Advent – The Centre Community Church

Advent Week Four: Love

Admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 16:36:26 +0000

This Sunday we will be lighting the fourth candle of advent, the candle of love. As we reflect on what it means to love, ask yourself the following questions: How do you love someone who for you is hard to love? How do you care for someone who has no care for you, and who likely wouldn’t even acknowledge any help you might give them? How can you offer something in kindness to another person knowing full well that they might turn their back on you without so much as a thank you as soon as you give them their gift?

It’s easy to give a gift to someone who will likely give a gift back, or who will at least say thank you for the gift you gave them. Giving to people who are like-minded and who have similar values and morals is easy. But we are called to be sacrificial givers (see Matthew 6:1-4 or 2 Corinthians 9:6-15), and give the way that Jesus gave to us. He loved us so much that He gave His life, and He did this while we were still His enemies (Romans 5)! Some people have chosen to follow Him and accept Him as their Saviour, while others just take the blessings God gives, and offer no thanks to the giver (see Matthew 5:43-48). If we have accepted Jesus as Lord of our life, then we need to give to others as He gave to us, freely and openly to all with no hope of getting anything, not even a thank you, in return. Our joy and blessing and satisfaction comes from serving and loving God first, not from the thanks we might receive from others. Our SundayGathering starts at 6pm – we hope you can join us.

Pastor Mike

Advent Week Three: Joy

Admin — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 01:19:12 +0000

This coming Sunday will be the third Sunday of Advent – the Sunday of Joy. What brings you joy? What is something in your life that grabs your attention? When do you feel most alive? For some it’s a hobby, and for others it might be their job. Some find joy in their friends or family. Others in their stuff. But all of these things are short lived, fleeting joys. Our lives are but a vapour (look at Psalm 90 or James 4:14), and our stuff will rot away. What remains? What is eternal? Only God, and that’s ultimately where we need to find our joy.

In the story of Jesus’ birth we read about the Shepherds and their response to the angels (Luke 2:8-20). Here we can clearly see their joy and their enthusiasm, how they didn’t delay but immediately acted on the message from the angel. What is our response? What is our first action? How do our lives reflect the reality of Jesus in our lives? This Sunday I hope that you’ll be able to come and share in the joy once again, and respond in a way that is similar to that of the Shepherds.

Pastor Mike

Advent Week One: Hope

Admin — Sat, 26 Nov 2016 16:21:18 +0000

This Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent. Traditionally, this is the Sunday of Hope, of looking forward towards the promise of the Messiah. It is a time of anticipation, of believing and trusting that what God promises is true and will come to pass. Hope is a sign of faith, it’s a sign of belief.

It’s not always easy to be hopeful, especially when it looks as if things are impossible. Abraham, the man God promised to make into a great nation, whose offspring would be more numerous than the sands on the beach or the stars in the sky, suffered through decades waiting on the Lord. God promised him an heir, a son to carry on the family name, but he and his wife were childless, and they were old. And yet still God promised it would come true. Read for yourself the story in Genesis 15-18, 21, and as you do keep in mind that over 25 years elapses from chapter 15 to 21 — that’s a long time to wait patiently and hopefully.

What are you waiting and praying for? How are you hoping that God will act or come through for you, or for someone you love? Is it easy being patient? This advent season, I hope that you’ll be reminded that God is in control, that He knows the beginning from the end (and all points in between), that His plan will come to pass, and that ultimately He knows what is best. Let us wait patiently and expectantly for our God and our King.

Pastor Mike