Raising a Godly Generation  For the Audio Version of this message click here - Raising a Godly Generation As the world grapples with the effects of a pandemic, we have been forced to face lockdowns, and quarantines, something the majority of the world is trying to come to grips with. These lockdowns have compelled us to stay home with our families like never before. In general each of us, as members of a family, have our own schedules. Most parents are at work, children are at school or college and we usually get to spend time together only in the evenings or on weekends. All t ..read more

The Church Defined # 21 - The Bride of Christ Click here for the Audio Version - The Bride of Christ Luke 21:36, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man." (NIV) In the Epistles, the symbolism of marriage is used to explain the relationship between Christ and the Church. We read in Ephesians 5:25-27, “Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave His life for it. He did this to make the church holy by cleansing it, washing it using water along with spoken wor ..read more

The Church Defined # 20 – Influencers Click here for the Audio Version - Influencers Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” (ESV) Jesus’ analogy of salt was an extremely profound one. A huge jar of unused salt will benefit no one. However, even a little salt added to any dish will make a big difference to it’s taste. The presence of salt will not go unnoticed, so also it’s absence. If salt loses its saltiness it wil ..read more

The Church Defined # 19 – Disciple Makers Click here for the Audio Version: Disciple Makers Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (NKJV) The mandate to ‘make disciples’ of all nations, has to a large extent, become the Great Omission in the Great Commission. The directive of Jesus is not to make ‘converts’ but to make ‘disciples.’ According to Wikipedia, “A disciple in biblical terms is one who is a dedicated follower of Jesus. A disciple in the ancient biblical world actively im ..read more

The Church Defined # 18 – The Church’s First Love Click here for the Audio Version: The Church's First Love Revelation 2:4-5, “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.” (NKJV) As the Lord addressed the church at Ephesus in Revelation 2 we realize that there were a lot of good qualities about that church. They labored hard for the work of the Lord, were patient, persevering, they tried ..read more

The Church Defined # 17 - A Witnessing Community Click here for the Audio Version:  Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. The early church took the Great Commission of the Lord Jesus, as mentioned in Matthew 28:19-20, most seriously. Acts 1:8 records Jesus’ instruction to them: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you ..read more

The Church Defined # 16 Church Leadership Click here for the Audio Version: Church Leadership Acts 20:28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with His own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders." (NLT) One of the very important aspects of the church is it’s leadership. These leaders as mentioned in Ephesians 4:11, include apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. The primary role of a leader in the church is to be the shepherd of the flock that God has entrusted to them. Peter explains th ..read more

The Church Defined # 15 - A City on a Hill Click here for the Audio Version: A City on a Hill Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (NKJV) Jesus declared in John 9:5, As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” However, Jesus also reminded his disciples in Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world”. We therefore, as the body of Christ, have a two-fold responsibility. Firstly, to walk with Jesus, who is the light, and secondly, to be those who will shine His light to the world around us. 1 John 1:5-9 sa ..read more

The Church Defined # 14 Gifted to Serve Click here for the Audio Version: Gifted to Serve 1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (NKJV) All of us are born with some sort of natural talent that has been given to us by God. Depending on the kind of family we were raised in, the environment and other factors, these are well developed in some individuals but remain hidden or unknown in others. These talents could range from sport, art, music, cooking, writing, photography etc to name a few.  However ..read more

The Church Defined # 13 - A Kingdom of Priests Click here for the Audio Version: A Kingdom of Priests Revelation 1:6: “He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.” (NLT) In the Old Testament the Levitical priesthood began with Aaron. This priesthood continued on with the descendants of Aaron, who were specifically chosen to be mediators between God and man. The main duty of the priests was to offer sacrifices that were required by the Mosaic Law. However, we read in Hebrews 7:11 that perfection could not be attained ..read more