Significant life - service and sacrifice

A message shared by Pastor Luke Martin and Joshua Hanna at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 23 May, 2010:

Part 5 - Following God's heart of service to be like Him (Pastor Luke Martin)

God welcomes you to a genuine 'heart exchange' when we go to church. And in that place is abundance, blessing - all from God.

His life, His heart, makes us see and do extraordinary things. Look at Jesus and see how gifted He is. With His perfect heart, we need not strain to be what God wants for us.

In Matthew 20:28, we read about the mother's petition, wanting her boys to be on either side of Jesus. He answers with a simple but powerful statement of ministry by 'serving'. His heart was to serve, meaning to be an attendant or someone who waits. The original Greek word gives us the modern term, 'deacon'.

We can all serve, with a heart to do so. Jesus, Himself, served even though He had created all life. Jesus had a heart to serve, and had a heart for the people He served.

In essence, to MINISTER is to SERVE.

A servant merely says, 'what do you want me to do?'.

In being a servant, there are two types of following - to be 'near' and to 'do alike'.

In Luke 9:49-50, we encounter the incident of the disciples not being able to cast out a demonic possession. Jesus pointed out that service - by following to be ALIKE - was most important. Be LIKE me, is what Jesus emphasised. Jesus knew what was in people's hearts, as shown in the earlier verses: 46-48.

So take on His heart when you follow to be LIKE Jesus.

Life is so much more than acts of ministry. Don't minister in spurts but in everything.

Part 6 - Sacrifice (Joshua Hanna)

Crucifixion was used in history as a shameful death. It could take hours or days, cruelly executing the victim.

Bodies were not buried, left for vultures and wild dogs. It was even illegal to mourn a crucified person.

Christ was different. For Him, it was the only way to show His immense love.

He gave His body, His life, His love.

His death purchased healing salvation and strength for all of us - such a contrast to the sale of nails as healing mementos.

His tomb was a place of honour, not shame.

Today, we can celebrate an incredible death that was just the start of our lives.

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

Baptism and beyond

JESUS - a Significant Life, Parts 3 and 4

A message shared by Pastor Rachel Hanna and Paul Gallagher at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 16 May, 2010:

Part 3 - Baptism (Pastor Rachel Hanna)

It can be daunting to be baptised, knowing that others are watching you make such a public declaration. But in looking into the importance and value of baptism, we learn so much about why it is so important for believers and followers of Christ.

Matthew 3 tells us about Jesus' baptism. Of course, nowhere does it explain what baptism was. That's because it was well understood during those times. It was, in fact, a part of the Jewish temple rituals, so no explanation was needed.

For our understanding, it's enlightening to be aware of different levels of washing involved in baptism of those times. The highest level focused on 'living water', for which Christ’s baptism is a wonderful and still relevant type.

Why did Jesus get baptised?

The baptism of Jesus was a sign that He was the Messiah, as predicted accurately by Daniel. Jesus’ baptism was, also significantly, witnessed by God the Father as well as the people of the time. It also was the first indicator of Jesus' coming death and resurrection. It was, additionally, the first time that He publicly identified Himself as the Saviour, an embodiment of the path to Heaven.

His baptism showed He was the hope for the world. See Matthew 28:1-20, where we read how Jesus instructed the disciples to go into the world and baptise.

Why should Christians be baptised?

We should be baptised because we mirror Jesus' action, setting ourselves aside as dedicated servants of God.

Baptism is also a representation of what God has done for us on the inside.

It importantly indicates what Jesus has done for us. We have a single,
permanent sacrifice in Jesus.

It is, very importantly, a celebration!

Part 4 - Beyond Baptism (Paul Gallagher)

Beyond baptism, we are called to follow Christ. Have a look at John 1:35-39, and take note of three very interesting statements made there about following Christ.

Firstly, Jesus asked 'What do you seek?'

Being a follower of Jesus means you're actually looking for something beyond belief. Belief is where you start. Following is where you go. Belief is what you first do, important as it is. Following is the step you take.

A believer is how you start. A follower is what you become. There's nothing wrong with believing. But notice how we often refer to ourselves as either Christians or believers. How often do we say followers?

In reply, the disciples asked 'Where are you staying?'

That's a great question... they didn't say, what's your view on this topic or that topic? They didn't ask 'how much do your books cost?' They didn't say, 'where's your video on YouTube?' They didn't ask 'where's your how-to-vote card?' They didn't even ask if he believed in climate change or not.

They asked a question that implied they would want to be in that same place. They wanted to be where Jesus is. And that's the question of a follower, not just a believer.

In His great answer, Jesus said, very simply, 'come and you will see'

He didn't sell a philosophy. Jesus invited the disciples into His life, where He was staying, into His journey, to witness His miracles... That's a call to follow.

It starts with belief... but it's more than checking out a guru... it's becoming a true, obedient, serving, effective, power-receiving follower.

Notice also, that the conversation - made up of three key sentences here in John's Gospel, began with questions, but ended with an answer

Now, the clincher... true followers make followers of others.

Have a look at the next section of this chapter in the Gospel of John 1:46. See how followers draw others to follow Jesus. The same language is even used.

When you follow Jesus, you’ll start walking like Him, behaving in honour of Him, and even talking like Him.

Today, make a decision to believe, and seek and follow Jesus.

Image: prozac1 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

JESUS - a Significant Life, Parts 1 and 2

A message shared by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis and Pastor Anne Ioannou at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 9 May, 2010:

Part 1 - BIRTH (Pastor Nicholas Tsakis)

In Luke 2, from verse 6, we read about Christ's birth. That one occasion has altered calendars, being such a significant time. His birth is, in reality, good news. Isaiah 7:14 foretells us about God being with us in the person of Jesus Christ.

Why so significant?

The purpose of Christ's birth was to save humanity. His presence fulfilled prophecy, establishing the Kingdom of God. See Isaiah 9, from verse 6, in which Christ is described. Take note how there is no end to His peace and His Kingdom. God's plan began with His birth and was accomplished through Jesus Christ.

It is such a simple but profound fact.

In Psalm 20:4, we read how Christ's birth resulted in the fullness of God in our lives.

He was born to reign and be King. He is King of our lives, 'redeeming' us from a sinful nature.

As for Mary, she was blessed. There was no sinful nature in the seed placed within Mary thanks to the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 1:16, Joseph was the legal father only by adoption rather than by conception. This was truly divine conception.

Part 2 - MARY (Pastor Anne Ioannou)

Mary descended directly from King David. That's the genealogical trace that Romans 1:3 refers to.

Girls in those days had less significance than boys. In fact, her faith was strong but not something that would have stood out among the men folk.

A good husband was found for her in Joseph. In Luke 3:26-28, we read how conception occurred before she could be formally married. She was a virgin, and yet pregnant. How blessed she was to carry the Son of God.

Telling Joseph about her pregnancy must have been difficult. The Angel of the Lord intervened to confirm she was truly blessed of God.

During her life, Mary watched Jesus grow, and ultimately join the path of ministry that He was destined for.

Mary knew that, as He neared the time of His death, Jesus was truly the Son of God. She witnessed His death and His resurrection. What joy! An amazing thing to see.

What do we learn from Mary? Trust. Belief. Obedience.

She was so blessed and so honoured.

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

Meaning and purpose - your significant life

A message shared by Pastor Nicholas Tsakis at Empower Christian Church, Sunday 2 May, 2010:

Christ is our greatest mentor and example, who will never let us down.

When we think of people who have had a significant life, we can use a range of measures that the world’s wisdom might apply. Success might be one way to measure impact and significance. But is that really a measure of a fulfilling life?

In Psalm 1, we read how God's measure is different. The Psalm talks about blessing, which is for those who are on God's side. In fact, blessing is actually a by-product of a commitment to a life that is right. The relationship with Jesus, however, is what will give us citizenship in God's Kingdom.

Against the grain

Key words in Psalm 1 are to walk, stand and sit. In walking, standing and sitting as a Christian, a blessed person differs from the world, not fitting in with what the world considers normal. A significant life, therefore, goes against the grain. A blessed man delights in God. His thoughts are on the Lord. Verse 3 talks about achievement and prospering. He is also blessed in what he avoids.

Walking, standing and sitting in a blessed life involve very practical actions. But they are actions that are filled with purpose.

Above all, we should live and lead a meaningful life. That's what's so important - providing us with true purpose.

In such a life, we can assume providence - protective care of God. See also Ephesians 1:4 to see how we are chosen and gifted.

Importantly, leading a significant life demands diligence. And we can lead this walk together, supporting each other.

Above all, what is significance and how do we get it? Stay tuned for more as we focus on significance during May.

Image: Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net