God gives the freedom and opportunity to seek after and find Him. He says two paths are set before us, may we always choose the path of life.
Deuteronomy 30: Repentance and Forgiveness
1 "And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,
2 and return to the LORD your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul,
3 then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you.
4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there the LORD your God will gather you, and from there he will take you.
5 And the LORD your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers.
6 And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
7 And the LORD your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you.
8 And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today.
9 The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers,
10 when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
The Choice of Life and Death
11 "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?'
14 But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it.
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil.
16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them,
18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.
19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Things to think about…
Our Lord never leaves us confused or in doubt regarding His will and the fruit that follows obedience or the consequences of disobedience, Dt 30:1-3. But following the Lord has always involved the gift of faith acting on the heart. Here the Israelites were told to circumcise their hearts, vs 6. This is exactly what the Apostle Paul told the Romans to do, Rom 2:29. The Lord then delights to prosper his people, vs 9.
Is the Word of God difficult to know? Not according to Dt 30:11-14. It is near us, right beside us and able to be carried out. Paul again applies these words to believers from Romans 10:8, 9. Paul then says “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”, Rom 10:9. Amen.
The Lord had set life and death, good and evil before the children of Israel. They were exhorted to choose life, Dt 30:19. We have new life in Christ who calls Himself the Way, the Truth and the Life, Jn 14:6. Just as the Israelites had the blessing of length of days through obedience to the law, Dt 30:20, we have the blessing of the length of days into eternity through obedience to Christ. Praise God for your salvation. He granted you the grace to choose life in Him. Amen!
The promises are given to those who have life and length of days, Dt 30:20. Jesus quoted that He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Mt 22:32 and therefore the God of the living. Our eternal life has begun, and we rule and reign with Jesus when as His children by faith. There is no better news than this!
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm at church. Be encouraged and join us.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for the appointment of Ric Benson as Church Health and Community Pastor to CBC. Ric will be preaching for the next 2 weeks on the 20th Aug and 27th Aug, prior to the church vote on the 27th Aug.
2. Pray for alpha course session Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non-Christians.
3. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
4. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
5. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
6. Pray for Rosie and Kids@church, pray for continued growth of this ministry.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Praise the Lord for Pr Joseph Gamatia and our Solomon Islander brothers and sisters.
2. Praise God for Richard’s testimony of God’s grace over his life. What a blessing to see his ministry to Sally and for him to share his journey with us.
3. Was wonderful to see a near full church again. Thankyou to everyone who made yesterday’s service a blessing.
4. Great third session last night at alpha course.
5. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
6. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was. People asking about baptism.
7. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Information session 27th Aug after the morning service. All members please attend as we will be voting for Ric Benson to be a pastor at CBC.
2. Alpha Course 3rd session on Wed 2nd Aug – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
