Soldiers Internet Church

02/03: Purim

Purim is a minor festival of the Jewish calendar, and it occurs on the 14th day Adar.
There are four main charters in this story, the hero of course is Queen Esther, she was Jewish and had won the Miss Shushan Contest and became the Queen. The King of Persia (Iran) was Achashveros, known in secular history as King Xerxes. In those days he was the ruling empire having conquered the Babylonians (Iraq). His kingdom was a multicultural society with a large Jewish community.

In Achasheros's Kingdom one of his officials named Haman was a very evil man. So evil in fact, that he required all the Kings subject to bow to him as he considered them all pagans. Also among the Kings subjects was a Jew named Mordechai who discovered that Haman was planning to kill the King. To make things even worse, being a Jew he refused to bow to Haman as that would be considered idolatry.

We read in the Megillah that Haman was filled with rage at Mordechai's insubordination. He was so outraged in fact that he decided to kill all the Jews in Persia. He decided to make the decision on when to exterminate the Jews by casting lots. (Pur in Hebrew) and that is where the name Purim comes from. His plan was much like that of Hitler's it was to kill the young, old, women and children. Mordechai had a niece her name was, you guessed it ":Esther". And we read in Esther 4:13-14, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the King's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

At great risk to herself she openly approached the King, the Jews were saved and Haman was hung on the gallows he had built for Mordechai. There is much, much more to this story, and I encourage you to read the Megillah (The book of Esther).

In every century there is a wicked Haman, the Romans, the Greeks, Syrians, Turks, Babylonians, Egyptians, the Germans and many others over the past 4000 years or so. Today wicked Haman has a few names and it’s shared by several Countries and World Leaders,

There is another element of this Holiday, and that is fasting and prayer. For on the 13th of Adar (Ta'anit Esther) It is a time to remember the days of Queen Esther and to fast and pray in hopes of averting a massacre to the Jewish people. For once again at the time of this Purim, those in Israel are looking at a certain war with Syria, Iran and possibly Egypt, it looks as if there is no way out for them. But we know of One who can deliver them from the evil, be it supernatural or however He chooses to do so. So I ask you now to miss a meal or two or more, to fast and pray for the Jews of Israel, that they may be saved.

I think fasting and praying is a personal relationship each of us has with the Father. So I ask you as a Believer in Yeshua (Jesus) to exercise that relationship, Talk to God, and if you should feel led to fast and pray for those in Israel, it will be your Mitzvah (good deed for Israel and all of the Jews.)

20/12: A Different View of the Christmas Story

We are so used to the Christmas story that it has become familiar to
us, we know what it is about, we know the main characters, we think
we get it. But we need to look at it again to see what is really
going on. So let's look at those characters:

Mary

Well we know about her don't we? She was a young virtuous woman who
said "yes" to an angel, enjoyed a trouble free pregnancy and gave
birth in a charming little nativity scene before getting some nice
visitors and presents.

Yet Mary was probably only about 13 years old when the angel came to
see her. The penalty for getting caught out in adultery was death.
Mary probably had no one to turn to for help and was desperate for
Joseph to believe her. She had to travel miles on a donkey to get to
Bethlehem and all there was for her when she got there was a cave
full of animals where she had to give birth. No midwife was present,
no doctors, just some animals. Her and Joseph were so poor all they
had to lay the newborn in was a feeding trough for cattle. This
isn't what one expects for a new born king.

Joseph

We know Joseph, he was the good, the virtuous man, the man who
continued his relationship with Mary and didn't disgrace her. Well
this is true, but it is also true that he was much older than Mary,
he had his own business. He was very spiritual - he could hear the
angels talking to him in dreams and he was a good man. But he must
have felt angry that he would only be Jesus' stepfather. He must
have felt like he was the man God did not need. It can't have been
easy.

The Shepherds

We know the shepherds. They were loveable people, rather like the
Grundys from the Archers on the Radio. Nice people who looked after
sheep. Well, indeed they were, but they were also seen as being
outsiders in Jewish society. They had to work on the Sabbath, they
couldn't attend worship regularly, they were unclean. They were
always seen as amongst the poorest of the poor. Again its not the
cosy image of Christmas we are used to!

The Wise Men

It's a little early to be thinking of them, but we imagine the wise
men, or kings, to be rather royal, regal, and, indeed wise. We think
of them with their gifts and see them as being unusually generous to
the baby Jesus - but there is a sting in the tail of their gifts.
The wise men were astrologers, rather like Russell Grant. They not
only studied the stars but they sought to find meaning in them. They
were probably Zoroastrian priests from what is now Iraq. They were
probably eunuchs - which meant that they were sexual outsiders,
possibly even gay as in many ancient texts the term eunuch can also
mean a gay man.

Their gifts were strange. Gold is a gift fit for a king. It would
have been useful too for the family as they were living away from
home and the Bible says they didn't get home until after King Herod
was dead. Frankincense is a little odd. It is a perfume made from
various gums of trees. As you can smell when you come into churches
it gives off a powerful aroma when it burns. It has been used for
thousands of years as a symbol of prayer rising to the heavens. It
was a gift fit for a priest. So the wise men knew Jesus to be a king
and a priest - something no doubt they saw a lot of in Persia. But
the last gift has a real sting in the tail - myrrh. Again a heavily
perfumed gum, but this substance was used to anoint the bodies of
the dead. It was a strong perfume, it would hide the smell of decay.
This last gift foretold his death, maybe even seeing Jesus as a
sacrifice. They saw him as a king, a priest but also a sacrifice.
Heaven only knows what Mary made of all this.

Looking Deeper

So we have a story with a teenage mum, an older dad, extreme
poverty, outsiders coming to say "hi" and three mysterious wise men
coming along with odd gifts. It is only when we think about Jesus'
uncanny ability to "turn the tables" that any of this makes sense.

Jesus was not born into luxury and wealth, but into poverty and
exile. He would know what it would mean to be an asylum seeker. He
was born to a mother in danger of being an outcast. He was born to a
dad struggling to work out his place in the scheme of things. He
would know doubt and insecurity just as we do. The first to come and
see him weren't proud family members or haughty courtiers, but
humble shepherds who were seen as being outside the gate. The
outsiders keep on getting there before the priests do. The last
visitors were not only outsiders, but pagan foreigners who saw
meaning in the starts and acted upon their learning. These were not
good Jewish priests, but pagans, heathens with whom Jews were
supposed to have nothing to do - what's more their status made them
outsiders too.

This nativity scene is not about "old fashioned family values" but
about our lives now. This is about the Great Reversal, when
everything is turned around and the outsiders are welcomed in whilst
those who have all this world can offer are left in the cold. This
is the hall mark of Jesus' ministry again and again.

And So……

And so this Christmas remember we worship the one who was an
outsider, the one who understands what it is like to be insecure, to
be different, to be seen as being unholy, not quite right.

This Christmas we worship one who was born to be a refugee, an
asylum seeker.

This Christmas we give thanks that our modern politicians weren't in
charge of immigration in Egypt when the Holy Family fled there.

This Christmas we invite him into our hearts again, so that we can
spread his love and his light to those around us.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
You were born into the squalor of our world,
Into a world of poverty and exile,
You were born of parents who were unprepared and insecure,
You were visited by outsiders and foreigners,
Before you could walk you were on the run from oppression,
Be born in us again,
That we may make our world better,
That in our world we may fight against injustice and prejudice,
So that the light you lit at Bethlehem all those years ago,
Continues to burn brightly for us in our time.

Amen.

11/06: Peace

PROPOSITION: To set forth the peaceful thoughts in Jeremiah 6:13-15, as they apply to Christianity.

OBJECTIVE:That we understand peace and be peaceful.

INTRODUCTION:

1. Read: Jeremiah 6:13-15.

2. Regarding the text:

1) Israel was hurt.

2) She had a mortal wound.

3) Her problem was rejection of God.

4) The healers of Israel, body and soul, were the priests.

5) Matthew 8:4.

6) The primary concern of the priests was to heal the spiritual hurt or wound separating Israel from God.

7) Israel's priests did NOT do their job, so Israel was taken into Babylonian captivity.

8) Israel's priests attempted to heal Israel's wound, but it was a slight healing, by preaching "Peace" when there was no peace.

9) How does this apply today?

3. Reference to Subject, Title, Proposition and Objective.



Read more!

09/05: WE ARE SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST

I want to share this Sermon by Bruce ball, I dont agree with every word, but his conclusion is magnificent.

-----------------------------------------


By Bruce Ball
Ephesians 6:12


It is fitting that we start this sermon by coming to an understanding of just who we are. Put in its simplest terms, we are soldiers of Jesus Christ. No Christian should ever doubt that. And, as soldiers, we must have certain knowledge and perform certain duties.

2 TIMOTHY 2:3 states,

‘Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.’

It is also fitting that, at this time that I tell you that this is not a sermon built upon hatred, but one built upon knowledge. No matter what side the soldier is on, to keep safe, that soldier must know enough about the opposition to be able to guard against it.

2 TIMOTHY 1:14 states,

‘Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.’

In other words, we were given something very valuable. We were given salvation through Jesus the Redeemer. And, we were given the ability to help others come to the knowledge of the saving grace of Christ. And that is what we are to guard.

America suffered a shocking and horrific mass murder on 9/11. It was shocking because of the boldness in how it was carried out, and it was shocking because of the number of deaths and fatalities, and it shocked us because of the evil hatred that initiated it in the first place. September 11th is the day America woke up, but I agree with British Prime Minister Tony Blair when he said that even though we woke up, many of us just turned over and went back to sleep again.

Since that awful day, Spain has been the target of the same kind of hateful attack. And, in the last few weeks, we have seen two such attacks in England, one in Lebanon, and of course, the ongoing mass murders in Israel.

The question that comes to all civilized people’s mind is: “Why?” What could possibly spark such evil hatred that you would have a burning desire to kill innocent people?

Today, we are going to explore this question, and we are going to do it in the format of comparing our beliefs against the beliefs of those who committed those crimes.



Read more!

08/05: Christian calling

“The war criminal, the aggressor, the practitioner of genocide and the terrorist are not fading from the scene. In such a world, only the presence of effective military forces makes possible the maintenance of relative peace and security in international politics. Voluntary service in support of that relative peace is a self-sacrificial Christian calling.” --Martin L. Cook, The Christian Century (2001)

07/05: The Gift of Leadership

By Rodney J. Buchanan

We are looking at the gift of leadership today, because it is one of the most important gifts of the Spirit. We are emphasizing spiritual gifts because we want you to desire the gifts of the Spirit and pray to receive at least one, if not more of them, in order that your life might be used by God with the time you have been given here. Specifically, we are emphasizing leadership today because a church is only as strong as its leaders. I am so pleased that we have a great deal of strength in this area. I am very proud of the people of this church for being leaders. Along with your spiritual growth, which is inspiring to me as your pastor, I am impressed by how many people we have who are operating in the area of their spiritual gifting. Often, as I am in prayer in the morning, my heart sings with praise to God for all of you. Your love for God, your spiritual growth and involvement in ministry just fills me with joy.

Read more!

06/05: God, government & law enforcement

Law enforcement is the "up front" and most visible manifestation of government, and more specifically governmental authority.
Does God respect government authority? How does God's view of government authority apply to law enforcement?
Does God allow law enforcement to use force, including deadly force?
Can a Christian be a law enforcement officer?
In the Bible, Gods Word, God gives answers to these questions.Romans chapter 13, verses 1-7 specifically addresses government authority and law enforcement.



Important Note: Romans 13:1-7 was written during the time of Roman government rule. The Roman government had recently put Jesus Christ to death by crucifixion. Further the Roman government was not a democracy, was known for the viciousness of it's soldiers and was by no means pro-Christian. In spite of all this God said what he did in the above verses of the book of Romans.


Does God respect government authority?

It is clear that there is no authority except from God, and that God establishes government for His purpose (vs1). Think about it, being a law enforcement officer means that you are working for God.

Authority

Before going further it is important to define and understand authority. Authority is the lawful right to enforce obedience. It is the power to influence or command behavior. An important aspect of authority is that it is given or surrendered; authority can never be taken. This does not mean that force and authority are incompatible. Force may be used in order to cause someone to submit or surrender to authority.

In order for you to have authority over someone they must submit to your authority. For example, when a law enforcement officer turns on their flashing red and blue lights does the citizen pull over (or submit to the authority) because "John Smith" is driving a car with flashing lights? No, Joe Q. Citizen pulls over because "Officer John Smith", in a police car and acting as a representative of Joe Q. Citizen's government is pulling them over. Apart from the governmental authority that "John Smith" represents, "John Smith" has no authority.

Truth - God is the ultimate authority, and there is no authority except from God.

Application

Citizens are clearly commanded to be in subjection to governing authorities according to Romans 13. Looking at this verse further, law enforcement officers should also be in subjection to authority. Officers should apply this principle by acting within the boundaries that are placed on them by society and department policy.

Note to the Christian law enforcement officer: Government has a rightful authority from God that we must submit to, unless the government orders us to do something that is in opposition to God's law. In those circumstances Acts 4:19,20 teaches us to obey God before man. Acts 4:19,20 - But Peter and John answered and said to them, Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard. In these verses, the apostles Peter and John had been commanded by the government to no longer speak or teach about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Peter and John knew it was against God's law to not speak about Jesus Christ, so they did not submit to the government authority.


How does God's view of government apply to law enforcement?
Can law enforcement use force?

The Bible has established that lawful force to exercise authority, up to and including deadly force is acceptable.

In Romans 13:4 God's word says that the government is a minister, a helper to those who do what is good. But to those that would do evil, they should be afraid; because the government does not bear the sword for nothing.

In the time that the book of Romans was written the sword was carried by the Roman soldiers. The Roman soldier was charged with protecting the citizens of Rome, and upholding the laws of Rome. In many ways the Roman soldier was the equivalent of the modern day law enforcement officer.

The Roman soldiers were given the authority by the Roman government to use force, including the sword which represented deadly force in order to exert the Roman government's authority over those that lived within the control of Rome.

Based on the Biblical example of Romans 13, the modern law enforcement officer may also use force in order to protect those that do good, and to exert the governments authority over those who would do evil. This force can include the use of a gun which represents the modern sword. However in order to be in compliance to Romans 13:1 the force used by the law enforcement officer must be within the constraints of the authority given the law enforcement officer by the officers governing authority.


Can a Christian be a law enforcement officer?

Because all authority is from God, working in law enforcement means you are working for God. Interestingly, this applies whether you even believe in God or not. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that Christians can not be law enforcement officers, or that they can not use force, including deadly force. In fact officers with a foundation built on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are better equipped to deal with the evil of mankind.

A final thought: God is the ultimate authority, and God uses governments and people in authority for His purpose whether they realize it or not. The Bible teaches us that those governments, and those people who no longer serve His purpose are removed by God.

Having a personal relationship with God puts you in a position to not only be used by God, but to know His purpose.

06/05: GOD'S WILL

"Thy Will be done, as in heaven, so on earth."-- Mat_6:10.

MANY PEOPLE shrink from God's will. They think that it always means pain, or sorrow, or bereavement. They always feel melancholy when you speak of doing the Will of God. Alas! how the devil has libeled God. The will of God is the will of a Father. It is the Fatherhood of God going out in action. "It is not the will of your Father that one of these little ones should perish." "This is the will of God, even your sanctification."
If only the will of God were done on earth, as it is done in heaven, there would be peace between the nations, and love and happiness in all our homes. Love would cement the union of all men in a city of blessedness. The fact of the world's present condition is no argument against the beneficence and blessedness of the will of God. It is because men will not do the will of God that things are as they are!
In our own life we shall never be really right or happy until we have got to the point of saying: "I delight to do Thy will, O my God." We may not begin there. The first step is to choose it, then we shall come to accept it lovingly and thankfully; but, finally, we shall rejoice and delight in it. If you cannot say "Thy Will be done," say: "I am willing to be made willing that Thy Will should be done." If your will is like a bit of rough and rugged iron, tell God that you are willing for it to be plunged into the furnace of His love, so that all which is unyielding and obdurate may pass away before the ardent heat of the Divine Fire. Depend on it that He will not fail, nor be discouraged with the long process that may be required; and that He will not be rough or violent. He will stay His east wind. He will keep His hand on the pulse, that He may be aware of the least symptom that the ordeal is too strong.
At first there may be a twinge of pain, as when a dislocated limb is pressed back into its proper position, but afterwards there is the blessed restoration of healthy vigour. You will only lose what you would gladly give up if you know as much as God does of what promotes soul-health. "Whosoever," said our Lord, "will do the Will of my Father, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." "In His Will is our peace."

02/05: Romans 12

3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,so in Christ we who are many form one body,and each member belongs to all the others.

6 We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his[a] Or in agreement with the faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

30/04: Sandals of Peace

Sermon Text
Ephesians 6:15


Congregation of the Lord,

We are called to be ready to stand against the schemes of Satan. One of Satan’s biggest evil schemes is to do everything he can to make sure that believers do as little of sharing the Gospel as possible. Why does he focus on this?
• If the Gospel is not shared, not-yet-believers will not come to faith.
• If the Gospel is not shared, the overall ministry of the church becomes distracted.
• If the Gospel is not shared, enthusiasm for the important work of God diminishes.
Which is why this piece of armour is so important. It is a call to stand firm “with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Gospel of peace”. When it comes to our spiritual shoes one size fits all. We cannot be those who are fully equipped unless we have the Gospel. We will lack ministry focus unless we are willing to help people find peace with God. Paul is inviting us to let God’s Word fit us with feet of readiness. Do we have what it takes?

Read more!