LCC Online Service - 20 December 2020
Welcome
Please click below for the video welcome message.
Greetings everyone,
What a joy it is to anticipate Christmas’ arrival this week. We continue in the season of Advent this day, as Dave Keating will teach on the advent of Love. He uses verses from Romans chapter 5 and I felt that the best way to start today’s service was reading Romans chapter 5 together, as we reflect on Faith, Peace, Hope and ultimately the Love we experience in and through Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour:
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we also have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we celebrate in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only this, but we also celebrate in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; 4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will hardly die for a righteous person; though perhaps for the good person, someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only this, but we also celebrate in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all mankind, because all sinned— 13 for until the Law, sin was in the world, but sin is not counted against anyone, when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the violation committed by Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.
15 But the gracious gift is not like the offense. For if by the offense of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many. 16 The gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one offense, resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the gracious gift arose from many offenses, resulting in justification. 17 For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
18 So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through one act of righteousness the result was justification of life to all mankind. 19 For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord
- Romans 5 (NASB)
Lord, we give you the praise today and rejoice in the relationship we can have with you, as we experience your supernatural peace and love this Christmas.
Praise and Worship
Please select “play” on the image below and join with us in worshiping our Lord and Saviour.
Song List:
- Angels We Have Heard On High - Reawaken Hymns
- O Come Let Us Adore Him - Hillsong
- See Amid The Winter's Snow - Edward Caswall
- All Glory Be To Christ - Kings Kaleidoscope
sermon
Sermon - Dave Keating - Advent Series Part 4 - Love Ministry
Scripture: Luke 2:7-14; Ephesians 2:4,7; Romans 5:2-17, 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 Peter 2:24; Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13; Ephesians 1:4; 1 John 3:11; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 2:5; Colossians 2:13; Philippians 3:13; Philemon 1:6; Philippians 4:13; John 15:5; Galatians 5:22,23; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:19; & John 3:16.
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 Vindicate me, Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;
I have trusted in the Lord
and have not faltered.
2 Test me, Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love
and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.4 I do not sit with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.
5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,
and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.8 Lord, I love the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,
whose right hands are full of bribes.
11 I lead a blameless life;
deliver me and be merciful to me.12 My feet stand on level ground;
in the great congregation I will praise the Lord.- Psalm 26
Rejoice in the Lord.
Praise God for His provision this year.
Give thanks to God for the rains and new seasons.
Pray for Chad, Callie and family that they find rest during this wonderful time with family. Pray that their house sells and that all the other logistics continue to progress well, including immigration submission in the coming weeks.
Pray for Kate that grace abounds in the waiting on God’s timing.
Pray for those in our Church family going through health issues.
Pray for financial provision and wisdom for LCC.
Pray for continued perseverance and wisdom for the government in handling the COVID-19 pandemic.
Please continue to pray for Vanessa Swart following the surgery, asking for steady restoration to full health and strength.
Pray for the prison ministry work and for God’s presence to be experienced by staff and inmates .
Pray for the work in Chipata:
For the Kids Outreach.
For signs and wonders and open heavens for His Glory to make Himself known among MANY!
For new names to be written in the Book of LIFE
That Jesus would be honored.
Lives touched FOREVER for His Glory!
That ALL the enemies lies, devices, schemes, works, hindrances, spirits, strongholds, distractions and assignments would be bound, rendered powerless and silent in Jesus name!
That all would go well with no confusion and division
Pray for wisdom and guidance for the Elders.
Pray for opportunities to proclaim the Gospel fearlessly.
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
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
Benediction
Be people of love.
Let love live in your heart and share the love of Christ with all you meet.
Share love by loving those you see regularly. Start by loving your community.
Share love by loving those you do not know. How do your actions affect the rest of God’s creation?
Share love by praying for our world.
In this Advent season, we need to see, feel, and share love.
As you go out into the wonder of God’s creations, share love, joy, peace, and hope with those you meet.
Amen