LCC Online Service - 08 November 2020
Welcome & Communion
Welcome, please click below for the video welcome message and if you choose to participate with us in Communion, please have the elements at hand.
Dear Brothers and Sisters all over the world,
As we approach the end of the year, and for those of us in Zambia, hope soon to be out of the hottest and most testing time of the year climatically, I want to use the words of Paul to encourage us to persevere.
2 Timothy 2 1-13:
1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.
8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.
11 Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12 if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13 if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
I think we are all facing various challenges in our lives, and the Word here is encouraging us to persevere, to do so under the guidelines of the Bible, teaching and encouraging other people as we push on to finish the race the Lord has called us to.
COMMUNION
An important part of running the race of life, is looking forward and not allowing our past to trip us up. To this end the Lord encourages us in the Bible to confess our sins, acknowledge them to the Lord, and he will forgive us. As athletes, running a race, we cannot afford to be carrying extra baggage that will hamper our progress and success.
1 John 1:9:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
So for those of us at home today, I would like to encourage you to read the scriptures about taking communion and confess your sins to the Lord, have your slate wiped clean, and seek the Lord’s face for the next part of our journey of life.
1 Corinthians 11:26-34:
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves, before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink, without discerning the body of Christ, eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.
Let us start this week, having handed the problems of the past to the Lord, and looking forward with His eyes, to that which he has set before us.
Praise and Worship
Please select “play” on the image below and join with us in worshiping our Lord and Saviour.
Song List:
- Turn Your Eyes - Sovereign Grace Music
- Battle Belongs - Phil Wickham
sermon
Sermon - Andrew Betteridge - Tithes & Offerings Series Part 7 - Where your treasure is…
Scripture: Matthew 6, Psalm 51:16-17, Micah 6:8, Mark 10:21, & Acts 4:32-35
Please select Play below (depending on your bandwidth it could take a few seconds to buffer and play):
If you have issues playing the sermon, you can download the audio version directly from OneDrive here:
Sermon Download
Prayer
1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.- Psalm 51 (ESV)
Give thanks for God’s faithfulness in our lives.
Give thanks that God has chosen to use us as conduits of His Kingdom.
Pray for Chad, Callie and family as they transition into a new chapter of life and join LCC.
Pray for those in our Church family going through health issues.
Pray for financial provision, sustainability, and stewardship for LCC.
Pray for continued wisdom for the government in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pray for the prison ministry work.
Pray for the work in Chipata.
Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Elders.
Pray for opportunities to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly as we should.
Please share your praises and prayer needs with any of the Elders via WhatsApp or email the church email or via the Prayer Form so that we can all continue being in prayer for one another.
Giving
If you are able to commit to regular giving, please click on the following link and complete the form: Pledge Form
Tithing and giving can be done through online transfer facilities (wire, mobile, & bank). We currently do not offer direct debit or credit card donations, but some have found TransferWise to be a helpful platform for transferring money locally or internationally (minimal transaction fees).
If you are unable to use contactless methods, you can still drop-off your offering at the church office during regular working hours. You can confirm any details with the church administrator by calling, texting, or WhatsApp: +260966800100
The church bank account details are below if you would like to use online transfer facilities:
Account name: Lusaka Community Church
$ acc #: 8700220232300
K acc #: 0150420232300
Bank: Standardchartered
Branch: Manda Hill
Branch code: 03000
Swift code: SCBLZMLX
Thank you
We are so encouraged that you were able to join with us in worshiping our Lord and Saviour today. May each of take time this week to reread Matthew 6 and see the Holy Spirit’s guidance in the ways each of us is being called to use the resources bestowed upon us to further and invest in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Benediction
Go now into the world, inspired by the radiant love of God. Live generously, with open hands, loving one another as if your lives depended on it.
Be good stewards of the gifts you have received, so that God may be glorified in all that you say and do.
May the abundant love of God surround you, may the extravagant grace of Jesus Christ sustain
you, and may the constant presence of the Holy Spirit inspire and encourage you in every good deed and word.Live this week praising the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.