Lighthouse Church Durban

Some of Jesus' significant ministry moments took place in very ordinary situations: - Talking to a stranger. - Allowing people to interrupt his plans. - Accepting invitations to a meal. In the same way, we can experience significant ministry if we will take similar opportunities in our "ordinary" day-to-day living. Let's break through our comfort and culture barriers and talk to...

God reveals the future & the possibilities. He shows things we don't expect & can't see. These may be far beyond our abilities & resources. Our walk into our destiny is a journey; it can wind and take time. But it takes us into greater & more glorious places. The prophetic lifts our gaze & our hearts, encouraging us to walk into that destiny. We should eagerly desire su...

It is tempting to emulate "successful" people, but we are called to emulate God. Jesus modelled this by representing and revealing God the Father and keeping the focus on him. The Holy Spirit works in a similar way, revealing God to us and leading us into the truth; he enables us to emulate the Father. Hebrews 1:3, John 5:19-20, John 14:9, John 1:18, John 4:23-24, John 14:16-17, John 16:...

Jesus' parable of the net teaches us some vital truths: - A final and eternal separation of souls WILL happen - There are only two possible eternal outcomes - "The fish don't do the sorting" This calls us to answer two questions of eternal significance: - Is MY name written in the Book of Life? - Will I join Jesus on his rescue mission? Matthew 13:47-50, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 28:...

As we move forward in 2024, let's remember that - the year is unlikely to be free of any storms - Jesus will be with us throughout any hardships - Jesus is faithful and will take us through to the other side - the miracles he has done give us good reason to trust him completely - we need to let go of the past in order to move forward Isaiah 46:9-11, Mark 4:35-41, Philippians 3:12-14

The Kingdom of God is worth much more than everything we own. Yet God delights to give it to us - to make us citizens - we don't buy or work our way into the Kingdom (we could never afford it or earn it!) The lesson is to think differently about the value of the Kingdom and the value of earthly wealth. We don't have to chase or hold on to wealth - we can live securely and generously! And a...

As followers of Jesus, we always have a lot of great reasons to be thankful to God. For example, God has: - chosen us and adopted us! - given us his Holy Spirit! - re-created us as a purpose-full masterpiece! - put us in a loving, equipping community! - given us armour to enable us to stand strong! 1 Thessalonians 5:18 & 1:6 Ephesians 1:3-8, 1:13-14, 2:10, 2:19-21, 3:20, 4:11-13 & 6:13

Christmas celebrates Jesus coming to us as the Prince of Peace. Jesus doesn't offer to remove our conflicts & stresses; he offers us peace in the midst of them. This true peace includes peace with God & peace within. We can enter into this amazing peace by submitting to the rule of Jesus & by trusting Jesus with our trials. Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, Matthew 24:7-14, John 16:33, Matthe...

God is in control of world events - even though so much seems to be going wrong. He has a plan - and it is good! Even in dark days, God guides his people. We can trust his perfect plan - and perfect timing! His plans are the best-laid plans! Jeremiah 29:4-10, Jeremiah 28:1-4, Jeremiah 29:11-14, Daniel 2:48, Isaiah 45:1, Galatians 3:29, 1 Timothy 2:1-4

The parables of the mustard seed and yeast teach a vital principle of the Kingdom of God: something small can become something big - and have a significant impact! This is spectacularly displayed in Acts as we read of a small group of disciple makers who impacted their city, their nation and the world! This principle still applies - we can do the same! Even one disciple who makes disciple makers c...

We need to learn the secret of contentment, but we shouldn't become complacent! God has more in store! He has prepared good works for us to do and he wants to keep transforming us! Let's keep pressing on - to understand and achieve God's purposes for us and to become more and more like Jesus. Let's not allow our past mistakes and present struggles to hold us back; let's stay th...

The parable of the wheat and the weeds teaches us valuable life lessons: - those who belong to Jesus must live alongside those who do not - we'll face many temptations - we need to resist - we'll face trials & opposition - we need to persist - this is also a great opportunity - we live in the mission field! - our different thinking & living shines light into darkness. Matthew 13:24...

You are not a "mistake"; you are God's workmanship! You are not called to imitate anyone - or compete with anyone - you are a unique creation! So be content with who God has made you to be - and be faithful with who God has made you to be. You will find great joy as you discover, and live, in your purpose! Psalm 33:13-15, 1 Peter 2:9-10, Psalm 139:13-16, Ephesians 2:10, Acts 17:26-27...

The parable of the sower teaches us that the condition of our hearts determines whether our lives will be fruitful or not. We should therefore guard our hearts - and work on our hearts - so that we will be like fertile soil that is fruitful for God. We should also be faithful in presenting the gospel to others, not giving up when we don't see the response that we'd hoped for, but rather pr...

A right kind of faith ...can be recognised by our lifestyle ...recognises that we have been set free from sin so refuses to allow win to reign ...recognises that we are saved by grace through faith, so does not try to earn salvation, but seeks to honour the name of Jesus ...lives a life of confident faith and increasing evidence of the transforming work of Jesus Titus 1:16, Romans 6:1-14, James 2:...

Hardness of heart keeps us from hearing what God is saying and from understanding what he is doing. Heart hearts are selfish, stubborn and not fully surrendered to God. They need concessions, wanting the ways of the Kingdom to be adjusted to suit them. Soft hearts are fully yielded to the will of God. They earnestly seek to hear whatever God is saying. Soft-hearted disciples have ears that hear, e...

Jesus offers us rest for our souls. This rest comes when we submit our lives to him. He likens this life of rest to being yoked to him, like one ox being yoked to another. When we "yoke in" with Jesus, we find that we supernaturally live lives of righteousness, purpose and inner peace. We yoke in by deciding to submit our lives to his rule, by choosing daily to obey him and by actively l...

We can learn many things from the beginning of Jesus' ministry: - The Kingdom of God is for ALL who believe - Ministry includes proclamation/evangelism, justice and compassion - We must both "go out" AND "attract in" - We must minister without discrimination - We need the power of the Holy Spirit to do this Luke 4:14-30, Luke 5:32, John 8:12, 1 Kings 17:1-16, 2 Kings 5:1-15

We all need God's guidance in life - especially as we seek his perfect plans and purposes. God sees what our limited vision can't see - so his ways and timing can be surprising! He can guide our thinking and our praying - and he offers his guidance in good times and bad times. Proverbs 3:5-6, Exodus 13:17-22, Numbers 9:15-23, Psalm 23, Romans 8:26-28, Psalm 37:23-24

Here are four foundations for effective disciple making: 1 Have a sense of MISSION: we want to see the lost saved and disciples made - so we go to people. 2 Have a clear MESSAGE: Jesus is the Saviour and the Lord. 3 Have a clear PICTURE OF SUCCESS: we want to see more people becoming more like Jesus, recognising and obeying his will and making disciples, all over the world! 4 Build HEALTHY RELATIO...

Every follower of Jesus is commissioned to make obedient disciples - who will also make disciples. We are ALL members of God's royal priesthood; disciple-making is not reserved for "clergy" or "experts"! When we make disciples who make disciples, the rate of growth keeps increasing! God delights in choosing those we would not choose - because our weaknesses demonstrate his...

Following Jesus and doing what he calls us to do can be like launching out into deep water: - it can require us to step out in obedient faith - it can take us from apparent failure to breakthrough - it requires the power of God Luke 5:1-11, Isaiah 55:8, Matthew14:25-31, 1 Corinthians 12:14, Ephesians 1:11, James 2:17, Isaiah 43:18-19, John 15:5

One day Jesus will return to earth - as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He will return as a fearsome warrior, defeating all of his enemies.  He will return as a righteous judge, separating those who are his from those who are not his.  And he will return as the long awaited Bridegroom, to be together forever with all who belong to him! We need to make sure that our names are in the book of l...

Jesus announced the Kingdom first; we must continue announcing the Kingdom. We enter God’s Kingdom upon embracing the rule and the word of the King. The words of the King change us and give us life. The King does not have to take over anything; it is already all his, he invites us to enter. God’s Kingdom focuses on changing lives, not things. When our lives are changed, we can change things! Matth...

Jesus is The Living One. He now rules from Heaven in his spectacular, indescribable glory! When we recognise Jesus as the Living One, we will - worship him and honour him - obey him without questioning him - trust him completely with everything, including our eternal destiny! Revelation 1:12-18, Philippians 2:9-11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, John 11:25-26