Lighthouse Church Durban

It is easy to say that we have faith - even strong faith - but the strength of our faith is likely to be tested and proven! Some tests of faith will: Challenge our obedience. Will I obey when it's really hard? Require us to trust God's promises. Will I trust God when things don't make sense? Reveal God's provision. Will I trust God before the physical provision is actually seen? Ge...

Job's faith was tested through terrible losses - and through the terrible counsel of well-meaning friends. Job and his friends were unaware of what was really happening; they could not see "God's big picture". As they tried to make sense of the situation, the friends hurt Job, clinging to their incorrect "formula" that blamed him for his suffering. God never explained h...

Young and old people need to connect, be a blessing to one another and help one another advance the Kingdom of God. Old people - don't "retire from purpose"; you still have work to do - you have treasure in you that needs to be poured into others Young people - you are packed with potential and purpose. But you need to learn from your older brothers and sisters. - One day you should...

God has put us where we are and has work for us to do there. The devil wants to intimidate us, but the Holy Spirit gives us power, love and self-discipline - and he will work in us and through us to do the good things that he has prepared for us to do. This church - this lighthouse: - is built the rock of Jesus and the solid ground of his love - orientates ships that are in the dark - orientates p...

Because of Jesus, we enjoy peace with God - but we do not enjoy peace with the devil and his demons! Jesus is rescuing people from the dominion of darkness - through his church - and the devil is fighting back. We are at war whether we like it or not! So, we need to equip ourselves for battle! - know the truth - as revealed in the Bible - live a righteousness life - live in readiness - walk by fai...

God's timing is different from ours. That often means that we have to wait for him. He will do what he has promised, but in his perfect time. When we find ourselves waiting, we should - Make sure that it was GOD we heard - and that we heard correctly. - Not try to "claim" promises made to someone else. - "Put it on the shelf" - it will make sense later. - Share it with some...

We previously learned that faith is neither foolishness nor presumption. Biblical heroes of faith such as Abraham, Jacob and Joseph teach us more about what true, "real-life" faith looks like. Three questions will help us determine if our faith is true: 1. Did God say it to me/us? 2. Am I willing to obey even if I don't receive? 3. Can I worship while suffering and waiting? Faith is...

The account of Daniel teaches us some extremely helpful lessons for times when we feel as if we've been thrown into a proverbial "lions' den"! In times of crisis and persecution: - Maintain your integrity - Keep your "prayer window" open - Trust God in the "lion's den" - Let your faithfulness preach Daniel 6:1-28, 1 Peter 5:8, Ephesians 6:13, Galatians 6:7...

There are some important things that we should never forget - like taking heart medication! Similarly, there are things about God that we should never forget - such as his sovereignty. God has absolute authority, complete control, and final say over everything, and no one can stop him or overrule Him. If WE were in control, most of us would change almost everything that makes us uncomfortable - an...

When we receive the grace of God, we are set free from sin and called into a new life of righteousness. But some misunderstand, even abuse, this grace. We must learn from Jesus, who came with grace and truth. He's the friend of sinners, but not the friend of sin! He welcomes sinners as a doctor welcomes the sick - todeliver them from their sin. Jesus taught us to deal with sin with grace and t...

Faith is hearing God and obeying. We hear his words, believe them and act on them. Faith is not foolishness. The foolish do as they please - or do nothing - and expect God to always provide and rescue. Faith is also not presumption. The presumptuous claim promises made to someone else for themselves. The presumptuous take risks that God did not ask them to take. The presumptuous expect God to bles...

The Christian life has been likened to a marathon. A glorious start leads to a long journey to the finish. When running gets hard, remember: - Jesus chose us and is 100% committed to us - Our grip on him may fail, but his grip on us will not fail - Our commitment keeps us in the race - Commitment abides, obeys and endures - Fellowship is essential for mutual encouragement 2 Timothy 4:7, Ephesians...

Because God has extended such wonderful grace to us, we extend the same kind of grace to others: - We bless or forgive even though it's undeserved - We pay a price that's rightfully due to them even though it can feel unjust & unnatural - We extend compassion, kindness, gentleness & patience - We bear with weaknesses & different ways - We forgive without counting or recording o...

God sees everything that we are going through. He knows our struggles and pains. In our worst circumstances, God offers us hope - so we should persevere in our hard places, not give up. Difficult seasons will not last forever. And God will not forsake us - even when people do. Genesis 16:1-16, 1 Corinthians 1:26, Psalm 121:1-2, Acts 14:22, Romans 8:28

The grace of God is foundational to the Christian faith and should shape how we live - gratefully, humbly and confidently! We are saved by the grace of God - so we live in humble gratitude! We are called by the grace of God - our call has everything to do with him, not us! We are empowered by the grace of God - WE can't do what he asks - but HE can! We are sustained by the grace of God - throu...

Our sense of identity affects how we think and live - but it can be badly formed by many factors. The Bible gives a clear view of who we are once we belong to Jesus - so we should let this re-form our sense of identity: - We are no longer who we were (or who we thought we were). - We are not just accepted - we are chosen - by God! - As vulnerable as we may feel, we are secure in God's grip! -...

The Bible teaches us to take responsibility for our actions and personal habits. We should therefore stop blame-shifting, making excuses and practicing avoidance. We must take responsibility for our thoughts and attitudes, taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. We must take responsibility for our spoken words. We must be responsible in taking care of others (our own household,...

To receive Gifts of the Spirit we have to position ourselves to receive from the Holy Spirit. Practical Steps to receive the Gift of Tongues Be Filled First Ask in Faith Yield Yor Voice Don't Analyse Practice Practical Steps to receive and operate spiritual gifts Desire Them Stay Filled & Sensitive Step Out in Faith Serve People Be Teachable & Accountable 1 Corinthians 12:7, John 14:16...

God loves us enough to have prepared for us in advance. Only God has a better plan for our lives. God communicates His plan through speaking to us. - We hear God through his word (scriptures). - He speaks to us in prayer. - God can also speak to us through discomfort. We need to develop a listening heart, praying with faith and expectation, and not being afraid of what God might tell us to do. Eph...

The apostle Paul likened the disciple's life to a marathon that should be trained for and run well. Using this analogy, here are some things we can do to run a good race: HAVE A SPIRITUAL "TRAINING KIT" - a Bible in language I can understand - a tool to help me understand the hard parts - a friend to ask questions - a notebook to help me to listen & act HAVE A SPIRITUAL "TRA...

It is God's will that we be people of consistent prayer. Jesus expects his disciples to pray, and he teaches us how to pray. Prayer is a child speaking with their Heavenly Father, not a religious performance. We should pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do, prayer leads to supernatural intervention. We should pray in the name of Jesus - truly representing him, not saying his name as &...

Jesus called the Holy Spirit "another advocate" - one who would be with us, continuing Jesus' ministry. We should therefore learn to work with him so that we can enjoy his ministry of reminding, revealing, empowering and transforming us. We do this by yielding, obeying, expecting and "being filled". He then imparts spiritual gifts to us - as he knows is best - and transform...

The Holy Spirit is a person; not wind, water, energy or fire! He is our "Advocate", the one who comes alongside us. He lives with us and in us. He teaches us, reminds us, and intercedes for us. He is a person, not a force we may seek to control. We relate to Him, we don't "tap into" Him for power. Let's know the difference between the person of the Holy Spirit and his w...

Here are some compelling reasons to read the Bible regularly: Jesus had absolute trust in the scriptures Jesus said that his own words are eternally significant The apostles viewed the scriptures as "God-breathed" Scripture is powerful, cutting to the heart Scripture cleanses our souls Scripture sustains our souls Scripture reveals the lies of the devil Scripture speaks into every aspect...

The church exists for God - he has chosen to reveal his wisdom through it. The church belongs to Jesus - he rules it, and he is building it. He loves the church as his bride, so we should surely also love her! Jesus has given the church ministry gifts to equip and mature us. The end goal is a wedding - with the church as his bride and he as our bridegroom! Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesia...