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Sunday, 4 January 2009 3:53 PM
When Peter denied the lord three times, he locked eyes with Jesus Christ across the room. What did he see? Was it the eyes of satan the accuser condemning him? Or the eyes of Jesus, filled with love, grace and compassion?
To understand Jesus we need to be able to forgive ourselves and others. Forgiveness is not about judging ourselves or others, it is about discerning what is wrong and realising that our saviour has forgiven us. In order for us to recognise this forgiveness in our life we need to remind ourselves about the character of the one who initially forgave us - our saviour Jesus Christ.
Jesus' character is one of love, compassion and forebearance as demonstrated in his ministry on earth and his desire for us. Jesus prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. Jesus doesn't want our faith to fail either.
Be encouraged by this message of forgiveness from Paul available to download here.
If you would like to browse other talks delivered at Chandler St Church, or order copies on CD, please click here.
Filed Under: Chandler St Talks
Sunday, 28 September 2008 3:12 PM
Paul Wright shares with us the secrets to the new beginning we can have with Jesus Christ. You may download the message here.
Everyone wants a new beginning. A chance to: start again and not make the same mistakes, a chance to break habits and to change ourselves.
We try all sorts of things to get this. We buy the 3-minute-a-day Ab machine to enable us to reach the trim, taut, terrific physique we desire. We enlist the help of a life coach to motivate and challenge us. Our goals and efforts are often short lived because we try in our own strength. Most people only persevere with what is quick and easy.
However, true change must first occur spiritually. Change happens internally and then manifests itself externally. The resurrection of Lazarus, in John 11, is a great example of the new beginning that God can give us.
Some parallels we can draw about our new beginnings, through the resurrection of Lazarus, are:
- A new beginning is only possible because Jesus loves us.
Jesus was willing to return to a place of persecution in order to raise Lazarus from the dead. Likewise he loves us too in order to go to the place that no one else can go. We are like a naughty footballer who keeps making the same mistakes - Jesus has given us the chance for a fresh start.
- We must die - Just as Lazarus died.
We must lay to rest our 'good intentions' and striving. We need to put it all in God's hands.
- We know God's power and are filled with Hope
Martha knew the power of Christ. (v21) She knew what he stood for, and what he could do, she had hope in the resurrection. We must possess the same hope - not a hope to be ashamed of, but a hope that rests in the knowledge of the power of Jesus Christ.
- We speak words of Faith
"You are the Christ" Martha said (v27). Do we believe the position and power that Jesus has in our life? Unless we believe we cannot make permanent changes, everything we change will be superficial and temporary.
- Jesus weeps for us (v34)
Jesus loves us. He wants us to be set free, and to experience the change and freedom that only he can offer.
- We let go of the feelings/things that surround us - the stench of death (v38).
As we hold onto things a stench accumulates around us. Some things that we can unknowingly hold onto include bitterness, fear, anxiety, depression. These things surround us and can overcome us.
- We lift up our eyes and look to Jesus.
This is where Jesus steps in, he looses our bonds and sets us free (v43). We take on the fragrance of Christ (II Corin 2:15) and walk as a new man (Eph 4:21) , with a new beginning.
If you would like to browse other talks delivered at Chandler St Church, or order copies on CD, please click here.
Filed Under: Chandler St Talks
Thursday, 4 September 2008 10:47 AM
Discovering Yourself: Having Christ-like Charity
You may download the talk
here.
Pastor Chris spoke about possessing christ-like charity, and making sure that our actions effect our environment.
The journey of a Christian life is continually challenging. When you really listen to the scriptures you are constantly challenged. You will learn things about yourself. Opportunities will arise in your life for us to practise the scriptures. The Holy Spirit is constantly changing and moulding us into the nature of Jesus Christ, putting on the mind of Christ.
Grace and Mercy are Godly attributes. Question: Am I a gracious and merciful person? Real life experiences and situations will challenge us to see if we are gracious and merciful. We are Christians - Christ's Sons - react instinctively as how Christ would react. The scriptures are there for us to learn how to become Christ like.
2 Tim 2:3-4 - We are chosen to be soldiers of Christ - a soldier is disciplined.
To act and react like Jesus is not a natural action it is a disciplined choice and then it will become your natural reaction.
Read: Luke 6:27- 39
Love your enemies. Christ thinks - forgive and love. Put on the mind of Christ.
Jesus Christ knew we are not a product of our environment. Our behaviour also creates our environment. Our behaviour can create a Christian environment. You can create the Christian environment you want to live in. React like Jesus. React like you are sitting on the other side - like you are the receiver - how you want to be treated. Question: Would you offer your coat and cloak?
Read the words of Jesus Christ every day and have them settle in your heart, pray about them.
Be ready to create the environment you want to live in. Be the Christian influence in your environment.
Filed Under: Chandler St Talks
Tuesday, 26 August 2008 1:54 PM
Sowing seeds of Grace & Mercy.
You can listen to Erik's message on Grace & Mercy
here
Many people through history have demonstrated acts of Grace & Mercy - such as Nelson Mandela. Nelson epitomised grace as he demonstrated forgiveness towards the people who imprisoned and mistreated him and then went on to lead his people through social reform.
Jesus' sacrifice was the ultimate demonstration of Grace. Jesus' grace is often not understood by people, as they are so used to getting what they deserve (good things - leading to pride and self sufficiency, bad things as a result of punishment). God's Grace & Mercy are not like that.
Grace is when you get what you don't deserve.
Mercy is when you don't get what you do deserve.
Romans 3:21-26. Jesus is God's demonstration of Grace towards us. We are not perfect and never will be until Christ returns. Yet when we believe in Jesus - God justifies us.
Many people are very sceptical about accepting God's freely given Grace, thinking that 'Nothing is more costly than something given free of charge'
Likewise we can often forget about God's grace applying to us. We must remind ourselves that we are under Grace: Romans 6:14.
We are ministers of God's grace and mercy. Our speech should be seasoned with grace. Don't hold onto bitterness, but scatter words filled with the goodness of God's gospel. Somewhere a root of love will then grow.
If you would like to browse other talks delivered at Chandler St Church, or order copies on CD, please click here.
Filed Under: Chandler St Talks
Tuesday, 26 August 2008 1:17 PM
Faith, Hope, Love - The greatest of these is Love.
Pastor David delivered a message about Love.
You may download the message here.
Because of faith:
v We believe God exists,
v God does things for us & through us,
v We believe things even if we can't see them,
v We are God's agents for change,
v We wait on God for solutions.
Because of Hope:
v We have a future to this life,
v We maintain an Eternal perspective on everything we do,
v Our perspective changes things, causing us to make wise choices.
And finally, because of Love:
v We are motivated by love to actively love God and others.
There are three types of Love:
1. Eros: Lust,
2. Phillio: Like, Companionship, brotherhood
3. Agape: Sacrificial love.
The love referred to in scriptures in most cases is Agape, and refers to the love that God demonstrates for his people.
'God is Love' - To know God is to experience love like you haven't before.
4 Characteristics of Agape:
- Sacrificial
- Service
- Charity
- Consuming
Love is often referred to as 'Charity'. Charity represents an important characteristic of what love is as it goes out to people who need it, and it is giving without expecting to receive anything back.
If you would like to browse other talks delivered at Chandler St Church, or order copies on CD, please click here.
Filed Under: Chandler St Talks