The Responsibility of Freedom, or the Gospel of 'Rambo'

A message shared by Pastor Luke Martin at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 25 April, 2010:

Being free, as a believer, means carrying a weight of responsibility, as we read in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. But it’s a weight that goes beyond being merely saying you are free. What you’ll learn in today’s message is how there’s actually something more profound and life-changing than being able to say you are free.

Think first how it's not always easy to just 'get over something'. We may face a challenge and need to deal with it. But what if the challenge is more like a prison in our lives? A gaol, in that example, is not actually moveable. It's true that in Philippians 3:14, we see how you must press on toward our goal. And it’s good to acknowledge that, for Christians, we have already overcome death itself by Christ's act.

But facing challenges takes more than a statement that you are free. Being free, therefore, actually means to be 'freedom' itself. Think about how representatives of nations are more than just citizens of a country. Being 'ambassadors' actually means to embody the country of origin. An Australian Ambassador, for example, represents Australia itself.

Rambo, for example, represented freedom itself, not just a free person. When prisoners saw him, they saw freedom, not just a man who was himself free.

It's a truth that believers are called to be FREEDOM for others, not just people who are FREE!

Freedom, by definition, sets people free.

In Acts 9:13-15, we see how the implement God uses is freedom and righteousness itself.

Call on God to use you as more than free - you are FREEDOM itself. NEWNESS, for example, is of more use than someone who is merely new.

Christians, you are ministers of God's love. You ARE freedom and newness.

In short, you qualify, right now, to be used by God.

Image: healingdream / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

ABUNDANCE - it's His life for YOU

A message shared by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 18 April, 2010:

In John 10:1-10, we read about the Shepherd and his flock. His voice gives direction to his flock. The sheep listen to Him and gain life, 'more abundantly'. You cannot have abundant life without Christ. In short, the Shepherd is a giver.

Opposing the sheep is an uninvited thief. He will go out of his way to move the flock off course. The thief is, in essence, a taker.

From the giver, we are able to receive an abundant life - eternal, knowing the Shepherd's will. Abundance means beyond measure, exceeding. It cannot be measured, more than one could expect or anticipate. 'Super abundance' can only be found in Jesus Christ. See 1 Corinthians 2:9 and know we can find that abundance even now.

Where does God want to plant His abundance? The answer is simple: In YOU! He will do it by you reading His Word and believing it. See also Ephesians 3:20 and note that His abundance is in HIM, not us. See also John 17:3.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-15 shows us that true abundance is only through Christ and only satisfying when it is spiritual.

What is that true spiritual abundance?

• Eternal life, not just for later but now

• Joy of the Lord to renew your strength

• Life that grows, with learning, practising and maturing. It is dynamic. See Jeremiah 29:11.

• Failing, towards moving us forward. There is the balance of life.

• Recovery

• Adjustment

• Enduring

• Overcoming. See 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Colossians 3:2-4.

Abundant life can only be found in Jesus Christ. It's a life full of possibilities and health. And it can be yours today.

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

Making a way in our lives

A message shared by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 11 April, 2010:

In Isaiah 43:18, we've read before about moving on and leaving the past behind. In thinking about that, when stepping forward, there are also other things we must embrace.

Dwelling on the past is the enemy's intention for us, not God. In verse 19, see how God's desire is for our attention to be on new things. It's His desire to MAKE us, and take us into, new things.

So get your human perspective off your life and embrace a spiritual view. His view and perspective is not limited.

Here's one perspective to adopt and embrace: He is ABLE and desires to make a new thing in our lives, no matter what the season.

Are you waiting? When God speaks, MOVE FORWARD — into a new dimension with God. Leave behind the guilt, shame, sin. And see how He will be with you as you move forward.

What will you see when you move forward? Primarily, you'll see CHANGES. See Matthew 4:18-20 and read how Jesus promised to MAKE them fishers of men. They would face problems and challenges but their steps forward would lead to a miraculous path. Did they understand what their decisions would result in? Probably not. But it was eternally worth all the difficulties and challenges ahead of them.

Noah was commanded to do something that appeared illogical. He did move forward and God made his paths straight and blessed. David, likewise, moved forward and saw change.

What else will you see when you move forward? There will be STRUGGLES but it will produce a great outcome.

Let go. Don't try to work it out. And know that a 'constant' will be Jesus Christ's unchanging nature. He knows where you are at. He is stable.

In moving towards your destiny, He makes all things new. In Greek, the word 'make' in Matthew 4:19 means to sprout forth.

There is a miracle in you and that miracle is about to sprout forth.

Peter only began to sink in the storm of his future when he focused on the wind.

New levels mean new challenges. Let's enjoy the 'now' while embracing the 'next'. And don't be defined by failure and 'yesterday'. Christ's love is greater than our failures and past. Grace empowers the ordinary to do extraordinary things with and by God.

So let's step forward today. You will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out the miraculous in your life.

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

Time to come home

A message shared by Pastor Rachel Hanna at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 4 April, 2010:

The story of Pinocchio and the prodigal son are powerful and similar stories of lost sons.

Both boys wanted help, home and their fathers' love. One had to make himself worthy, the other needed do nothing. The prodigal son was true and rightful, only needing to come home and accept his father's forgiveness. That was enough.

This Easter weekend is a time when we celebrate the great victory over death. Today we celebrate a family reunion, the ability to come home.

There's no need to make amends for everyhing, nor to work for what is a free gift of salvation. Jesus rising again gives us the right to walk into the Father's presence.

This is 'Great Sunday' - a day when we can walk freely.

God is here because Jesus made us right before God.

Your background or position does not matter. God says He loves you and just wants you to come home. See 1 Corinthians 11:24-26 and consider how much love God has for us all.

Today, come home. He's there for you, wanting you with Him, for eternity.

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