Pursuing God's Purpose in 2019 - Pastor Craig Winnington

• 07/02/2019
• SLC Stuart Price

 

 

 

 

    A few weeks ago Pastor Stuart spoke a message on ‘A Year of Harvest’. - “

    And let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap

    if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:9.

 

    Pastor Stuart said that - “ Galatians 6:9 is NOW for Spirit Life Church, to

    Arise and Shine like never before and reaping the seeds that have been

    sown. 2019 will be a year of harvest.”

 

    A harvest involves two things – Expectation and Reaping, both involve

    effort. Question, “What do we need to change in our lives to become focused

    and involved in the harvest?” Are we just content to stay where we are and

    become ‘spiritually weary’ ie- fainting, despondent, discouraged. If we

    don’t change, - nothing will change and things will remain the same. Barbie

    Lyon brought a great prophetic word to the church regarding our ‘Destiny in

    God and not allowing the devil to have a foothold in our lives, lest we

    become ‘derailed’ in our christian walk.’ From this perspective I share

    this message.

 

    In Matthew 16:13, Jesus asked the question, “Who do men say that I am?” and

    again in verse 15, “Who do YOU say that I am?” It matters not of man’s

    opinions of who Christ is, but it makes all the difference of us having a

    revelation of who He is. On this revelation God is building His church,

    that is the revelation of who He is, Christ the Son of the Living God, and

    living our lives from knowing Him. Nothing can prevail against what God

    builds. (Verses 18 – 20 ).

 

    Scripture records only twice that Jesus ‘marveled or was amazed’. Once

    because of unbelief and once because of great faith. In Mark 16:1-6 is

    where Jesus was rejected in Nazareth by His own people. Verse 3 - “they

    were offended at Him”. Verse 5 - “He could do no mighty work there except

    heal a few sick people”. Verse 6 - “He marvelled at their unbelief”.

 

    What caused their unbelief ? - an offense, which means – a behaviour which

    causes people to be upset or embarrassed – it is an unwillingness to

    change, the result being unbelief and limiting what God can do. We can

    become indifferent or spiritually complacent and just accept the status

    quo. There is no record of Jesus returning to Nazareth or doing any

    miracles there. He made Capernaum His base for ministry when in Galilee.

 

    Nazareth means the ‘guarded one’, that is self preservation.

 

    Capernaum means ‘village of comfort’ or ‘compassionate’.

 

    Jesus’ ministry was always from a place of compassion. We read in Matthew

    8:5-10 where Jesus entered Capernaum and was confronted by a centurion

    asking Him to come and heal his servant. ‘Speak the word only and my

    servant will be healed’. This centurion made a great declaration of faith,

    in believing who Jesus was and what He could do. Verse 10 Jesus marveled

    and said “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” Verse 13

    Jesus then said “ Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done

    for you.” His servant was healed that same hour. What are YOU believing God

    to do this year ?

 

    Nazareth is the place of compromise, Capernaum is the place of conviction.

    What ‘camp’ are you living in?’ What do you need to change ? ……. Do you

    need ‘move’ from Nazareth to Capernaum?

 

    Our Pastors have a passion to grow our church this year. How will you

    become involved? Can I suggest that the Church Prayer Meeting at 9am on

    Sunday morning is a good place to start. Let each of us decide to pursue

    God’s destiny for Spirit Life Church, lest we become ‘derailed’ from His

    purpose in 2019. “Arise, shine for YOUR light has come and the Glory of the

    Lord is risen upon YOU.” (Isaiah 60:1)

 

    Pastor Craig Winnington