NCCF Church Sharing - March 12, 2017

March 13, 201716mWatch on YouTube

In this collectionChurch Sharing129 messages

Speaker: Church Title: Church Sharing Date: 03-12-2017 Our Goal as Christians is this: To be an exact reflection of Jesus, the Son of God (Romans 8:29) We do this individually by growing in purity in our personal lives (1 John 3:2-3) We do this corporately by becoming fully functioning members of a local Church (Ephesians 4:11-16)

Summary

The message emphasizes that the goal of Christians is to reflect Jesus by growing in personal purity and functioning corporately within the local church. Key takeaways include the importance of approaching God with honesty, especially during trials, to experience His peace. Furthermore, the speaker stressed that true worship involves thanksgiving, and that faith dictates the measure of grace—like the Holy Spirit—that we will receive from God.

Outline

The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.

What does Philippians 4 teach about anxiety and prayer?The speaker reads Philippians 4:6-7, noting that the promised result of bringing requests to God with thanksgiving is His surpassing peace guarding our hearts and minds.Philippians 4:6–7

Being honest with God in our circumstancesConnecting to Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, the speaker emphasizes the need to honestly tell God when we lack joy in trials so we can experience true worship in spirit and truth.John 4:23

Trials as opportunities to know GodThanksgiving is the key during trials because difficulties provide the exact opportunity we need to know God more and prove our faith rather than living like hypocrites.

Reflecting on God's kindness and rejecting sinDrawing from 1 Peter 2, the speaker encourages believers to remember God's extreme goodness and personal kindness so that it reflects in their attitudes, turning away from ugly sins and hurtful speech.

Jesus as the living stone and cornerstoneBelievers are being built up as spiritual houses, and those who believe in Jesus as the cornerstone referenced in Isaiah will not be disappointed or disturbed.

Persistence and generosity in Luke 11Luke 11 highlights both the need to be persistent in prayer like the man at the door and the willingness of our heavenly Father to give the Holy Spirit generously to those who ask.Luke 11:5–13

Asking for more than crumbs like the Canaanite womanComparing the passage to the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15 who asked for crumbs, the speaker encourages believers as children of God to ask for every loaf on the master's table with confidence and persistence.

Protecting our joy from the enemyTaking joy seriously like Nehemiah and Paul, the speaker warns that the devil seeks to steal our joy as stated in John 10:10, making thankfulness essential to defeating pride.John 10:10

Recognizing Jesus at the breaking of breadReflecting on Luke 24, the speaker reminds listeners that the nail-pierced hands still minister to us daily, saving us from the hell we deserve and calling us to jump in joy and thankfulness.

Following Jesus as the light of the worldConcluding with teachings from John 12 and John 8, Jesus promises that whoever serves and follows Him through uncomfortable paths will never walk in darkness but will always have the light of life.