The Centre Community Church

Author: Admin

  • The Trinity: The Holy Spirit

    The Trinity: The Holy Spirit

    Who is the Holy Spirit? What is His role and place in the Trinity? How can we know Him? Why do we address the Holy Spirit as male? Of the three persons of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is often the most misunderstood. In the recent past a book was written by Francis Chan entitled “The Forgotten God” that talks about how many in the church today have sadly neglected the power and truth of the Holy Spirit, believing that once they are saved through faith in Jesus that that’s about it, they have their ticket into heaven and are free to coast there. For those who live that way not only are they missing out on a rich, wonderful relationship with God, they are actually going against Him! This is a sad and dangerous place to be.

    A. W. Tozer says, “We may as well face it: the whole level of spirituality among us is low. We have measured ourselves by ourselves until the incentive to seek higher plateaus in the things of the Spirit is all but gone . . . . [We] have imitated the world, sought popular favour, manufactured delights to substitute for the joy of the Lord and produced a cheap and synthetic power to substitute for the power of the Holy Ghost.”

    This Sunday as we look at the the third person of the Trinity, my prayer is that we would have a deeper understanding of who He is, and what role He plays in our life as followers of Christ. In order to help you prepare for this Sunday I’d encourage you to read John 14:15-31, 16:5-16, and Romans 8:1-27. You can also look at the New City Catechism questions 36 and 37 (http://www.newcitycatechism.com/q-parent/q36.php) — there are some good videos that go along with these questions that will help you have a better understanding of the Spirit.

    Pastor Mike

  • The Trinity: Jesus, the Son of God

    The Trinity: Jesus, the Son of God

    This week we continue our look at the Trinity as we focus on Jesus, the son of God.  Just like last week when we looked at God the Father we will likely come away with just as many questions as we do answers — these are big topics, and things that we need to continually wrestle with in order for us to grow and mature as followers of Christ.  I’d encourage each of you to write down questions that you might have as you read through Scripture or other books, and as you listen to sermons and other teachings.  Do not passively take things in.  Instead, ask questions and seek out understanding, for the more we know about all three persons of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) the better prepared for all areas of life we will be.

    One question that many have is why did Jesus have to die?  It seems cruel — some have even called Jesus’ death cosmic child-abuse.  It also seems like if God were really all-powerful then another way could have been found.  These are good questions, and good things to wrestle with.  My hope and prayer is that as we look at Jesus this coming Sunday that we will understand the motivation behind why He came, lived a perfect life, and chose to die in agreement with and obedience to God the Father.  In order to help you prepare for this Sunday please read through John 1, Philippians 2:1-11, and Hebrews 8-10 (all of Hebrews would be best, but that’s a lot of reading!  But if you’re up to it, go for it!).

    Once again I’ll put the challenge out that if you know of someone who has questions about God, by all means invite them out!  We will stick around after the service for as late as we need to continue the conversation, and continue wrestling for answers.  Our gathering starts at 6pm.

    Pastor Mike

  • The Trinity: God the Father

    The Trinity: God the Father

    Who is God?  What is He like?  How can I know Him?  How can I trust Him?  These questions, and more, are asked by everyone at some point in their life.  Some will only ask in passing, and then dismiss the thought, while others will actively seek out an answer and try to know and understand who God is.  Asking questions, and seeking truth is a good thing, in fact, it’s a God thing!  We are meant to search and seek after God, and when we find Him only then will we recognize that it was He who sought and found us — read Matthew 18:10-14, John 10:1-18 and then Psalm 23 for context.

    This Sunday we will begin a four week series on The Trinity.  The first week we will look at God the Father; week 2 will be God the Son; week 3, God the Spirit; the final week we will look at how doctrine of the Trinity works and where it’s found in Scripture.  If you have ever struggled with this topic, or know others who do, start a conversation with them and invite them out!  This would be a wonderful opportunity for them to ask, seek, and find!

    Pastor Mike

  • October 23: Service at Fairview

    October 23: Service at Fairview

    This Sunday (6:30-7:30pm) at Fairview Baptist Church The Centre will be joining with 10 other Baptist Churches from our area as we celebrate what God is doing in our association.  It is always good when the family of God can come together to worship Him, and hear how He is working in other areas.  This will be a great time of fellowship, meeting other brothers and sisters in Christ, and celebrating with them.  I’d encourage everyone to come out and celebrate, and help build up and unify God’s church.

    Because we will be meeting at Fairview this Sunday, we will not be having our regularly scheduled service this Sunday from 6-7pm at Bethel.  If you do need a ride to get to Fairview, there will be some people who will meet at Bethel at 6pm — simply show up and we’ll get you to the service.

  • What’s Our Purpose as the Church?

    What’s Our Purpose as the Church?

    I ended last week’s sermon looking at Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. This is a call to the Christian church to get out and be active no matter where we are, or what God has called us to. We do this in a posture of thanksgiving, knowing that God wants to use us no matter where we are, what line of work we are in or if we’re in school. Our Christian life should not be divided into compartments of sacred and secular, areas that are for God and areas that are for us. Everything is to be for God! And if an area in your life doesn’t line up with who He is then perhaps it’s time for a change.

    This Sunday we’ll end off our series on the church by looking at what our ultimate purpose as the church is. Here’s a hint, it has a lot to do with Colossians 3:17. To help you prepare for this Sunday read through Ephesians 4-5:21.

    Pastor Mike

  • Be Thankful

    Be Thankful

    This coming weekend is Thanksgiving.  It’s a great time to reflect on the past year, to remember what you’ve done, where you’ve been, and who you’ve spent time with. It’s also a good practice to reflect on how God has been at work in your life and in the lives of those around you. What have you learned this past year about God? Where have you seen miracles? How have you experienced joy? Or sadness? It is good to remember, to reflect, and in so doing give God the glory for what He has done.

    The Israelites were encouraged by God to remember the past. To remember that they were slaves in Egypt and that it was God who rescued them and brought them out. That it was God who sustained them in the desert for 40 years, providing them food and water, shelter and protection. It was God who went before them into the promised land and made a way for them. There are Psalms like 105 and 106 that remember the past, and highlight how it was God who brought them through every trial and difficult time.

    On Sunday we’re going to be having different times of sharing, to reflect on this past year and praise God for what He has done. There may also be memories that we share in which we cry out to God in mourning and lament. This is an important time as the body of Christ to come together, to support one another, rejoice with one another, and remember that common heritage in our Heavenly Father through Jesus that we share.

    Pastor Mike

  • Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future

    Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future

    I’ve had a number of conversations with people of all ages who have said something like this: “I wish things could be like they used to be.” For some, they’re looking at the way our society was 20, 30, 40, 50 years ago. They look back fondly at the way life was then, how in their mind it was simpler and people were more civil and the moral compass was pointed more closely towards God. Others look back even further to the early church and believe that is really what we need to replicate, that we should become like the first believers and follow everything that they did.

    Now please, do not misunderstand the point I’d like to make. I’m not saying there weren’t good things that we can learn from the past, or that in some regards the past is more preferably to our present situation. But if we keep our focus on the past, and are always looking wistfully backwards, we may just miss out on what God has called us to do right now. We can learn from the past, both the successes and the failures, but we need to apply those to what God has called us to in our present situation. And we must remember that anything on earth now is going to fall far short of what God has in store for us in the new heaven and the new earth. Even the best church, or the most pious community is still broken and sinful, and a far cry from what God has planned.
    This Sunday we are going to look at the early church (read Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37), how God used them at that time, and see what we can learn from them to apply at The Centre as we look to be a witness to the South End of Lindsay.
    Pastor Mike
  • Why Church?

    Why Church?

    What’s the point in going to church?  They just want to take your money.  The church is a man-made institution that was made to keep people in line.  It’s outdated, and no longer relevant.  I’ve got much better things to do like spend time with my family and friends.  I can do church and follow God on my own – I don’t need anyone to help me.

    Perhaps you’ve heard some of these comments from people when you’ve talked to them about church, or told them that you go.  Maybe you’ve even felt that way yourself, and wondered what is the point anyway!

    This Sunday we’re going to start a new 4 week series on church, and why it’s important to be a part of the local church. In fact, it’s not even a choice for a Christian.  If you are a Christ-follower, then you need to belong to the local church.  We’re going to look at the reason behind church, what we’re called to be and do, and how we go about it doing it.  To get you ready for the series I’d encourage you to read the letter to the Ephesians, and read through the book of Acts, always keeping in mind the question, “What’s the point in going to church?”

    I’ll see you on Sunday!

    Pastor Mike

  • Core Values of The Centre

    Core Values of The Centre

    I’ve always loved the story of the fall of Jericho. I love the improbable plan that God gives the people of Israel, a plan that for anyone with a military mind makes absolutely no sense! But the people are obedient and follow through with it, and lo and behold, it works! A plan on paper can only be good if it is put into practice in real life, otherwise it’s just a good idea or a nice thought.

    The vision of The Centre Community Church, to be a witness for God in the South End of Lindsay, and to see God’s kingdom furthered by discipling people through service, compassion, and encouragement towards growth and maturity in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, can only be a good plan if it’s put into practice. This Sunday we’re going to look the Core Values of The Centre (fellowship, service, disciple making, proclaiming the gospel, worship) and unpack the way we are trying to make this good idea into a reality for our community. Once again, if you want to get to know what The Centre is all about, this is a great time for you to come out. Or, if you know of others who might be interested in learning more, by all means invite them out and come along with them!

  • Unpacking the Vision

    Unpacking the Vision

    This past Monday I was out sailing with my father-in-law and sons on Pigeon Lake. It was a great way to end off the summer! At one point my father-in-law asked my son to steer the boat while he went and fixed a rope that had gotten tangled (in sailing terms, ropes are actually called sheets!). “How do I steer? Where do I go?” was my son’s response. My father said, “You see that other sailboat way ahead of us? Go directly towards that boat.”

    If we don’t have a clear path of where we’re going, or don’t have directions for a destination, it would be easy to meander aimlessly, to just float along without any real purpose. That’s a dangerous place to be, especially for a church. If we don’t have a clear vision of where we are headed, or where we need to go, we will simply float along, being pushed to and fro by the waves of our culture. In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul warned the people that they need to grow up and mature in Jesus so that they wouldn’t be “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming” (Eph 4:14-15). Having a clear understanding of who Jesus is and what He has called us to do as a church is will keep us on course and focused on our goal.

    The next two Sundays at The Centre Community Church we will be looking at our vision, where we are going, and our core values, how we are going to get there. While each Sunday is a great time to come out, these next two Sundays will be great for those wanting to know more about who we are, and what we are about. I’d encourage you to not only come out, but to bring along someone who might be interested in our ministry, or who you think might benefit and fit in with our vision.

    Other things happening at The Centre:

    School has started up once again and with that comes opportunities to volunteer and make an impact at our neighbourhood school, King Albert.  If you’d like to get volunteer please contact Mike or Amanda and they’ll help you get started in the process.

    This Friday the men’s book study will meet at Tim Horton’s on Lindsay St. from 7-8:30am. They will be looking at Part 4 Ch. 2. Even if you haven’t come out before it’s never too late to join!

    The women’s group will be starting up next week.

    Prayer Requests:
    As the body of Christ we are called to carry each other’s burdens and lift each other up in prayer.
    If you would like prayer for something, or would like to share it with others so that they can also pray, please let us know by using the form on our “Contact” page.
    Remember to pray for each other and with each other.
    “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4-7)

    Have a blessed week!

    Pastor Mike