Sermons | Meadowhead Christian Fellowship Meadowhead Christian Fellowship

Transcript

have the word. It's been hearing this weekend and reading online and the amazing things that are

happening. You know we talk about how bad the world is and how difficult things are getting

and how challenging they are and it's easy to get despondent but on the flip side we always,

in those moments, we've always got to look to see what God is doing and his power at work

is changing people and is doing amazing things and we do live in exciting times, challenging

times certainly and even as God moves more in power there'll be more challenges ahead

but we are seeing, you know, in our own lives, in our own community, in our own church what

God is doing and beginning and continuing to do and a few weeks ago, I'm going to take a break

today from our genesis journey and a few weeks or months ago at the edge on a Thursday morning

we had a visit from a whole team of people from Matasey Hall, Green Pastures, which is a community

of people. Some of you will remember Pete Kavanagh who came to preach here,

powerful word but funny guy, remember him? Yeah, but he's, I don't even know, maybe we'll find out

low, you know, he's involved in that. I don't know if he's in charge or whatever he is but he's,

and he brought a team over on a Thursday morning and we were just blown away by the life and the

faith and the energy and the excitement that these guys and girls had from very,

very difficult backgrounds and challenging situations and yet the power of God had changed

lives and they were just so full of the life and just, and you just see again, just renew, just the

gospel is a wonderful, wonderful thing that changes people's lives from the inside out.

And so what we said we'd do is we would invite some of the people from Matasey Hall to come and

speak on a Sunday morning and so that's what we've got. So I'm going to introduce them and leave them

to whatever they've got for us but we've got Darren and Wayne and Christina, that's right,

and I'm going to invite Darren to come and speak now. Darren is

one of the leaders of the whole setup and he'll be able to explain more clearly what he does

than I can and he's going to speak for a while and then Wayne and Christina are going to share

some of their story and trust that you're going to be really encouraged and blessed by what we

hear this morning. So thank you, now let me pray for you and we'll go. Father, we thank you that

your power at work is changing lives and we want to thank you for real life testimony and I want

to pray for Darren and now as he speaks, Lord God, I pray that you're filling with your Holy Spirit

for Wayne and Christina, give them confidence and boldness to speak all that is in their hearts,

all that they've seen you do, Lord God, and we just want to share with them in the celebration

of the power of God that changes and transforms lives, not just today but forever, in Jesus name,

Amen. Thank you so much.

So blessed. We have been so blessed this morning, just been lost in worship, it's just wonderful.

Something special happening here and you are so right, something is happening across the nation.

The Lord spoke to us prophetically through Isaiah 43 18, behold I'm doing a new thing,

can't you see the green shoots of revival happening, behold I'm going to bring life

into the wilderness and the hyenas are going to worship me. You are in revival,

we all think revival is you're going to turn up here and suddenly heaven's open,

but when winter turns to April, it's the green shoots that show you're in the new season,

look for the green shoots, that is the evidence you're in a new season, it is happening everywhere

I'm going, I'm seeing green shoots moves of the Holy Spirit, like nothing in history is seen,

behold I'm doing a new thing, it's going to move the spirit, I'm telling you that's going to

transform our nation, I'm telling you and I also have a word maybe, I've only got 10 minutes of me

which is absolutely fine, I'm goin

Summary of Sermon: Covenant by Nick

This sermon explores the story of Abraham and Sarah from Genesis 17, focusing on the concept of God's covenant and its enduring promises.

Key Points:

God's timing: The passage highlights the vast amount of time that can pass between God's promises and their fulfillment. We can get discouraged by waiting, but God's faithfulness endures. (Genesis 16 & 17)

Resilient Faith: The long wait for a child teaches us about the importance of holding onto faith and God's promises even when there seems to be no progress. (Romans 4:17-21)

God initiates the relationship: God is the one who pursues a relationship with us, revealing Himself and offering His blessings. (Genesis 17:1)

God's Sovereignty: We are not God. There's a healthy reverence and humility required in our relationship with Him. (Genesis 17:3)

The Power of Names: Names and labels can influence our perception. God changes Abram's name to Abraham signifying a shift in his identity and future. (Genesis 17:5)

Transformation: God desires to transform us from the inside out. We can hold ourselves back by clinging to past limitations. (Gideon - Judges 6:11-16)

Promises vs. Feelings: God's promises are not contingent on our emotions. We can rely on His faithfulness even when we doubt or feel discouraged. (Genesis 17:1-8)

Signs of the Covenant: Circumcision served as a physical reminder of God's covenant with Abraham. God gives us various signs to bolster our faith. (Genesis 17:11)

Illustrations:

The author uses contemporary examples like service awards and long-term friendships to illustrate God's faithfulness despite the passage of time.

The story of Zacchaeus from the Gospels demonstrates how God takes the initiative in relationships.

Applications:

We are encouraged to develop a resilient faith that trusts in God's promises even when facing challenges.

We should acknowledge God's sovereignty and majesty in our worship.

The sermon challenges us to examine the labels we place on ourselves and be open to God's transformative work.

We can rely on God's enduring promises regardless of our emotional state.

Verses Referenced:

Genesis 16:1-16

Genesis 17:1-27

Romans 4:17-21

Judges 6:11-16



Transcript

Thank you very much and excellent foundation this morning to what I want to say from the

team so thank you Stephen team as well for leading us in worship that way we've already

we've raced to Genesis chapter 17. So right into the heart of the story of Abram and

Sarah I and remember Karen spoke very challenging last week about the birth of Ishmael and

how that came about. And so if you do have a Bible or a phone or iPad or whatever it

is figured up to Genesis 17 and we'll read it so we get some context into what I want

to say this morning. So Genesis 17 from verse 1. When Abram was 99 years old the Lord appeared

to him and said I am El Shaddai God almighty serve me faithfully and live a blameless life.

I will make a covenant with you by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants.

At this Abram fell face down on the ground then God said to him this is my covenant with you

I will make you the father of a multitude of nations what's more I am changing your name

it will no longer be Abram instead you will be called Abraham for you will be the father of

many nations I will make you extremely fruitful your descendants will become many nations and kings

will be among them I will confirm my covenant with you and your descendants after you from

generation to generation this is the everlasting covenant I will always be your God and the God

of your descendants after you and I will give the entire land of Canaan where you now live as a

foreigner to you and your descendants it will be their possession forever and I will be their God

then God said to Abraham your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant

you and all your descendants have this continual responsibility thi

Summary of Karen's Sermon: Making Mistakes

Introduction

Karen starts the sermon by acknowledging the audience and explaining her method for preparing the sermon. She then introduces the passage she will be focusing on: Genesis 16, which tells the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar.

Bible References: Genesis 15:6, Genesis 16

The Story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar

Karen outlines the story in Genesis 16:

Abraham is promised by God that he will have descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:6).

Ten years later, Sarah has not conceived a child.

Sarah proposes that Abraham have a child with Hagar, her maidservant.

Hagar becomes pregnant with Abraham's child, Ishmael.

There is conflict between Sarah and Hagar.

Hagar flees into the desert.

An angel of the Lord finds Hagar and tells her to return to Sarah.

The angel promises Hagar that Ishmael will have many descendants.

Hagar acknowledges God as "the God who sees me."

Key Points

Karen highlights that women are not portrayed positively throughout Genesis, but her perspective on this passage has changed.

Everyone makes mistakes, and the characters in this story are all facing difficult situations.

Even though Abraham and Sarah made mistakes, God did not abandon them.

God sees us in our circumstances and offers us grace.

Challenges and Choices

Karen talks about a personal situation where she feels stuck and is praying for guidance.

She emphasizes the importance of seeking God's will when faced with challenging circumstances.

We should pray about what our role is in difficult situations – is it to pray, or is it to take action?

Conclusion

Karen encourages listeners to reflect on the passage and ask God what He wants them to learn from it.

She reminds everyone that God sees us and will help us through our struggles.

Additional Notes

Karen mentions struggling with the concept of rescuing others and emphasizes that God is the rescuer.

She acknowledges that waiting for God's timing can be difficult.

Transcription

Um, we're going to have a little bit of audience participation as well.

High, lovely people.

Is that okay?

You're not allowed to say no, by the way.

I don't know.

Um, and a rider is, you are not the people that you will be in today's story.

Is that okay?

So I went to see Graham, and I went morning Graham, and he went,

it's going to be trouble, isn't it?

And all I wanted was some verses up there, that's all.

So, um, we're doing Genesis 16 today.

If you like Genesis 15, 16 and 17 are all part of the same soap opera,

because it all goes together.

But before we start on it, I'm going to give you a little bit of my background

because it is relevant.

So, as Nick said, I've been married to Johnson for nearly 40 years,

as I've known him for 43 years.

Um, we started going out on February the 1st, 1981.

And we met at Bible College.

Or, as was commonly known at the time, London Bridal College.

Plus, there were lots of women there, and not that many men.

Um, and Jonathan was doing a diploma in theology, and I was doing a degree in theology.

And because I was doing a degree, that then meant that I could do a pastoral diploma

alongside my degree.

Which meant that you did extra lectures, but you also had to do various other things.

I had to do two summer schools.

I did one with Bob Gordon and Colin Erkart many years ago.

Um, and it also meant that you had to do so many preachers at churches over the two years.

Okay?

So, you'd get a list, and you'd phone that church up,

and you'd say, hi, I'm your, hi, I'm your preacher for such and such a date.

And I would do this, and on a regular basis,

as soon as whoever picked the phone were up, and they heard a woman's voice,

they would say, no, you're not.

Okay? I'm talking 40 years ago.

The method is actually, we're very good. They always let me go.

Um, and that sort of embedded in me something that started when I was about 12.

So, I rememb

Summary

Introduction

Erica starts with an illustration about her son singing a children's worship song and how it made her think about brokenness and God's mercy.

Recap of Last Week's Sermon

Erica summarizes the previous sermon where they spoke about the importance of trusting God even in difficult situations.

Abraham's Story - Genesis 15

Erica focuses on Genesis 15 where Abraham has just rescued Lot and other people from a battle.

Abraham decided to return all the captured plunder to the king of Sodom, even though he had won the battle and could have kept it.

This act of giving everything back to the king impressed God because Abraham gave God all the glory for his success.

The Importance of Giving God the Glory

The message is that we should give God the glory for everything good in our lives, not take credit for ourselves.

Often we focus on the temporary pleasures of the world instead of the permanent reward of knowing God.

Erica emphasizes that trusting in God will never leave us feeling like we missed out.

Abraham Questions God's Promise

Abraham reminds God of his promise of a son, as it had been 10-15 years since the initial promise in Genesis 12.

This act of reminding God is seen as acceptable because it shows dependence on God's faithfulness.

God Reaffirms His Promises to Abraham

God reassures Abraham of the promise of a son, using the countless stars in the sky as a metaphor for the multitude of descendants Abraham will have.

God establishes a covenant with Abraham, promising him land for his descendants.

The Ritual of the Cut Pieces

God instructs Abraham to perform a ritual with sacrificed animals, cut in half and laid on the ground.

Vultures came to eat the sacrifice, but Abraham drove them away.

This is seen as a representation of doubt and negativity that can try to steal our joy and faith.

God Shows Abraham the Future

Abraham falls into a deep sleep, and God reveals the future struggles and hardships Abraham's descendants will face.

Difficulties do not negate God's promises; they are part of the journey.

Finding Freedom Through Worship

Erica uses Philippians 2:13 to remind listeners that God works in them to desire and do what pleases Him.

This means God gets the glory, not us.

She emphasizes that God doesn't forget or abandon us, even during moments of doubt about faith or salvation.

God's Unwavering Promises

Referencing the stars again, Erica highlights God's faithfulness to His promises, even when we doubt.

She assures listeners that God remains a covenant-keeping God, even when we are faithless.

Quotes Hebrews 13:5 ("I will never leave you nor forsake you") to emphasize God's constant presence.

Worship as an Expression of Gratitude

The sermon shifts to the purpose of worship.

Worship is not about manipulating God to obtain things; His promises are already established.

We sing and worship because our hearts overflow with gratitude for God's free gifts and the freedom He offers.

Conclusion

Erica emphasizes the privilege of being a worshiper and the freedom that comes with focusing on God's faithfulness.

The sermon ends with a powerful declaration of "amen."

Key Points

Give God the glory for everything good in your life.

Trusting in God is more valuable than temporary worldly pleasures.

Don't be afraid to remind God of His promises.

Doubt and negativity can try to steal your faith, but you can overcome them.

Struggles and hardships are part of life, but God's promises are still true.

God works in us to accomplish His will.

God's promises are unwavering, even when we doubt.

Worship is an expression of gratitude for God's faithfulness and the freedom He provides.

Transcript

speak through eric is now in jesus nine

uh...

one

it's dark green

now it's dark green

jensen i wonder if you could put up that song

once again i look upon the cross where you died

that first

jesus christ i think u

Summary

This sermon explores the story of Abraham rescuing his nephew Lot from captivity in Genesis 14. Aiden uses this story to provide guidance on how to deal with difficult situations in our own lives, emphasizing the importance of faith, community, and the potential impact of our actions.

Key Points:

The Battle of Nine Kings: Aiden summarizes the story of Abraham leading a rescue mission to save his nephew Lot, who was captured during a battle between five kings and four eastern kings.

A Lot at Stake: The title of the sermon refers to the high stakes involved in Abraham's situation. This is used as a springboard to discuss the challenges we face in our own lives.

Reacting to Challenges:

Keep Calm: Aiden emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of calm in difficult situations. This calmness is not simply a feeling, but a deep-rooted trust in God's sovereignty and goodness.

Assemble Your Team: We are not meant to face challenges alone. Building a strong community of support is crucial.

Consider the Ripple Effect: Our actions and decisions can have a significant impact on others, both positively and negatively.

Illustrations:

Modern Airplane Stories: Aiden shares personal stories of missed flights to highlight how the stakes can change our perspective on a situation.

Cuban Missile Crisis: The story of Vasily Arkhipov, a Soviet Navy officer who potentially prevented nuclear war, is used as an example of staying calm under pressure.

World Trade Center Rescue: The teamwork displayed in the aftermath of 9/11 is used to illustrate the importance of a strong support system.

Grandmother's Ministry: The story of Aiden's grandmother who started a children's ministry that continues to impact many lives demonstrates the far-reaching effects of our actions.

Call to Action:

The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to reflect on how they can apply these principles from Abraham's story to their own lives in dealing with challenges and making a positive impact on others.

Bible References:

Genesis 14 (primary passage)

Acts 7 (story of Stephen)



Transcript

Thank you Rowland. All that's loud. I'm sure he won't mind me saying this, but a couple

of weeks ago I was in awe of Darren. A full 10 days before he was due to preach, he'd

sent round his PowerPoint, he'd primed the team who were leading the service and he had

everything ready. So I resolved that I would learn from his example and I would do the

same. Long story short, I sent my PowerPoint to Pete yesterday. So thank you Pete. Appreciate

that. There's not here is he? This morning we're looking at the Battle of the Nine Kings

in Genesis 14. It's got a couple of other titles as well. If I could have my first slide

please James. Other titles include The Battle of the Veil of Sidim or The Slaughter of That

Place. We have a catchier title to follow, so don't feel like you need to write any of

those down. And I'm going to be breaking the mold a little bit because I'm not going

to read the passage in its entirety on the proviso that you go home and read it this

afternoon because it's such a short passage but there's so much to unpack in it. And the

reason I'm doing that is twofold. The first is there's lots of difficult words to pronounce

and the second more serious one is that sometimes, I might just be speaking for myself, when

you read the Bible word for word, I sometimes lose track of the fact that this is a real

event happening to real people many years ago and sometimes I can fall into the trap

of treating it a bit like a fairy story or a bit like a novel that isn't this interesting

but actually this is a real thing that happened to Abraham and the people at that time. And

just to kind of help us with that, I've transposed what happened or tried to transpose what happened

onto a modern day map so we can kind of understand where this is happening, where this is taking

place. And what happens is we have five kings

Nick's sermon based on Genesis 13, titled "Facing Up to Reality" or "When Your Blessing Becomes Your Burden".

Key Points:

We often associate blessings from God with material possessions, health, and success.

The Bible story of Abraham and Lot shows us that blessings can also become burdens and lead to conflict.

Abraham and Lot became very wealthy with flocks and herds, but their abundance caused arguments between their herdsmen.

Abraham valued his relationship with Lot more than his possessions and offered him the choice of the best land.

This act of generosity was rewarded by God who gave Abraham even more land.

The true goal in life is not to acquire blessings but to have a relationship with God.

We should not let our blessings (or lack thereof) become the reason we don't seek God.

MCF church has grown recently, but they must be careful not to let their success become a burden.

True success comes from focusing on what God values and not on outward appearances.

We should hold our blessings lightly and value our relationship with God above all else.

Bible References:

Genesis 13

Ephesians

Illustrations:

1. Social Media and #blessed:

Nick uses the current trend of social media posts showcasing a perfect life with the hashtag #blessed as an example. People often associate blessings from God with material possessions, good health, and success. These posts create a perception that these things are a sign of being blessed, and the lack of them suggests God's absence.

2. Ice Cream Wars:

This term refers to territorial disputes between ice cream vendors. Here, Nick uses it as an analogy for how abundance can lead to conflict. Even seemingly trivial things like selling space can become a battleground when there's a lot to be gained. This highlights the point that blessings, if not managed wisely, can become burdens that cause arguments and divisions.

3. Story of a Church Split due to Arguments over Property:

Nick uses this real-life example to illustrate how even churches, which are meant to be places of unity and love, can fall prey to the allure of material possessions. The Church of Pentecost in Ghana, once it acquired land and wealth, experienced similar conflicts to Abraham and Lot. This story emphasizes the importance of prioritizing relationships and spiritual values over material gain.

4. Story of a Young Man in Zambia who Faithfully Tithed:

This story serves as a counterpoint to the focus on material wealth. The young man, Kelvin, faithfully tithed his meager earnings despite his financial limitations. This act demonstrates that true blessings come from obedience and faith, not from the amount of money one has. He valued his relationship with God more than his possessions, and his act of giving reflected that.

Call to Action:

Don't let your blessings become your burden.

Focus on what is truly valuable: your relationship with God.













Transcript

Great morning. Yes, I do apologise for my slightly tawdry appearance.

A lot, lot better than it was yesterday. I don't know what it is,

but swollen eyes. It was all closed up yesterday like I'd been doing 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

When I, my first day at secondary school, somebody looked at me and said,

why do you look like Sylvester Stallone? And I thought, well, that's good. That means I've got

rugged, film-style good looks. Then I saw a picture of Sylvester Stallone, I thought it's not

actually the compliment that I thought it was. But this sort of enhances my naturally droopy

eyes gifted to me by the Lord. So there we are. But yeah, thanks for your prayers. It is good

to be here. It's always good to speak the word of God. And we're in Genesis chapter 13 this morning.

We're racing through at a rate of knots. Not Martin Lloyd Jones pace. This is MCF pace.

Genesis chapter 13. And my handsome assistant is going to come and read it for us.

It doesn't, looks more like David Hasselhoff than Sylvester Stallone.