinances of divine institution are observed:
1. Believers� baptism by immersion as a confession of faith and an act of obedience. Matt.28:19-20; Acts 2:38
2. The Lord�s Supper as an act of remembrance and fellowship Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16; 1 Cor. 11:23-28

1. Eating together

2. Proclaiming together:
* Looking back to the Lord�s death (1 Cor. 11:26)
* Looking forward to the Lord�s return 1 Cor. 11:26b)
* Looking inside (1 Cor. 11:27-32)
* Looking around (1 Cor. 11:33-34)

3. Enjoying the Lord�s Supper together?

1. Pentecost 2: just when you thought it was safe

2. Availability not ability

3. Merry Christmas, law is over

1. The Ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ

* Expressions to note
* Note the postition Jesus has
* More about the ministry of Jesus

2. The Personal Return of the Lord Jesus Christ

* What does all this mean for us?
* What are we to do then?

Guest speaker for the 166th Church Anniversary

Guest speaker for the 166th Church Anniversary

1. God moving people

2. God hearing prayer

3. God removing prejudice

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1: 8

‘Breakfast’ at Galilee!

1. Further evidence for Christ’s resurrection (John 21: 1-13)

2. Full restoration (John 21: 15-17)

3. Future work (John 21: 17-19)

EASTER 2009

1. God sends Philip (Acts 8:26-31)

2. Philip shares the good news (Acts 8:32-35)

3. The Ethiopian believes and is baptised (Acts 8:36-39)

4. The gospel increases and spreads (Acts 8: 39-40)

PALM SUNDAY

Jesus said Go and Tell (Mark 11:1-3)

They went and told (Mark 11:4-6)

Celebrating Jesus – King and Saviour (Mark 11:7-10)

1. Speaking the Gospel of Christ (Acts 7:1-53)

2. Suffering for the Gospel of Christ (Acts 7:54-8:3)

3. Spreading the Gospel of Christ (Acts 8:4-25)

Definitions:
Justification = Beginning of Christian life; once for all
Santification = On-going process through Christian life

1. From God’s viewpoint: SAINTS ALIVE!
(Romans 6:1-14 1 Cor 1:2,6:11 1 Peter 1:2)

2. From the Christian’s Experience: SAINTS BECOMING!
(Romans 6:11,14,18)

* The work of the Holy Spirit
* Perfectionism? (Matt 5:48)
* Our part (Phil 2:12-13)
* Taking off / Putting on (Romans 8:12f, 12:1-21 Galatians 5:13-26)
* Spiritual Breathing (1 John 1:9)
* The corporate dimension

“Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11)