No Ordinary Life, The Kingdom Life
No Ordinary Life, The Kingdom Life
When Jesus encounters our hearts, everything changes as we move from living in our small orbit to embracing God's broader perspective. Living the kingdom life means being a kingdom builder who says yes to the Holy Spirit's promptings, even in unexpected moments during ordinary circumstances. We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that He prepared beforehand for us to walk in, making us uniquely designed to showcase the skill of the Lord Jesus Christ.Jesus calls us to be salt and light, which requires being spiritually attractive and building into people around us. Being spiritually attractive means developing authentic faith through daily time with Jesus and seeking the Holy Spirit, naturally drawing others to the love of God. Kingdom builders understand the principle that when somebody wins, we all win, leading them to thank those who serve, offer practical help, speak words of life instead of negativity, and look for opportunities to catch people doing things right.Reaching the lost becomes a joy rather than an effort when we tune into the Holy Spirit's promptings and use simple approaches like sharing about great church experiences, leaving encouraging notes, or inviting people to try Alpha courses. The difference between ordinary and kingdom living is understanding our identity as God's workmanship and staying available for His extraordinary plans, creating ripple effects of transformation in our workplaces, families, and communities.
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Living the Kingdom Life: From Ordinary to Extraordinary
Have you ever wondered what it means to live beyond an ordinary existence? When Jesus encounters our hearts, everything changes. We move from living in our small orbit to embracing a much broader perspective where God opens our eyes to see people and opportunities we might have missed before.
What Does It Mean to Be a Kingdom Builder?
Living the kingdom life means being a kingdom builder. It's about saying yes to the Holy Spirit's promptings, even when they come at unexpected moments. Sometimes God moves in the most ordinary circumstances - like during a vacation at a hotel pool.
One pastor shared how during his wife's long service leave, they were enjoying a peaceful morning in a spa when a pool cleaner arrived. Instead of being annoyed by the interruption, the Holy Spirit prompted him to engage with the man. What followed was a powerful encounter where they prayed with someone who was struggling with health issues and financial difficulties, ultimately leading him to invite Jesus into his heart.
Understanding Your True Identity
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that "we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." You are God's unique creation, specifically designed to stand out and showcase the skill of the Lord Jesus Christ.
The world, family members, or difficult circumstances may try to tear down your identity with harsh words or rejection. But Scripture declares that you are fearfully and wonderfully made - a son or daughter of the Most High God. This isn't just encouraging words; it's your true identity that needs to be reset and reinforced regularly.
How Do We Become Salt and Light?
Jesus calls us to be salt and light in Matthew 5:13-16. But what does this actually look like in daily life?
Being Spiritually Attractive
The first key is being spiritually attractive. This means asking yourself: "What am I carrying? Is it drawing people to me or pushing them away?" When we spend time with Jesus and seek the Holy Spirit daily, we develop an authentic faith that naturally attracts others.
People are drawn to those who genuinely love the Lord, who worship without caring who's watching, and who speak life over others consistently. This isn't about being perfect - it's about having a heart that's sensitive and obedient to what God is doing.
Building Into People
Kingdom builders understand that when somebody wins, we all win. This means:
Thanking people who are serving
Offering to help with practical tasks
Speaking words of life instead of sarcasm or gossip
Looking to catch people doing things right and acknowledging it
Asking the Holy Spirit what's going on in someone's life so you can encourage them
The goal is that people feel better after being with you. Your kindness not only blesses others but rewards you as well, while giving glory to God.
What About Reaching the Lost?
Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and we're called to participate in this mission. The key is not doing it in our own strength but tuning into the Holy Spirit's promptings. When you're in the flow of the Holy Spirit, inviting someone becomes a joy rather than an effort.
Simple approaches work best:
Sharing about having a great weekend because you went to church
Leaving encouraging notes for coworkers
Praying for students before exams
Inviting people to try one night of an Alpha course
One person's invitation can create a ripple effect. When someone experiences God's love and gives their heart to Christ, they often become passionate about inviting others, creating a beautiful cycle of kingdom growth.
Why Does This Matter?
Living the kingdom life isn't about perfection - it's about availability. God wants to use ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Whether you're a business owner, teacher, parent, or student, you have opportunities every day to be salt and light in your environment.
The difference between an ordinary life and a kingdom life is understanding that you're God's workmanship, created for good works that He prepared in advance for you to walk in. When you embrace this identity and stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading, you'll find yourself part of God's incredible plan to reach and restore people.
Life Application
This week, challenge yourself to live as God's workmanship by being intentionally spiritually attractive. Start each day by asking the Holy Spirit to fill you and show you opportunities to be salt and light. Look for one person you can encourage with genuine words of life, and be open to the Holy Spirit's promptings to pray for someone or invite them to church or Alpha.
Ask yourself these questions:
Do people feel better after being with me, or do they feel drained?
Am I speaking words of life or contributing to negativity?
Who is the Holy Spirit stirring me to reach out to or invite?
How can I be a blessing in my workplace, family, or community this week?
Remember, you don't have to be perfect to be used by God. You just need to be available and willing to step out of your ordinary routine into the extraordinary kingdom life He has prepared for you.
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A discussion guide for the sermon can be found here.
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Well, hello everyone.
Oh, come on. Come on. Are you kidding me? We're in the house of God. It doesn't get more exciting than that, does it?
Well, on Wednesday night, I got the most incredible cup of coffee from the coffee team. There's a lovely lady there by the name of Virginia, we all know. Let's thank Virginia for all the coffee she makes. Pretty amazing.
You know, sometimes when you get a thought and sometimes you shouldn't say it, Virginia goes, you know who you remind me of?
Now, the younger ones will go, don't know what you're talking about, but my generation will go, and we know exactly who you're talking about. She goes, you ever watch the Love Boat? Captain Stubing?
And I went, right, that's great. And on the same line, it's not just here at Casey Church. My wife comes home after one service, right? We've got a dear lady called Rhonda. She's been there a long time at the church.
And I better stop wondering because there's a camera. Hi to everyone at home. I'm not used to this. And Carol comes home. She goes, I've had the best day.
And I go, why? That's my wife. Why did you have the best day? She goes, well, Rhonda goes, carol, I just love you. It's so good to have you in the church.
And you're always such an encouragement, Carol. And she goes, yeah, I like your husband, too. What's his name?
She goes, that was just the greatest. She goes, what a day. What a day. So thank you everyone for your encouragement, but today we're going to talk about no ordinary life, but we're going to talk about the kingdom life. You see, because when I encountered Jesus for the first time, I was living an ordinary life.
There was nothing wrong with an ordinary life. I was a dad. I was lucky enough to be married. I was working hard, trying to make a living and setting goals for my family and doing all the beautiful things that we do in life to look after one another. I was doing all that, but then Jesus comes along.
Jesus encountered my heart. And when Jesus encounters our heart, everything changes, doesn't it, Church? When we encounter the living God, our eyes open up, our hearts open up, and everything shifts and changes. And I went from a life of kind of about my orbit to a much broader orbit where Jesus, guys, do you see that person? Do you see that person?
Do you see what I'm doing? Have you experienced that before as well? It's amazing. It's the kingdom life. So what's our call in the kingdom life?
Our call in the kingdom life is to Be kingdom builders, okay? Because he stirs us. And when the. When Lord. When the Lord speaks to us and the Holy Spirit prompts us.
There's so many beautiful opportunities when we say yes to them for God to move and do something extraordinary. And it's not just on a Sunday. As much as I love Sundays, Sundays are awesome. I love Sundays. And Saturday night, last night, too.
Love it, Love it when the church gathers together. But even outside of these walls, God is moving, talking and going, come on, build my kingdom. Live in the kingdom life.
So my wife, Last year, after 20 years of teaching, had long service leave. Carol and I took some long service leave as well. She had seven months off. Can you believe it? So amazing.
And she just had a ball and she had a big dream of going on a cruise. And we did that. But we. Part of the start of it, we went to Queensland and we stayed at a. Not a resort, at a.
Anyway, apartments. Yep. And at this apartment, there was a pool and there was a spa. And when I go on holidays, the one thing that always unwinds me instantly is if there is a good spa. And I always look for a good outdoor spa.
And there was one there. And I said to Carol in the morning, we're going for it. So we woke up, we did laps. As you can tell, I'm an athlete. Like, Myrta punched those laps out, jumped in the spa with my beautiful wife, and I'm going, how good is this?
Thank you, Jesus. Then I hear a clang of the pool gate. Then I see a man walking with his trolley. He's got about eight large bags of salt. And I'm going, you've got to be kidding me.
The pool cleaner.
I wasn't being very godly then.
And he starts cleaning the pool. I'm going to Carol, seriously, can I just have on my first day, just. Just to chill out? Have you ever felt like that? Like, what else can happen?
Then the Holy Spirit said to me, honestly, I'm in there. I'm in the pool with my wife. Say hi to him.
I said, hi, buddy. What's your name? Tell me his name. How you doing?
You really want to know? I went, yep, tell me.
And he starts pouring out his heart how he had a really tough three, four years where he had something quite major happen with his health. And his business is operating at about 20% because that's all he can cope with. And he's got a young family and he's struggling to pay the bills and how hard it is and how scared he is for his Own health and then the Holy Spirit. Because you see, we live the kingdom life. Even on vacation, God's moving.
Wasn't looking for it, trust me, I wasn't looking for it. I was just. It's all about me, Lord.
And then the Holy Spirit goes, ask him if you can pray.
Ah.
When God says pray, he's saying, let me do my thing.
So I got out of the pool, I said, can I pray for you? He goes, oh, okay. He didn't know I was a pastor.
And my wife got out both dripping wet. It's about 7:30 in the morning. And we laid hands on him. I said, do you know Jesus Christ?
And he goes, I believe, but not really I believe. I said, come on, let's invite him into your heart. Because he's the one that can turn this around. He's the one that can comfort you. He's the one that can change your life.
And he goes, I believe. I believe. I remember it. I believe. I believe.
I believe. I grew up in a violent home where we weren't allowed to talk about church. If we spoke about church, I'd get beaten.
And I said, well, you're an adult now.
He goes, I believe. And then he said this. If you work in kids church, please let this be an encouragement. He goes, the person that's had the greatest influence on me was my re teacher at school. She believed in me, she encouraged me, she told me about Jesus.
And even though I wasn't allowed to talk about Jesus at home, I believed I'd look into the sky and no one could deny that God was real to me. And then we started praying for this beautiful man. And he was sobbing, sobbing and sobbing and sobbing. Then he hugged us and said thank you. He kept cleaning the pool.
Carol and I jumped back in the pool and we looked at each other and guys, what just happened? The kingdom life happened. Amen. Amen.
Gonna go to a scripture, a scripture I just love. It's Ephesians 2, 10. And it goes like this. For we are his workmanship. Did you know that?
You are God's workmanship. That is no ordinary statement. Yet the world, family, people that don't want the best for us can tear that off us, can't they? With their words or with rejection or whatever's going on, or maybe you feel ignored, but scripture tells me here. For we are his workmanship.
You know, scripture talks about fearfully and wonderfully made sons and daughters of the most high God created in Christ Jesus for good works even in a spa, which God prepared beforehand. That we should walk in them. Come on. It's an honour, but you've got to have the right posture. You've got to have an understanding of who you are in Christ because the world will tell you no.
The enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy. Jesus goes, forget that. I've come to bring you life for a life. That's ivorfly. Come on.
That's who we are. See, the original Greek poema suggests we are God's unique creation. We're created to stand out and showcase the skill of the Lord Jesus Christ and what he's done over your life. And I really feel again this morning for a reset, a reset of your identity, a reset of who you truly are, Because you're his workmanship. You were specifically created.
He's not a God of mistakes, He's a genius. He's loving, he's caring. He's our Lord, he's our Savior, and you're his workmanship. Amen. So I'm going to ask you to close your eyes.
And if anything comes to mind where a word's been spoken against you or something's happened in your life that's tainted you or hurt you, I want you to give that right now to Jesus.
Lord Jesus. We bring those words and we break them off in the name of Jesus. We bring those situations and we break them off in the name of Jesus. We bring those rejections and we break them off in the name of Jesus and Lord. We stand in the truth that we are your sons and daughters and we are your workmanship created for good things.
And we are loved by our Lord, by our Savior, and we give you all the honour, take our lives and use it, Lord Jesus. But I pray, Holy Spirit, that you just heal right across this room. Thank you. That you're so gentle, that you're so beautiful and that you're so miraculous. In Jesus name, Amen.
God bless you. Church identity, it's so important because when you've got the right posture and you understand who you are, and when the Holy Spirit speaks to you and you're open, you're understanding that he wants to speak to you, that he wants to say something to you, that he wants to show you something, and it may even be in the moment when you've got doubt, he's going, I love you. Don't you understand? I love you, or, you're doing good, everything shifts, everything changes because he takes over. I can tell you, every time I speak, every single time I speak, I go, holy Spirit, turn up, because I feel overwhelmed every time Holy Spirit turn up and he does.
Praise God for that, You see, because what he's done in our life is so significant, it's so important. If you don't know Jesus Christ, I'm going to give you an opportunity to know Jesus Christ today. Because there's nothing greater, no greater decision, no greater purpose for your life than knowing Jesus Christ. There's no better place to be at home than with Jesus Christ. When Jesus Christ grabs you, wraps his arms around you and you say, I want that, everything shifts, everything changes.
He reinforces who we are. He's so good, he's so loving. But we've got to pass it on. We've got to pass it on. And there's so many beautiful ways we can do that.
See, we're called to be salt and light because Jesus is the good news. He is the good news. And let's let our lives reflect. Reflect that. That's why Jocelyn and murder go out.
Here's Jesus Christ. We see you. To the marginalized. We see you. God sees you, which is even more important.
Greeters on the door, James and Rachel. Good morning. How you going? We see you when you walk into the place, when you go into a shop and you get served by someone even paying your petrol, it's your posture. It's a different posture.
Thank you. Have a great day. We see you. We see you. Too many people are ripping salespeople, even if they made a mistake, that's okay.
You've got it. I trust you. We see you because we've got a different posture. So Matthew 5, 13, 16 says this. Come on.
We're called to be salt and light. It says, you are the salt of the earth, the fragrance, the taste of Jesus everywhere we go. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown down and trampled underfoot. If salt has no flavoring enhancement, what's the point of it?
It's kind of like going to a petrol station and continually filling up your car with petrol and it's overflowing and not driving the car. We're full of the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, use us. Use us. Give us opportunities, Holy Spirit. And we're called to not blend in.
We're called to stand out. But again, that comes back to identity. And it's not being full of yourself, it's being full of the Holy Spirit and going, he's my God. And you got to know him because he's changed my life. Oh, my goodness.
He's so good it can even take a 61 year old and go, come on, go, go. Speak my word out.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. Come on.
Are we showing the light of Jesus where we go? Are we walking into our environments and going, the Lord's with me because he's with you every situation. The great, the hard, the. The dark. He's still with us.
In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. It's not about glorifying us, it's about glorifying him. You know what, and I've done counseling, I studied it, and what I find is, you know, you can help people, you can give them exercises to do to cope, but the one thing that changes their life is the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. Amen.
Amen. We're called to not mingle in too often, Christians, we just shrink back. Don't shrink back. Stand out. We're called to be light, to be salt.
You see a situation, speak into it in love, step into it in love, pray in love, believe in love. God is so good and he's moving, but you're his workmanship set apart for good things to be salt and light in your families, in your workplace, etc. Etc.
Day two of the Queensland holiday.
Done my laps because I'm an athlete with my wife. We're back in the spa, very relaxed, we're early, there's no one around. How good's this? Then the gate goes, a lady walks in, a very elegant lady actually jumps in and goes for a swim, hops out, goes, whoa, it's cold. And then Carol, my beautiful wife, Carol.
Oh, you look amazing. I go, oh, here we go.
Oh, I haven't had a compliment like that in years. She walks over, puts a fish in in the spa. And I'm going, this is lovely.
Carol goes, tell me about yourself. Ah, good on you, Carol.
Oh, I'm a school. I've just finished school teaching. I'm 71 and I miss those students. I wish I kept going because I'm a school teacher. I'm going, how good's that, ladies?
Keep going. Right, then we hear a bit more of a story. She represented New Zealand in running, in sprinting and hurdle. She goes, I'm the only one from my country that's ever done that. My husband's an Olympian, an ex Olympian.
I'm bike riding. I'm going, how amazing is this?
She comes to me, what do you do?
I'm a pastor. I love Jesus. I love Jesus. She's like this literally in the morning, I love Jesus. I'm going, you sure do.
I love Jesus. She's an amazing woman on fire. She goes, oh, my daughter at 40, went to church. This Christian church, gave a heart. She got baptized six months ago.
I cried, I sobbed. I'm gonna go next. I've given my heart to Jesus. How good is Jesus? And I've gone.
Now there's a woman who's salt and light.
You know what an encouragement that was to me. I just go, wow, wow, 71. And you've just known the Lord. Gosh, God, you are so good. You are moving, changing lives.
You see, this life we've been given is a brilliant life. It's the kingdom life. And God's moving and he wants us to grab a hold of that life that the Holy Spirit gives us and go, you go for it. Like that lady that was 71 that went for it. Name was Gail.
Amazing woman. And they just gas bagged and they had a great time. But, you know, let's get to the end of our days where we go, you know what, Jesus? I wasn't perfect, but I gave you everything I had. Here's my life poured out.
I love my family, all my friends. I gave my best at work. This is me. Lord, Is that me?
That was probably me. Sorry, church. So how do we do that? How do we be salt and light? Here's some thoughts.
How are we going for time? We're doing good. Okay, first thought is how to be a kingdom builder. Living a kingdom life is to be spiritually attractive.
What do I mean by that?
What you're carrying, is it drawing people to you or away from you? Are you spiritually attractive? I first came into Connectus even before Pastor Adrian came along.
I went to Hastings and Pastor Margaret was there and I went, wow. What is it about this lady? She just loved Jesus. She was infectious. I was watching all these people around Margaret and they're just going.
They're just attracted to her. And everything she said, they believed. And she's speaking life over people, left, right and center. Life over her own family. Life over my family, over my children.
I'm going, oh, there's something about this woman. Tell me a little bit about yourself, Margaret. Oh, I just love the Lord. I found out she seeks him each day. She loves the word of God.
When the worship signs, she doesn't care who's around. I'm just going for it because I'm his workmanship. I'm fearfully and wonderfully made, and he's my God and I owe everything to him. And she went for it. It's attraction.
And even in her new workplace, it's attractive. She's attracting people because she's got an authentic faith. I'm talking about having an authentic faith. It's getting the heart of God. When we hang out with Jesus, when we hang out and seek Holy Spirit, say, holy Spirit, come.
He changes us from the inside out, doesn't he? He does. We can be in a really heavy time. I've been in heavy times. I just go, I just need you, Lord.
I need you, Lord. Oh, there you go. There he is. There he is. He turns up.
Ezekiel 36:26 says this Lord says, I will give you a new heart and I will put a new spirit in you. Come on, some of you, here, go. Come on. That's what I want. I want a new heart.
I need that spirit. Holy Spirit. I've been a little bit dormant. I've got caught up with the worries of life, Lord. I've been caught up with the riches of life, Lord, Lord, bring me back to you.
You're going to take care of all of that stuff. I just need you give me your spirit, give me your heart, and I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Can I tell you, that was me before I met Jesus. A heart of stone. It was about what I wanted, what I needed, what my family needed.
But when I met Jesus Christ, he was going, nah, nah, that's not. You forget the dollars and cents. In my case, some of you are called to do that. But in my case, it was, no, no, you're about people now. It was miraculous.
Change of heart changed. So what's that scripture saying? It's having a heart that's sensitive, obedient to what God's doing. It's being in the spa, even when you just want to be there and just chilling out. And God goes, now speak out.
Sow a seed, build the kingdom. Even if it's just a hello, it's start. We're building the kingdom. Does that make sense, Church?
It's believing in others.
Second thought, we build into people. See, when somebody wins, we all win.
I don't have to be better than someone else. I don't have to be the senior pastor. I just got the call that God's given Me. And I will not, because he's here, but I will elevate Adrian and go. You go be everything you can be.
Pastor Margaret, Myrta, Jocelyn, whoever, go for it, go for it. In God, we build people up in church. Do you thank people that are serving? Maybe they're cleaning. Can I help you?
Can I take those bags out for you? We serve each other. It's a different mindset. It's a kingdom mindset. It's sowing in and going, I am a part of this.
Pastors, how can I help you? Or leaders, how can I help you? Kids? Church. You guys rock in your workplace.
You might go, hey, I just. It's hard work. Can I tell you, if you switch that into, I'm going to be a blessing in this place, you're going to start loving work because it's about the people, it's about the culture, it's about the environment, it's about the kingdom coming in. You're walking in. I'm praying, God, use me.
Give me an opportunity. Let me encourage someone. Even the grumpy boss. Lord, he's grumpy for a reason. Come on.
We know that. We don't know what's going on in the boss's heart. We don't know the pressures he's under. But we're going to build him up. We're going to believe in it.
We go to school, we're going to build up the teachers. And Carol Gear goes, amen.
In your family. Come on, mums and dads. You get home, you've had a big day. You're exhausted. You stop.
Holy Spirit, fill me. You walk in, hey, family. It's great. We set a spiritual tone in the house and we go, this is who we are to the spouse. I was saying it this morning and not to pat myself on the back.
It's not that at all. But every morning I try and tell my wife how beautiful she is. Because here's the truth. She's put up with me for a lot of years. She's awesome and God's given it to me.
And it's my responsibility to build her up. But maybe you're not married and that's okay, too. Then who can you build up? Who's God stirring you to build up? Is that okay?
Words of life.
If you're sarcastic, stop it. If you're a gossip, stop it. We're better than that. We're his masterpiece. That's trash.
That's not us. That's not us. We give words of life. We encourage, we speak faith. Out over people.
We believe in people. That's who we are. Such a beautiful world with such beautiful people. Why would we not build each other up? Why wouldn't we have a spirit of looking to catch people doing the right thing and speaking that out over them?
Do people feel better after being with you.
Or do they go, thank goodness they're gone?
Come on, we're his masterpiece.
Where he's masterpiece. Let's add value to people. Let's speak out over people. Even if it's so good to see you, it's an honor to be here. Is that okay?
Because the mouth of the righteous is a well of life. Come on, come on, come on. We speak life over people.
Please, can I encourage you when you're with someone, ask Holy Spirit, what's going on? What's going on? What's going on? And he'll give you a word to encourage, to speak into, to build up. And it may be something to really exhort them and go, you know what?
I sense this on your life. God's going to do this in your life.
And it's countercultural, isn't it, to do that?
It's easy to take cheap shots, but not in the house of God and not as people of faith. Because we're different. We're called to stand out. We're called to be salt and light. We're his masterpiece and we honour that.
And we honour him because everything we say and we do points to him. And we want him to get the glory because he's the one that changes lives. He's the one that we live for. He's the one that brings the blessings. He's so good.
We honor you, Lord Jesus.
See, Proverbs 11:17 says this. Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you. It not only harms others, but it harms ourselves because that's not who we are. But your kindness will reward you. When you're kind, it lifts us up, but it blesses others.
And again, God gets the glory. It's a very powerful scripture.
So, Gail, the pool lady, day three of my holiday.
We went away with our dear friends Andrew and Janine and Carol and I. Went for a big walk along the Gold coast beach. Came back honestly, I'm gonna be real now. I was exhausted. Even though I'm an athlete.
I was exhausted when we got back, came to the gate and then Andrew and Janine are there. Frank, why haven't you been answering your phone? Because it was on silence. Sorry. That lady Gail you were telling me about, she wants prayer I went, oh, okay.
I'm not going to say, in case she's watching online, what she asked for prayer for, but I said, of course, take me to her. And she's lying on the banana lounge. There's people all around the pool. This is about midday. You'd like some prayer?
She goes, yeah, I just feel silly. I wanted to ask you yesterday, I didn't ask you, could you please pray for me? I said, of course. Come over here. Just a little bit away from people.
So my wife and I and my two friends were praying for her, and she's going, I agree with that. I agree with that. Yes. And God's getting the glory again.
And this all started from my wife saying, you look incredible.
But then what happened? We finished praying for her. I saw a woman on a banana lounge about six places up, stirring. I could see her in the corner of mind going, what's going on there?
She races over in her bikini. Truly, truly. You can't make this stuff up. And she's sobbing.
She says, I need prayer. Can you pray for me, too? I've gone, gosh, kingdom of God, look what you're doing. God. I mean, I was just in awe of God going, my goodness, what are you doing?
And she goes, I've just come out of a terrible, horrific domestic violence situation. I don't even know where I'm going to live. Don't know how I'm going to look after my children. I'm so broken. And we just started praying for her.
She is sobbing, and God's just ministering to her. We're just praying. We're just being obedient. And then Gail goes, I'm going to meet with you every day. I'm going to support you through this.
And I'm going, there's the kingdom in action, the salt and light. And then I looked up a couple of churches online for her. And she goes, I know that church. I said, go. They're going to support you.
They're going to love you. Tell the pastor your story. And then every day, we'd see Gail and this lady together out on the banana chair, and Gayle just speaking into her life because she's salt and light. But it all started from Carol going, you look lovely.
Final thought, we're good. We're good for time. Those around me are coming. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, didn't he?
And where we make this really hard, if I can get the worship team up, where we make this hard for ourselves is we do it in our own strength. Instead of tuning in on what the Holy Spirit's saying and the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Because when you're in the flow of the Holy Spirit, you're inviting someone. It's not an effort, it's a joy. It's a joy because he's the one that does the saving.
So I was this one or two year old raw Christian. I'd left my businesses to pursue God. So I thought, I've got to work for God. So I went and joined the Salvation army and worked for their family stores raising funds for the kingdom. And I just tell people, had the great weekend.
They go, why don't you have a great weekend? So I went to church. Oh, and after three or four weeks, what's so good about your church? Bang. That's how I did it.
But I would encourage them. I'd want to stand out, I'd want to see them. I'd leave little notes for them saying how much I appreciated what they were doing. I was in the store and I became an area manager. God opened that door.
I'd be encouraging people everywhere I went. And I'm telling you, people started coming to church. My wife's a schoolteacher, she's seen many students come to God. She popped up them in youth groups. So pray for our youth group here.
It's not hard. I remember Carol telling I got so emotional before when she was teaching the year 11s and 12s before the year 12 exams. She goes, I got all my students before they walked into the class, into the exam and stood in a circle praying for them. Come on, people, it's the kingdom life. Are you kidding me?
That's the best life. What an honour. What an honour when someone's life changes.
This changed my life. It's not a little thing. You get someone to do Alpha, it changed their lives. We had record baptisms last time because beautiful people said yes to Alpha. And God touched them.
They gave their hearts. This is anointed. It's a miracle. And all you've got to do is go, hey, come and check out Alpha. Try night one.
But they stay because it's so good. It's so good. Got a lady called Jackie who joined our church because before Christmas with her husband Manny, Watch those two, I'm telling you now. Jackie works in the gym.
She goes, I love this church. I love what God's doing here. She gave her heart to the Lord. Then Jackie invites Brooke, Brooke invites her husband, husband invites, comes with the children the next week. Then there's somebody else coming from Jackie's work.
She says, I just love this. It's interesting, infectious, because she's salt and light. I got a lady called Ricky who joins the church, brings her sister, then brings a lady called Sarah who's her makeup artist. She's now doing our social media and tearing it up and doing a great job. Then she brings her boyfriend Daniel along.
God's moving because we're salt and light. They're the masterpiece.
Ran a cafe. Basically a guy walked in and he was so heavy and you could see the darkness on him. I said, are you okay? He goes, I'm not. Come over here, let's sit down and talk.
Didn't know I was a pastor. Just a bloke that saw another bloke and go, he needs a bit of encouragement. Sat down with him. My wife told me she doesn't love me. Never loved me.
I'm devastated. I adore my wife.
Caught up. Next day, next day, invited him to church. He came to church, now he's restored, he's married, he's doing great. He's one of my close friends. Come on.
The kingdom's exciting. There are broken people, there are good people. Everyone's good. But are you open to what God's saying? We're going to step into fall like rain right now if we can stand up and we can worship.
And I pray that God right now starts ministering to you personally so you understand that you're his son, you're his daughter and you are not a small thing.
You are anointed to change someone's life.
But maybe you need to start with God. Show me who I am.
Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit. I pray that you just pour out living water. Living water, my brother. Living water. Living water.
Living water.
Living water.
So miraculous when he moves, Even at home. Allow Holy Spirit to move. He loves you.
Let your glory fall down. Let your glory fall down.
Come on, Holy Spirit, who do you want me to reach out to? Holy Spirit, who do I need to forgive? Holy Spirit, who do I need to invite? Holy Spirit, you've been nagging me to contact that person. Person.
I'm doing it. Holy Spirit, come on. Let the Holy Spirit come on. Let's get out of our ordinary life and step into kingdom life. Holy Spirit, speak to us.
Speak to us. You might invite one person and that person is a Jackie who ends up inviting four or five, or a Ricky who invites four or five and we'll keep inviting people.
Who do you need to pray for in the quiet places? Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit.
Pour out. Holy spirit. Let's go, dj, let's go dj.
Your way.
And then sometimes we've got to get a little bit, a little bit like a stone in my shoe going, that person needs help or God, you're stirring me up, God, I know you're sending me, but I'm feeling a bit vulnerable. But that's where we cry out and go, holy Spirit of God, put a fire in me. Pour out your spirit on me. Because I can't do it on my own, but I can do it with you because I want you, Lord.
Come on, let's cry out, Holy Spirit, fill me. Pour out, pour out. Because the Holy Spirit's the one that changed you. Not me, not my word, but the power of the living God.
Come on, church, declare it. Cry out, Pour out, Holy Spirit of fire. Fire.
Ah, you're so good, God, I love you, Jesus. Send me, send my family for me and my house, Lord, I want more of you, God. My words, my sight, my heart. It's for you, God. It's for you, God.
Oh, let me be a great dad. Let me be a great mom. Let me great spouse. Let me be a great friend, a great son, great daughter. Come on.
Oh, come on. We love you, Jesus.
Pour out, pour out, pour out, pour out. If you don't know Jesus or you've been away from Jesus, the greatest gift you can ever have.
And here's the beautiful thing about Jesus. Maybe if I can get some house lights on a little bit, just a little bit, The Holy Spirit, he's the one that shows us Jesus, that stirs us. Can I have every eye closed across this auditorium?
I pray for courage across this auditorium, Holy Spirit, courage to step out and hand a brochure on, to invite someone and be okay if the answer is no, because it's up to you, God. But in this moment right now, Lord Jesus Christ died on that cross for you. He loves you. He went to that cross because there's a separation between us and him. And he's going, I don't want that.
And I've done it. I've conquered it. In fact, I'm alive, I'm risen, and I'm for you. And if you're sensing the Holy Spirit of God moving and saying, come home, know me.
Maybe you've never asked Christ into your heart. That was my story once. It changed my life.
If that's you, and I ask you to raise your hand and so I want Jesus in my heart, I'm going to pray with you. It's the greatest decision you can ever make. It's the greatest call on your life and the comfort you'll get the blessing you'll get. So if that's you. Yep, I see that hand there.
Beautiful lady. Who else? Yes, sir, I see it. Yes, sir, I see it. Yes, sir, I see it.
Who else? Maybe at home, if you've never asked Christ into your heart, open your heart. See, Revelation 3 says, I knock on your heart. I knock on the door, let me in, let me into your heart and I'll have a meal. Who else?
Beautiful people across this auditorium putting their hands up. Anyone else? Beautiful lady here, too. Anyone else?
The front here. Beautiful. God bless you, ma'. Am. Beautiful lady.
God loves you. God loves you. God loves you. God loves you. God loves you.
Come on. God loves you. God loves you. There's nothing greater than knowing that the God of the universe loves you. So let's pray together.
Church, let's invite Jesus. Let's support our brothers and sisters because God's moving. He's so good, isn't he? Church, he's so good. This is a miracle, guys.
Jesus is so good. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, I thank you that you love me. I thank you that you're for me. I thank you that you've got good things for me.
I thank you that I'm your workmanship, that I'm so loved. I invite you into my heart.
I invite you into my spirit. I will follow you all my days. I hand over all my stuff ups to you, Lord, and know that you have wiped them clean.
I will follow you all my days in Jesus name. And the church said amen. And he deserves all the honor, all the glory. He is so good. He is so good.
Amen.
Who feels challenged by that this morning? Thank you, Pastor Frank.
Can I say this? If you said that prayer to give your life to the Lord or recommit your life to Jesus, we've got a Bible we want to give you. And I'll say this, we've been giving out a whole heap of Bibles to people who are making a decision to follow Jesus last year and this year. And it's exciting. You can be a part of that.
So by the bookshop on the right, you'll see a sign that says Bibles go there. We'd love to give you that. It's going to help you in your walk with God, getting to know God. Can I encourage you as well? Sign up to the this is my challenge.
Sign up to the Alpha course. If you're a new Christian, if you're making a decision saying, Jesus, I want to follow you. It doesn't just happen. It takes commitment. It takes saying.
I put this as important, and that's why we're doing that. And can I also say, let's think of people we can invite? And so I'm going to put aside that time. You could be changing someone's life for eternity. Lord, I pray for your people.
You have called us. We are your masterpieces. And we have a call of God to change the world for you. Lord God, our families, our children, our friends, our workplaces, our communities. Use us, God, for your glory.
Holy Spirit, go with your people. Fill us up in Jesus mighty name. All God's people said Amen. God bless you guys. Have a great rest of the day.
More of you God set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain, that I can't control I, I want more of you God, I want more of you God set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain, that I can't control I want more of you God, I want more of you God, set a fire down in my soul that I can't contain, that I, I can't control I want more of you God, I want more of you God.
Related Bible Verses
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Click here to read Ephesians 2:10 on Bible.com
Matthew 5:13–16 (NIV)
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Click here to read Matthew 5:13–16 on Bible.com
Ezekiel 36:26 (NIV)
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Click here to read Ezekiel 36:26 on Bible.com
Proverbs 11:17 (NLT)
Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you.
Click here to read Proverbs 11:17 on Bible.com
Psalm 139:14 (NIV)
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Click here to read Psalm 139:14 on Bible.com
John 10:10 (NIV)
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.