Sunday Service 24th August 2008

 

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Mark Smith: Part 1 Preparing for this season –Autumn 2008: “The real and genuine”

In our society, people seem to becoming much more open. The upcoming generation want things deeper than facades!

Much talk of revival in different places… Revival is not where you go it is knowing Jesus and allowing Him to work in us! God wants to move – our job is to remove the barriers of being unreal and superficial in our lives.

This generation has grown up with multi-media, games, internet etc. It is a generation that understands the fictitious nature of movies and computer games and knows what is “pretend” and what is real. Their imagination can run wild and far, but they also want the reality of what is real and there is a need to know the genuine!

The Gospel is real and genuine – and it works!

Recently we have seen prominent figures – heroes even – that have disappointed us, let us down.

E.g. Todd Bentley – pressures of ministry appear to have caused him to neglect his family and marriage. It’s very easy to be pulled in that pressure.
Mike Gugglielmucci, writer and singer of “healer “ song … mentally disturbed and never was sick. Song is amazing and the words are truth, but the person has disappointed.

People so easily put their eyes on men and their “stardom”… we need to look to the Author and Finisher of our faith – Jesus Himself – he never disappoints, never changes and is solid and sure. Men and women do let us down – they are human, but Jesus will not!

Hebrews 6:16-20
God never changes, He is dependable.
He overshadows and outperforms all “superheroes”!

This Scripture says we can be greatly encouraged, because our hope is solid, firm and secure – like an anchor, when it is firmly fixed in Christ.

God has ways of refining us … it’s called fire!
The fire of God is exciting – it’s the glory of His presence…. but it is way more than the “feelings” of God’s presence.

Fire burns and tests; we need more respect for the fire!
We need to get the understanding of being a friend of God and fearing Him as the Creator and Almighty God!

E.g. Uzzah, who touched the Ark of God and died – lack of honour and respect for the presence of God.

Ananias and Saphira who lied to the Holy Spirit.
The lesson is “Don’t mess with God!” - Don’t Lie.
1Thessalonians 2:4 God tests our hearts… we don’t want to have deceitful hearts…we want to be clean.

Let us welcome the fire of God as His fire that brings cleansing and testing.
1 Peter 1:7 trials test your faith… to prove the genuineness… the truth and reality of your faith.

Let our prayer be, “Make me a genuine person, Lord!”
Let the essence of what lies beneath our “make-up”, be genuine – pure gold!

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