Date: 09/28/2014 Speaker: Church Title: NCCF Church Sharing
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that sharing testimonies of God's work in daily life is a blessing that encourages believers to follow God more closely. He draws lessons from scripture, particularly the Canaanite woman's faith in Matthew 15, highlighting that true faith persists even when facing doubt or perceived rejection. Finally, he stresses the importance of daily encouragement among believers, referencing Hebrews 10, to prevent hardening by sin.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Special Sunday sharing without the eldersBecause the elders are away attending a conference in India, four members have been asked to share what God is teaching them instead of holding the usual open time of sharing.
Edifying the church through sharingThe speaker reads from 1 Corinthians to remind the congregation that words of prophecy and testimony build up and edify the body of believers.
Seeing God through Jesus and learning humilityReflecting on John 1:18, the speaker notes that Jesus is the only one who can explain God perfectly, and expresses appreciation for the profound humility of older believers.John 1:18
The Canaanite woman's great faithExamining the account of the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15, the speaker highlights how she humbly accepted crumbs from the Master's table and refused to let anything deter her persistent faith.Matthew 15:21–28
Taking care against an unbelieving heart through daily encouragementDrawing from Hebrews, the speaker emphasizes the need to encourage one another day after day so that believers are not hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Exposed weak spots through life's pressuresStarting a business and raising three small kids exposed weak spots and anxieties that the speaker thought had been overcome in the past.
Understanding worry, the limic system, and the fleshThe speaker explains that worrying is a natural survival mechanism designed by God in the brain's limic system, but it turns into sinful anxiety when the flesh takes over the spirit.
The danger of sparing what God wants destroyedComparing modern anxieties and fleshly temptations to King Saul's failure to completely destroy Amalek in 1 Samuel 15, the speaker stresses that to obey is better than sacrifice.
Grace and the local body of believersRealizing that self-condemnation is a heavy burden, the speaker turns to Romans 12 to show that overcoming temptation requires humility, God's grace, and the mutual support of the body of Christ.Romans 12:2–6
The challenge of receiving God's loveReading from Psalm 139, the speaker reflects on the difficulty of receiving love and how accepting God's boundless love in full measure is an essential act of faith that kills the root of envy.
Spiritual lessons from the ocean tidesUsing the ocean tides as an illustration, the speaker compares exposed sea creatures in the sand to hidden sins and rubbish that must die in order for a believer to grow closer to the Lord.
Preserved blameless until Christ returnsThe speaker closes her sharing with the prayer from Philippians that the God of Peace would sanctify believers wholly and preserve them blameless.
Seeing many things but not observingReflecting on Isaiah 42:20, the speaker confesses a tendency to recognize what is right without acting on it, warning against losing sensitivity to the deep truths heard repeatedly in church.Isaiah 42:20
Quick repentance and cleansing from sinThe speaker emphasizes the importance of trembling at God's word, being quick to repent when convicted of minor offenses, and letting the tide of God's grace wash away the burden of sin.
Keeping spiritual realities above earthly attachmentsExamining what truly disturbs or excites the heart, the speaker prays to remain completely detached from earthly gains and houses, ensuring that spiritual fellowship with God always dictates daily life.
Transitioning back to a time of worshipConcluding the sharing session, the leader invites the musicians back to guide the congregation in a time of informal worship and songs centered on the Lord.
