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Our great enemy ‘self-will’

By Pastor George Lehman



Why talk about “Self-Will” because it’s a daily struggle, to surrender our will to God.

It’s not a suggestion either; it’s an on-purpose surrender.

Mathew 16:24 (Amp) - Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone desires to be My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying, also].



There’s only one effectively redemptive sacrifice – the sacrifice of self-will to make room for the knowledge of God.

Self-will is defined as pleasing oneself especially in opposition to the wishes or desires of others. It is often associated with stubbornness, disobedience, and a lack of self-control.
Self-will is so enthusiastic and active that it will break a world to pieces to make a stool to sit on. Doing what one wants in spite of the wishes or orders of others.



Psalm 78:7-9 (Amp) - That they might set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but might keep His commandments  And might not be as their fathers--a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that set not their hearts aright nor prepared their hearts to know God, and whose spirits were not steadfast and faithful to God. The children of Ephraim were armed and carrying bows, yet they turned back in the day of battle.

Hebrews 2:1-3a (Amp) - 1Since all this is true, we ought to pay much closer attention than ever to the truths that we have heard, lest in any way we drift past [them] and slip away. 2For if the message given through angels [the Law spoken by them to Moses] was authentic and proved sure, and every violation and disobedience received an appropriate (just and adequate) penalty. 3How shall we escape [appropriate retribution] if we neglect and refuse to pay attention to such a great salvation [as is now offered to us, letting it drift past us forever]?

God has equipped us to surrender our will.

2 Peter 1:3 (Amp) - For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).



He who wishes to fulfil his mission in the world must be a man of one idea, that is of one great overmastering purpose, overshadowing all his aims, and guiding and controlling his entire life.  “Bate”.



Will power:  The WILL to act to change.

The most useless are those who never change through the years and keep going back to their old ways!

When a disciple realizes God is asking him to do something that goes against his own plans or desires, the ‘self-will test’ has begun.

God has to break our self-will and personal ambitions to enable Him to use us to trust us to do whatever He requires for us to accomplish in His Kingdom work.

It’s easier to do it God’s way because you may not like the way that God chooses to break your obstinate WILL!

At times God will ask a disciple to sacrifice even good and appropriate things.

He will sometimes even request a disciple to do something for Him and give no logical reason for it.

I Just want to say it will never go against His word or get you to sin!

By not explaining His request, God is developing child-like faith and obedience in His child’s heart.

This kind of simple faith is ALWAYS pleasing to God.



A good example is Abraham.

Genesis 22:1-2 (Amp) - After these events, God tested and proved Abraham and said to him, Abraham! And he said, Here I am.  [God] said, take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah; and offer him there as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains of which I will tell you.

Tested – critical examination or trial of a person’s qualities.

Proved – establish validity of (will)



Our constant submission to the Lord’s will is w

IF GOD IS GOOD, WHY IS THERE SO MUCH EVIL
Pastor George Lehman
Genesis 6:5-7 – 5The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually. 6And the Lord regretted that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved at heart. 7So the Lord said, “I will destroy, blot out, and wipe away mankind, whom I have created from the face of the ground – not only man, [but] the beasts and the creeping things and the birds of the air- for it grieves Me and makes Me regretful that I have made them.”
God did deal with evil once before.

In heaven God will reveal what on earth He chose to conceal.


Deuteronomy 29:29 (Amp) – The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but the things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all of the words of this law.

Psalm 34:8 (Amp) - “O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.

There is no question that evil exists, and it is getting worse.

Anyone who denies this is living in a cave or on another planet.



The word evil used is: - “Ponéros” = Hurtful, calamity (ramp), bad, harm, to degenerate from the original virtue.



As Christians we say God is Good and He is all-powerful.  So, why doesn’t He do something about it?  (You need to bear with me on this one).

Could it be that God is not that good after all – or maybe He is not all powerful as we believe He is?

So, what is the answer?  Is God capable of destroying evil?  If so, then why doesn’t He do it.



I’ve heard so many say: -

How can I believe in a God who allows children and women to be molested and raped?
Innocent people suffer from famine and drought.
Why does God allow terrorists to strap bombs to themselves and kill innocent people?
Senseless murders, and on and on evil soars

Why does God allow this?  These are tough questions.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers, or even understand everything, but I hope to give some answers that will begin to untie this deep mystery.



Firstly, I would suggest to understand why there is evil in the world, is to: -

Realise that God is Good and He is all-powerful.

When people see or even experience evil, they think God can’t be in control, He can’t be good or all-powerful.

On the surface it sounds good and logical but, until we realize the standards we use to measure the ability and will of God is faulty, and mostly it is just about everyone’s opinion.

People get so focused on the hurts, the bad, the calamities, and the horrors of what’s happening that they begin to wonder if God cares at all – some believe there is a cosmic plot against them.

Psalm 34:8 - “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”

The bible is full of verses telling us about the Goodness of God in dealing with man – even though we don’t deserve it.

 

Psalm 145:8 - “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and abounding in mercy and loving kindness.”

After all, why would God bother giving us scriptures and promises if He wasn’t Good and all-powerful.



Isaiah 40:25-26 -  “25To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength not one of them is missing.” (God is Majestic comes to mind)
I’d say the Creator of the universe is plenty powerful …



Did you know there are some things God cannot do?

God cannot lie
Numbers 23:19: - “God is not a man that He should tell a lie.”
God cannot change
Hebrews 13:8 – He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
God cannot recall our sins after we have asked for forgiveness.
God cannot be the

A visit to Calvary’s Cross

By Pastor Ian September



Leaflet: “When it becomes a deep rooted revelation of what Jesus Christ did for you at Calvary, you will never walk away.”

Key Scriptures: Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16; John 15:13; Eph. 5:1; 1 Cor. 11:23-29

1 Cor. 11:28

Good morning church, on this very special Sunday, no ordinary Sunday, but the greatest day in history; He has risen, just as He said he would! As the Scripture said He would.

Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, the most important Sunday on the Christian calendar, and we can know for sure, that He is alive, the stone’s been rolled away, death could not hold Him,  and the grave could not contain Him! Hallelujah!

So, as we look at our sermon topic today, we should understand that it is important to visit Calvary often, to remind ourselves of the finished work on the cross, where Jesus Christ the  Messiah, laid down His life, voluntarily & completely so that you and I may be washed, healed & made whole!

The name Calvary comes from the Latin word meaning “the place of skulls” and the Greek word Golgotha, in its original meaning “the hill of skulls”.

But the most meaningful aspect of Calvary or Golgotha, is what happened there, nearly 2000 years ago! Isaiah 53:5 says this about the event that brought us life. (Read from verse 4).

Isaiah 53:4-5 (NIV) – 4Surely He took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered Him punished by God stricken by Him, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

This all happened on Calvary hill, where our Saviour was tortured beyond recognition, bruised & broken for our transgressions, sin & shame… and with that in mind, when we as believers look at the cross, we will discover & be aware of our sinfulness, short-comings & iniquities!

Can I just say, that you cannot look at the empty cross & not be challenged, church.

It is quite normal for people to conceal, ignore, excuse, justify & even explain their sins, but if you fully understand the wondrous cross, and Jesus’s body on that cross, you will find it almost impossible not to confess & forsake our sins!

When we visit Calvary, we will discover the very nature of God:
John 3:16 (NIV) – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

It’s on Calvary’s Hill that God reveals His amazing grace & mercy towards sinners, giving us what we do not deserve, and not, not giving us what we do deserve!

The Bible teaches us in John 15:13 (NIV) – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Jesus laid down His life, although He had legions at His disposal, He said: “Father, not my will, but your will be done”! Are you prepared to lay down your life for Him, church?

It is sad, but true, that every rejecter of God’s love, mercy & grace is crucifying the Son of God all over again (think about that…).

When we visit Calvary, or Golgotha, we will find that the world’s only hope & future, is in Christ alone!

You see, many people, including myself, went to great extremes, to find happiness, love, joy and peace….. Some will spend millions in pursuing the ultimate, but when we visit Calvary, we will find that the “ultimate” is just a confession away! Ultimate love, joy, peace & happiness is found at the foot of the cross, on your knees before the Almighty God!

When we visit Calvary, we will find inspiration for serving God & others!

Jesus’ death on the cross, must surely be one of the greatest acts of self-denial ever! The spotless Lamb of God, Christ the Messiah without blemish, sin or shame laying it all down, so that we may have it all!

The Bible says in Ephesians 5:1 (Amp) – Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate

                                     Words must show Works.

By Pastor George Lehman

 

James 1:22-24 (Msg) – Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

 

4 Steps: Information; Revelation; Transformation; Application.

 

“Words are like seeds that do more than blow around. They land in our hearts and not on the ground. The seed I plant today will determine the harvest I reap tomorrow.”

We are reaping today what we sowed yesterday.



AD 48 years ago and is still relevant today:

James 3:1-12 (NIV) – “1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Words don’t become public through our lips alone….

Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Emails, You Tube, Instagram, WhatsApp and the like) are making verbal communication a dying art.

Think about it…

The vast majority of Communication today takes place via – Smartphone text or Computer.

We are full of words, but they come more and more, through fast moving fingers on a Keyboard.

Somehow, we haven’t learned to heed James’s warning….

James 1:19(NIV) – “Be quick to hear and slow to speak.”

What comes out of our mouths and what we might type in a text message or send out via social media……This is of vital importance that James devoted twelve entire verses to it.

Having just addressed the relationship between our Faith and our Works

He turns to the relationship between our Faith and our Words.

Our WORDS reveal what is ACTUALLY within us!

James explained that having “good works” isn’t enough if we don’t have “good words.”
(All the good you do; your mouth can cancel it.)

Growing up this quote was used many times when someone said negative, bad, critical words over them: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”

This statement is really not true….

Over the years I have recieved several scares from sticks and stones, but those scars have healed.

BUT many people who have been the target of harsh words, piercing words carry wounds for a lifetime some people never heal….

WORDS HAVE POWER!

They can bless and encourage or breakdown and discourage.

They can help and motivate or hurt and de-motivate.

How many children have grown up with hearing a parent say, “You are useless, worthless and won’t amount to much.”

How many have allowed those words t

The Tongue

By Pastor George Lehman

When you have spoken the word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken, you reign over it. Arabian proverb.
(Whatever comes out of your mouth, there will be consequences good or bad)

   Matthew 12:36-37 (Amp) – 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak, 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

 

Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.  Abraham Lincoln.

 

So many people get filled up and blessed by God’s truths from His word by sermons and bible readings etc.

The problem is we just let it run out through our mouths (tongues) with our negative confessions. So few have a guard over their tongues

If we are going to maintain and contain the blessings and promises of the Lord, we are going to have to keep a tight rein on our tongue.



Let us see what the bible says about out Tongue!

#1 The Lying Tongue – Proverbs 6:17 – A lying tongue.

Lying is one of the things God finds detestable and all liars have their place in the lake of fire.

Revelations 21:8 (Amp) – But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practices of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed) – [all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death.

You should also take note that the devil is the father of liars.



#2 The Flattering Tongue – saying something you don’t mean.

God hates Flattery. -Vleiery (Not being sincere, wanting something from someone. Using it to your advantage.)

Psalm 12:3-4 (Amp) – 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting, 4Those who say, with our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will] – who is lord and master over us?

As believers, we should never praise others because we want to get something from them. Be careful of ulterior motives.

Ecclesiastes 5:7b – “... and there is ruin in a flood of empty words; fear God instead”.



#3 The Proud Tongue

A proud / boastful tongue is sinful. Proud believers are full of themselves and learn little from anyone else.

Psalm 147:6 - “The Lord lifts up the humble and downtrodden; He casts the wicked down to the ground.” (A proud tongue will destroy your life)

God’s grace will be extended to those who are Humble before Him.



#4 The Overused Tongue – The only time you take your foot out is to stick the other foot in.

A terrorist pointed a gun at a woman and asked, “Any last words?” 4 Hours later he shot himself..!

Proverb 10:19 says that the prudent hold their tongues. We are advised to be persons of fewer words.

 

#5 The Swift Tongue

This is talking too quick or being too quick to answer without listening. James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry.

Just call me if you need help; quick to promise but oh so slow or never do.



#6 Backbiting Tongue

Backbiters are those who use their tongues against others when they are absent.
If we’re soaked in this habit, we need to change.

If you have ever been a victim of backbiting, don’t backbite back; God will fight for you. This tongue destroys ministries, families and relationships.
It will come back to bite you.

 

#7 Gossiping Tongue

Gossip is such a common sin today. God hates a gossiping tongue. If someone can gossip to you about someone else; they will do it to you too.
Take care not to spread false information against others.

Proverbs 2

To Love and serve one another. - By: Pastor George Lehman



None of us are exempt, there are no spectators.

 The roots of joy grow deepest in the soil of Love & service.

Where there is love and service there will always be great joy.

As children of God, we need to re-look at the motives of our heart.  Are we truly loving and serving one another, are we really building Godly relationships?



Question:  How committed are you to having / promoting Godly relationships? E.g. setting your own desires and needs aside for a moment to love and serve others?



Galatians 5:13-15 (Amp) - 13For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.  14For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.  15But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another. (The sign that you are truly free. How you love and serve others.)



In our lives we have this wonderful freedom of choice:
We are the sum total of our choices
- Chose your bike/car.
- Chose your career.
- Chose what we will do with the 24 hours of a day.

Considering this scripture text, Paul is telling the Galatian people we are not under the law of Moses with its complex of “Dos and Don’ts” but in this new freedom, it carries with it an awesome responsibility.  Now that, as a child of God you have been set free, Paul warns in verse 13.



Don’t let your freedom become an excuse for:

- selfishness,
- self-comfort,
- self-concern,
- self-pleasing,
- self-interests.

We will all face this temptation in our new Christian life to arrange our time and our lives around ourselves and our own pleasures.
Not leaving an opening for loving and serving others.

In contrast to a selfish, self-centred lifestyle, what does the Word tell us to do?



Galatians 5:13b (Amp) - But through love you should SERVE one another.

God always works where His people meet His conditions.

The 1st condition – UNTY amongst the people who are seeking Gods visitation.

We are not called to pray for unity, but rather to exercise it.



Psalm 133:1&3b (Amp) - Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!  3)……for there the Lord has commanded the blessing, even life forevermore [upon the high and the lowly].

Unity is not optional.  God commands it from us!



Steps to loving and serving relationships.

#1  Realize that loving and serving relationships are twofold.  (It takes 2 to tango).

You cannot have a meaningful, loving, serving relationship by yourself.  It takes at least one more person.Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much.

Let go of any baggage, so you can be free to pick up your cross and serve others. Stop fighting with yourself.



Philippians 2:4 (Amp) - Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not (merely) his own interests but also each for the interest of others.



#2  Do to others as you would have them do unto you. (Practice the principle of mutual action.)

- Love others and they will love you.
- Care for others and they will care for you.
- Help others and they will help you.

NB!!  If others don’t do it back, it’s because they have a problem, not you.



#3  With determination work on your God-centred loving and serving relationships.

James 1:19-20 - “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

It does produce; but not what God desires.
To carry grudges, bitterness, unforgiveness, hurts, harboring ill feelings, it destroys the one carrying it.

 

1 Peter 4:8 - “Above all, love each other deeply, becau