Luke 1:26-38 – Sacrifice Unlocks Blessing 29/11/2009

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Luke 1:26-38
Sacrifice Unlocks Blessing

“The cause is worth the cost”
Read Philippians 2:1-18 and think about how, and why, God made so many sacrifices. What was his reason? What did he achieve? Was it worth it?

To really get the most out of the passage, try re-writing it in your own words – as if you were writing it for someone who didn’t understand any religious language. What do you see now that you didn’t see before?

“I am the Lord’s servant”
When have you made sacrifices because you knew God was asking you to? What happened? Was it worth it?

Where do you think your limits are? Are there parts of your life that are out-of-bounds to God? Why is this? Do you trust God to be good in every area of your life? What are you scared that God might ask? Do you think he ever would? Can you take that risk?

Some biographies worth checking out…
Chasing the Dragon by Jackie Pullinger
God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
Through Gates of Splendour by Elisabeth Elliot
The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun

We have copies of all of these books available for you to borrow at The Hub. Can’t get to The Hub? Talk to Pat Marson and she can arrange for them to be brought to the Sunday service.

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Luke 1:5-25 – A Royal Priesthood 22/11/2009

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The Gospel of Luke – Luke 1:5-25
A Royal Priesthood

Read 1 Peter 2.5. Are we conscious of being ‘like living stones… being built into a spiritual house’?

Read 1 Peter 2.9. ‘A royal priesthood’ – how should this make us feel??

Read the rest of the verse. What is being entrusted to us? What does God want us to be and do? How does this work out in practice?

Is our experience of God one of coming into ‘his wonderful light’?


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Luke 1:1-4 – Two Men Who Changed The World 15/11/2009

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Alternatively you can listen to the "Two Men Who Changed The World" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 41 mins).

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The Gospel of Luke – Luke 1:1-4
Two Men Who Changed The World

“I myself have carefully investigated everything.”
How important was (or is) it for you to verify the facts when you started looking into who Jesus was and what he did?

How easy is it in the church to ask questions? What things do we need to accept on faith (if anything) and what should we look into – asking questions and undertaking research?

Are there questions you have? Why haven’t you answered them? What could you do to try and find an answer? Would having an answer make a difference to your faith?

Being Generous
How easy do you find being generous? Are you generous? What areas of your life do you find generosity comes naturally? Where is it hard? Think about more than money or material possessions… what about friendship, time, energy, understanding, thinking-the-best and so on

Further Reading and Reflection
Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Do you think of yourself as rich? Who do you usually measure your wealth against – people who have more or less than you?

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-12. For what reason does God make us rich? How can we be cheerfully generous? What would this look like for you? Think about how verse 12 links giving with worship.

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Prayer & Blessings 08/11/09

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Prayer & Blessings

The Bible says that one of the roles of priests was to speak (not pray) blessings to the people. We can also take on that privilege because we have become a kingdom of priests to our God.

Simple Framework of Blessing from the Ffald-Y-Brenin House of Prayer

When we bless people, a community or a place we speak out blessing, health, prosperity and fruitfulness into their marriages, families and friendships, and the work of their hands. We also bless the local school and places of Christian worship that the Spirit and the Word may flow together to bring kingdom life. Finally, we bless the hearts of the people that they may be softened towards God and quickened to hear his voice. Below is an example blessing we might proclaim.

"In the name of Jesus I bless your life, your home and your family with all the blessings of the mighty God who planned you and created you. I bless you to know everything about Him and He wants you to know.

I bless you with the fullness of blessings that God longs to pour into your lives. I bless you that you may prosper in every part of life as God makes himself clear to you.

I bless your family and I bless the circumstances of your life that they may be wholesome, healthy and strong."


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Highway to Hell - How Can A Loving God Send People To Hell? 01/11/09

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Alternatively you can listen to the "Highway to Hell: How Can A Loving God Send People To Hell?" message on your computer by clicking here (or right-click to download) (by Dave Vinall, 38 mins).

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Heaven & Hell Part 4 – “Highway to Hell”
How Can A Loving God Send People To Hell?

This week for the takeaway we’re just going to look at one passage from the Bible. It has so much in it that it really is worth taking some time to think about what it is saying to us.

The passage is the Sermon on the Mount and is found in Matthew chapters 5 to 7. It’s a long passage so perhaps try breaking it into a few sections and reading each bit on different days.

A suggestion to help study the passage is to read it with a pen and paper. As you go through the passage make a note every time you come across anything that fits into the following categories:

• Promises and reassurances
• Warnings
• Requirements and commands

Look at the lists ask yourself how well your life reflects the list. Do you believe the promises (and live like you do)? Have you taken heed of the warnings? Are you doing what Jesus has asked?

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