Being transformed in our mind, and applying that in our lives

Pastors Liam Swaine and Nicholas Tsakis shared messages at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 19 December 2010.

Pastor Liam Swaine began by reminding us that we all have promises for our lives. Our destination is a 'palace'. But there is definitely a process between the promise and the palace.

So let's get our foundations right as we look forward to the fulfillment of the promises ahead of us.

One of the processes we need to get right is the transforming of the mind.

In Romans 12:1-2, we read about the renewing of the mind. We need to paint a target on ourselves so God can renew our minds by His grace. The location does not matter. He presenting of ourselves is our responsibility. What's important is that we present ourselves, anadromous do not go back to the kingdom of darkness.

Our hearts get something before our minds haven't yet got. Deeper intimacy and knowledge of God comes with the renewing of the mind.

Three outcomes of a transformed mind:

• FORWARD FOCUS: A transformed mind keeps us going back to old ways.
• CHANGE: It completely transforms a person.
• CERTAINTY OF WILL: It proves the will of God, that which is good, acceptable and perfect.

Think about how the transformed mind differs for a believer. In the world, performance brings identity. In the Kingdom, your identity in Christ enables you to perform. We shift from 'I have to do this' to 'I want to do this'.

Regarding that identity we have with a transformed mind, see how in John 15:14-15, we move from slavery to friendship. The mentality is one of intimacy and knowledge, not ignorance and blindness.

Friendship behaviour means wanting to act rather than feeling obliged. The parent - in that sort of relationship - wants to give more. It also then breeds a sense of attraction to such a family, in which the parent blesses openly. People on the outside see that special blessing and want to be a part of such a family.

A transformed mind changes us. And it changes what people see in and through us.

In 2 Peter 1, we read how we gain in the knowledge of God. In Daniel 12:3, we shine brightly with insight. Ephesians 4:23 reminds us to be renewed in the spirit of our mind.

Be renewed in your mind, as we position ourselves to be transformed by God.

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis continued by emphasising how much we need the mind of Christ. Faith with wisdom is important, always. But in your conversations, prayer time and decision-making, apply the Word of Hod and get the mind of Christ.

Pray for your needs, your questions, your corners ahead.

Looking forward to a year of the Lord's favour

A message by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis, shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 12 December 2010.

We can all look back on the past decade and recall the excitement and challenges of years past. Even in that decade of highs and lows, God has been, and is, with us.

As we near 2011, it's good to think about what the new year and decade will bring. Like Joshua was told to look forward, we don't want to just live in the old ways. We can look forward to God's promises being fulfilled and evident as grace covers and protects our lives.

Let's position ourselves for the year, and decade, of the Lord's favour.

And most importantly, be encouraged that type favour of God is on our, and your, lives.

Numbers 23:19 reminds us that God does not lie. See also Leviticus 5:10-14, where all debts are cancelled during the Year of Jubilee. People would be released and God would give them rest. If Israel had followed this principle, they would have had no poverty. The Year of Jubilee occurred once in a person's lifetime.

In Luke 4:18, we read about liberation and freedom. Sure, many of us have had challenges and disappointments, but we are still here right now. 2011 and the decade to come will be a time of great favour. In verse 19, we see the proclaiming of the Lord's favour.

Many of us need that sense of release, liberty and freedom. Many just hope for rest, and that can be a very Godly desire.

What does it mean to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour? We need to welcome the year of the Lord's favour. The invitation is already there. With welcoming comes acceptance in God's Kingdom, and then a receiving, and an embracing.

What we can look forward to in 2011 and beyond:

• Welcoming
• Accepting
• Receiving
• Embracing

Promises for a relationship with God

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 5 December 2010, with credit to Andy Stanley for his inspiring thoughts behind this topic.

We can have misunderstandings about law and grace. It's easy, in fact, to focus on what we should not do, rather than the positives. Take the Ten Commandments, for example. How many of us think of the 'nots' first when recounting those commands?

Of course, rules tell you a lot about a person, a culture, a country. They reveal something about the person who sets them. God's nature, for example, is exemplified by His rules that He set us. The Children of Israel saw the ability of God by the tablets of stone that detailed commandments. What they didn't see in those rules alone was the nature of God. Grace, on the other hand, revealed the nature of God. And it is by grace that we are saved!

What, then, do we do? Focus more on law? Focus more on grace? Neither - let's have a healthy balance of the two.

Beyond law and grace, there's actually a third word that we must be mindful of: PROMISE. We discover His promises through the Word of God. Think of Abraham, as in Exodus 20:2, where he was clearly granted access and presence with God. He was IN God's Kingdom.

Those rules that God set up are nothing without relationship. Rules alone breed rebellion. Abraham heard God say He was Abraham's God.

In fact, rules FOLLOWED relationship in the chronology of life. God spent time in the cool of the day with Adam and Eve, well before rules came about. The God of relationship is the God of promise. And every promise comes out of relationship with God.

In Numbers 23:19, we read the integrity of God's Word and how trustworthy He is. Don't evaluate God's reliability like a human's because your viewpoint will be unreliable. He, however, is reliable.

2 Corinthians 1:20 tells us His promises are 'yes' and 'amen'. He will save us, rescue us, heal and provide. The faithfulness of God is not based on anything about us, but rather on Him.

Maturity and Vision, hand-in-hand

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 28 November 2010.

We've talked about the future possibilities that are ahead of us in 2011. It's not just words but realities to be seen in our lives, our church and in our community. Importantly, those promises and possibilities are not the domain of only one person. Rather, our future rests with each other.

So what is our purpose and vision as we stand with each other? The answer is in Matthew 28:19-20, where we read about the spread of the Gospel across the globe. As we reflected recently, we are Holy Spirit led, helping to empowering people's lives. We do that by raising strong, passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

In raising those strong, passionate followers, let’s answer the call to be mature believers towards connecting, growing and serving in 2011.

We connect in places like local schools Scripture education. That builds relationships, just like with our local nursing home seniors who we meet regularly.

We connect with maturity, as individuals and as a church. That's what being the Body of Christ is all about. In a practical way, priority setting means being organised to sacrifice for the goals we have. That's a good thought process that mature believers have.

And as we mature, let's recognise that we have the mind of Christ. He has the answers, the discernment between good and evil, the ability to control our words and tongue.

Vision is intimately linked with this thinking around maturity.

Maturity in our action and in our relationships is what will matter in our vision for 2011.

The Most Excellent Way

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 21 November 2010.

In Matthew 28:19-20, we are called to take the Gospel beyond our immediate borders.

So where do we see that scripture in activity in our church ministries? At Empower, in line with Matthew 28, we are called to be a large church, transforming nations. In fact, right now, we are positioned and ready for numerical growth.

An example of God's reach is how our music ministry is already drawing on the praise and worship resources that God has blessed us with.

In our preaching ministry, we release our preaching to go beyond the borders of our centre in Ringwood. We've seen how God is extending His reach through us into Malaysia and we're so encouraged by that.

In missions, we give to workers each year. We have the potential to give more, growing and excelling in generosity.

With a forward focus into 2011, and beyond, we remain committed to be God-centred, Holy Spirit led and people empowering. And it's not something that's just the domain of the ministry leaders. In essence, we are - as expressed in our mission statement - extending the Kingdom of God by raising strong, passionate followers of Jesus Christ.

Other words we've centred on this year have been that 'God is able', as inspired by Ephesians 3:20. Beyond this year's end, 'connect, grow and serve' are the three imperative words we'll be focusing on in the coming year.

In Ephesians 4:11-16, we read about the most excellent way for us to follow. Notice how it's rooted in love? Whatever we do, however we grow, we must recognise it happens through Christ, founded in His love.

See also Romans 12:3-9, where we see how gifts are needed for the health of the body. It's a unity within diversity. Only in Jesus Christ is any unity in the church possible. In other words, true unity is spiritually based.

In 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, we read about the gifts and they interconnect.

Let's connect together and minister to each other. Faithfully, we're going to see our families excel, our children worship God and see His Word championed in our lives. That is, as verse 31 says, the more excellent way. Zechariah 4:6 reminds us that our achievements will not be by might nor power. Our victory is by His Spirit.

Let's connect, grow and serve today and right throughout 2011. We'll do that by exercising His gifts in our lives, in love.

Being God’s deliverer, the One who recycles better than anyone!

Pastor Rachel Hanna shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 31 October 2010.

Junk mail can actually be a welcome addition to our letterboxes! Despite a lot of people thinking it's annoying, it's actually a lot of fun for some of us - reading of bargains coming up, comparing sales.

Shopping online can be exciting, too! You plan for something, purchase it and wait for the delivery driver to arrive.

That wait for delivery is particularly cool. We keenly wait for the driver to visit, knowing our parcel is ours alone.

What about the deliverer? Luke 4:18-19 tells us Jesus was the ultimate deliverer and we're called to follow in His footsteps. If Jesus did it, then why can't we expect to do likewise - delivering something of value to those in need.

Characteristics of a deliverer are worth looking at:

• God will make a way for a deliverer. For example, Moses was used by God as a deliverer for a desperate people. See Exodus 2:1-9 and note how Moses should have died as a baby. Circumstances would not prevent Moses from being the chosen deliverer for God's people. You, like Moses, are called to bring freedom to others. We have a purposeful life. God won't let the past hold you back. Freedom is coming to those you come into contact with!

• The enemy will try to stop a deliverer. Our enemy wants to frustrate and limit us. The enemy knows our potential and that we have a destiny. What matters is that God has won our victory. God has defeated everything thrown at us.

• God will reveal Himself to a deliverer. Moses spent 40 years training to be a leader, a prince. The next 40 years comprised shepherd training. Really, God is the ultimate recycler! He never wastes anything. God planned for Moses' life, training, and tying together of circumstances and path that fashioned his preparation for being a deliverer. See Exodus 3.

• God will work supernaturally through a deliverer. He will work with what's in your hands. He has prepared you for what you need. Whatever your calling is, you will be equipped.

God can do amazing things through you. Moses used the staff in his hand, and God did something incredible, delivering the people in need.

Be God's deliverer. You are qualified, in His hands.

Miracles will happen. Lives will change. In God's hands, anything is possible.

Most importantly, there are people now waiting for your delivery. You've got the words they need, the delivery they are waiting for.

Let love flow

Pastor Luke Martin shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 31 October 2010.

In John 7:38, we read how believers would experience the flow of living water from God.

Think for a moment how we fill our vehicles with fuel to use. Once filled, there's no giving back some of that fuel after filling. So too we should consider the filling of the Holy Spirit. It's not for returning unused.

In essence, the filling is for a purpose.

Remember that word 'flow' in verse 38? It's a filling for walking in life, not just for static, single use.

The flow is for healing, wholeness, and so much more. It's for USE. We are blessed, furthermore, to be a blessing.

That car we talked about... The fuel is for USE, DRIVING, OPERATING, ACTIVITY.

Being filled, therefore, is about OUTPUT as much as it's INPUT.

Have you ever seen someone serving God and yet still find a sense of satisfaction and joy? That happiness is a fruit of the Spirit: JOY!

Obedience and love make the difference in transforming our output into a joyful activity, not a chore. Are you struggling to see the joy in what God has planned for your life everyday? Don't worry. God will provide His love to help you experience and know that joy.

On that matter of love, consider now what love is. His love is perfect, casting out all fear. And while normal love is a reaction to a reason. God's love ('agape') is action without reason. He IS love. Just accept it, whether it is reasonable in your head or not.

How should we live then, with love as our filling and overflowing?

• Make love your motive. The heart and intention is so important - not just actions. You can read about that in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Know that He loves you. And let your actions be from a heart of love.
• Be filled with God's love. Read in John 17:26, how inviting Christ into your life brings the very love we all need.
• Let love flow.

Today, you may feel unworthy and not up to a life of loving and being loved. In truth, God only needs a heart, a prayer of welcoming, an acceptance.

Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org

'The Holy Spirit' - no more dry river beds

Pastor Luke Martin shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 24 October 2010.

It's easy to detach 'the' Holy Spirit as a thing rather than a Person. In John 7:37-39, we read how He is an essential part of and presence in our lives. The Bible talks even more about the Holy Spirit. We believe in so much that is in the Bible. So too we should read the words about Him and believe them too.

The scene from John 7 is centred on the Feast of Tabernacles. It's a time of celebrating leaving Egypt. The celebration comprised making shelters or tents from branches. They even left enough gap to see the stars at night and allowed a bit of rain to fall through during the eight days of celebration.

Jesus refers to water in His words from John 7. The Feast also comprises a ceremony involving water on that final eighth day. The priest actually pours precious water, during a dry time, across the altar. In a state of dryness, Jesus tells the people to come to Him and drink. Right at that time, the people are very thirsty. The parallel of His sacrifice and that which the people enact during the feast is profound.

Jesus shows HE is the sacrifice. The picture He paints is for the people to be filled to overflowing, pouring out.

Go for something that will last forever, He shows.

So who is the Holy Spirit? Comforter. Inspirer. With us. Giver of life. Breath of life. Represented by fire and water.

There's the water - fulfilled through God's Holy Spirit. When you feel His presence, that's Holy Spirit.

Do you feel like you're dry? Like a river that's dry on top? Dig down and you may find water. But that's not how God wants you to be. He wants you to flow with His life and living water.

God's Holy Spirit filling is here today, just a prayer away. He will satisfy your thirst.

Why would you be dry and thirsty?

Maybe you're not drinking. So... Drink.

Maybe you're drinking the wrong fluid! So... Put the right water into your body.

Maybe it's just been a dry season. So... Make His Holy Spirit the most important thing in your life.

Today is a day if abundance and opportunity. Just ask for His filling.

Luke 11:11-13 tells us how much He gives Holy Spirit - a good gift, promised to you. Today.

Image source: By Paul Lee, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org

Managing our lives to live better

Pastor Nicholas Tsakis shared at Empower Christian Church on Sunday 17 October 2010.

Christians agree that Jesus has delivered us from sin and slavery to negativity. But we still can find ourselves victims to, and slaves even, to very real issues and battles everyday. How does that happen?

Finances is one common example - either finances rule our lives or we rule the finance. We don't see breakthrough and yet really don't feel free in such areas.

The simple reality is we have to do some things to see a difference. In the Parable of the Talents, we see that the master did not provide a strategy but waited to see what the servants would do. He wanted them to take faith and apply wisdom and 'go for it'.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, we read of having a calm and balanced mind. We can be courageous people even in the face of attack. The spirit produces fruit in our life that does not make us weak. See also Romans 8:13 where we learn that we are to lead a disciplined life.

Having a disciplined life should have the goal of glorifying God. We are to be overcomers because of Christ within us, to glorify Him and love others. Because when we are complete, we are in a better position to love Him and help others.

Discipline is far more than an alarm clock. We need to set up our lives for success in Him. Set your life up so God can bring miracles. Order your life rather than living in the moment. That way, we move forward, even in the face of adversity.

Let's be honest about 'discipline'. It's often used as a negative term and yet it is actually just exercising the order in our lives. In that way, it's a positive for Christians. You cannot be disciplined without being organised and you cannot be organised without having a priority.

Discipline basically means ordered exercise.

Getting priorities sorted

In simple terms, our priority should be God. You will then organise your life accordingly. You will take the opportunity to spend time with God. You will spend time with others in the Kingdom. If you're going to be a Christian, be a Christian.

Church is a priority. Sure, there are lots of things to distract us and draw us away from connecting with the brethren. Take time out to connect with God's church. And when church is over on Sunday, keep connecting during the week.

Ministry is a priority. Take what God has given you and serve in that for your community. Be mobilised and empowered to serve with passion.

Family is a priority. It's very important to God. Make your marriage and parenting a priority. If you're single, put time into your friendships and relationships.

Work is a priority. Don't complain about what God has given you. Have a priority to work. Be honourable and punctual.

Health is a priority. Have a healthy lifestyle. Go to the doctors when you should. Exercise. Relax. Eat well. Have a break. Go on holidays. 1 Corinthians 6:12-13 tells us not to be mastered by anything.

We will all face problems but appreciate the growth we experience during them.

Do not allow discipline to become your god. And be willing to accept the changes that come your way, which God wants you to adapt to.

Holy living is for the glory of God. Disciplined living can lead to the glory of self, so be careful. Being more disciplined doesn't necessarily make you more holy. Discipline cannot create a clean heart. See John 8:32.

Image source: By Ben Steed, linked from Heartlight, http://www.heartlight.org