To conclude our mini-series HIS HOUSE, OUR HOME we consider some important aspects of the church’s gatherings. In this first part, Sarah shares some vital truths about the power and priority of meeting together and helps us appreciate the importance of each of us playing our part in what God wants to do amongst us whenever we gather in our homes or in our congregations.
In this third instalment of our ‘His House, Our Home’ series, we look at the foundational matter of STEWARDSHIP – why and how we invest our lives, and all that God has placed in our hands. We consider Kingdom Principles, which are inherent in our nature as new creations; and how God uses stewardship to show us what’s in our hearts, grow our faith in Him, and ultimately, to prepare us to be entrusted with the true riches of heaven (Lk 16:11). We also discuss Kingdom Practices, considering the purpose of tithes and offerings in the outworking of these Kingdom Principles in our lives. And to finish … 10 Myth-busters!
The second big theme of our ‘His House, Our Home’ series is LEADERSHIP and is in two parts. In this first session we consider what the Bible shows us about the nature and purpose of leadership and what we mean by authority and government in the church and the related ideas of headship and submission. This is followed by personal reflections on the functions and tasks of the two primary expressions of government in the church – that of the apostles and the elders.
We begin our series covering our corporate foundations. This introduction takes a look at the nature and mission of the Church and the importance of the Bible.
We’re excited to let you know that as we reach the end of this year we will be taking a few weeks to be refreshed and re-focussed together, looking at some vital roots and foundations.
Whether you’re a member or a newcomer to LRC, these sessions will help us all dig deeper into what we believe and why we believe it!
Jesus is building His Church amongst us, and wants us to know the strength and blessing of belonging to a secure family.
Each session will be in ‘workshop’ style, with opportunity for discussion and Q&A – and we trust you’ll really enjoy this investment of our time over the next few weeks.
David shares with us about how we can stay rooted, focussed and encouraged in our life and mission together.
‘Mission Possible’ is an inspirational and practical message to encourage us all to share our faith in our own way. Explaining the unlimited resources of heaven who partner with us in our mission and reminding us of the constant presence of The Spirit of Jesus to empower and enable us to accomplish our mission -‘Should We Choose To Accept It!
As we continue to explore the ways in which we influence the world around us, we take time to consider where God has placed us, and what God has given us. When we dedicate the things we have, and the things we do to God, they are made holy and will become a Kingdom resource!
The success of the early church in following the example of Jesus and spreading the gospel throughout the towns and villages was stunning! Within 20-30 years, vast geographic areas were saturated with the Good News of the Kingdom and vibrant, missional churches were planted in every place. This midweek message looks at some important aspects of the “partnership” between churches, apostles and elders (Phil 1:5,7) that made all this possible, and helps us to reflect on factors that will be key in our own co-mission to our towns and villages.
Come and follow me is the call all believers hear from Jesus as we put our faith in Him, but what does it mean to be a disciple? How do we follow him closely and how does God expect me to be discipled? To help with this process of discipleship we have launched an app called LRC Grow. In this message we’ll explore the need to be devoted disciples of Jesus and how this new tool can help us to do that.
When we are born again the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. From that moment we are salt, Light fragrance that impacts the world around us for Jesus.
Tim and Holly share promises and blessings from the word, purchased on the cross and released to us in breaking bread by the new covenant relationship we have as the result of Jesus’ sacrifice.
We review episodes 1 & 2 of Things That Make You Go Mmmm where we looked at Rewards & Riches and Insightful Imagery, and then look at a group and an individual who are Named & Shamed by Jesus Himself! As we look at these themes in the letters to the churches we can learn about what God wants for us and how we can live fully for Him.
We’ve seen in the letters to the churches the opportunity for great eternal rewards for those who conquer and are faithful to the end. The question is how do we conquer? As we explore this we’ll see the scriptures have great insights for us in what it means to conquer and be victorious in Christ
In this important time of re-gathering we mustn’t forget that it’s also a vital time of in-gathering. In Part 2 of this mini-series we look at the way Jesus called His disciples to come and follow Him, so that He could transform them into “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:18-20) and we consider some of the implications for us. He calls us to come to Him as we are, where we are and with what we’ve got – so He can send us out with His invitations of rest, strength, life, courage and blessing to many others.
In this second episode, we look at how we can interpret the rich imagery that we find in the first 3 chapters of John’s Revelation.
On several occasions in the Gospels we read that Jesus invited people to “COME TO ME”. Some were weary and burdened, others needed strengthening and still others were longing to step out in boldness and bravery. And on every occasion Jesus met their needs. As we look at these occasions together, we know that Jesus will once again invite us to draw near to Him and as we do He will.
The continual refrain of Christ in His letters to the churches, is “I know”. He knew each church and its members intimately. Not as one who had simply left them behind as He returned to the Father. The letters of Revelation are personal and passionate correspondence from Jesus to those whom He loved dearly. As we consider what He knows of each church, much of what Jesus says will resonate with each of us in different ways. This is because He knows us intimately as well – our passions, desires, plans, struggles and weaknesses. He came not only to understand us, but to fill us with His very own fulness and empower us. He knows the beautiful design God has for each of us, and has sent His Spirit to repair and restore, shape and to set us back on track.
Roger is is based at All Nations Church in Cardiff and his teaching ministry equips churches in the UK and overseas. He is the author of several books including The Elijah People, Discovering God and The Masterplan. Roger is married to Dianne and they have two grown-up children.
As we come to the table, let’s remind ourselves of the outrageous act of love God performed for us, but also looking forward to what things will be like in the Kingdom when He returns. God doesn’t see us for who we were but who he’s called us to be.
We look again at how Jesus taught us to pray. Let’s consider again what we can learn about talking with our Heavenly Father.
When Jesus sends his letters to the churches in revelation he is challenging them, encouraging them but in it all wants them to be all that he has created them to be. To represent him well and for them to experience the life he has for them. The question is at the moment what letter is Jesus writing to us? What is God saying to you in this next season to encourage and challenge you but ultimately to lead you to Him and the life He has for you.
Jesus’s letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2-3) demonstrate just how much He loves His Church, and how deeply concerned He is to ensure that each one represents Him faithfully. And in the very first letter – to Ephesus – we discover how Jesus evaluates or ‘measures’ things! To our great shock we find that this famous church had “abandoned its first love”, with terrible consequences. What is the Spirit saying to us, in our own time and context, two thousand years later?…
As we start a new teaching series called Red Letter Days, from Jesus’ letters to the churches in the book of Revelation, we begin with a whistle-stop tour of each church to see the defining characteristic Jesus requires of them and how this matches an aspect of His own nature.