David Lyon

As we reach the end of the year it’s vital we do all we can to ‘finish well’ – so that we can start the new year in the best possible way. Hebrews chapter 11 describes some ‘heroes of faith’ – men and women who pressed-on and finished well, and whose lives still speak to us. And the writer to the Hebrews follows these tails of faith and heroism by urging us also to “fix our eyes on Jesus…lay aside every weight…and run with endurance the race that lies before us.” (Heb 12:1). In this message we consider how these faithful men and women might be cheering us, and how we can run into the new year!…

The rapid growth of the early church was the result of not just the well-known ministries of Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Apollos and others, but also the faithful witness of multitudes who played their part in small, anonymous but vitality significant ways. As Acts 8:4 puts it: “the followers of Jesus all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus.” (Msg). Much as we value our great community, we must never lose sight of our Great Commission. It hasn’t changed, and neither has the way we will fulfil it: these are days for a multitude of ‘ordinary heroes’ to arise and shine – carrying good news wherever we go! We will never reach the lost from our church buildings or gatherings; we’re to GO into all our worlds. It’s urgent, it’s simple and it’s do-able!…

From the opening chapter of the Bible onwards, it’s clear that God’s design for all He’s formed and created is multiplication, fruitfulness and growth! He has designed and destined us to keep growing – personally and in our churches. In his letters to the Ephesians and Corinthians the apostle Paul shows us how the church grows and how each member is empowered by the Spirit to play their vital part in this, “so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love” (Eph 4:16). If you want your life and church to experience blessing and meaningful growth then this message is for you!…

Every home has its own distinct emphases and characteristics; things which form the essential hallmarks of that house and its inhabitants. In the second half of this mini-series we describe in further detail the kind of churches we’re seeking to build on the foundations of our gospel. What will this house and family be like? What will it look like, sound like, feel like? It’s our prayer that this message will inspire and encourage you as you give yourself to be part of Christ’s church, which is to be the dwelling-place of His Spirit (Ephesians 2:20).

“What kind of house will you build for me?” asks the Lord (Acts 7:49). It’s a rhetorical question, but nevertheless provokes us to think carefully about the kind of churches we’re establishing and building. In the first half of this mini-series we set forth the good news of “our gospel” here at Living Rock. These foundational teachings are centred around the resurrected Christ: they bring great security and peace; they liberate the church and her leaders to function with gift and grace; they offer real hope to all people; and they inspire and empower our mission together!…

Jesus assures us the spiritual ‘harvest’ is here and now (John 4:345) and Joshua 3:15 gives us a picture of the river Jordan (representing healing power and resurrection life) “overflowing all its bank” throughout the harvest season! In this keynote message, we see the urgent need for the church to be carrying life and bursting its banks and consider what this means in practice. For all of us at LRC the new season we will soon embrace is our greatest ever opportunity to experience such powerful and far-reaching overflow!…

2 Samuel 11-12 tell the awful story of King David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his attempts to cover things up afterwards, before being confronted by Nathan the prophet.  “I have sinned against the Lord”, David finally admits, and Psalm 51 is his heartfelt prayer of repentance; the public outpouring of a contrite heart in all its humiliation.  David was forgiven and restored, and enjoyed many more years of fellowship with His beloved God.  This tragic episode serves as both a warning and an encouragement to all God‘s people.  On the one hand, sin is no respecter of persons, and we must be aware of our weak-spots.  Nevertheless, however we may have fallen and whatever the past, when we come clean with the Lord there is bright hope for great future!

Jesus repeatedly assures His disciples the ‘harvest’ is abundant and ready! In Joshua 3:15 we read that “the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season”, and in this message we draw these images together and consider what it means for our own lives to ‘overflow’ with life, promise and hope to others during this this present harvestime. This is an essential message for all of us who want to play our part in the greatest ingathering of our generation!…

In the beginning of beginnings God let shine into the darkness and began the creation of all things on earth (Ge 1:2-3). When He later entered the world He had made, Jesus declared Himself to be “the light of the world”, and His dynamic, life-changing ministry demonstrated just that – bringing hope to the sinful (Jn 8:12), sight to the blind (Jn 9:5) and much more! But He also declared that we too are “the light of the world” (Mt 5:14), and He equips and expects us to continue His ministry – bringing great light into the darkness of our worlds!…

The small letter of Paul to Titus contains a big message for our day! The church is to be built on SOUND TEACHING and to be devoted to GOOD WORKS. This is the vital ‘inflow’ and ‘outflow’ that ensures we stay healthy and fruitful. We must remain biblically balanced in our joint-focus on the Message and the Mission – and be ready at all times to meet the urgent needs that are all around us.