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The Perfect Fit…You!

10/28/2014

This past week has been significant in the life of our nation. On this morning when family and friends say good-bye to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at his funeral in Hamilton, our thoughts and prayers as a church and collectively as a nation are there. I must admit I still find myself emotional at the senselessness of this loss. But as often happens, tragedy has brought out the best in our nation. "We stand on guard for thee". These events are a reminder that we live in a conflict ridden world. Sometimes we are asked to leave our nation of safety and security and step into that world with the peace that only comes from Jesus. I'm not talking about politics or armies, but stepping forward with faith through prayer, support and going to share His light and hope with the world. Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” I'm so thankful for this promise from Joshua is also for you today in the middle of whatever you're facing.

Key Verse from Sunday:
"For 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, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." -Romans 12:4-5, NIV

Recap
Series: ROOTED: Grow Deep. Live Tall.
Message: The Perfect Fit...You.

What does a healthy church look like? Each person uses the spiritual gifts God has given them to serve the church.
1. A Gift Entrusted to Us.
"Each person should use whatever gift you have received to serve others..." -1 Peter 4:10a, NIV
2. A Gift Meant to be Used.
"If anyone speaks, they should do so..." -1 Peter 4:11a, NIV
3. A Supernatural Gift.
"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others..." -1 Peter 4:10a, NIV
4. A Gift with Lots of Different Pieces.
Ephesians 4:11-13 and Romans 12:4-8 (click to read)
5. Our Gifts Combined Create a Beautiful Picture.
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession..." -1 Peter 2:9, NIV

Do you know your spiritual gift? Prayerfully read and reflect on Ephesians 4:11-13 & Romans 12:4-8. It might be helpful to take a "spiritual gifts test" on the following website (contact me if you'd like a paper copy).
The important thing is that you jump into ministry in your church, cause that's how healthy churches work.
http://www.spiritualgiftstest.com/test/adult

Question for Reflection
Are you using your spiritual gifts in service to His church?

Serving with you,
-Jason

"Where's the fruit?"

10/22/2014

I don't know if I have ever lost my voice as bad as I did on Sunday. But He is faithful and we had a great service and serve a great God. I'm reminded of 2 Corinthians 12:9; "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." So I say with the song writer Paul Baloche, "I will boast in the Lord my God. I will boast in the one who's worthy...I will make my boast in Christ alone." Special thanks to Ben Reevie for playing the cello on Sunday. You have some skills! :)

Key Verse from Sunday:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." -John 15:5, NIV

Recap
Sermon Series: ROOTED. Grow Deep. Live Tall.
This Week: "Where's the fruit?"

What does it mean to be a healthy church?
A healthy church produces fruit. The fruit of a healthy church is people...disciples of Jesus.

From John 15:1-8, we learn...
1. Stop Doing Things that Don't Produce Fruit.
If you discover that you are riding a dead horse...dismount.
2. God's Pruning Hurts, but It Helps Us Grow Stronger.
Philippians 1:9, "...your love may abound more and more..."
3. Only Jesus Produces Spiritual Fruit.
1 Corinthians 3:6, "...God has been making it grow."

Question for Reflection
How does God using us to produce fruit, help us grow in the process? (John 15:4)

I welcome your comments.
-Jason

Be Thankful for a Change

10/14/2014

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I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. What a great service on Sunday! God is so good. Keep praying and believing for great things at Laurentian.

Chrissy and I were able to go down south and be with several from my family. If I eat any more turkey I think I'll start to gobble gobble (I'm sure I'll have some room by next weekend and our Thanksgiving left-overs pot-luck though...ha). While we were there we decided to go for a hike and see a huge tree that my brother Mark discovered in the bush. The photos below don't really do it justice. It was massive. It would be interesting to know how old it is. We think it is an Elm. It is always amazing how something that big and tall stands the test of time. It would be neat to look down from above with something like infrared and see the tree's root system under the soil. Perhaps we could call it "infra-wood" :) We know that the roots would extend deep and wide to keep such a big tree standing when the wind blows. Slowly, over many years, and many storms, the roots have grown and the tree keeps reaching for the sky. You can guess the spiritual application, can't you?

Matthew 13:20-21 says, "The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away". How do we get a good root system? Well, just like this tree, it doesn't happen overnight. It is through faithfully eating our daily bread, sharpening one another and asking God for growth, cause just like a tree can't grow without the sun and the mystery of photosynthesis, we can't grow deep roots without being connect to the SON and the mystery of new life He produces in us (ok, maybe a bit of a stretch, sun/Son, but you get the picture). So, what kind of root system would we see in your life if we used our "infra-wood" sensors. What can you do today to grow your roots a bit deeper and wider?

Key Verse from Sunday:
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. -Philippians 4:6, NIV

Recap
Be Thankful for a Change.
Being a thankful person...
1. It can change your attitude (Philippians 4:4, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!").
2. It can change your perspective (Philippians 4:6, see key verse above).
3. It can change your generosity (2 Corinthians 9:11, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion...)"
4. It can change your heart (1 Corinthians 10:16, "Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?").
There is a humility that comes from being thankful because you realize where you could be and by the grace of God where you're not.

Question for Reflection
Is there an area of your life that you need to be thankful instead of grumpy, pessimistic or angry?

Questions for me are welcome.
-Jason

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Strongholds Part 2 of 2: "You Are Stronger. Sin Is Broken."

10/8/2014

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Key Verse from Sunday:
“Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.” -Matthew 12:29, NIV

Recap
Last week we asked "why address the enemy's stronghold in your life?". This week we ask "how?"
It begins by coming to Jesus.
Matthew 12:22-29

How do we bind the strong man?
1. Tie Him Up (Matthew 16:19).
2. Stop Feeding Him.
3. We Don't Fight Him Alone.
i. God Fights For Us (Isaiah 49:25).
ii. Others Will Fight With Us (Ephesians 6:10-20).
This leads us to the word "Accountability".
A few cautions when opening up to others:
1. You shouldn't seek out someone who is currently struggling with the same thing as you (Matthew 7:3-5).
2. Be Patient (Galatians 6:1-5).
3. Pray for Help.

"You are stronger, sin is broken". Through Jesus, you can overcome your stronghold!

Click the image above to listen to "Stronger" by Hillsong.

Question for Reflection
In what ways does it increase your success when you let someone else help "tie up the strong man"? Matthew 12:29.

I welcome your comments.
-Jason

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Strongholds Part 1 of 2: "Every High Thing Must Come Down".

10/1/2014

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Two Week Series:
Strongholds: Facing What Holds You Back
Week 1: "Every high thing must come down"

Key Verse from Sunday:
"Tear down your father's altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah pole beside it." -Judges 6:25b

Before you take the land, you must tear down your Asherah pole (anything that you put above God).
Judges 6:19-32

Why?
1. Your Future Is God's Alone (6:25).
2. Only God Deserves Your Devotion (1 Samuel 2:2).
3. He Wants to Use Your Asherah Pole to Build His Altar (6:26).
4. There Is Blessing in Obedience (6:32).
5. People Need to See It Come Down (6:28).
6. God Can Break Family Bondage (6:25).
Through Jesus, Victory Is Possible! (John 19:2)

Question for Reflection
What high thing needs to come down in your life before you take the land God has for you?

I welcome your comments.
-Jason
*The title of this week's message comes from the song, "Victor's Crown". Click the video above to hear the song and read the lyrics. Great song by Darlene Zschech.

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The Perfect Fit…You!

"Where's the fruit?"

Be Thankful for a Change

Strongholds Part 2 of 2: "You Are Stronger. Sin Is Broken."

Strongholds Part 1 of 2: "Every High Thing Must Come Down".

Jason McCutcheon

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