Bikers Church Cape Town Bikers Church Cape Town

Trust in the Lord! - By Pastor Kobus Massyn
14-07-2024

Key scripture:
Luke 17:5-6
1 And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Temptations (snares, traps set to entice to sin) are sure to come, but woe to him by or through whom they come!
2 It would be more profitable for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea than that he should cause to sin or be a snare to one of these little ones [lowly in rank or influence].
3 Pay attention and always be on your guard [looking out for one another]. If your brother sins (misses the mark), solemnly tell him so and reprove him, and if he repents (feels sorry for having sinned), forgive him.
4 And even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and turns to you seven times and says, I repent [I am sorry], you must forgive him (give up resentment and consider the offense as recalled and annulled).
5The apostles said to the Lord, Increase our faith (that trust and confidence that spring from our belief in God). 6And the Lord answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.’

Faith vs Trust
Faith - pístis (from 3982/peithô, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust); faith.
Faith - pistis ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion"
Trust- pepoíthēsis (a feminine noun derived from /peíthō, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion; used of human confidence (deluded self-persuasion in Phil 3:4)
Trust – mental assessment / sense and knowledge
Trust- peíthō(the root of pístis, "faith") – to persuade; (passive) be persuaded of what is trustworthy.

Trust that God is Sovereign!
Colossians 1:16-17
'For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities;
all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together).

Trust that God knows best!
Rom 8:28
' We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.’

Trust is bracing yourself!
Ephesians 6:11
' Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.'

Exercise to trust
Galatians 6:7-9
Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap. For he who sows to his own flesh (lower nature, sensuality) will from the flesh reap decay and ruin and destruction, but he who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint.’

The inward life.

by Pastor George Lehman

 

Our outward life is what we project on the outside and it reveals what’s going on, on the inside.

Philippians 1:6 (Amp) – And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.

 

The outward work will never be weak, small, insignificant or inadequate if the inward work is great.



“A man who, as a physical being, is always turned toward the outside, thinking that his happiness lies outside him, finally turns inward and discovers that the source is within him.” -  Soren Kierkegaard (We try living our lives from the outside – inward)



You don’t have to come out of the spirit realm.

This is the great discovery

The same closeness, strength, joy, confidence and direction you experience on a Sunday service…

…. God intends for you to walk in the rest of the week.

The measure of a man is not what he does on Sunday, but rather who he is Monday through Saturday.

The devil is waiting to ambush you the moment you leave church.

He wants to bring to your mind thoughts of fear, failure, doubt, unbelief and destruction.

You got the Monday blues...?  Put on your Holy Ghost shoes!

We must “Arm ourselves” – as believers we must guard our minds and hearts. The Armour of God is a Spiritual Armour, not a flesh armour.

Like an alarm Keypad when you put in the correct code the property is ARMED and no one can break in without the alarm being activated. The code is the word of God!

 

As spiritual creatures the word says:

2 Corinthians 5:5-7 (NIV) – 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  6 Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7 For we live by faith, not by sight.



Clearly, we are commanded to live in the Spirit and not in the natural.

Romans 8:5 (NIV) – Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

 

Romans 8:8-9 (NIV) – 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.  9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 



We must be conscious of our inner life all the time. It’s the engine room from where we live.

Romans 8:14 (NIV) – For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

 

Romans 8:16 (NIV) – The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 

 

Proverbs 20:27 (NIV) – The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being.

 

Isaiah 60:1 (NIV) – “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.



Your inner life is your most valuable possession.

As Christians we can expect God to enlighten us and to guide us by the powerful inner working of the spirit.

With the inner life we are magnificently equipped to face whatever life throws at us.

Ephesians 3:16 (Amp) – May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality],



The Peasants story:

The story of John Tauler, the 14th century Dominican monk whose writings so greatly influenced Martin Luther.

One day, we are told, Tauler was walking in the city of Strasbourg when he met a peasant.

By way of greeting the man, the monk said, “God give you a good day, my friend”.

“I thank God I never have a bad day,” answered the peas

REPENTANCE
by Pastor George Lehman
Admitting sins; is no substitute for quitting sin.



This sermon of Peter had a great life changing impact.

   Acts 2:38 - Peter replied, “Each of you (None of us is exempted) must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The sermon of ± 2 min long – had an incredible result – 3000 people became Christians. Notice  ACTS 2 verse 41. “Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.”

The word Peter used – Repent – the actual meaning of the word in Greek is “Metanoeo” which means: -

1) Changing of purpose – Not to continue a wrongful purpose.

2) A complete change in direction 180° turn to go the opposite way.

It’s a change of mind.

The person who is truly repentant – is a person who forsakes their sin and turns and follows Jesus –

2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

You cannot be (born again) saved or converted without genuine “repentance”.



2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinary patient) towards you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

Acts 17:30 – In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to “repent”.



Jesus’ message.

Mark 1:14-15 - 14Now after John was arrested and put into prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News (the gospel of the Kingdom).

15And saying, the time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; REPENT (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe the Good News the Gospel.



Paul spoke a lot about repentance as well

Acts 26:20b – I preached that they should “repent” and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.



Many Christians are under the wrong impression that: -

Repentance is only for the Lost or the unsaved.
Boy do I have news for you: Repentance must be a daily exercise for each and every Christian.

I want to talk to you about the blessing of repentance.

The problem with the church of today as in Jesus’ day.

It’s easy to point out the faults others and their mistakes; but very slow to examine our own lives.
Quick to judge others but slow to repent ourselves.


Revelation 2:5 - Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.

No repentance – No revival ] Victory
Without repentance – there’s no forgiveness ] lies on the
Without repentance – there is no freedom ] other side of
Without repentance – there is no blessing. ] repentance

Why was David a man after the heart of God?  Because he understood the meaning and result of repentance.

Here’s a journey to victory as an example to us from David's life of repentance.



PSALM 32:

Verse 1: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

This verse does not say “blessed is he who never sins”.

God will have that we don’t sin but when we do: -
He wants us to repent and receive forgiveness.



Verse 2: Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

1 John 1:9 (Amp) – If we (freely) admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins (dismiss our lawlessness) and (continuously) cleanse us from all unrighteousness (everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought and action).



What an awesome freedom to know th

A disciple is a persevering, steadfast person.

The great majority of men are bundles of beginnings.

By Pastor George Lehman

There are a great many starters but so few persevering, enduring, steadfast disciples that actually press on to the finish line.

Here Paul is talking about an amazing event that will take place when Jesus comes.

He ends it with this instruction, that we must first stand strong, persevere and endure throughout our life, and live as genuine disciples.

 

1 Corinthians 15: 51-58 (Amp) - 51Take notice! I tell you a mystery (a secret truth, an event decreed by the hidden purpose or counsel of God). We shall not all fall asleep [in death], but we shall all be changed (transformed) 52In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the [sound of the] last trumpet call. For a trumpet will sound, and the dead [in Christ] will be raised imperishable (free and immune from decay), and we shall be changed (transformed). 53For this perishable [part of us] must put on the imperishable [nature], and this mortal [part of us, this nature that is capable of dying] must put on immortality (freedom from death). 54And when this perishable puts on the imperishable and this that was capable of dying puts on freedom from death, then shall be fulfilled the Scripture that says, Death is swallowed up (utterly vanquished forever) in and unto victory.  55O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? 56Now sin is the sting of death, and sin exercises its power [upon the soul] through [the abuse of] the Law.  57“But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].



Rich Mears, a racing car driver, said: “To finish first, you must first finish”.

Every child of God will finish first at the end of your life’s race if you were faithful, because we each are running our own individual race our competition is none other than ourselves!

The point is: Persevering [volhard, volhou, aanhou], steadfast, enduring, persistent people begin their success where most others quit.

 

Quitters never win and winners never quit



Jesus said:  Matthew 10:22 (Amp) - All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

We will have to endure and persevere much in this life – go through difficulties, hardships, temptations, tests, trials.  By not giving in or up, you’ll be saved.

The crowns that will be worn in heaven have been tried and smelted and polished and glorified through the furnace of suffering and tribulation. (We prepare our own crowns)

 

1 Thessalonians 3:3 (Msg) - Not that troubles (hardships, difficulties and affliction) should come as any surprise to you.  You’ve always known that we’re in for this kind of thing.  It’s part of our calling.

Clearly tests, trials and troubles are a part of a child of God’s life.

Hebrews 12:1b (Amp) - … and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.



1 Timothy 4:16 (Amp) - Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching: persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.



Hebrews 10:36 (Amp) - For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God, and thus receive and carry away (and enjoy to the full) what is promised.



James 5:11 (NIV) - As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.



There may be someone here who once walked with passion and fire on this dis

Fathers at the Frontlines:
Standing Strong in the Face of Adversity

By Pastor George Lehman



Father is an appointed position from God; He has a very specific role.

A father is neither an anchor nor a sail, but a guiding light in the sea of life

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 

On Mother's Day many pastors across the nation praise our moms for her sacrifices, her dedication and everybody rejoices, we give her honour, some even weep.

But on Father's Day there is this tendency to talk about absentee father's, deadbeat dad's statistics are repeated about his failures, and we lay on the guilt for not being there for the kids.

If you look up the word ''father'' in the dictionary it occurs just before the word ''fatigue,'' and just after the word, ''fathead!''

Women today are looking for the ideal man. What does that even mean?

He must be strong, good looking, aggressive, successful, dependable, well-dressed, and a responsible businessman, He must be interested in all things and excel in most. He must be a super spiritual leader in the home. Have you seen anyone that fits that description? Take heart, neither has any woman.

What is a total complete man, might I ask? He is the one who understands and accepts the responsibility for the development of his mental, emotional, and spiritual capacity and demonstrates this by his maturing attitude and actions in his personal life, his home life, his vocational life, his social life, and his spiritual life. Right?

A father standing strong in the face of adversity.

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.”

A good father is an example of what it means to be a man of faith.

Psalm 22:4-5 - “Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to you, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.”

From one generation to another, we pass on the faith, we are to point our family and friends to Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:11-12(Amp) – 11For you know how, as a father [dealing with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating and encouraging and charging you. 12To live lives worthy of God, Who calls you into His own kingdom and the glorious blessedness [into which true believers will enter after Christ’s return].

We need men who have both a knowledge of God’s Word and the conviction to follow that Word: Men of faith who aren’t afraid to live out their faith before the world and in their homes consistently 24/7.



1 Kings 22:42-43 - “Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD:

Research has established that parents can have a significant impact on the religious beliefs and practices of their children. In one recent study it was found that fathers who frequently attend church, discuss religion at home, and are committed to their religion have sons who follow the same pattern concerning religious values and behavior.

Interestingly, fathers who did not do these three things had an inconsistent pattern of influence over their son’s religious responses. - Dr. Michael Green, Kindred Spirit, Autumn, 1989

A good father exhibits purity and holiness

1 Timothy 2:8 - “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.”

God wants us to be pure in everything we think, say, see and do. God is looking for men who aren't afraid to strive to live holy lives.

Malachi 4:5-6 - “Behold, I will send y