The following thoughts help us to shape ourselves so we can be more effective and recover more quickly from disappointments. God has called us to be a positive testimony of his blessings to humanity; this cannot be done if we misunderstand what is actually being offered to us as Spirit Filled people.
The apostle Peter encourages us to always have an answer of the hope within us. On the day of Pentecost, Peter was able to give an answer to the Jewish people who witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. His well constructed answer caused listeners to be "pricked in their hearts" and ask for a way forward.
Summary here
Spirit-filled Christians can see, hear and learn spiritual lessons from life. The Philistines in 1Samual chapters 4 to 6, ignored the evidence of God's power and authority in the story of Israel's defeat and loss of the Ark, and learnt nothing from it at all. Israel could have done better too.
A famous saying is that we must "pass on the mantle". Few realise that it comes from the bible story of Elisha taking over the ministry from Elijah. Even fewer realise that it was a prophecy of Jesus taking over the mantle from John the Baptist, and he then passed it on to us. As Jesus' disciples, we now carry the of his ministry. Go forth and preach.
The way of the Lord was initially prepared by John the Baptist who identified Jesus and the anointing of the spirit. After the death of Jesus, it was needful that someone would prepare the way of the church and lead them into developing the powers and uses of the Holy Spirit... Paul (Saul) did theat. This talk expands those thoughts and reveals that this is your job now.
The bulk of God's complaints about the priests related to their indifference and unscriptural behaviour towards the weak, the poor, and the sinners. God often directs us to observe the actions of a good shepherd, who often has a completely different mindset than the priest. All animals are important to the shepherd. He will make real efforts to save every lamb... particularly the sick and the weak. The good shepherd also refuses to accept the loss of a lamb; he will look till he finds it. The ro...
If God were to give professing believers a quiz on Christianity, many of us would score well. They would be able to answer "Yes, it's true" to questions as: Did Christ die for your sins? Did He rise from the dead? Is the Holy Spirit essential? Do true believers speak in tongues? Is He coming back to earth? Many of us grow up saying yes to these types of biblical doctrines. But eventually we sense that God is asking us some new questions....
The bulk of God's complaints about the priests related to their indifference and unscriptural behaviour towards the weak, the poor, and the sinners. God often directs us to observe the actions of a good shepherd, who often has a completely different mindset than the priest. All animals are important to the shepherd. He will make real efforts to save every lamb... particularly the sick and the weak. The good shepherd also refuses to accept the loss of a lamb; he will look till he finds it. The ro...
The parable of Lazarus and the rich man contains certain scriptural truths that need to be worked out by comparing spiritual truths with the contents of the parable. The parable contains revelations the being rich is not a guarantee of success with God and being poor doesn't prevent God's great blessing. In the parable the tables are turned with the poor man Lazarus getting God's blessing. Some believe that the references to hell and torment refer to an eternal fiery torture of those who fail, b...
This is one bible definition of faith. Hebrews Ch 11 v 1: "Now faith is the substance of (the reality of bringing about) things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (getting results from God)". Faith is almost undefinable as an emotion or a feeling, yet it works through actions and steadfastness for those filled with the Spirit. Faith is not a singular definable action, but rather it is the desire to place ourselves where God can work.
The love of God is much more than our version of love and is far bigger than feelings and expressions. Everyone craves love and longs to be loved. It is highly improbable that there is anyone on earth who would avoid love. We can be also sure that there are lots of people that don't feel lovable. Perhaps they don't know how to love, and therefore, they feel unlovable themselves. Many relationships fail because one of the partners hasn't learnt or has never moved past romantic infatuation. We mus...
There is a lot more interesting events surrounding the arrest of Jesus in the garden than many may realise. The following is a brief expansion of that memorable event that turned the whole world upside down.
Qualifier.... This talk and these notes in no way support or allude to the 'secret rapture' nor any other futurist concepts. Part 1 of this talk was delivered by Pastor Brad Smith on Sunday 5th March 2023. Part 1.2 of this talk was delivered by Pastor Brad Smith on Tuesday 7th March 2023. Please listen to these talk prior to listening to this one.
Qualifier.... This talk and these notes in no way support or allude to the 'secret rapture' nor any other futurist concepts. Part 1 of this talk was delivered by Pastor Brad Smith on Sunday 5th March 2023. Please listen to that talk prior to listening to this one.
Qualifier.... This talk and these notes in no way support or allude to the 'secret rapture' nor any other futurist concepts. 1. The first aim of this short study is to distinguish the age ending actions bought about by mankind, as opposed to and in conjunction with, the age ending destruction by the hand of God (accompanying the return of Jesus Christ). 2. The second is to establish what happens to the saints (overcoming Christians), while God's fiery judgement is in process. Many people seem to...
Starting with creation and moving through further scriptural revelations, we see a consistent and common theme revealing God's purposes behind human life and the ability to sustain it long term. The Biblical family unit (husband, wife, children) defines the basis for lasting cultural stability and longevity. These values give people the best chance for cultural and spiritual survival through specifically defined relationships. The following are simple examples of God's revealed purposes towards ...
Part 2. The concept of fellowship relates to coming together for Godly service... we cannot have one without the other. Gathering together is a strong bible principle... and had its beginning in the Old Testament as the peace offering. This offering was not only the most common offering, but included a feast, also symbolising fellowship and oneness with God as well as each other.
The kingdom of God doesn't have a flashing neon sign over the entrance gate, nor does it have clearly lit street signs leading to it. The way of God is hidden from all men, because it is not discerned through the natural senses. The natural senses of sight, hearing, touch, etc, reveal nothing. The way of God is a spiritually discerned path and can only be found through the instructions given by God's people. The right instructions bring the right results.
The concept of fellowship relates to coming together for Godly service... we cannot have one without the other. Gathering together is a strong bible principle... and had its beginning in the Old Testament as the peace offering. This offering was not only the most common offering, but included a feast, also symbolising fellowship and oneness with God as well as each other.
Jesus told Pilate that his servants would not fight because his Kingdom is not of this world. Christians are engaged in a spiritual warfare, a spiritual military campaign to hold fast to the teachings of the Word of God. Christians have access to "mighty" power from God to assist them in their battle.
We live in a world where opinion continually outweighs provable facts and reality like no other time in history. Not surprisingly there are numerous times in history where the facts and realities have not suited the rulers of the day and have been denied. It was quite common to jail or murder those who dared reveal unpleasant realities. That is why God offers signs and wonders... it gives the honest heart something to build confidence upon, without having to rely on the opinion of others.
There would be few people in the world who have never heard of the concept of Armageddon or the return of Jesus Christ. These stories have one thing in common. Jesus Christ is returning to save the world from a fiery, self-destructing end. At which time he will rule for a thousand years and judge all peoples both past and present. Many of the Bible prophecies relating to this time are clear, and currently unfolding. Despite this, the vast majority of people are totally unprepared for what is ahe...
It should not be surprising that the creator of the universe wants to reveal himself to his creation. If we pray for God to open people's eyes, we have a further tool for self development; to build up people in the church and to open the hearts of the unbelievers. However, we need to make sure our eyes are open before we can open the eyes of others.
The apostle Paul was raised in a strict Jewish sect, however he understood that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, salvation was open to all men, jew and gentile alike. Paul explains that he seeks to be "all things to all men, that he might save some".
In our modern world, there is a destructive trend called 'identity politics': where people are encouraged to bypass rational thought, make unscientific choices about who or what they think they are. This is foolish and has extended into gender, sport, business, law and order, etc. Much of our social order is breaking down, allowing confusion and crime to escalate rapidly. People may feel free to make their choices on the earth... but there are spiritual consequences. Lets have a look at God's vi...
In our modern world, there is a destructive trend called 'identity politics': where people are encouraged to bypass rational thought, make unscientific choices about who or what they think they are. This is foolish and has extended into gender, sport, business, law and order, etc. Much of our social order is breaking down, allowing confusion and crime to escalate rapidly. People may feel free to make their choices on the earth... but there are spiritual consequences. Lets have a look at God's vi...
The following is a short study on the introduction of mercy and forgiveness outside the Law. You may be surprised at the clarity of understanding that was available well before Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
Part 1 was delivered 4th May 2022. God has prepared a gospel for the weakest of the weak, right through to the strongest of the strong. God cares for us much more than we can imagine. When we are weak we can become strong, because that is when we hand over to God and let him do the work that we cannot. God can cover our sins as easy as Adam and Eve covered themselves with fig leaves. God went one better and covered them more permanently with animal skins. By forgiving us our sins, God gives us r...
The book of James identifies the prophetic peoples of the latter times. The total economic failure of the latter times and the failure of the western nations which will lead to the fiery judgement of God.
