Jesus The Baptist (Luke 3:1-20)
Posted on January 29th, 2012
John the Baptist’s mission was to get people ready for Jesus the Baptist.
John said: “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire”. (Luke 3:16)
Are you ready to meet Jesus? There’s only one way to get ready – chuck a u-ee.
check out the sermon here
Luke 3:1-20
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar – when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene – 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3 He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. 5 Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. 6 And all mankind will see God’s salvation.’”[Isa 40:3-5]
7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.
11 John answered, “The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely – be content with your pay.”
15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Christ. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and preached the good news to them.
19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother’s wife, and all the other evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to them all: He locked John up in prison.
Membership Info Night (Mon 13th Feb)
Posted on January 27th, 2012
Membership Info Night
Monday 13th Feb, 7.30pm
@ Chris’ place (28 Belton Way, Forster).
Are you a member of CoastEC?
If you are a Christian, the bible says you are already a member of God’s family and Christ’s body. “…now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ….For through Jesus we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:13,18-19). “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others…” (Romans 12:4-5).
Here are 5 reasons why CoastEC has formal membership and wants everyone who calls CoastEC their church to sign up.
If Jesus is your Lord and CoastEC is your church, come the info night and hear what biblical membership involves and what we’re about as a church. Ask as many questions as you like and work out for yourself if you want to apply for formal membership. It’s really your way of saying to the leadership and the other members, “I want to FUNCTION as a member of THIS spiritual family and THIS spiritual body.”
To hear a sermon about biblical membership, head here.
For more info about CoastEC membership and application, here’s the official blurb
Vision 2012 (AGM) Sunday 26th Feb
Posted on January 26th, 2012
CoastEC is meeting to reflect on what God has been doing amongst us and to present a our vision for the future. We’ll be hearing from leaders of various ministries, presenting budgets and annual reports and thinking about the next big steps to growing God’s kingdom.
Come and be part of the discussion and get on board with the mission. All members are expected to attend this vital gathering.
Sunday 26th Feb, 3pm @ Forster Public School Hall.
Don’t waste your youth (Luke 2:39-52)
Posted on January 22nd, 2012
We live in a culture that expects very little from youth except that they act like good consumers and spend their (parents) money. Are we doing the same in church by expecting too little from our youth?
When Jesus was 12, he was clear about his identity, his priorities and his life’s mission. He was also able to engage in meaningful theological discussion with elders.
What would it look like if we followed his example and pursued spiritual growth with a passion?
check out the sermon here
Luke 2:39-52
39 When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. 43 After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”49 “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand what he was saying to them.
51 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Baptism – is it for you?
Posted on January 22nd, 2012
Have you been baptised? Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28).
If you’re a follower of Jesus, and you haven’t been baptised yet – why not?
Come and hear what baptism is all about and see if it’s for you.
The baptism class is on Saturday 18th Feb, 3pm @ Chris’ place.
And then if you’re keen to actually do it, we’ll be baptising our members on Sunday 19th Feb, 6pm @ The Tanks (after the service).
Sign up at info table on Sunday.
Any questions? Call Chris 0434 199 553
Check out the vid from our last baptism with Matty, Mik and Jeff.
How to die happy (Luke 2:21-38)
Posted on January 15th, 2012
Do you have any life goals? things you want to achieve or see happen before you die? If you don’t – you don’t know what you’re living for. And if you do – and you actually achieve them all, will they have been the best things to pursue, and more importantly, will they have been good preparation for the life beyond the grave? Find out how to live well, and die well.
check out the sermon here
Luke 2:21-38
21 On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22 When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31 which you have prepared in the sight of all people, 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Sovereign and Humble God (Luke 2:1-20)
Posted on January 8th, 2012
There is so much more to the Christmas story than you think. God is totally in control of every aspect of your life, including every inconvenience and unwanted detour. And He’s humbly entered your world to rescue you from much worse things, and to give you great joy and real peace. Have you experienced that yet?
check out the sermon here
Luke 2:1-20
1In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2(This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to his own town to register. 4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14″Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests.”
15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.