Lighthouse Church Durban

We have a wonderful and precious faith - but it is under attack! We therefore need to stand strong  and defend our faith in the face of: - False teachings - Trouble, hardship, persecution and danger Remember, - The truth is always true! - Nothing can separate us from the love of God! Jude 1:1-4, Romans 8:35-39, 2 Corinthians 12:10

Jesus said "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them." While receiving, or being filled with, the Holy Spirit is vitally important, we must understand that this "living water" should flow OUT of us as well as into us. When we open our hearts and lives to minister to people ar...

The Kingdom of God is very different and can be hard to understand; so Jesus presented it in terms of illustrations and contrasts. He challenged cultural assumptions of the day and presented alternative ways of thinking and living. His parables are powerful because they are culturally relevant, easily remembered, in the context of ordinary life, logical, and they become even more meaningful as we...

God gives ALL of his children spiritual gifts. He gives different gifts to different people, so his work is different in each of us. He gifts us in order to bless others, not ourselves. In some cases, WE become the gift, as we serve the church as equippers: apostles, prophets, evangelists,pastors and teachers. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28, 1Kings 3:25-26, Matthew 16:16-17, Luke 7:6-8, Acts 19:11-12,...

There are appropriate and inappropriate ways to dress for weddings and other special occasions. We "dress for the occasion". The Bible uses this analogy to describe how we can - and should - change our ways appropriately for life in the Kingdom of God. As an ancient wedding host would provide special clothes for his guests, God has provided his children with new "clothes" - glo...

Just as Jesus' disciples walked and worked closely with Jesus, we are to "keep in step" with the Holy Spirit. The "fruit of the Spirit" is evidence that we are living in step with him. Because the Holy Spirit comes in Jesus' name, he leads in line with Jesus' words and ways. Knowing and obeying Jesus' words and ways makes it easier to recognise and obey the Spir...

Repentance is sometimes viewed negatively, but it is actually a gift from God that brings reconciliation, refreshing and transformation. True repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of action. It comes from the heart and includes confessing our sin and forgiving others. It is NOT merely being sorry that you were caught, embarrassed or punished! Is NOT merely saying the right thing to...

Jesus has commissioned all of his disciples - to be his witnesses and make disciples everywhere. This is a supernatural work that needs supernatural power. The Holy Spirit provides this power. Jesus said we can trust our Heavenly Father to give us this good gift - so we should ask! The book of Acts teaches us that there is no "formula", but we can pray together and ask   leaders we trust...

The Bible is full of stories of salvation - people putting their faith in Jesus and following him. Sharing the gospel is not reserved for those who are highly gifted and knowledgeable; the power is not in the speaker, but in the scriptures and in the gospel message itself! That said, Jesus was a master communicator and we can learn a great deal from how he interacted with people! - intentionally s...

The apostle Paul prayed that the church would "know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." The love of Christ brings the fullness of God to us. As we grow in his love, we experience more of the fullness of God - everything that he has for us. When we co-operate with the work of the Holy Spirit, this will happen! We must therefor...

Even the most godly people experience setbacks. When you experience a setback or failure: - Recognise if it's caused by sin or not - Repent from any sin - Persevere through any hardship - Show loyalty to God and to his people - Trust God to step in: He has no equal! He makes the impossible possible! Acts 13: 22, 2 Samuel 11: 2-4, 14-15, Psalm 51:10-12, Ruth 1:16, 2:5, 4:13, John 20:14,19, Gene...

Jesus values, expects & rewards FAITHFULNESS. He doesn't expect us to be faithful with what he hasn't given us, but with what he has given us: resources, gifts & abilities, relationships, influence & opportunities. Don't step back because others have greater abilities & resources than you. Don't think that your "smaller impact" matters less to Jesus.  Inst...

The encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus teaches us some valuable lessons. If we want to experience more of Jesus, we should: - Discuss matters of faith openly with others. - Acknowledge and expect Jesus' presence, power and reality in our daily lives. - "Make room for Jesus" in our hearts, our homes and our lives. Luke 24:13-34

We live in times when fake news abounds and we want to verify the news we receive. Here are four compelling verifying factors for the gospel message: 1. The fulfilment of many ancient prophecies. 2. The large number of first-hand witnesses. 3. The courage of the many witnesses who suffered and died rather than deny Jesus. 4. The supernatural evidence of the hand of God. Matthew 28:11-15, 1 Corinth...

Jesus has given all of his followers work to do - particularly, the ministry of reconciliation to God. The Holy Spirit has given us all the power we need to do that work. Yet many things compete for our attention and resources; so we need to regularly re-examine our priorities. Jesus does not deny the importance of our needs, but he calls us to put his Kingdom and his ways first, promising that ou...

Paul's prayers for the Ephesian church are really powerful. As Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened to his spiritual realities, Paul prays that the "spiritual eyes" of church members would be opened to their spiritual realities. We would do well to pray those prayers for ourselves and for one another - so that we will: -know God better -see beyond the present into et...

The tower of Babel teaches many valuable life lessons: -Seeking our own glory will distract us from seeking God and his purposes. -Godless empires and enterprises rise - but then they fall. -Find your significance in God, not in achievements. -Our pride will be our downfall. -When we humble ourselves, God lifts us up. -Rather build your life on God's words and ways. Ephesians 2:1-2, Genesis 4:...

Unbelief stands in the way of what God wants to do - in the lives of his people and through his people. Faith pleases God. It doesn't have to be "big", because God is the object of our faith - and he is big enough! Sound Bible teaching builds up faith. God's words can always be trusted; he will fulfil them! When we put God's word into practice, things change! But we need to t...

When Jesus said "if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed", he wasn't overstating our freedom! We have been set free:  -from the grip of sin  -from the grip of the devil  -from condemnation  -to approach God with confidence  -to leave our past behind and live a glorious new life. WE ARE FREE INDEED!! John 8:31-36, Romans 6:18, Colossians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Romans 8:1-3, 1 John 2:1-2...

We are not under the law of the Old Covenant, but have a relationship with Jesus under the New Covenant. Instead of offering animal sacrifices, we are to offer ourselves to God, as a living sacrifice. Gratitude and thanksgiving please Jesus - and bring peace into our lives. Know that God is working in all things for our good! Let's consistently testify and give praise to God for everything tha...

Jesus invites us to join the most privileged people on earth - the people who are on God's mission with him. But before we say "yes", we need to: -make it an informed decision: to follow Jesus knowing that it will be difficult at times. -surrender our selfish agendas and follow Jesus as our Lord (master). -renounce all other masters, knowing that we can only follow one. We are not sa...

God has good plans for his people. But he works his plans his way - with light and with order. God's light enables us to see his order and to bring things into that order. God can bring order at many levels: personal, church, community & nation. We can all embrace his order personally & contribute to the order of the other levels. When we embrace God's light and order, we open the...

Like many heroes of the Bible, we may also experience some dark, difficult days. In those times, we should not be afraid to pour out our hearts to God in lament, knowing that: - He is GOD - His ways are BETTER - He is GOOD - He SEES us - He UNDERSTANDS us - NOTHING is impossible for him - He WORKS GOOD in all things - He will lift you up in his perfect time. Psalm 22, Job 42:3, Isaiah 55:8-9, Jame...

The Bible and history teach us that seemingly insignificant people can have a great impact. We need to realise this so that we step forward in faith; if we think we are insignificant, we won't. God knows every one of us and has a plan for us. He prepares us and develops us so that we can do what he has planned. This journey can be hard, but it is worth it. The devil and human critics may tell...

Difficult circumstances can undermine our faith and cause doubt. But, irrespective what we may go through, the name of Jesus has power over: - sickness and disease - sin - demonic Influence - even death! As we get to know Jesus - and live in obedience to him - we will experience more of the power of his name to heal, forgive, deliver and give eternal life. John 14:6, John 8:12, John 11:25, Matthew...