1. A new Message and Our recent programme in the word
Keith Brockbank
8 October 2017

2. Responding to disappointment and uncertainty …
One trauma of tragedy is how it can derail one’s whole life. News of chronic illness, bereavement, bankruptcy may be events around which we can craft a narrative, yet the personal impact drains life’s essence from one’s veins. In the months after Katey’s MS diagnosis, before even comprehending what we faced, my whole world detached itself from the reality of my personal life. Instantly, an external intrusion disabled my compass and my entire navigation system. I froze, while the world continued to spin around me.
Philippians 3:13b NLT
"Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead…"
We set aside what lay behind us. Not simply history, but unrealisable dreams. We embraced the challenge less than enthusiastically. Walking forward, our nerves strained, we entered an unknowable future hoping, more than trusting, that God would accompany us.
An extract from “Be Still and Know” a devotional by Dr Micha Jazz

3. For LWCC – God presents us with a choice
The story of the 10 spies returning to Moses and the nation in the wilderness
Fear and uncertainty
Dominated/Overwhelmed by their enemies
A whole generation did not enter The Promised Land, apart from Joshua and Caleb
The story of Gideon
Fear and uncertainty
Who me?
Took hold of the little courage he had and started to obey (but at night)
An army reduced by God to a few with a little bit of courage
A victory was won and God gave them peace from their enemies OR

4. How do we move forward?
Make a decision, as The Lord said to Israel in Deuteronomy … “choose this day; but as for me and my house, we will follow The Lord”
We need to discover a fresh dynamic of the Holy Spirit & a balance between Word and Spirit
Remember: a faithful exegesis of the word is a matter of understanding (intellect) and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit

5. This series has been protracted!
As a leadership team we wanted to consider a series of issues which impact upon everyday church life.
We want to see The Holy Spirit transform us in these issues
We recognise this is by no means a comprehensive list!
These things have an impact individually and corporately
We wanted to consider 3 perspectives:
Biblical
Personal
Pastoral

6. Issue 1 – identity Chrissie: How can I understand my identity better?
How can I live out from my true identity?
What are the most important identity pitfalls?

7. Issue 2 – the challenge of our birth
David:
Where do our characteristics come from?
What are our strengths and weaknesses?
How do we deal with flaws/weaknesses?

8. Issue 3 – the church as god’s family
How are we doing at representing a family?
How do we look after our relationships one with another?
Where can we improve?

9. Issue 4 – the difference between joy and happiness
Tim/Jonathan:
What is the source of our joy?
Can we choose joy versus happiness?
How do we deal with unhappiness?

10. Issue 5 - intimacy David: How do we enhance intimacy with God?
How do we enhance intimacy with other people?
What kinds or relationship speak of true intimacy?

11. Issue 6 - godliness Brian: How do we define what it means to be godly?
How can we grow to be more godly?
How do we deal with ungodliness when it is revealed?

12. Issue 7 – the role of women
Barbara:
What was Jesus’ attitude to women and their roles?
What was Paul’s attitude to women and their roles?
How do we move forward in aligning our practices with our convictions?

13. Issue 8 - singleness Ewen:
How do we ensure that marital status is not a level of status in the church?
How can married people engage better with singles?
How can single people engage better with marrieds?

14. Oh … what am I supposed to do now!!??
It is evident that having presented you with 24 questions you cannot even consider addressing them all at once!
So, I will be posting this presentation via and our website for you to be able to think more.
Even so, it is pertinent to ask ourselves – each one of us – what is it out of all of this that The lord wants me to consider and respond to right now?

15. In conclusion …2 Peter 1:3-11
Growing in Faith
3By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.
5In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, 6and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, 7and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.
8The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.
10So, dear brothers and sisters,c work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.