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It’s Pentecost We celebrate the birth of Jesus and all the world
pauses to celebrate Christmas with us. We celebrate His
resurrection and most of the world recognises Easter as a very
special day on the calendar. But Sunday 24th May is Pentecost and
hardly anyone realises it. Yet, this day is important because
Pentecost is a Christian holy day that celebrates the coming of the
Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus and God has given us
the wonderful opportunity of being a part of it. What Is Pentecost?
Pentecost is a Christian holy day that celebrates the coming of the
Holy Spirit 50 days after Easter. Some Christian denominations
consider it the birthday of the Christian church and celebrate it
as such. Originally, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday held 50 days
after Passover. One of three major feasts during the Jewish year,
it celebrated Thanksgiving for harvested crops. However, Pentecost
for Christians means something far different.
Before Jesus was crucified, he told his disciples that the Holy
Spirit would come after him:
And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper,
that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom
the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows
Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. John
14:16–18
And 50 days after Jesus was resurrected (10 days after he
ascended into heaven), that promise was fulfilled when Peter and
the early Church were in Jerusalem for Pentecost:
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven,
as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where
they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues,
as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:1–4
Pentecost is still relevant today
After His resurrection and before His ascension to heaven,
Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as a permanent guide, teacher and
comforter. The Holy Spirit would empower and help them become the
disciples and ambassadors that would share the gospel throughout
the world. As we approach the celebration of Pentecost, it is a
reminder to all those who have a personal relationship with Jesus
Christ that we are gifted with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
and we are encouraged in the knowledge that this same Spirit that
raised Christ from the dead now lives in us. Through the Holy
Spirit we have the power and authority to do what Jesus
commissioned us to do… “Go and make disciples of all the nations
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit”. Matthew 28 v 18
Messenger
the NOC May 2015 / Edition 2
www.nechellsoutreach.com
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In the last issue we talked about 3 of 6 strategies that should
be used when facing the future with faith and courage - yes there
are some Dos and Don’ts in the Bible. We covered 3 things the Bible
says "Don’t do”; as a reminder, they are: 1 - Don’t presume 2 -
Don’t be anxious 3 - Don’t procrastinate In addition to the 3
Don’ts there are 3 things that God says for us to do. We find them
in Joshua 1. Here’s a condensed version of the scene… God freed the
children of Israel from Egyptian slavery. However, because of their
disobedience, they have been living in the wilderness for 40 years.
Moses has died and now it’s Joshua’s turn to lead the people. The
older, disobedient generation is gone and the younger generation is
ready to do what God tells them to do so that they are allowed to
enter Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses was chosen by God to free
and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He was the one God called to
the top of Mt. Sinai to receive the 10 commandment and now, Joshua
has to fill his shoes or sandals! Joshua has to take his place.
Imagine the fear, anxiety and inadequacy Joshua must have felt. In
addition to the pressure of filling Moses’s shoes, Joshua knows
there’s the Jordan River they will need to cross and that once they
enter Canaan, the Promised Land they will be facing several enemy
nations that are, on the face of it, much better equipped with
weapons than Joshua’s army. Justifiably, Joshua is concerned about
it all. It’s during Joshua’s time of distress that God appears to
him and says, "Joshua, listen to me. Moses is dead, but I’m not and
you’re not. I have a plan for your life and I have a plan for your
people”. Wow! What comfort, what consolation, what reassurance;
although at times we may feel fearful, anxious or inadequate, our
God speaks to us to remind us that He’s not dead and neither are we
and whilst there is life there is hope, God has a plan for our
lives! God’s plan for Joshua is summed up in Joshua 1 vs 5 & 6
5. “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of
your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never
leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you
will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their
forefathers to give them.” However, God instructs Joshua to do 3
things in order to guarantee victory. These 3 things are stated in
Joshua 1: 1. Set up a plan – VS 1 -6 There are some of us who just
move through life passively, we believe it’s ok to drift through
life, and whatever God wants is fine. But, God says we should plan.
He told Joshua, "…get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land
I am about to give …" God had a plan – He knew what He was about to
do. Is there something you need to let go of in order to plan for
the future? What do you need to let go of today?
Maybe somebody walked out of your life or something happened and
you are still living in yesterday. God says to let go of the past
He has a plan for your future. 2. Read the Word – VS 7-8 7 “Be
strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my
servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the
left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Have you noticed
how on some days, even with good intentions or a plan, it’s
difficult to keep focused? You struggle to complete that all
important project, or revise for that all important exam; it’s
called being sidetracked! Christians can become sidetracked too. As
a believer, staying in the word prevents us from being sidetracked.
How do we stay in the word? Reading the Bible every day is good
place to start and then:
• Talk about it • Think about it • Practice it
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”. 3. Have Faith – VS 9-11 God told Joshua three times in
this chapter to be strong and courageous. By faith Joshua stepped
out and ordered the people "Get your supplies ready. Three days
from now you will cross the Jordan". It should have taken the
Israelites just a matter of days to walk from Egypt to the Jordan
River. However, it had taken them 40 years! It was disobedience,
lack of courage and lack of faith that had kept them from crossing
the Jordan River and from entering Canaan, the Promised Land. Where
do you need to step out in faith? What is it that looks impossible?
Is there something you can’t face financially, health-wise,
emotionally, spiritually? Is there a Jordan River that’s keeping
you in the wilderness when Canaan is just ahead? Even after
reaching Canaan there were still some battles that the Israelites
had to fight. Life is full of uncertainty. But this is how you can
face the future with faith and courage: Don’t 1 - Presume 2 - Be
anxious 3 - Procrastinate Do 1 - Set up a plan 2 - Read the Word 3
- Step out in Faith “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and
courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the
LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” - Joshua 1 v 9
New Beginnings – Facing the future with faith and courage (Part
2)
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Families for Peace began in 2001 following the fatal shooting of
Corey Wayne the son of Gleen Reid, the founder of the organisation.
The birth of the organisation was a response to all those families
who have been bereaved of loved ones due to the evils of gang
warfare, drugs and gun crime. The organisation’s purpose is to work
in a preventative, interventionist and rehabilitative way to deter
young people from going into a life of crime and to support those
whose lives have been forever changed by the loss of loved ones.
Families for Peace is an organisation for people of our community
especially the young people. We believe that by offering the young
people in our community positive alternatives we can help them to
live good productive lives, attaining their full potential in
society therefore becoming good role models for the next
generation. The charity offers mentoring and counseling help to
those affected by gun and knife crime. To support such individuals
and families, it holds an annual Memorial Service to never
OUR COMMUNITY
forget the victims of such crime. It has recently added the
‘flag ship’ Leadership Course called ‘the Conversation Club’ to
work with young people who are gang members or at risk of becoming
gang members. It has run for several years the Peace Concert in
Birmingham’s Victoria Square where over one hundred young people
perform on stage, with one message for the community: ‘Enough is
Enough’ i.e.: no more gang violence, no more drugs, no more gun or
knife crime. To celebrate the graduates of our courses and the
efforts the young people have made for the concert, the charity
holds an annual Award Ceremony. In addition, Gleen visits schools,
prisons and bereaved families homes. Unity in the Community UK in
conjunction with Gospel Xplosion Ministries recently launched a
charity single and video called 'WEEPING EYES' to raise funds for
the charity. The charity wishes to thank all the volunteers that
have helped it develop so far. For more information please visit
www.familiesforpeace.co.uk Like to know more? Know someone who is
in need of support? Like to get involved? To find out more at:
www.nechellspod.com
Turn to the Harvest In Luke 10:2 Jesus says: ‘The harvest truly
is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore, the Lord of
the harvest that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.’
This is God’s focus and His expectation of His Church. This vision
for the local church in 2015 also speaks of three fundamental
values: The first is the focus on the Harvest i.e. the need for
Evangelism, Mission and Church Planting. We need to be completely
convinced that no other body on the face of the earth has been
given the mandate to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ so that men
and women, boys and girls may be saved. Children and Young People
represent the ‘Young Harvest’ who when saved have a lifetime to
devote to the Lord. It is our vision that every member must be
engaged in winning souls for Christ. Two aspects about the harvest
are mentioned by the Lord: the harvest is ‘great’ i.e. there are
many people who want to return to God and be saved; and second, the
harvest is ‘His’. In Ezekiel 18: 4 God says ‘All souls are mine …’
in other words the soul of every human being belongs to God,
whether they acknowledge it or not. And every person is valuable
and worthy of being saved no matter what ethnicity, colour, race,
religion, social standing or sexual orientation. The second value
is leadership development because ‘the labourers are few’.
Leadership development must be wider in focus than the typical
appointed ministers and leaders. Leadership development begins with
our children and young people.
The best of our workers need to be committed to developing the
youngest of our members. Also every member needs to be developed to
share the gospel with family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and
complete strangers. This is part of the priesthood of all believers
(1 Pet 2:9) The third and most fundamental value is prayer. Prayer
is the primary focus of the Christian; without prayer we have no
direction; without prayer we have no power; without prayer we are
not Christian, because prayer is evidence of relationship with God.
Prayer is a reflection of our love for God: if we love Him
entirely, we will spend time with Him to know His will to fulfil it
and to worship Him. Literally our success or failure will depend
upon how well we listen to God in prayer and do what He says. May
God bless you as you pursue Him, find Him and obey Him. Bishop Mike
Find out more about NOC’s Leadership and Prayer Values in the next
edition 2015 YEAR OF HARVEST ACTION PLAN The Vision action plan
includes the following upcoming events during summer 2015:
• ‘How to share your faith’ empowerment day • A Programme of
community events • ‘Everyone Bring One’ Sunday
Look out for more information
2015 IS THE YEAR OF HARVEST
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What’s in our next edition? NOC’s vision for 2015 – Year of the
Harvest
Life Conference 2015
The youth and young adult ministry of Nechells Outreach Centre
successfully hosted Life Conference in March. From the buzz that
was created on social media record attendance was achieved with
over 900 people joining us on the opening night. The theme of the
conference was Upside,Down. The four day event saw 40 people give
their life to Jesus Christ and many testimonies of life changing
experiences. Purchase your Audio CD or DVD now! If you were there
you can now relive every moment from the conference. If you
couldn’t be there or missed anything over the weekend, you’ll be
able to watch or listen to the whole conference and share with
friends and family. To order CDs or DVDs please visit
www.nechellsoutreach.com/shop or contact us on Tel: 0121 327 6209 |
E-mail: [email protected] DVDs are £10.00 per session and
Audio CDs are £5.00.
Contact us @ www.nechellsoutreach.com Or 0121 327 6209
