Sunday, March 24, 2024

24 March 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today
His sermon was aptly titled "Melt The Doubt Away"
John the Baptist asked questions in Matthew eleven
About whether Jesus was the One sent from heaven

We all face challenges when offences come through
Answered prayers in the SQ App we can now view
We face difficult situations and painful circumstances
Then often disappointment or self-doubt advances

In hard times, remember what we’ve seen and heard
Repent and believe what is written in God’s Word
Only then can we receive what Jesus has revealed
And be blessed for on our behalf He has appealed

Josh said in childlike faith is thus the way we respond
We should come to Him for He has never us conned
Taking his yoke and respect His direction and speed
For in Him we will find the peace and rest we need

Sunday, March 17, 2024

17 March 2024 - ENCS

On the topic “Worth It”, Pastor Josh did speak today
Continuing the series on Matthew this St Patrick’s Day
In that Irish spirit, some of us decided to wear green
But from Josh’s sermons several points we did glean

Jesus’ discipleship is not about crowds, Josh did say
Sometimes He pulled away to with His disciples pray
Nor is it about comfort, but wolves sheep can overcome
And control is ceded to God’s guidance and wisdom

Jesus often called the unlikely, unliked, and unclean
Eating with tax collectors and sinners he was seen
For Jesus did not call the righteous but the sinners
New wine into new wineskins so all became winners

Jesus sends ua with prayer, power, and perspective
These three serve to make His disciples effective
For taking up Jesus’ cross requires follow through
But Jesus watches, cares, and sees all that we do

Sunday, March 10, 2024

10 March 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on the book of Matthew
Moving from Jesus’ words to the miracles Jesus did do
He referred to events detailed in chapters eight and nine
Which somewhat coincidentally are favourites of mine

About the power of Jesus, Josh did immediately share
For those hit by sickness and disease Jesus did care
In Matthew eight, He healed the leper and the servant
To fulfil prophecies in Isaiah, from heaven He was sent

Jesus had power over storms, from verse thirty three
Great winds and waves the disciples did fearfully see
He rebuked the great winds, saying “ye of little faith"
Remember that trials will oft hit us, Josh did sayeth

Over demonic spirits Jesus also had complete power
In the presence of possessed men, a town did cower
Jesus sent the demons into swine who then did perish
Then for Jesus to leave the area, the townfolk did wish

The compassion of Jesus was also evident in the book
He touched the “unclean” even if others dare not look
He loved the “least” and the “impossible” He did engage
Which means from our sin and pain, Jesus can assuage

In conclusion, how we should respond Joshua did ask
Not with fear and refusal or with false accusation bask
We should humble ourselves and in God fully trust
"Walking by faith, not by sight" as is often discussed

Sunday, March 3, 2024

3 March 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today
Scripture without Jesus is merely words, he did say
God does want us to prosper - starting with our soul
Incorporating Jesus into our lives should be our goal

"Judge not, that you be not judged" per Matthew seven
Remember that eternal judgement comes from heaven
Focus on the plank in our eyes before other's speck
Otherwise our hypocrisy will be a visible side effect

Verse seven talks about asking, seeking, knocking
When we do, the Lord's response will not be blocking
Remember not to act before asking - and praying
We need to wait to hear what God to us is relaying

Hebrews six verse ten states that God is not unjust
In His plans and timing we should thus have trust
This requires both faith and patience, Josh said
The latter concept is one which many of us dread

Per Matthew, the golden rule Jesus does eschew
Do unto others as you would have them do to you
We need God’s love in order to truly show love
For our heart, not actions, are judged from above




Sunday, February 25, 2024

25 February 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Vicki spoke on Matthew chapters five to seven
Specifically the Sermon on the Mount, words from heaven
Sharing principles that also apply to our current reality
And today’s sermon entitled “An Antidote to Anxiety”

Verse nineteen says not to lay up treasures on earth
For heavenly treasures have infinitely more worth
Remember that where our treasure is, so is our heart
That provided Vicki with a concept on which to start

Vicki then asked three questions on which to reflect
First, what is the treasure we want most to collect
Second, what are we filled with - darkness or light
We cannot serve both  God and money, Vicki did cite
Third, who are we serving or who is our life’s guide
Like Daniel, before being tempted we should decide

That then led Vicki to ask what do we do from here
Anxiety arises when the above answers are not clear
As Jesus said not to be anxious, it must be doable
We should trust God’s nature, always renewable
Plus seek first His kingdom and His righteousness
Then we can say goodbye to anxiety and stress

Sunday, February 18, 2024

18 Febrary 2024 - ENCS

Pastor Josh continued the series on Matthew today
Focusing on chapters five and six with much to say
Per Jesus in John five, reading the Word is not enough
For the Pharisees, acknowledging Him was very tough

Per Matthew five, Jesus came to fulfil the OT Laws
And therefore to release us from sin’s powerful jaws
His words really turned up the heat of righteousness
Sin is not just actions but what our thoughts express

In Matthew six, Jesus taught us how we should pray
Give honour to God, give thanks each and every day
Submit to His will, pray for sustenance and strength
And His guidance to avoid temptation at every length

Josh then talked about purpose, referring to chapter five
We are to be salt of and light for the world while alive
Letting our light shine is rightly representing the Lord
And linking back to the start, is as critical as the Word

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

13 February 2024 - Second Wind

Looking through the SQ App from an earlier date
Sometimes we wonder if it might in fact be too late
To find a new purpose in life we can always pray
God can always change our trajectory in a big way

Remember eighty year old Moses who was on the run
God had a plan for him despite what he had earlier done
Moses found a new purpose and changed Israel’s destiny
In both the Old and New Testaments we can clearly see

As per Second Corinthians five, whoever does believe
Is a new creation and about the past should not grieve
For no matter our age, we can always have a fresh start
Learning from mistakes and following God with our heart