Podcast

Ever replied to the question, “How are you?” with a fairly middle of the road response of “not too bad.”? As people of faith, our lives should be watermarked with joy. Sometimes it can feel like this life has robbed your joy. If you have lost your joy, there is a way back; gratitude.

Whether we look up at the night sky and observe the universe in all its splendour. Take notice of the mountains, hills and fields that surround us and marvel at their forms and colours. Or look into the eyes of someone we love and imagine the depth of complexity that goes into producing such a wondrous and beautiful creation. Do we ever stop to consider what and who underpins every molecule that goes towards holding everything that we can see together. In this message we are going to look at Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of our salvation upon which all that was made exists, rests and is built upon.

Whether we look up at the night sky and observe the universe in all its splendour. Take notice of the mountains, hills and fields that surround us and marvel at their forms and colours. Or look into the eyes of someone we love and imagine the depth of complexity that goes into producing such a wondrous and beautiful creation. Do we ever stop to consider what and who underpins every molecule that goes towards holding everything that we can see together. In this message we are going to look at Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, the Rock of our salvation upon which all that was made exists, rests and is built upon.

An important element of the study of the Word is, the Word grant you 2 things: Knowledge - I know, I know I’m born again, I’m a son/daughter of God etc. Skillfulness - a function of consistent exposure to the knowledge. Paul in 2Tim 3:14 told Timothy “To continue”. Continue here meaning to “dwell” “abide”, to be steadfast at something and to be consistent at it. That consistency grants you a skill. Skilful meaning to relate with the Word from a more experiential point of view. UnSkilful meaning by not exercising yourself. Heb. 5:12-14.

Recognising that it is Jesus who builds the church and we are invited in to family. Family looks different and we often have different roles and seasons but we are still part of the family. God has given us gifts and passions and they are for His glory. It is not about just fulfilling function but recognising we have a place and a space in the family.

When Paul SAW HIM, He said: “I count ALL THINGS loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus… and I count them as rubbish, that I may GAIN Christ - Phil. 3:1-8. It’s not enough to see/know God, but give Him His place in every area of your life and circumstance accordingly. By glorifying Him for who He is, not just for what he can do or will do.

Paul reminds us that we have the mind of Christ and the Holy Spirit livening in us. We are Gods field and His building. There is a grace upon each of us to build, be, walk in all Jesus has for us. You and me are a gift to one another. We are best when we truly partner together. Partnership is the key thought as we unpack this passage, biblical, real, invested partnership. And all can only be built on a solid sure foundation, no other than Jesus.

This week we continue with 1 Corinthians 2. Received here is one of the key words in this passage. Received with initiative, a responsibility to activate what has been given. This is Paul’s reminder to us. Why do we not make use of what Jesus had given to us? Our ability to “appraise, judge” things is a result of laying hold of what we have been given. Those who lay hold are those who choose to live as who they really are; new creation, spiritual person.

Do we truly have understanding of our foundation? We can’t be effective in sharing our faith if we don’t have that understanding. His word is more than worldly experience.

Building towards our key scripture in 1 Cor 3:11, Paul come to the church in Corinth to comfort, challenge and correct them. He remind them nothing is being withheld, but their maturity is in question and therefore they are lacking application. So much available to us as believers in Christ, knowing the depth of God - because we have the Holy Spirit living us, the Spirit of God. We get to choose our rate of maturity, depending on how we engage with grace and truth.

Do we truly have understanding of our foundation? We can’t be effective in sharing our faith if we don’t have that understanding. His word is more than worldly experience.

Do you have enough time to be an apprentice of Jesus?