newlifepembrokepines

Conviction

4/7/13 Series: Spirit Works

Jesus told his disciples that it was to their advantage that He leave, so that the Holy Spirit could come (Jn 16:7), and one of the primary works of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world. What is conviction, and how does it apply to our lives?

The Difference Easter Makes

4/31/13 Paul tells us that we need to be reminded of the Good News, the Gospel, it is a story that never gets old. It is a timeless truth, that is always relevant. The Gospel is the message  that Christ died for us that we might be saved,  that He rose again that we might have new life and a new future; that he appeared to those, like Paul, who came afterwards; and he is still appearing today to people throughout the world. That is what Easter is all about, and Easter makes all difference for us in regard to our past, present and future. Easter enables us to face our past with peace, the present with hope, and the future with confidence.

Behold, Your King is Coming

3/24/13 Today is Palm Sunday, which marks the day Jesus came into Jerusalem riding on a donkey, with crowds cheering and waving palm branches before him. Jesus’ coming into Jerusalem that day speaks several important truths to us today. Jesus’ coming is polarizing.  As in any crowd, there were a variety of people present that day, and they didn’t all have the same response to Jesus. Jesus’ presence however, all evokes a response, whether positive or negative, but there is no staying neutral. Jesus’ coming points to the future, or what might be called His triumphal re-entry.  His first coming fulfilled prophecy, and there are eight times as many prophecies concerning His return.  Jesus is coming again, and His coming requires preparation. Let’s be sure we are prepared.

Change Agents

Series: A City Set on a Hill 3/17/13 The electric light bulb, one of the everyday conveniences that most affects our lives, was invented in 1879 by Thomas Edison. One article  said that it took him 6000 tries.  That’s 6000 failed attempts, but he kept trying. He never gave up. He remained faithful to his task, and this one man changed the world with his invention. The world is filled with light today because of the invention of the light bulb. We too are called to be agents of change in the world. That is Jesus’ point in Matt. 5:13-16.  These are powerful words.  They give us a vision for what it means to be the Church — what the Church is to be about – what the Church is to be doing.  The church is not about a building, or even services, or programs and activities, although those things are good and necessary to equip us for what God is calling us to be and to do in the world. The Church is to be salt and light in the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. Jesus is emphasizing that as Christians we are to be change agents in the world.

The Key to Healthy Relationships

3/17/13 Evening Service Eph. 5:15-6:9 In Eph. 5:18 the Scripture gives us a key principle that should govern all of our relationships. If we live by that principle, then we will have healthy, happy, God-honoring marriages, homes, friendships, and church and work relationships.

Change Agents

Series: A City Set on a Hill 3/17/13 A CITY SET ON A HILL: CHANGE AGENTS The electric light bulb, one of the everyday conveniences that most affects our lives, was invented in 1879 by Thomas Edison. One article said that it took him 6000 tries. That’s 6000 failed attempts, but he kept trying. He never gave up. He remained faithful to his task, and this one man changed the world with his invention. The world is filled with light today because of the invention of the light bulb. We too are called to be agents of change in the world. That is Jesus’ point in Matt. 5:13-16. These are powerful words. They give us a vision for what it means to be the Church — what the Church is to be about – what the Church is to be doing. The church is not about a building, or even services, or programs and activities, although those things are good and necessary to equip us for what God is calling us to be and to do in the world. The Church is to be salt and light in the world, a city set on a hill that cannot be hidden. Jesus is emphasizing that as Christians we are to be change agents in world.

Making a Difference

Series: A City Set on a Hill 3/10/13 A CITY SET ON A HILL: MAKING A DIFFERENCE God is calling us and raising us up, to be a city set on a hill, to be a high impact church for His glory and honor. Now I know it is easy to hear this talk about being an influence and being high impact people in the world. We tend to think: who me? I am no body, I am just one somewhat insignificant person in a great big world. In the first century, an intense wave of persecution broke out under the Roman Emperor Nero, who was known as the madman emperor. Christianity was declared an illegal religion, which meant it was open season on Christians to be persecuted, imprisoned, beaten, and put to death. They're nothing in that world! They have no political power or sway. They're poor and despised and insignificant! Yet the made a tremendous impact on their world for Christ. Why? Because they knew the promise of Jesus: "You won't fail! You're My people, and you won't fail!" The gates of hell shall not prevail against you!!!! That’s what He tells us today. You are the salt of the earth!" He says. "You are the light of the world! You are City set on a hill!!! You are My witnesses in this world. In these words, Jesus words speak several vital and inspiring truths to us today.

A People of Influence, Pt 2

A CITY SET ON A HILL: A PEOPLE OF INFLUENCE Pt 2 (Matt. 5:13-16) 3/3/13 We are in the midst of flu season right now. The word flu is the shortened version of the Italian word for influence, which is “influenza.” It comes from an Italian phrase which attributed the origin of the flu to influenza di freddo (influence of the cold). Influenza is a highly contagious virus. It's rare to find the flu affecting just one person – if one person comes down with the flu in family or in an office, it quickly spreads. It multiplies exponentially until millions are affected. God expects us to be highly contagious people, people of influence for His Kingdom. He calling His church to be a city set on a hill.  A city set on a hill is strategically placed, highly visible and collectively bright

A People of Influence

Series: A City Set on a Hill 2/24/13 In these few verses, Jesus spoke about the influence of His followers on the world for God and for good. Jesus makes it plain that he expects us to be people of influence in this world for the sake of His kingdom. We must move beyond the narrow, self-focused understanding of being a Christian that it is about being forgiven and having a relationship with God, God is there to bless me and meet my needs and one day he will come and take me to heaven. Christ makes it clear that He has a purpose for us here on earth.  He has called us to be people of influence in this world, agents of cultural transformation. Culture is simply the ways of thinking, living, and behaving that define a people.  It is the standards we set and enforce for ourselves and for others: our definitions of duty, honor, and character. It is the collective mind and conscience of a nation or group. As Christians we are called to be salt and light, we are called to influence the world system around us, the godless culture that pervades society. When our life is truly transformed by the Kingdom of God in us (that means truly surrender our life and letting Him rule in us), we will become agents of transformation for His Kingdom in this world.

The Light of the World

Series:  A City Set on a Hill 2/17/13 A CITY SET ON A HILL: THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD (Matt. 5:13-16) Matt 5-7 contain perhaps Jesus’ most famous sermon, known as the Sermon on the Mount. In this message, or series of teachings, Jesus is setting forth the norms of kingdom life.  What will citizens of His kingdom look like? When He rules in our hearts and minds, how will we act? When we have experienced the blessings of life in Him, what are our responsibilities? Now that we are citizens of a different kingdom, how are we to relate to the world? How do we differ from the world?  Jesus addresses all of these questions in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matt 5:13-16 Jesus describes the impact of Kingdom living upon this present world. When we live as citizens of His kingdom, we are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a city set on a hill. We exert a powerful influence on this world. That influence is what we have been looking at over the past several weeks.  I believe this is God’s word for New Life at this time. He is calling us to be a people of influence for His glory and honor. He is calling this church to be a city set on a hill, not so we can gain the attention or recognition of men, but so that His name may be lifted up, and His Kingdom purposes advanced.    Today we are going to consider what it means for us today to be the light of the world.