1. ONE

INTRODUCTION

Thank God for this house,

New Beginnings.  Its week One of 2025. Often time of mixed emotions too.  And traditionally it’s a time to reflect to set new plans in place, set some new priorities, new rhythms for life and especially for our own Jesus walk.

Busy lives/ demands/challenges

So, on week ONE of this new year, I began to reflect and pray over some of the ONE priorities or principles that we find in the word.

As I believe God is reminding us of some key priorities as we gather together in week ONE of 2025.

Of course, taking stock and review what’s important is a very healthy activity to do, particularly in the context of our every changing world and culture.

Let’s face it the world around us is changing at a fast pace, and there are all kinds of challenges on the world stage and challenges locally and personally

Attitudes change, we are living in the middle of a cultural shift.  Society is more individualistic and attitudes to faith, to God, to Church.

We are now living our lives and representing Jesus in a post Christian society, especially in the West! We are getting the sense that Christian faith and values are marginalised, there is a sense of intolerance.

This doesn’t mean we hide in the shadows, but rather we dig in and be the Jesus follower that shines bright in such a time as this!

If you are like me, its difficult to know where to start!

As we walk together in week one I believe the lord has given us a clue on how to move forward together, as we explore ONE things we can do to shine bright for Jesus.

SO WHAT ARE THESE ONE THINGS?

We kick off with PSALM 27: 4 (David running from Saul or Absolum David had seen it all and in may ways done it all)

David writes

‘One thing I have asked of the Lord, that I will seek after, that I may Dwell in the house of the Lord ALL the days of my life, and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in his temple.

ONE - DWELL

The Holy Spirit is setting out our assignment or priorities for 2025.  And top of the list is putting God first.

OF COURSE THE HOUSE OF THE LORD IS A PHYSICAL PLACE WHERE WE FIND THE PRESENCE OF GOD BUT PAUL REMINDS US IN

I CORINTHIANS 6:19 THAT OUR BODY IS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN YOU AND WHO WAS GIVEN TO YOU BY GOD

WE were created for relationship. Back in Genesis God created Mankind for relationship. So in Week One of 2025 Father God is reminding you that he Loves you, and that he is for you and not against you.

He sings and dances over you.  You are His delight, You are precious beyond measure!

One thing I desire is that I might know you, that I have a heart to love God and seek after him, to seek him and allow Him to take us to new places.

Church this is a MATTER OF THE HEART = OUR DESIRE.  Matters of the Heart are really important

WHEN OUR HEART IS RIGHT – EVERYTHING ELSE FALLS INTO PLACE – THAT’S HOW IT WORKS

When our heart is firmly directed to the living God that brings us to a place of JOY and it’s a place to savour, it’s a place or position that we long for the presence of Father God.

WE HAVE TO BE HONEST – THIS COMES AT A COST – SURRENDER

That we adopt a posture of surrender and develop a heart that’s open and receptive to the heart of God.

Church, as Jesus followers we have such a joy and privilege to know Father God.  This is something we have been talking about together for a while now!

We have to remind ourselves that we are loved by God.  Full stop.

There is nothing on earth that’s betting that dwelling in the presence of God, sitting at his feet and allowing God’s amazing love to cover you.

You are not Alone,

I DON’T KNOW WHAT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH FRIENDS/FAMILY LOOKS LIKE.  YOU MAYBE THE TYPE FOR WHATEVER REASON TO PUSH PEOPLE AWAY BUT ON WEEK ONE OF 2025

ALLOW FATHER GOD TO LOVE YOU

We are in relationship with THE LIVING, LOVING GOD a Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Sprit

Father – the origin or creation and redemption who communicates his divinity to the Son and the Holy Spirit

Son – The mediator, who accomplishes the fathers plan and saves humanity from sin

Holy Spirit – The bond of love between the father and son, who applies the fathers plans to believers

Remember that in Christ we have

Intimacy – Dwelling with the Lord gives us the joy of listening to the father’s voice, hear his heart for you and his will for your life

Trust – Dwelling with the Lord means trusting in God’s live, power and wisdom to protect you and give you everything you need

Peace – Dwelling with the Lord can bring a sense of peace, even in the challenging times of life

Guidance – Dwelling with the Lord gives clarity and a sense of guidance

Trust – Dwelling with the Lord gives us a sense that we live, move and breath, we are held firmly in the strong arms of our heavenly father

Hope – as we step into 2025 we need a strong dose of hope

Church we are loved – Father God is again, call to Allow God to love us, to take those small steps towards our heavenly Father.  To sit at his feet in the good times and the not so good times!

John 16:33 – reminds us that God has given his children, help, rest and peace.  Even in the storms of life

1 Corinthians 6:19 - Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God. You are not your own, you were bought with a price, so Glorify God with your body

ONE CHURCH

1 Corinthians 12:13 – Christ has only one body THE CHURCH, HIS ONE BRIDE, HIS ONE HOUSE, HIS ONE FAMILY

Ephesians 4:4 – There is only ONE body and ONE spirit

1 Timothy 3:15 – There is only ONE house of God

Philippians 2.2 – complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being of full accord and of ONE mind!

The church – This church is God’s idea

The Lord has placed us together as a family, we are called to gather as sons and daughters of the living God FOR A REASON

We are ONE church – blood bought, sanctified, anointed set apart to get the job done.

The Church is a vibrant, organic living organism of imperfect, redeemed people

From God’s perspective there is only ONE church and we at Bethel and Aberafan are LOCAL EXPRESSIONS of His ONE Church.

EKKLESIA IS GREEK WORD FOR CHURCH IN NEW TESTAMENT WHICH MEANS THOSE WHO ARE CALLED OUT

Ed Sil Voso in His Book Ecclesia reminds us that  -

The Church is God’s instrument for global transformation.  He describes

The Church is ‘people movement’’

That really excites me because it takes our attention away from structures, as important as they are!

Let’s cherish our times together as a family.

As we gather together