alva baptist

Poster-child: Delivered and Sent Pt.2

alvabaptist — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:38:58 +0000

God Loves

God shows mercy

God sets free

God sends-out

Poster-child: Delivered and Sent Pt.1

alvabaptist — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:36:15 +0000

God Loves God shows mercy God sets free God sends-out

Be Very Very Affraid (Sunday, 15 January Pt. 2)

alvabaptist — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 22:42:03 +0000

Starts off with the same reading but is truly the second half of the sermon. Only the first two minutes is a repeat.

Be Affraid! (Sunday 15 January Part 1)

alvabaptist — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:00:25 +0000

Magi and the Revealed Secrets of God

alvabaptist — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 01:14:29 +0000

Mark’ telling of Jesus’ Gospel, Chapter 4 The Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Matthew Chapter 2 The writings of the Prophet Daniel Chapters 2, 4, & 5

Jesus said the ones who who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit are like seed that finds good soil. He told the truth wrapped in simple language; a mystery to the hard-hearted, readily revealed to those who seek and find. The Magi know the message of God and go where it leads them. God’s will done is His ‘kingdom come’ and it disrupts the earthly kingdom of men.

New Year’s Day

alvabaptist — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 08:25:03 +0000

It’s not the turning over of the calendar page that brings newness of life.

Jesus is the way through the year ahead.

Christmas Eve

alvabaptist — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 10:58:39 +0000

We Are Family

alvabaptist — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 00:13:36 +0000

Jesus highlights that the Mission of God is the Basis of Relationship

Following God’s Plan, (Counterfeits and Revelation)

alvabaptist — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 22:43:40 +0000

In Mark 3

Jesus was following Our Father’s plan of revelation.

Unclean spirits: “You are the Son of God!”

God’s timing and plan did not include Satanic promotion

even seemingly helpful things are subject to God’s perfect plan.

In Isaiah 7 (Virgin, not merely a ‘maiden’)

God reveals His plan for the miraculous sign of the virgin birth.

In Luke 1 (“…let it be to me according to your word.” )

Gabriel’s revelation of the work of the Holy Spirit

Mary’s response to the Angel

is also Jesus’ response to our Father in Heaven’s plan …

in the face of a counterfeit marketing scheme presented by “unclean spirits”

“…let it be to me according to your word.”

Called Together and Sent Out

alvabaptist — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 18:15:10 +0000

Elective Soul Surgery

alvabaptist — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 21:08:01 +0000

“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.

I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

~Mark’s Biography of Jesus, Chapter 2, verse 17

Jesus has come for us.

God let’s us respond to what God has been doing in our lives. If I don’t acknowledge it, if I don’t agree that I am sick and in need of healing, then God let’s me choose not to come to Jesus.

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

~written by the Apostle John in his First Letter, Chapter 1, verses 8-10

Come to Jesus.

Follow Me

alvabaptist — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 13:41:20 +0000

This short episode is a fraction of the sermon preached that day. More was said but only those who followed closely as requested were able to hear the rest.

In the first Chapter of Mark’s Gospel the disciples were following Jesus without explanation, based on their trust of the man Jesus. The Pastor asked the congregation to follow him in similar fashion.

Not everyone enjoyed this experience. Not everyone followed. The act of following did lead people, beside the preaching pastor, along the road to meet up with the Parish Church down the road in procession to the Alva War Memorial in Johnson Park for a Remembrance Service.

The pastor is just a man and his words have value only to the extent that they are useful in pointing the congregation toward God. This is why we rely on the word of God revealed in scripture so confidently.

Following Christ, we don’t have a flesh and blood person to walk beside, but we do have the sure record of His words and His example; and on this basis we do have fellowship with others in the community of believers that the Bible calls ‘Body of Christ’. There is a principle in scripture that we might describe as ‘discerning the mind of Christ in community’. (observed in the Book of Acts 15:4-35)

We come to know God; we become convicted of sin; we repent (turn away from sin) turning to God for forgiveness; and forgiven, we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit and with each other as redeemed believers. In this faith we have communion.

Through the word and worship stay close to Jesus and know first-hand what He has said and is saying to His church. Don’t refuse to come when He says ‘follow me’.

Who is Driving? Mark 1:1-15

alvabaptist — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:25:20 +0000

We see the Trinity in action in this short slice of Scripture: The Gospel according to Mark Chapter 1, verses 1-15.

There is a short introduction to Mark as he tells “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God”, according to Peter’s eyewitness account that Mark witnessed Peter preach over the time he travelled with him.

Founded on an understanding of prophetic scripture, Mark tells how Jesus is baptised and driven by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness for and battles for 40 days with Satan and wild animals; helped by ministering angels.

Jesus declaration of intent is summed up in the quote “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mar 1:15)

Joseph’s Rise to Power from Prison

alvabaptist — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 08:38:29 +0000

Joseph gets on with it in prison. With God’s favour and gifts faithfully exercised, Joseph lifts up the name of the Lord and is delivered from adversity into the seat of government. Dreams and dreams yet unfulfilled all coming true. God’s plan revealed in due time.

Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife

alvabaptist — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 12:28:47 +0000

God guides us through temptation by our obedience to Him. We follow good instructions that steer us to where blessing is ordained; directions which keep us out of harm’s way.

Joseph is spared by his fidelity to God and also to Potiphar.

It is worth noting that Potiphar, captain of the guard, the officer of Pharaoh, was likely a eunuch. So Potiphar’s wife has unmet needs and is left alone with herself while Potiphar serves the needs of Pharaoh.

Where do we fail to meet our spouses needs while we pursue our vocation?

Every man and woman is tempted; and our safety and deliverance is already provided for by God: in our knowledge of Him, in fellowship with each other, and ultimately, in Christ.

Joseph in Potiphar’s House

alvabaptist — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:59:12 +0000

God’s plan for Joseph and all the descendants of Israel is unfolding. God’s favour benefits others as well. God does not spare His servants of suffering when it is necessary for the greater good in the will of God. God who shares in our grief and did not spare His only Son, whose Son suffered willingly. We can learn from the story of Joseph today.

Joseph’s Dreams

alvabaptist — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 01:14:05 +0000

God still does this today.

The video referred to in the podcast is located at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CExvHJxJnY

El Bethel - The God of the House of God

alvabaptist — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:35:21 +0000

Jacob is called by God to arise from Shechem where he has settled, because he is coming up short of the completed journey that God has in store for him. He is lead to where God has ordained the blessing of Abraham and Isaac.

Only obedience gets him there. Only his life has taught him this obedience.

God has patiently guided Jacob through the suffering his choices have rendered, back to the place where he met God;

to recognize that God is not found in a place but in the relationship. Face to face. The God of the House of God. Not a God among gods, but God Almighty.

Sin, Grief and Revenge

alvabaptist — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 10:55:45 +0000

It may seem like a syncopated episode in the life of God’s treasured people, but this tale of offense and shame that brings grief to many shows suffering is a part of the life of everyone in this fallen world. Nobody is immune to the consequences of bad choices.

Jacob and Laban Part 3

alvabaptist — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 23:05:17 +0000

Hearing God clears the way to act with confidence.