Sermons

Scripture: Numbers 14

10 Negative Traits of Thoughts That We Need to be Aware:

- Jumping to Conclusion

- Mental Filtering

- Labelling

- Emotional Reasoning

- All or Nothing / Black and White

- Over-generalisation

- Catastrophising

- Personalisation

- Should and Shouldn't

- Disqualifying the Positive

Scripture: Numbers 13

Results of not managing the negative mind:

- Forfeit living life fully

- Forfeit living in the place of rest in God

- Forfeit living in victory, renewed and restored in Christ

The truth of the negative mind:

- Negativity is not a defect. It’s a defence mechanism.

- Negativity is not unalterable. Our minds can be renewed, rewired, reset.

- Negativity is not unmanageable. Our minds can be managed to function well.

Scripture: Mark 2:8, 11-12

Why do we think negative things?

What does the bible says about negative thoughts, and how do we manage it?

Scripture: Matthew 22:37

8 Different Methods to studying the Bible.

- Artist Method

- Detective Method

- Treasure Hunter Method

- (Jesus’s) Apprentice Method

- Biographical Method

- Thematic/Theological Doctrinal Method

- Literary Method

- Book by Book Method

Continuing from last week.

Encountering God in His Word - Divine or Devotional Reading of the Bible.

6 Steps to Divine or Devotional Reading of the Bible.

- Relax – Be still and silent before God

- Read – To look for particular word or phrase that stands out for you

- Reflect – To meditate on what God might be saying

- Respond – Open up to God in honest conversation with Him

- Rest – in God and be with Him in contemplation

- Reform – by the word that bring change into your life

Scripture: Psalm 119

Some reasons that Christians do not read the bible:

- I'm too busy

- The Bible is boring

- The Bible is difficult to understand

- I cannot read properly

- I listen to sermon weekly

- The contents of the Bible make me uncomfortable

- I'm not disciplined

- I'm not walking rightly with God

We need a Fresh attitude (perspective) of the Bible.

The Bible is an invitation and opportunity for us:

- to encounter God

- to hear the voice of God

Scripture: Phil.4:6

This week Ps Michael shared on 8 prayers that help us when we are not sure what to pray or how to pray.

- The Lord's prayer: Helps me be centred in the priorities of God

- 'Have mercy' prayer: Helps me be centred in the justice and mercy of God

- St. Francis's prayer: Helps me be centred in the purpose of life

- 'Slow me Down, Lord' prayer: Helps me be centred in mindfulness

- The Serenity Prayer: Helps me be centred in acceptance

- St. Patrick's prayer: Helps me be centred in presence of Christ

- Prayer of Willingness: Helps me be centred in maturing in Christ

- 'Get it Right' prayer: Helps me be centred in loving others

Scripture: Psalm 22

Do you like Christ feel abandoned, despised and condemned on the Cross? In times of helpless and hopelessness?

But as the Father raised Jesus from the dead, God showed that we too will not be abandoned but are accepted, not despised but honoured and not condemned but vindicated.

This is the hope we have in Christ as we celebrate Easter. Let your hope be anchored in Christ Jesus and nothing else or less.

Scripture: Psalm 91

How God protects us in times of peril?

Is it conditional or unconditional, and what does it say in Psalm 91?

God's promise in Psalm 91 is a conditional promise.

The protection of God comes from:

- Abiding in God

- Trusting in God

- Loving and acknowledging God