The Church: God's Zion. Pr. Antonio Nasser Nov. 1st, 2009

Text: Isaiah 35:3-10

I. Church is for everyone:
Weak hands and feeble knees – v.3
Fearful-hearted – v.4
Blind and deaf – v.5
Lame and Dumb – v.6

II. Areas of healing
1. When you pass through Discipline
v.3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.
New Testament: Heb 12
11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
13 "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

2. When you are Under Pressure
4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you."
New Testament: 2 Corinthians
8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed--
Romans 12:19 (NKJV) 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.

3. When you have no Hope
5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.
New Testament: John 7
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.
38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."

III. The Highway of Holiness
8 And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.
New Testament: 2Corinthians 7
1 Since we have these promises, dear friends,
we need to cleanse ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit
and live a holy life in the fear of God.

IV. The Future of The Church
10 and the ransomed of the Lord will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV)
1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb
2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him.
4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

The Invitation:

Revelations 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17 (NKJV)

God OR Money IV- MULTIPLYING YOUR SEED - Pr. Brent Cantelon October 25th, 2009

Watch this message at http://www.clachurch.com/index.php?id=158

Text: 2 Corinthians 8 and 9

Tithe is established by the Lord and we have discussed that thoroughly in the past 3 weeks together. The offering is when we seek the Lord, in regard to the 90% left after we have returned the 10% to God. We then ask the Lord what He would want us to do with what is in our hands to make a difference in the lives around us. There are so many areas we can help in! Boxes of Love, Gateway of Hope, and the Village of Hope. There are missions all around the world.

What benefit is there in giving seed offerings to the Lord? What is the harvest?

• Harvest of souls. The Kingdom of God expands.
• Harvest of blessings. We are blessed to be a blessing.
• Harvest of thankfulness. Thankfulness to God when we see what our offering has done.

It's not about money, it's about our hearts. Where your treasure is---

Sow few seeds, produce a small crop. The Lord wants to know “how would you like the blessings measured out?" Big blessings come with big offerings. It's not about the dollar amount it's about what is left over for us after we have given. Give and it shall be given unto you. Press down, shaken together and running over. God wants us to give cheerfully and willingly. The rich young ruler never learned to give and the condition of his heart was marked by his sadness as he walked away.

There are 3 people that God makes note of in the scripture for their giving:

• The widow gave 2 pennies. She gave all that she had to the Lord. Luke 21:1-4
• Mary gave costly oil. This was worth one year's salary. Mark 14:9
• Zaccheus gave half of his wealth to the poor and 4 times back to those he had stolen from. Jesus said to Zaccheus in Luke 19: 8-9 "Salvation has come to this house." It was evident by his giving that he had been totally set free of his love of money.

Every dollar you give will be recycled on this earth into someone else's hand. You can take nothing with you. You must leave it here when you go. Why not sow it into the Kingdom of God.

Ministry Time

1. Today bring all your finances under God's authority. Is God the CEO or just a financial consultant? Perhaps you have just seen that this moment and would say “I have been treating God as a “Financial Consultant” I will make Him the CEO of my life and my finances from this point on.

2.God drawing your heart is the basis of giving. Why not respond and say “It's all yours Lord, I surrender it all.”

3. Pray for those who are in financial need. That the Lord would take control of their finances and give them freedom in giving and multiply blessings to their lives.

God and Money III - Making Things Right. Pr. Brent Cantelon, October 18th, 2009

Watch this message at http://www.clachurch.com/id/78/fileid/288/vid/strServiceAddressBB/Archive.html

For some of you, your spiritual life has suffered by living far beneath the miraculous provision of God. You have ended up living in the natural when it comes to your finances. How we relate to money and how we handle it is one of the most important aspects of our spiritual growth and blessing. Without faithful, faith-filled giving and relationship with God in this area, finances remain locked.

Genesis 22:14 – Three foundational principles of God's financial plan for success.

I) The earth is the Lord's
God is the center of the universe – I am not.
God owns everything.
Psalm 24:1

II) Everything we have is a blessing from God
We are stewards of God's resources.
It is God who teaches us to profit.
Isaiah 48:17

III) If I am untrustworthy with worldly wealth, how can I be trusted with the true riches of heaven?
Who do we serve?
Do we serve God or do we serve money?
Luke 16:10-13

Giving begins with the tithe.

a) Jesus affirmed the tithe. Matt 23:23
b) Jesus affirmed the measure – that it would be measured back to us. Luke 6:38
c) The New Testament believers brought their tithes to the local church. Malachi 3:10 - that there might be food in the house.
d) The New Testament never removes the timeless principle of God's ownership of first fruits.
e) The tithe belongs to the Lord. It is HOLY. Lev. 27:30
f) The tithe is never lost. It is always resident in God's eternal bank.

We do not give the tithe. We return the tithe because it belongs to the Lord. It is not ours to give. To Withholdinging the tithe is to rob God. God does not need our money. If He did he would not be God.

Ministry Time

God's promise is to you, your family and the generations to come!

Is there a commitment you would be willing to make right now in returning the tithe back to God? The amount is not the issue. The issue is in being obedient and returning the tithe (10%) back to God. Start today, forget about yesterday!

Pray and read over the scriptures throughout the week. Choose to obey God in the matters of the tithe and see what God will do. Pray for those in need

Serve, Encourage, Reach - Pastor Brent Cantelon - September 27th, 2009

There is a brochure that was handed out to the congregation this morning which everyone in your small group should receive for future reference. You can picked up copies at the church front office or Guest Services.

Our Calling:

To serve those in need – we must do this.
To encourage the church in Canada – other congregations.
To reach out to the world – all people groups.

Our Goals:

To expand our community of believers.
To build relationships across Canada.
To develop spiritual and biblical literacy.
To raise up Christian leaders.

We have a unique calling – not an organization, not a building, but who we are as a people. We should be defined by character, honesty, loyalty, kindness, courage, and behavior.Matt. 28 – Go into all the world and preach the Gospel.Acts 1:8 – Be FILLED with the Holy Spirit and with power.

Servanthood: Luke 4: 18, 19, Matt. 25: 34 – 40, Luke 22: 25, 26, Luke 10: 36, 37

Commissioned: Matt. 28: 18-20, Luke 19, 9,10, 2 Peter 3:9, John 17: 2,3, John 14:6

Filled with the Holy Spirit: John 15:26, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 11:15, Acts 15:8

Ministry Time

-Seek the Lord together.
-Pray into these things daily.
-What part of the Kingdom journey do you feel God wants you involved in?
-Pray for each other in the small group. Are there some in your group who are overwhelmed and need to be encouraged?
-Remember that when one is weak another is strong. Encourage one another with God's Word and with prayer.

Discipleship: a wonderful journey. Pr. Antonio Nasser - Sep, 20th, 2009

Matthew 28:16-17 (GW)
16 The eleven disciples went to the mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they bowed down in worship, though some had doubts.
18 When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
20 Teach them to do everything I have commanded you. “And remember that I am always with you until the end of time.”

FACTS:
1.Eleven disciples went to meet Jesus in Galilee
2.They worshiped Him
3.Some doubted
4.Jesus came near to teach
5.He gave them the mission to be accomplished
6.He gave them the assurance of His presence forever

Disciple
Greek: mathētēs = a learner
Luke 6:40 (NKJV) 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

In the OT the “disciple” of the prophets were called “sons”:
2 Kings 2:3 (NKJV) 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that the Lord will take away your master from over you today?" And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent!"
Son, in Hebrew is BEN. These 2 letters: B (house) and N (seed) is represented in ancient Hebrew as:

The disciple is much more than a student.
The disciple is the “continuation of the master’sministry”.
Jesus’ disciples must continue Jesus’ ministry!

--> How can we continue Jesus’ ministry?
--> How can we become effective Disciples?

Let's take a look at the text of Matthew 28:16-20
1) The Authority
18 When Jesus came near, he spoke to them. He said, “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me.” (GW)
There is no discipleship without JESUS
John 15:5 (NIV) 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

2) The Commandment
19 So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations: Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (GW)
See that the Imperative in Greek is "make disciples" and not "Go".
So, wherever we go, we must MAKE DISCIPLES.

3) The Training
… make disciples of all nations:
§ Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
§ Teach them to do everything I have commanded you

Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Greek – “eis to onoma” = into the name
>> The beginning of the Christian Life

Teach them to do everything I have commanded you
Greek: didaskō = To hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses.
Hebrew: yārâ = To point the way one is to walk in life
>> The continuation of Christian Life

4) Jesus’ Discipleship Training - John 17

a) Jesus revealed the Father to them - v6
6 "I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.

b) Jesus gave them God’s Words - v8
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.

c) Jesus prayed for them - v9
9 I pray for them.

d) Jesus taught about UNITY - v11
11 … Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name--the name you gave me--so that they may be one as we are one.

e) Jesus taught about Sanctification - v17
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

f) Jesus sent them to the world - v18
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

Jesus’ Presence
"And remember that I am always with you until the end of the times".

Discussion Time
1. Are you a disciple (son) of Jesus Chrit? What are the consequences of being a disciple?
2. Are you making disciples? What should we teach them?

Keeping the Faith - Pr. Brent Cantelon - Sep. 13th, 2009

Jude 1:3, 17
Encourage leaders to be aware that in the last days there will be mockers, those who will come to bring division amongst you.

1 Cor. 15: 1
- We stand in the gospel.
- What you were saved in, hang onto.
- Don't be deceived.

2 Cor. 11:2
- Don't be corrupted from the simplicity of Jesus.
- Don't fall for a different Gospel.

1 Cor 16:13
-Stand fast
-Be brave
-Be strong
-Keep the faith

Ephesians 6:11-16
Put on the whole armour of God. Don't leave anything out!

How do we keep the faith?
-Don't be ashamed of the gospel. The Gospel brought you salvation. (Romans 1:16)
-The cross is the only way. (Col 2:14)
-Believe in the Divinity of Christ:
• born of a virgin
• sinless life
• died on a cross
• arose from the dead
• triumphant at the right hand of God
• returning for us one day
• hold onto the inspiration of the Bible - not just a book
• Jesus IS coming back - hold on to this fact

2 Tim 3:16
Hold onto the Spirit filled interpretation of the scripture.Holy living. We have been called to a high standard of holiness. Keep the faith for your kids, your grandkids, and future generations. It's not just about us!

Ministry Time
Why not slip onto your knees in your group and pray. Ask the Lord to renew your faith. Maybe your faith has taken some hits lately. Maybe some darts have been getting through and you feel attacked in your faith. Pray for one another. Read over the scriptures we have talked about throughout the week and ask God to strengthen you. Have courage. Be strong.

Be Filled with the Holy Spirit - Pr. Antonio Nasser - September 9th, 2009

Ephesians 5:17-21
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

1) Parallelism: verses 17 and 18

Therefore do not be unwise ==> And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation;

but understand what the will of the Lord is. ==> but be filled with the Spirit,

Greek “plērousthe”: be filled = Verb, Imperative, Present, Voice Passive, 2 Person Plural.
“The passive voice conveys the idea that the SUBJECT is being ACTED UPON by an OUTSIDE force or power. SUBJECT is the RECIPIENT or the RECEIVER of the verbal action or effect”.

The wine does not control. The person looses control under the influence of the wine.
The person should be filled (be ready to receive) with the Holy Spirit, gaining total control of his life under the influence (direction) of the Spirit of God.

2) The beginning of Christian life
Ephesians 1:13 (NKJV) 13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
Greek: to pneumati = with the Spirit.

3) Water Baptism
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Greek – “eis to onoma” = into the name

4) The Fullness with the Holy Spirit
18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Greek: eis pneumati = in the Spirit

5) New Way of Life
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another in the fear of God.