New Life Christian Fellowship
Messages Of Hope shared by various preachers.
Written by Sharron Hardwick
Cain was a farmer, he toiled the harsh land, planted and reaped the harvest. He offered the fruits to God.
Abel was a keeper of sheep. He offered his firstborn lamb to God.
Adam and Eve walked with God until they disobeyed God's directions, eating from the tree of Knowledge. The land was cursed, making it tough to farm. So why was God not happy with Cain's offering?
God had a rescue plan, a way to recover people to fellowship with himself.
One difference between Cain and Abel's sacrifice was blood.
Blood was the plan. Blood made a way back to God.
At first it was animal's blood. The person looking for forgiveness would bring a blemishless lamb.
The priest didn't look at that person, he inspected the lamb. If it was blemishless, he accepted it. The person might place his hands onto the sacrificial animal, as if passing on their sins. It was then killed, its blood sprinkled on the altar.
Blood of a lamb was used on the doorposts to save those who believed from the angel of death during the time when God used Moses to free the Israelites.
These blood cleansing acts worked temporarily, people had to keep making sacrifices. Until the ultimate sacrifice. The Lamb of God, Jesus.
Jesus' blood was shed to make us pure, once and for all. No act, word or deed is to big or bad for Jesus. Everyones badness, impurities, all evil had to be paid for. That's what Jesus did. He took the punishment meant for us. When we are ashamed of our sins, if guilt haunts our minds, we can look at Jesus who says: "I've paid for that. You are free."
If we confess, God is faithful and just, and will forgive us from every kind of wrong. Then when God looks at us he sees Jesus, his purity and perfection. Once we've handed things over, they are gone forever.
That is God's amazing grace, the plan that saves.
We might be lost, God can find us.
We might be hard workers, doing good, but just creating vegetables, with no substance, no blood; perhaps we have the wrong motives, a bad attitude, or bear grudges? We might be racked with guilt, trying hard to redeem ourselves.
We miss the point....
God is looking for Jesus in us, his Lamb.
The price is paid, the pathway open, the invite sent....you just need to accept it.
Embrace God's Grace today.
Based on the Word by Christopher Rees, written by Sharron Hardwick.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
It doesn't matter how fancy a chandelier is, without electricity it just doesn't work.
You'll be left in the dark if it's not connected to the power source. A flick of a switch is all it takes, if all the connections are right.
So how do we get the power?
A Dr, Luke, wrote a book we call Acts. He reports on events just after Jesus' death on the cross and his coming back to life, the resurrection.
We read that Jesus asked his followers to wait in Jerusalem.
These people had experienced a life with Jesus, seen his power, witnessed his death and saw him alive again. To top it all, they then saw Jesus taken into heaven, and all they had was these memories and the instructions to wait.
But they weren't just hanging around like a disconnected chandelier, they acted while they waited. They prayed together, and were all in agreement with one another.
These faithful followers were not to be left alone. They trusted Jesus' promise that the Holy Spirit would come to them, filling them with the power to fuel real faith and action.
Sometimes we are left waiting. We wonder what's going on. We can worry, doubt and grow fearful, or we can try to trust as these followers did.
They soon saw the promise fulfilled. Luke reports they were all in one place, unified in faith, then SUDDENLY there was a rush of wind, a mighty power and what looked like flames upon the believers. They spoke in every language and onlookers were amazed, some thought they were drunk!
They were not drunk, they had God's power. Peter went from 3 times denier of Jesus to bold, fearless preacher. It was like the circuit was complete and the switch was flipped.....BOOM!
So what about us?
We can follow their example, pray, wait, we can ask for God's Spirit to fill us. Though we are not perfect, if we seek to be set free from anything that hinders us, clean up our acts and pray together in agreement, then SUDDENLY God's Spirit will move in power.
Individually we need topping up. It's no use constantly running on fumes, doing this in a car ruins the engine. We need to keep a full tank, but we are leaky vessels so there's only one way to do this...stay constantly connected to the Power source, God. Then we can gain strength, have courage, banish fear and begin to work in the ways God wants us to.
So let's make the connection, join the circuit and flip the switch.
Power up on Gods Spirit today!
Based on the Word by Billy Evans, written by Sharron Hardwick.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
Clearing junk, it's an endless task. It's like, the minute you turn your back the clutter returns!
What about our inner junk? Worries, stress, wrong choices and actions. They seem to sneak up on us too.
A woman on the brink of poverty went to God's prophet, Elisha, for help.
He asked, "What do you have?"
Her reply, "Nothing but a pot of oil."
It was this very pot of oil that God used to provide for the family, for life.
But there were things they had to do:
Find, and empty, lots of containers.
Clean them up.
Be ready to use them, because their lives depended on it.
The woman did these three things, and from the one pot of oil, continuous oil was poured out, miraculously filling the selected empty containers.
There's a message for us here...
The popular Psalm 23 says: "He anoints my head with oil."
The Good Shepherd wants to look after us and use us for His work.
What do we have to offer? Just a few resources, a gift, a talent; something we can use for good?
No matter how insignificant you think it is, don't write it off...start to use it.
If we are the ones God wants to use, anoint, we need to take a good look at our potential. Search for what can be used.
We might need to clean ourselves up, inside and out. Get rid of rubbish, wrongs, obstacles. Fears, worry, lack of trust, hurts, bad relationships, rifts, wrong choices and actions can hold us back. These need to be dealt with; God can do this, through his Son, Jesus.
Once we've been put right, or as we go through this process, we need to be ready, even desperate, to act.
If you were trapped under water you'd be desperate for air, gasping once you reached the surface. That is how desperate we should be to do God's works.
But are we?
If we want to really serve, see miracles, we need to desperately desire them; like our lives depend on it. Then the anointing oil of God, the Holy Spirit, will flow; filling every area, inspiring, empowering, erupting change.
Cold is no good. Luke warm, useless. It's only the hot fire of faith that will spark life, ignite hope and revive communities.
Turn up the heat today.
Based on the Word by Christopher Rees - written by Sharron Hardwick.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
If God interviewed applicants what would He look for?
The biggest, the best, the strongest, the richest?
It's usually the weak, the broken, the "sinner", the "looser" the hopeless, the unexpected heroes.
God chose Gideon, a fearful, weak man to defeat the enemy. God chose David, a small shepherd boy, to defeat a giant.
Earthly things we might boast about can be lost.
Paul, the Apostle, said: "Boast in The Lord"
But what is it about Jesus we can "boast" about?
Jesus blood.
Sounds gruesome, and it is. Distasteful, messy, horrific.
One man killed on a cross.
But tens of thousands were killed, so how is Jesus different?
Before Jesus' crucifixion, God gave The Law which said an animal's blood could atone people's wrong doings; as if a layer was put over a person to cover up their wrongs so they could go into God's presence. A bit like an insurance cover note that temporarily covers you until the real certificate arrives.
God didn't want our impurities just covered up, He wanted them to be wiped out completely, obliterated from His sight. But how?
That's what makes Jesus' death unique, the greatest event in history.
Jesus' crucifixion was more than just death on a cross, it was the death of sin's stains.
Jesus' blood was shed, not for man's false accusations, but to pay the price for every single wrong word, thought, action and deed ever committed.
Jesus actually became sin.
Then the wrath of God for every imperfection of mankind, every vile act was laid out on Jesus. The works of evil, all dark forces and powers, death - defeated!
If Jesus was just another good man, a mere prophet, or a teacher, then the cross is worthless.
Jesus is God, the Son, the Messiah, our saviour.
That's what makes him unique.
The bible says no amount of good works can save you, there is only one way....Jesus.
If you believe this, have even a mustard grain of faith, you can be saved, have your slate of failures wiped clean; your hurts healed, your life restored. Your past - dead, gone, buried.
This is why we should boast in Christ crucified.
If God is gracious enough to forgive all our rubbish, so we must also forgive people who have wronged us.
Too long have we walked as mindless zombies, dead in our doings, trapped by our treatment of the earth and others. A spiral of pointless life.
Hope is not lost....
Jesus Christ is still alive, his blood can still save you.
Swap your sin for Jesus today!
Based on the Word by Garry Emlyn - written by Sharron Hardwick.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
Vision Of Fear
Do you see Giants?
Does something impossible prevent you from living life to the full?
Have you lost all hope?
Don’t give up!
When things go wrong we can fall to pieces, start to doubt and delve into hopelessness.
How can we find a way out of this?
We can put our trust in the God of the impossible.
Moses sent 12 spies into the “Promised Land”, Canaan. 10 came back terrified, they saw the land was good, but were afraid as its occupants were like giants; extremely tall, strong people. They felt they would certainly be defeated!
Yet 2 of the spies, Caleb and Joshua, saw potential, a beautiful land, with lots of resources; they didn’t let the giants put them off, saying God would give the victory. The crowds, however, won their case. Fear had the victory, and the results? The taking of the Promised Land was postponed, and the people were left wandering in the wilderness for 40 years!
In the New Testement we read how Jesus’ close friend Lazarus died, and was buried; this did not stop Jesus from raising him to life. Similarly Jairus’ daughter died, and Jesus brought her back to life too.
We might think things are hopeless and our knee jerk reaction is to feel total despair. But with Jesus we must remember, there is ALWAYS hope.
We can not put our trust in inanimate objects; in things, or even in people or earthly authorities; sometimes we just have to put our trust in God and rely on His goodness.
The disciples were full of fear after the death of Jesus. Even when they saw him raised from the dead, they were still fearful. Then something changed, the promised “Helper” came, God’s Holy Spirit. The disciples went from cowering in corners to publically proclaiming their faith in Jesus.
We can all have weaknesses, fears and doubts; sometimes these things take over us. We loose our hope, our future looks dim and God’s power is quenched in our lives.
It is time to be bold, to set ourselves right with God and step out. To conquer the mountain, confront the giants and see that we can be more than conquers by the power of God’s Spirit in Jesus’ name.
Let’s ignite our faith, turn on our trust, and step out into our promised land today!
Based on the Word by Garry Emlyn - written by Sharron Hardwick.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
Elijah was just a man. But this man was like a bolt of God’s lightening in a dark kingdom.
We first see Elijah appearing to King Ahab who “did evil in the eyes of God, more than anyone who preceded him.” Married to the wicked Jezebel; Ahab worshipped Baal and angered God more than any predeceasing Kings.
Somehow Elijah got an audience with Ahab, he made the most of it declaring: “As surely as the Lord lives, Israel’s God, there will be neither dew, nor rain these years unless I say so.” (1 Kings 17)
That took some guts! So, what next?
Elijah faced three seasons.
First, God told him to hide! In this Elijah faced brokenness; even his hiding place was called Cherith Brook, meaning to be cut, separated.
Sometimes, even when we are doing what God wants, we go through brokenness. It’s then we might depend on God more, without distractions; feeling helpless we cry out to God.
Second, Elijah went through a season of depending on God who said: “I have ordered the ravens to provide for you there.”
Raven takeaway, not quite what we would expect!
The country, like our economy perhaps, was facing financial breakdown; there was, of course, a drought, people were hungry. God offered food in a way that no-one could deny it was Him.
If we face financial difficulties, what can we do? Pray; ask God to provide a way. This may be answered in a regular, or a weird, way, like with the ravens. Trust in these times is difficult, total dependence on God is testing, but it’s the way to go.
Thirdly, Elijah was obedient. The brook dried up. Sometimes things dry up, end, because it’s time to move on. This is hard, change is challenging. God might have new ways of provision, but we have to move into the right path to receive them. Then when we do it might not be what we expect.
God moved Elijah from the brook to a poverty stricken widow! She had nothing but a bit of flour and oil. This meagre looking, last minute provision, offered in faith by the widow, was miraculously transformed into food for three people.
Sometimes things come from God when you least expect it, in strange, impossible ways. Remember: God can do exceedingly more than we expect, or imagine.
Elijah was just a man; a man with boldness to step out and speak up for truth, faith to obey, and endurance to carry on. He had an amazing life of miracles.
Could we be like Elijah too?
Let’s expect miracles today!
Based on the Word by Christopher Rees - written by Sharron Hardwick.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
On The Road Sheep
Have you ever driven
through fields that look
green and lush?
You can see the sheep
grazing on the fresh
grass, it looks idyllic.
But then wooowh!!
You have to break suddenly as there’s a sheep wandering in the road!
All that tasty fresh grass, safe fields, why on earth would they wander off onto the dangerous road!?
That’s what happened with the lost sheep Jesus talks about. He tells a parable of a shepherd with 100 sheep. One escapes and wanders off. Rather than giving it up for lost, the shepherd goes out to find it, celebrating when he does.
With the shepherd the sheep are safe from attacks by wolves and bears. They are fed and cared for. So why would they wander off?
We could ask ourselves the same question.
God invites us to follow Him; gives us comfort, security, love and a way to live. We are free to do as we choose, of course, but if we choose to accept God’s invite and listen to God’s voice we know we will have the comfort and protection of the Good Shepherd. We might face hard times, but with the shepherd by our side we can get through them.
But we still wander.
Something catches our eye, we slink off in unwise directions, someone or something upsets us knocking us off track, we make dubious decisions or just go downright wrong. As we wander off we find ourselves lost.
We might be lost but we are never abandoned. The Good Shepherd is always looking for us, His sheep. He knows us by name. We are part of the flock.
The Good Shepherd is calling us home, leading us forward, showing the best way.
If we wander off we are never written off or cast out, we are called back. Each one of us is different, we all have our own unique part to play; but that’s all part of the big plan.
The Ultimate Shepherd, Jesus, laid his life down for us sheep. He fought the enemy, defeated the darkness and paid the price so we can belong to the fold, God’s Family. We are priceless to Him.
If you feel lost, lonely or off track. Give the Good Shepherd a shout.
Come off the road today.
Written by Sharron Hardwick. From this week's New Life Fellowship Sunday School.
New Life Christian Fellowship: Kilgetty Community Centre, 10.45am Sundays. Please call 07788270871 if you want someone to talk to or pray for you.
