December 28, 2008 by PastorDave.

The Least, the Little and the Last, Pastor David McIntosh, Sunday, 12-28-2008

Text: Matthew 14:17-18

Introduction:
In four days from now we will wake up and change the calendar so it will read January 1, 2009. Not many days from then these United States of America will experience the “changing of the guard” so to speak, we will usher in a new president and new congress.
Listen to Jeremiah 5:30 – “A horrible and shocking thing has happened in the land.”
I wonder what God thinks is horrible & shocking
Well He reveals it to us in the verses following: “The prophets prophecy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.” (V.31)
God is not shocked by the turn of political events but His eyes are on His prophets, His priests, and His people. They are the ones that have caused God to be in shock!
It is not the country, but the Church that concerns the Lord!
But Jeremiah 5:31, has one more sentence, it is put in the form of a question, from the Lord to His people: “But what will you do in the end?”

Transition:
With God the question is always personal, because He has blessed each one of us with free will. What will you do, what will I do, what can I do, I am so limited.

Statement:
God specializes in using the least, the little and the last to accomplish mighty things for His glory. May the Word of the Lord encourage you today, to see your life from His perspective!

THE LEAST (Judges 6:15)

1. V.15 – “But Lord, Gideon asked, how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”
2. The entire nation was under bondage to a foreign enemy called Midian and God turns to the weakest clam and the least of his family!
3. Isaiah 60:22 – “The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the Lord.”
4. Luke 9:48 – “For he who is least among you all- he is the greatest.”
5. So who are you today, are you the least? Have you surrendered to the fact that there is nothing you can do, because you are the least? God see’s it different.
6. The power of the “least” in the hands of God can be life changing.

THE LITTLE (Exodus 23:30)

1. V.30 – “Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increases enough to take possession of the land.”
2. Galatians 5:9 – “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”
3. Zechariah 4:10 – “For who hath despised the day of small things?”
4. Luke 16:10 – “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.”
5. There is just so little that I can do because of who I am, or what I have done or my situation.
6. The power of the “little” in the hands of God can be life changing!

THE LAST

1. Matthew 19:30 – “But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”
2. 1 Samuel 16:11 – “So he asked Jesse, are these all the sons you have? There is still the youngest…” (or the last, but he wasn’t even invited, he was with the sheep)
3. The power of the “last” in the hands of God can be life changing!

MORE

1. Sarah couldn’t bear children
2. Moses had a speech impediment
3. The nation of Israel had their backs to the sea with nowhere to go
4. Joshua couldn’t get into the walled city of Jericho
5. Ruth was from a different culture
6. Esther had to face the king
7. David had to face the giant
8. Elijah was going to starve to death by the river
9. Mary’s reputation was shot in the community because she was with child
10. Peter was in prison and set to be executed in the morning
11. Paul has a thorn in his flesh that he never got rid of
12. Jesus was crucified and buried
13. These are all the least, the little and the last…and yet God showed himself mighty!

SECRET

1. Matt.14:17-18 – “And they said unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.”
2. We have here but… (We don’t have, Lord, we have little, insignificant.)
3. Five loaves for 5,000 people = 0ne thousandth of a piece of bread (0.001)
4. Two fishes for 5,000 people = four ten thousandths of piece of fish. (0.0004)
5. If the disciples do their best and work, let’s say they increase 100 fold.
6. 500 loaves = 0.1 pieces of bread & 200 fish = 0.04 pieces of fish.
7. The secret is found in V.18 – “Bring them hither to me.”
8. Jesus didn’t tell them to figure something out on their own, He told them to bring whatever they have (all the least all the little and all the last to Him)
9. Result: V.20 – “And they did all eat and were filled.”

UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT MEANS TO “BRING IT TO JESUS”

1. John 12:24-26 – “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be.”
2. This is our challenge, to “bring it” to Jesus means to take our hands off, we are the seed that needs to be buried so that God can grow something mighty!
3. Too often we hold onto our ways, our thoughts, our decisions, and we remain a “single seed” unwilling to trust God with the little we have.
4. IF TIME: MY TESTIMONY OF LEAVING TEACHING AND GOING INTO THE MINISTRY.

ALTAR CALL

1. Bring your seed to the altar, as a symbol that you are burying it with Jesus so that He can use you to bring massive glory to His Name.
2. Also, it is a rededication or a first time dedication to follow Jesus, losing your life to gain His life to the full!

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December 28, 2008 by PastorMark.

If we’re not careful, life can “get old.” Our daily schedule can seem like a rut in the mud. As 2009 approaches, we face a new year with so many great possibilities. But, in order to appreciate the new things ahead, we need to have a renewed attitude. Paul says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). God desires to lift us from the negative attitude of “been there, done that” to a faith-filled anticipation. He will renew your mind and use your life to bring Him great glory, and He is able to do more than you can imagine!

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 21, 2008 by admin.

Jesus and Hanukkah

Tonight (Sunday, December 21, 2008) is the first night of the eight-day Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah or Festival of Lights). We read in John 10:22-23: “Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.” Think of it, here it was Hanukkah, and there was Jesus in Jerusalem telling the Jews how He had already revealed himself as the Messiah through His works (miracles), but they did not believe. He had also called himself the “Light of the World.” But what’s the connection?

You see, Hanukkah is the eight-day period during which Jews and many Christians around the world celebrate the miracle of the lights! Before the birth of Messiah, the Syrian King Antiochus invaded Jerusalem and forbid the Jews from following their practices written in the Torah (Sabbath, eating kosher, circumcision, etc.) He went so far as to defile the Temple by sacrificing pigs there. A band of Jews led by Judah Maccabee fought the Syrians to regain control of the Temple and then began the process of rededicating it. According to Jewish writings, in 165 B.C., they lit the menorah (lampstand) but had only enough oil for one day. God performed a miracle by making the holy oil burn for eight days. Today, millions celebrate this miracle in their homes by lighting the eight candles of a special Hanukkah menorah.

During this time, let us remember that we Gentile Christians are spiritual Jews, sons and daughters of Abraham, and are wild olive branches grafted into the natural olive tree by God. Let the lights of the menorahs we see remind us that Yeshua (Jesus) is the greatest miracle of all and that He is the “Light of the World” as He declared (John 8:12). Let us remember that He has come into the temple of our hearts with the everlasting oil of the Spirit, that we might shine forth His love. May we let our light so shine before both Jews and Gentiles that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven, and may we rededicate ourselves to the risen, miracle-working Messiah.

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December 21, 2008 by PastorMark.

We have received a gift, and yet we need this gift again and again. Jesus told His disciples, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13). True believers experience the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. However, we can ask for more of the Holy Spirit each day because we need more and more light to displace the dark places inside and outside of our lives. Our Heavenly Father loves to answer our prayers for more of His Spirit!

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 14, 2008 by PastorMark.

I just finished reading the Book of Revelation. Each January, as a new year begins, I start to read the Bible through by reading at least four chapters a day. Some days the Bible stories rivet my attention, and I read more than four chapters. On other days, the material is so compact (think Romans) that I may read only one or two chapters. As you look forward to 2009, why don’t you plan ahead to read God’s Word cover to cover? There are many Bible reading guides. I suggest going to Morning Star Christian Book Store to pick up a guide (and Bible if needed). Let me leave you with a promise from Joshua 1:8: “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Pastor Mark Boucher

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December 7, 2008 by PastorMark.

#335, God’s Mission for You, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday, 12-07-2008

Pastor Mark Boucher concludes The Message of Jesus series: “God’s Mission for You,” Matthew 28:16-20

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December 7, 2008 by PastorMark.

Someone once asked me, “Is it all right to pray for myself? Is this selfish?” My answer is found in the Bible. We discover God’s people often prayed for themselves. However, they also prayed much for others and the nation. The following scriptures are among my favorite “self” prayers. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:24). “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). These are just a few scriptures to help us know how to pray for ourselves.

Pastor Mark Boucher

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