Living Hope Douglas North Living Hope Isle of Man

This sermon explores the Christian life as a race, drawing a parallel to a near-miss at the 1959 Isle of Man TT motorcycle races. We need to "look before we leap" just like rider Keith Heckles, but more importantly, to fix our gaze on Jesus throughout the race.

The Bible says in Hebrews 12:1-2 to run with endurance, focusing on Jesus. Jesus endured the cross for us, and by looking to Him, we find strength and purpose. Imagine being mesmerized by a fire – that's how we should be with Jesus!

Running with our eyes on Jesus is important because:
1. He is God and deserves our worship.
2. He has the best plan for our lives, even when it's difficult.

This race is a marathon, not a sprint. God calls us to a life of following Him, not just dipping in and out. Just like enjoying a delicious meal, we should fully embrace the life Jesus offers – a life filled with love, joy, peace, and purpose.

Is your gaze fixed on Jesus?

This is our time to see the ripple spreading out and making Disciples to help others and starting other legacies. There are some big characters in the bible: Epaphras is one of them although he is only mentioned in the bible three times. He changed his area of the world - Turkey. Epaphras went from Colossae to Ephesus during Paul's stay at Ephesus. He was known as a servant of Christ Jesus. Paul was talking about everyone as being slaves, we are slaves to Jesus, with a master who loves us and gave his life for us. God came to set the captive free.

Feeling weak and overwhelmed? In this episode of the "Making Disciples" series, Chris Staples explores how God's power can strengthen us in our moments of weakness.

He dives into 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, where Paul emphasises that God's grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in weakness. We are also encouraged by examples in the Old Testament (Judges 6:34, 1 Chronicles 12:18, 2 Chronicles 24:20) of how the Holy Spirit clothed individuals with power to accomplish God's work.

Discover how being "Clothed in Power" from God can equip you with:
* Strength for the Weak: God empowers those who feel inadequate (Isaiah 40:29-31).
* Peace for the Troubled: The Holy Spirit replaces fear with God's love and peace (2 Timothy 1:7).

This message also explores how God can use our weaknesses to His glory.

The key people Chris mentions are:
* Gideon (Judges 6:34)
* Amasai (1 Chronicles 12:18)
* Zechariah (2 Chronicles 24:20)
* Disciples (Luke 24:49)
* Paul (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

Chris Staples delves into 'the Bible' in this foundational teaching. Understanding the power and importance of the Bible is something that every person needs to navigate life and stay in God's will and purposes.
Chris explores passages like 2 Timothy 3:14-17 and Psalm 19:7-11, highlighting the Bible's unique qualities:
God's Inspired Word: The Bible is not simply human invention, but the very breath of God, offering wisdom and guidance for our lives.
God's Usable Word: Scripture equips us for every good work, providing instruction, correction, and training in righteousness.
God's Purposeful Word: The Bible is not just for reading; it's meant to be applied. It transforms our hearts and equips us to live according to God's will.
Join us as we explore the life-changing power of the Bible!

Feeling isolated on your faith journey? This week in the "Making Disciples" series, Stuart Nelson explores the power of Christian community.

He dives into Ephesians 4:11-12, reminding us that God equips his church with gifted individuals to build each other up. Stuart explores inspiring passages like Acts 2:42-47, showcasing the early church's dedication to fellowship, prayer, and shared meals.

Discover how being part of a strong Christian community can:
Equip you through teaching and shared knowledge (Ephesians 2:19-21, 2 Peter 3:18)
Motivate you to grow in your faith through encouragement and accountability (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Sharpen your faith through interaction with others (Proverbs 27:17)

Nelson shares an acronym on how being in a life group is "BEST".

Join us and discover the power of being "Stronger Together"!

We are not like a family, we are a family! What purpose to you have for God? What gift of the holy spirit do you have? Everyone has at least one. How do we identify the gifts God gave you? Some people will know what your gift is, others may be fearful of the gift they have been given but God knows you and will give you the perfect gift for you. It is your choice if you activate your gift, you will not be forced into it.