The Land of Promise

Check Out My New Blog!

2012-01-11T13:01:00.002-06:00

Dear friends,

I've moved! Check out my new blog over at WordPress... lots of new & improved features!

http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/

Come and sign up to continue following me. Hope to see you there...

Pastor Chris Jordan

300: The Last Blog

2012-01-01T14:30:00.002-06:00

Dear friends,

Five years ago, I started this blog with these words:

What's in a name? The Land of Promise is taken from Hebrews 11:8-10. This particular story from the Bible has taken on new significance in my life over the past two months. After fourteen years of being involved in full time youth ministry on the West Coast, in Surrey, BC, the Lord is calling me to move my family of six to the small prairie town of Beausejour, Manitoba. Tim Peterson, the President of the Foursquare Gospel Church of Canada, has just appointed me to be the new lead pastor of the Foursquare church there. And just like Abraham, who obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance, so too we are stepping out in faith and obedience to the call of God upon our lives. Now, unlike Abraham, we do know where we are going. We are heading to our land of promise, and we are very excited about it! And so this blog will chronicle what will no doubt be a combination of the joys and sorrows, victories and struggles of transitioning into a new and different life calling - from being a youth pastor, to being a lead pastor. Welcome aboard!

They say all good things must come to an end, and on that note, this 300th post will be the last blog entry at The Land of Promise. Now that we have been settled in our new home in Beausejour for several years, it's time to wrap up this particular part of our journey. However, my writing will continue at a brand new blog - NEW LIFE - over at http://pastorchrisjordan.wordpress.com/. If you want to continue receiving blog updates from me - including everything from personal journal entries and photos to teachings and more, visit that page today and bookmark it. See you there!

Thanks for reading...
Pastor Chris Jordan
www.beausejourchurch.ca

The Beausejour Pulpit - Sneak Peek at the Preface

2011-12-19T11:50:00.003-06:00

The Beausejour Pulpit:
One Word From God Can Change Your Life Forever!

For generations, the pulpit has stood at center stage in most Protestant churches. More than just a podium to hold the pastor’s notes, this wooden instrument symbolizes the proclamation of the Word of God. This collection of sermons preached in Beausejour, Manitoba is designed to help you encounter the living Word so that your life can be transformed. In this book, you will discover how to:

~ stir up a hunger for more of God in your life
~ grow spiritually and become more like Jesus
~ pray powerful prayers and get more out of your Bible study
~ get more joy and satisfaction in your life
~ discover scientific evidence that supports the Biblical account of creation
~ gain keys to understanding the Book of Revelation
~ and more!

THE PREFACE:

It wasCharles Haddon Spurgeon who inspired The Beausejour Pulpit, my latest book project. Anyonewho has heard me preach before has no doubt heard of Spurgeon, for I quote himoften. This old Baptist pastor is affectionately referred to by many as ThePrince of Preachers. Allow me to share with you a brief introduction to hislife.

“C. H.Spurgeon was to nineteenth-century Englandwhat D. L. Moody was to America.Although Spurgeon never attended theological school, by the age of twenty-onehe was the most popular preacher in London.He preached to crowds of ten thousand at Exeter Hall and the Surrey Music Hall.Then when the Metropolitan Tabernacle was built, thousands gathered everySunday for over forty years to hear his lively sermons. In addition to hisregular pastoral duties, he founded Sunday schools, churches, an orphanage, andthe Pastor's College. He edited a monthly church magazine and promotedliterature distribution.” (W.Y. Fullerton, CharlesHaddon Spurgeon: A Biography, quoted from www.spurgeon.org).

There aremany things about Spurgeon’s life that inspire me. He was a pastor who wasdedicated to faithfully preaching the Word of God, and I too am a Biblepreacher. One of the things that most inspires me about Spurgeon was his PennyPulpit series. Influenced by another preacher, he decided to publishtranscripts of his sermons every week, and in January of 1855, The New Park Street Pulpit was born. Forseven years, he published these eight-page, small print sermons. Once a tax onpaper was abolished, he began publishing twelve page sermons in larger type andchanged the title of them to the MetropolitanTabernacle Pulpit.

More than hundredsof millions of his weekly sermons were sold, and since then, they have beenreproduced in numerous other ways. I have in my personal library severalcollections containing hundreds of Spurgeon’s sermons, and they still inspireme today. This is how The BeausejourPulpit was born.

In thislittle book, you will find a collection of transcripts of ten of the sermonsthat I preached at Beausejour Community Churchover the past five years. In addition to these ten sermons you will find Foursquare Foundations, an examinationof our church’s statement of faith; Faithin Focus, a collection of twenty bi-weekly columns I wrote for our localcommunity newspaper, and Proverbs: Wisdomfor Daily Living, a 31 day devotional journey through the book of Proverbs.

Beforewarned: None of the messages in this book will win any kinds of literaryawards. They are raw and relatively unedited, but they are records of some ofthe messages that I have shared with our church family in the first five years ofpastoral ministry in Beausejour.

The firstfour messages will challenge you to seek after God in prayer and Bible reading.The next two messages will encourage you to contend for joy in your life. The three-partOrigins series will answer some of the questions you may have about thecreation versus evolution debate including a consideration of dinosaurs. Thetenth message will introduce you to one of my favorite books of the Bible:Revelation.

Although mywords are nowhere near as eloquent as Spurgeon’s, I pray that God would breatheupon these messages and use them to inspire and encourage you in the Lord, justas Spurgeon’s sermons have blessed me.

* * *

THEBEAUSEJOUR PULPIT is a 200 page collection of faith buildingsermons. Each chapter in this book has appeared separately in mini-booklet formand is now compiled in this glossy, quality softcover bound book. Designed tohelp you grow spiritually.

Here's a look at eachof the messages contained in this book:

TheBeausejour Pulpit

By Chris Jordan

1. Hungerand the Need for Revival

God’s desire is that this latterday’s church would be greater in glory than the early church. It’s time tocontend for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our midst today and prayfor revival.

2. Rediggingthe Wells of Prayer

If we want to see the same power –signs, wonders, healings and miracles – as the church in Acts, then we musthave the same priority of prayer as they did.

3. WithJesus in the School of Prayer

Jesus wants to teach us how topray. When we spend time with Jesus in the secret place, prayer becomes anexciting adventure.

4. Church,It’s Time to Grow Up!

God has given us an amazing gift inthe Bible. When we feed upon His Word, we will grow spiritually and become morelike Jesus.

5. Fullnessof Joy and Rivers of Pleasure

There’s something missing in thechurch today. It’s called JOY. God wants us to experience fullness of joy, andrivers of pleasure.

6. TheBlessed Life: The Secret of Happiness

God’s desire is that we wouldexperience the blessed life – where we would be happy, supremely blessed; andspiritually prosperous.

7. Origins#1: Creation

Is there more scientific evidencethat supports the Biblical account of creation or the theory of evolution? TheOrigins series considers this question and more.

8. Origins#2: The Fall

If God is good, and He createdeverything, and the original creation was very good, then why is there deathand suffering in the world?

9. Origins#3: Dinosaurs in the Bible

If God made the dinosaurs with allother land animals and human beings on day six of creation, are there dinosaursmentioned in the Bible?

10. Unlockingthe Mysteries of Revelation

The Revelation of Jesus Christ isone of the most interesting books of the Bible. This message will give you thekeys to unlocking the mysteries of Revelation.

11. FoursquareFoundations

A look at our church’s statement offaith.

12. Faithin Focus: The Newspaper Columns 2011

A collection of articles that werepublished in our local newspaper.

13. Proverbs:Wisdom for Daily Living

A 31 day devotional journey throughthe Book of Proverbs.

To download an orderform, click here:

http://sermonplayer.com/c/chrisjordan/pdf/119757758_3793.pdf

Book Release Date:January 30 ,2012.

Cost: $15

Please make chequespayable to Chris Jordan Publications.

For more info,contact:

Chris JordanPublications, Box 1823, Beausejour, MB.R0E 0C0.

chrisjordan@live.ca.204-266-1930.

www.chrisjordanpublications.ca

The Jordan Family Christmas Letter 2011

2011-12-16T09:56:00.001-06:00

Dear family & friends,

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone! 2011 was another whirlwind of family fun and activities for us.

Those who know me know that I love to write. In June of 2010, I was excited to publish my first book, Supernatural. In January of 2011, I started a writing a bi-weekly column for our local newspaper which I have been enjoying. I’m also looking forward to publishing my second full length non-fiction book in January of 2012: The Beausejour Pulpit.

Some of the highlights of the year for me included preaching the Word every Sunday, counseling, leading a Christian club in our local high school, leading our youth group, and chapels at Eastgate Lodge, our local senior’s care home.

One of our family highlights was a vacation to Fargo and Grand Forks in the US on spring break. The kids loved visiting the huge sports store, Scheels, where there was a Ferris Wheel, statues of US presidents, Nascar racing simulator & shooting gallery. It was cool!

In July, Liza and Caleb joined me on our church’s annual mission trip to Costa Rica. We continue working with Canadian Foursquare missionaries John and Debbie Overholt. Our adventures included plane troubles which resulted in our luggage arriving a day late; an earthquake on our second day there; street ministry; children’s ministry; leading church services; handing out food, reading glasses and hats to poor people; ministry at a rehab centre; painting and cleaning a new church building in Filadelphia; swimming, zip-lining and more.

This summer, we went to a new place for our annual family camping trip: Rubber Ducky Campground. The location was a real disappointment but we did have a good time together with our kids. We swam in a small pool, played mini-golf, had nightly campfires and a family talent show.

In August, Liza directed our annual children’s Vacation Bible School at the church, with over 70 kids in attendance, not to mention our team of 35 youth and leaders. She continues to serve our church family as the leader of our children’s ministry, and works on staff at the church part time.

Liza was a speaker at our ladies retreat at Cedarwood Camp in the fall, and did a fabulous job. Liza is in her second year of piano lessons and she is already in level three. She loves playing the piano, and practices all the time. Liza had her first piano recital in June with Hannah and an number of other piano students.

In October, Caleb, Austin and I went on a father-son road trip to Saskatchewan. We spent the night at my mom’s in Melville, then headed to Regina the next day to watch a Saskatchewan Roughriders football game. It was a great experience!

In this 2011-2012 school year, Caleb is in grade 10, Tori is in grade 8, Austin is in grade 7, and Hannah is in grade 4. Caleb continues to be involved in many different sports - including basketball and football - and also plays cello in the school band. Most Saturdays this summer were spent watching Caleb`s football games in Winnipeg. He was invited to play in the midget bowl as one of the best rookies of the year. Tori was involved in band again this past year playing the trumpet. She got a camera and video camera this year and loves taking pictures and videos. Austin was also involved in band again playing the violin. He loves building things with Lego.

Tori and Austin both love to read and write, just like their dad. Hannah is in her third year of piano, and takes weekly lessons with Liza. She got a keyboard for her birthday and loves playing the piano and singing with her karaoke machine.

In November, I participated in NaNo-WriMo: National Novel Writing Month. I finally got started work on a youth fantasy story idea that I’ve had for 12 years - “The Voyagers: Mutiny on the Fellowship.” In 30 days, I wrote 50,000 words, which amounted to about 14 out of 20 chapters of my first draft. I’m hoping to complete the this story in the New Year.

This December, we are looking forward to our church’s annual children`s Christmas concert Angel Alert, and putting together Christmas hampers for needy families in our community.

It has been five years since Liza and I received the call from the Lord to come to Beausejour Community Church, and we are enjoying our role as lead pastors. We love the wonderful family of God that He has called us to care for.

We love you and your family very much, and wish you a Merry Christmas, and a blessed and a prosperous New Year.

With love and prayers,

Chris, Liza, Caleb, Tori, Austin & Hannah

Christmas Sermon: The Giving of Gifts

2011-12-14T22:01:00.001-06:00

CHRISTMAS:THE GIVING OF GIFTS

(December 2011 – Beausejour Church – Pastor ChrisJordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.

To listen to this audio message or download the MP3, click HERE.

INTRO TO TOPIC: Have you ever heard anyone say, “Christmas isn’t really aboutthe gifts”?

· “Every good gift and every perfect gift is fromabove, and comes down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17). God loves to give good gifts!

· “Thanksbe unto God for His indescribable gift.” (2 Cor. 9:15).

· Christmas is about celebrating the greatestChristmas gifts of all that God has given to us from Heaven: salvation,forgiveness, joy, peace and hope. More on that next week…

QUOTE:

“Thistime of year never fails to excite me because God, the real gift-giver, found away to love, bless and care for people like me. While the world has made Christmas a brazenly commercial, nonsacredevent, I refuse to become cynical or allow what others do to strip My FavouriteDay of its true meaning. For me, the bells I hear at Christmas announce theglorious truth that God so loved the world that He gave His only begottenSon…From Mary and Joseph arriving in Bethlehem, to the shepherds in the fields,the angels in the heavens, and a bright star in the sky, God’s love found a wayto package it all in just the right way at just the right moment… Realizingthat God held back nothing, pulled out all the stops, and used the mightyresources of heaven to give the greatest gift of all ought to give us freshreason to celebrate His birth—no matter how the world tries to twist or glossover the truth.” (Ron Mehl, LoveFound a Way).

KEY TEXT:

“1 Now afterJesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold,wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, "Where is He who hasbeen born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have cometo worship Him."

· Application point: Wise men(and women) still seek the King today!

ILLUSTRATION:

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hiddenin a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sellsall that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchantseeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, wentand sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew13:44-46).

· Jesus is a treasure, a pearl ofgreat price, and is worth everything!

3 When Herod theking heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalemwith him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of thepeople together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So theysaid to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by theprophet: 6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least amongthe rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd Mypeople Israel.' " 7 Then Herod,when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time thestar appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehemand said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you havefound Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also." 9When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they hadseen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the youngChild was. 10 When they saw the star, theyrejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

· When you find Jesus, you willexperience great joy!

11 And when theyhad come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, andfell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, theypresented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinelywarned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for theirown country another way.” (Matthew 2:1-12).

THE BIG IDEA: It’s good to give gifts. The story of the wise men giving theirgifts to Jesus teaches us three things about giving today: Give an unexpected gift,give a gift with genuine joy, and give a gift that will last.

THE THREEWISE WOMEN – JOKE:

Things wouldhave been considerably different if these wise men had actually instead beenwise women. They would have asked for directions, arrived on time, helpeddeliver the baby, cleaned the stable, made a casserole, and brought practicalgifts from Baby’s-R-Us, including diapers, wipes, bibs and formula.

A. THETHREE GIFTS THE WISE MEN GAVE:

In the NativityStory movie, the wise men present Jesus with the gifts and say, “Gold, for theKing of Kings, frankincense, for the Priest of Priests, and myrrh, for thesacrifice He will make.”

1. GOLD: A signof royalty and purity:

· Jesus wants us to worship Himas King from pure hearts.

2. FRANKINCENSE: It was used in worship and prayer:

· Jesus wants us to worship Himas High Priest – the one who gives us access to the Father.

3. MYRRH: Itwas used in the embalming process:

· It was myrrh that was pouredout on the feet of Jesus just a week before his death.

· This was prophetic because Jesuswas born to die. “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his nameJESUS: for He shall save his people from their sins.” (Matt. 1:21).

B. THREETHINGS WE LEARN ABOUT GIVING:

1. GIVE AN UNEXPECTED GIFT:

· “wise men from the East came toJerusalem.”(v.1).

· No one expected these wise mento give gifts to Jesus.

· Some of the best gifts areunexpected gifts. (GIVE EXAMPLES)

2. GIVE A GIFT WITH GENUINE JOY:

· “they rejoiced with exceedinglygreat joy.” (v.10).

· QUOTE: “Giving with a glad and generous heart has a way of routing outthe tough old miser within us. Even the poor need to know that they can give.Just the very act of letting go of money or some other treasure does somethingwithin us. That something is it destroys the demon, greed.” (Richard Foster).

· Sometimes people give ‘have-to’gifts because someone gave them one, or ‘favour’ gifts, where they expectsomething in return.

· There are also ‘grace’ gifts,which give us joy to give!

3. GIVE A GIFT THAT WILL LAST:

· The gifts the wise men gaveover 2,000 years ago are still being talked about today.

· What are some gifts that willlast?

o The Gift of Memories: Do funthings with your family that they will remember.

o The Gift of Forgiveness: Chooseto let go of a hurt or an offense. Grace!

o A Godly Heritage. Bring yourfamily to church. Teach them about the Lord.

CHALLENGE: Give that Gift Today!

Go send thatcard, write that letter, make that phone call, or give that hug.

I want you toknow, church, that I love you. It’s a joy for me to get up and worship togetherwith you every Sunday and share God’s Word with you. I love you all very much!

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Christmas Sermon: Good News for Underdogs

2011-12-12T12:25:00.000-06:00

CHRISTMAS:GOOD NEWS FOR UNDERDOGS, OUTCASTS AND LONELY
(December 2011 – Beausejour Church – Pastor ChrisJordan)

Click HERE to download a printable version of these notes.
Click HERE to listen to the audio message or download the MP3.

OPENING THOUGHT: Christmas… is it really the most wonderful time of the year?

· Many people find this season stressful and depressing. Rememberingthe loss of a loved one, or the pressure to have the ‘perfect’ Christmas canoverwhelm people.

ILLUSTRATION: Typical of last minute Christmas shoppers, a mother was runningfuriously from store to store. Suddenly she became aware that the pudgy littlehand of her three year old son was no longer clutched in hers. In a panic sheretraced her steps and found him standing with his little nose pressed flatlyagainst a frosty window. He was gazing at a manger scene. Hearing his mother’snear hysterical call, he turned and shouted with innocent glee: "Lookmommy! It’s Jesus - baby Jesus in the hay!" With obvious indifference tohis joy and wonder, she impatiently jerked him away saying, "We don’t havetime for that!"

OPENING TEXTS:

“Whereverthey look, there will be trouble and anguish and dark despair. They will bethrown out into the darkness.” (Isaiah 8:22, NLT).

· Isn’t this a picture of the world we’re living in today? Darkness,depression, despair?

“Nevertheless,that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever… The people whowalk in darkness will see a great light – a light that will shine on all wholive in the land where death casts its shadow.” (Isaiah 9:1-2, NLT).

· That light is talking about the coming of Jesus 2,000 years ago!(see Matt. 4:12-16).

“For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And thegovernment will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles:Wonderful Counselor, MightyGod, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:1-6, NLT).

· Jesus is wonderful, counselor (knows how to help us), mighty (hasthe ability to help us), father (cares for his children) and peace (in themidst of our storms and darkness!).

THE BIG IDEA: God has good news for theunderdogs, the outcasts and the lonely. The good news is that we can experiencethe joy, peace and hope that Christmas is all about.

THE CHRISTMAS STORY:

“Andshe will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will saveHis people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).

“1 And it came to pass inthose days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the worldshould be registered. 2 This census first took place whileQuirinius was governing

Syria

.3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Josephalso went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth,into Judea, to the city of David, which iscalled Bethlehem,because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to beregistered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 Soit was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to bedelivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, andwrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was noroom for them in the inn. 8 Now there were in the samecountry shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock bynight.

THE SHEPHERDS:

· They werereligious outcasts and considered unclean by the Jewish religious law.

· Their jobskept them from regularly attending church – like a truck driver or shiftworker.

· They weresocial outcasts, constantly on the move, regarded with suspicion (gypsies).

· They wereaccused of being thieves.

· They didn’thave much contact with other people.

· Their jobwas lonely, wearisome, often boring, tedious and dangerous.

· They hadhours with nothing to do but watch sheep eat grass (does that make you feel anybetter about your job?).

9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them,and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Thenthe angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 Forthere is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 Andthis will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths,lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with theangel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 "Gloryto God in the highest, And on earth peace,goodwill toward men!"

· It issurprising then that these are the people that God chose to send His angels to,to announce the birth of Jesus! They were nobodies, outcasts, and underdogs.

· This is theGood News of the Christmas message – peace on earth, good will toward ALL men –underdogs, outcasts, and screw-ups.

· God’s willfor you: great joy, peace, and goodwill. To give you a future and a hope!

GOD CALLS THE NOBODIES:

“26 Remember,dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world's eyes, orpowerful, or wealthy when God called you. 27Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And hechose those who are powerless toshame those who are powerful. 28 God chose things despised by the world, things countedas nothing at all, and used them tobring to nothing what the world considers important, 29so that no one can ever boast in the presence of God.” (1 Cor. 1:26-30).

QUOTE: “Jesus comes not for thesuper-spiritual, but for the wobbly and the weak-kneed who know they don’t haveit all together, and who are not too proud to accept the handout of amazinggrace… It is for poor, weak, sinful men and women with hereditary faults andlimited talents… It is for the bent and the bruised who feel that their livesare a grace disappointment to God… it is for anyone who has grown weary anddiscouraged along the way… Something is radically wrong when the local churchrejects a person who is accepted by Jesus… Any church that will not accept thatit consists of sinful men and women, and exists for them, implicitly rejectsthe gospel of grace.” (Brennan Manning, TheRagamuffin Gospel).

BACK TO THE CHRISTMAS STORY:

15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from theminto heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see thisthing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 Andthey came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known thesaying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And allthose who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by theshepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and ponderedthem in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned,glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, asit was told them.” (Luke 2:1-20).

· Theunderdog shepherds were the first people to see Jesus the Saviour!

· If you’veencountered the Good News, then tell the world – share the Good News!

GOOD NEWS: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shallcall His name Emmanuel," which is translated, "God with us.”(Matthew 1:23).

No matter what you’re going through – divorce, debt, depression – you’re not alone.

This is the good news of great joy that Christmas is all about – God came near to you.

God is with us, and He is for us, not against us.

Like the Shepherds, go to Jesus for yourself, then go to the world.

Let’s keep Christ in Christmas this year, and celebrate the reason for the season.

Let’s rejoice, celebrate, share God’s love with others, invite people into our homes, etc.

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

The Beausejour Pulpit - New Book by Chris Jordan

2011-11-29T13:16:00.001-06:00

Dear friends,

The Beausejour Pulpit:
One Word From God Can Change Your Life Forever!
For generations, the pulpit has stood at center stage in most Protestant churches. More than just a podium to hold the pastor’s notes, this wooden instrument symbolizes the proclamation of the Word of God. This collection of sermons preached in Beausejour, Manitoba is designed to help you encounter the living Word so that your life can be transformed. In this book, you will discover how to:

~ stir up a hunger for more of God in your life
~ grow spiritually and become more like Jesus
~ pray powerful prayers and get more out of your Bible study
~ get more joy and satisfaction in your life
~ discover scientific evidence that supports the Biblical account of creation
~ gain keys to understanding the Book of Revelation
~ and more!.

Here's a look ateach of the messages contained in this book:
.

Hunger and the Need for Revival

God’sdesire is that this latter day’s church would be greater in glory and powerthan the early church. It’s time to contend for a fresh outpouring of the HolySpirit in our midst today and pray for revival.
.

Redigging the Wells of Prayer

If wewant to see the same power – signs, wonders, healings and miracles – as thechurch in Acts, then we must have the same priority of prayer as they did.
.

With Jesus in the School of Prayer

Jesuswants to teach us how to pray. When we spend time with Jesus in the secretplace, prayer becomes an exciting adventure.
.

Church, It’s Time to Grow Up!

God hasgiven us an amazing gift in the Bible. He wants us to feed upon His Word, growspiritually, and become more like His Son, Jesus.
.

Fullness of Joy and Rivers of Pleasure

There’ssomething missing in the church today. It’s called JOY. It is God’s desire thatwe would experience fullness of joy, and rivers of pleasure.
.

Origins #1: Creation

Acomparison between the two opposing beliefs of creation and evolution. As humanbeings, we have been created in the image of a God who loves us and has awonderful plan for our lives.
.

Origins #2: The Fall

If God isgood, and He created everything, and the original creation was very good, thenwhy is there death and suffering in the world?
.

Origins #3: Dinosaurs in the Bible

If Godmade the dinosaurs with all other land animals and human beings on day six ofcreation, then are there dinosaurs mentioned in the Bible?
.

Unlocking the Mysteries of Revelation

TheRevelation of Jesus Christ is one of the most interesting books of the Bible.This message will give you the keys to unlocking the mysteries of Revelation.
.

Foursquare Foundations

A look atour church’s statement of faith.
.

Faith in Focus: The Newspaper Columns 2011

A collectionof articles that were published in our local newspaper.
.

Proverbs: Wisdom for Daily Living

A 31 daydevotional journey through the Book of Proverbs.
.

To download anorder form, click here:

http://sermonplayer.com/c/chrisjordan/pdf/119757758_3793.pdf
.

Book Release Date:January 30, 2012.

Cost: $15

Please make chequespayable to Chris Jordan Publications.

For more info,contact:

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Heroes of Faith - Sermon of the Week

2011-11-29T09:11:00.001-06:00

HEROESOF FAITH #4: ISAAC AND JACOB: BLESSING THE CHILDREN
(November 2011 –Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.
To listen to the audio mesasge or download the MP3, click HERE.

INTRO TOTOPIC:

Before ourseries on Transformation, we went through the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11.

Enoch (walk with God), Noah (build the kingdom), Abraham (believe the promise &sacrifice)
Today, we’regoing to look at Isaac and Jacob who were fathers who blessedtheir children.

OPENING TEXT: “I will make you a greatnation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing.I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And inyou all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:2-3).

All of us as Christians have been blessed, and we are called to be a blessing…

KEY TEXT: “By faith Isaac blessedJacob and Esau concerning things to come. By faith Jacob, when he was dying,blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of hisstaff.” (Hebrews 11:20-21).

QUOTE: “Gaining or missing out on parental approval has a tremendous effect on us… In fact, what happens in our relationship with our parents can greatly affect all our present and future relationships.” (Gary Smalley, The Blessing).

ISAAC’S LEGACY OF BLESSING HIS CHILDREN:

“By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerningthings to come.”

“Now it came topass, when Isaac was old and his eyes were so dim that he could not see, thathe called Esau his older son and said to him, "My son." And heanswered him, "Here I am." Then he said, "Behold now, I am old.I do not know the day of my death. Now therefore, please take your weapons,your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field and hunt game for me. Andmake me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me that I may eat, that mysoul may bless you before I die.” (Gen. 27:1-4).

WHAT IS THE FAMILYBLESSING? (inspired by The Blessing, Gary Smalley, pg. 27).

Meaningful touch:

“Then his father Isaac said to him, "Come near now and kiss me, my son.” (Gen. 27:26).
“Meaningful touch was an essential element in bestowing the blessing in Old Testament homes… Each time the blessing was given in the Scriptures, meaningful touching provided a caring background to the words that would be spoken (such as) kissing, hugging, or laying on of hands.” (Smalley).
“In the Old Testament, the symbolic picture of the laying on of hands was important. In this touch was a graphic picture of transferring power or blessing from one person to another.” (Smalley).
Meaningful touch blesses us physically. “Hugging is good medicine. It transfers energy, and gives the person hugged an emotional boost. You need four hugs a day for survival, eight for maintenance, and twelve for growth. A hug makes you feel good.”

A spoken message:

In many homes, words of love and acceptance are seldom heard. You need to tell your children you love them, you believe in them, and you’re proud of them.
The expression “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me” isn’t true. Negative words wound, but positive words can heal.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” (Prov. 18:21). Speak life!
Every night, I am the one who tucks my children in and I bless and affirm them.
Children who grow up without words of blessing struggle with self esteem.

Picturing a special future for the one being blessed:

Isaac said to Jacob: “Therefore may God give you Of the dew of heaven, Of the fatness of the earth, And plenty of grain and wine. Let peoples serve you, And nations bow down to you…” (Gen. 27:28-29).
Prophecy – proclaim – God’s Word over your children – blessing, success, etc!
Whatever you speak over your children, they will become. “You’re stupid. You’ll never amount to anything. You’re no good at sports.” Those are word curses!

JACOB’S LEGACY OF BLESSING HIS GRANDCHILDREN:

“By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessedeach of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.”

“8 Then Israelsaw Joseph's sons, and said, "Who are these?" 9 And Joseph said tohis father, "They are my sons, whom God has given me in this place."And he said, "Please bring them to me, and I will bless them." 10 Nowthe eyes of Israel were dim with age, so that he could not see. Then Josephbrought them near him, and he kissed them and embraced them (meaningful touch) … 14 Then Israelstretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim's head, who was theyounger, and his left hand on Manasseh's head, guiding his hands knowingly, forManasseh was the firstborn (laying on ofhands). 15 And he blessed Joseph, and said: "God, before whom myfathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has fed me all my life long tothis day, 16 The Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, Bless the lads… (a spoken message).” (Gen.48:8-10,14-16).

In Genesis 49, Jacob went on to bless all of his children (a great chapter to read):

Judah: “Yourhand shall be on the neck of your enemies… Judah is a lion's whelp.” (v.8-9).

Joseph: “Josephis a fruitful bough by a well; His branches run over the wall.” (v.22).

When you bless your children, affirm them with strength, blessing and prosperity.

JESUS’ LEGACY OF BLESSING ALL CHILDREN:

“Then little children were brought to Him that Hemight put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. But Jesussaid, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for ofsuch is the kingdom of heaven." And He laid His hands on them and departedfrom there.” (Matthew 19:13-15).

Jesus blessed the children. We are called to follow His example.
This message isn’t just for parents – we’re all called to bless the emerging generation!
This is especially important in the lives of people who have never received the father’s blessing from their own earthly dad.
I know when I was growing up how much I longed to hear my dad say the words, “I’m proud of you son.” But being an alcoholic father who had abandoned our family, he was never around to speak the blessing in my life.

THE FATHER’SBLESSING:

“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediatelyfrom the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a doveand alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "Thisis My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”(Matthew 3:16-17). – see also Matt. 17:5.

When I pray for people, I will often speak these words over their life.

APPLICATION:

How can you passon the blessing of God to the next generation?

Verbally speak words of blessing and affirmation on a regular basis.
Pray for them! This opens the door for the Lord’s blessing in their lives, too.
Live your faith in front of them, and teach them in the ways of God.
Encourage them to get involved in youth group or Christian clubs.
Volunteer to work with the next generation – i.e. children’s or youth ministry.

CLOSING PRAYER: Pray the blessing over the men and women.

BENEDICTION:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you, And be graciousto you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And giveyou peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26).

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Transformation #4: Sermon of the Week

2011-11-25T12:51:00.001-06:00

TRANSFORMATION#4: CELEBRATION AND PRAISE
(November 2011 –Beausejour Community Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.

To listen to the audio message, click HERE.

INTRO TOSPEAKER: Give a report of the Foursquare UnitGathering in Reginalast week.

INTRO TOTOPIC: For the past three weeks, we’ve been talkingabout the spiritual disciplines – specifically prayer and Bible reading. Theseare tools to help us experience transformation.

QUOTES:

“People who want to pursue joy especially need topractice the discipline of celebration. This is a primary reason we see muchemphasis placed on feast days in the Old Testament. Times of feasting were tobe transforming experiences – just as times of meditating and fasting were.Celebration generally involves activities that bring pleasure – gathering withpeople we love, eating and drinking, singing and dancing. Spiritual celebrationmeans doing them while reflecting on the wonderful God who has given us suchwonderful gifts.” (John Ortberg, The LifeYou’ve Always Wanted).

“Christians ought to be celebrating constantly. We oughtto be preoccupied with parties, banquets, feasts and merriment. We ought togive ourselves to veritable parties of joy because we have been liberated fromthe fear of life and the fear of death. We ought to attract people to thechurch quite literally by the fun there is in being a Christian.” (RobertHotchkins, quoted in The RagamuffinGospel by Brennan Manning).

· God wants us to be joyful people who celebrate and enjoylife!

THE BIG IDEA: One of the spiritual disciplines that will helpus to be transformed into the image of Jesus is celebration and praise.

OPENING TEXT:

“And when they hadlaid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailerto keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the innerprison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God,and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a greatearthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediatelyall the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:23-26).

Celebration and praise isn’t something we only do when everything’s going right.
We need to learn to praise God even in the midnight hour, and see things change!

HOW DO WEPRAISE AND WORSHIP?

1. FROM THE HEART: -John 4:23

We mustworship in spirit. (from the heart, not just withexternals)

2. ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE: - John 4:23

We mustworship in truth. (God’s Word tells us how to worship Himacceptably)

3. IN SONG: -Psalm 149:1

Praisethe Lord! Sing to the Lord a newsong, and His praise in theassembly of saints.

4. CLAPPING OUR HANDS: - Psalm 47:1a

Oh, clap your hands, all youpeoples! (if you’ll clap for a footballteam, why not God?)

5. SHOUTING: -Psalm 47:1b

Shout toGod with the voice of triumph! (again, ifyou’ll shout for a sports team…!)

6. BOWING: -Psalm 95:6

Oh come,let us worship and bow down; Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

7. LIFTING OUR HANDS: - Psalm 134:2

Lift up your hands in thesanctuary, and bless the Lord. (an act of surrender)

8. WITH THANKSGIVING: - Psalm 100:4

Enterinto His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise.

Take the time to thank God for allof the things He’s done in the past.

9. JOYFULLY: -Psalm 100:2

Makea joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord withgladness.

10. SACRIFICIALLY: -Hebrews 13:15

Letus continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God.

Davidsaid, “I will not offer an offering that has cost me nothing!” (1 Chron.21:24).

11. INTHE DANCE: - Psalm 149:3& Psalm 150:4

Let thempraise His name with the dance… Praise Him with the dance!

BIBLE STORY: (2 Sam.6:13-16,21-23).

“And so it was, when thosebearing the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, that he sacrificed oxen andfatted sheep. Then David danced before the Lord with all his might; andDavid was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel broughtup the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet. Now asthe ark of the Lord came into the City of David,Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping andwhirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart…

So David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord… And I willbe even more undignified than this… Therefore Michal the daughter of Saulhad no children to the day of her death.”

Will you be like David the Dancer, or Michal the Mocker??

QUOTE: “On this occasion David laidaside his imperial purple, and put on a plain linen ephod, which was light andconvenient for dancing.” (Matthew Henry).

APPLICATION:Challenge – let’s press in and celebrate the goodness of the Lord today.

When we praise the Lord, we come into His presence (Psalm 22:3)
and in His presence there is fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11),
and His joy is our strength (Neh. 8:10).

CLOSING: Time ofcelebration, praise and dancing!

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Transformation #3 - Sermon of the Week

2011-11-22T10:17:00.001-06:00

TRANSFORMATION#3: THE SECRETS OF THE SECRET PLACE #2
(November 2011 –Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.
To listen to this audio message or download the MP3, click HERE.

INTRO TOTOPIC: I believe the Lord is calling us to go deeperin the secret place.

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you haveleft your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent anddo the first works.” (Rev. 2:4-5).
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore bezealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears Myvoice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he withMe.” (Rev. 3:19-20).
Whatever else wedo in this season, let’s respond to the call of Jesus to the secret place.

KEY TEXT: “But we all, with unveiledface, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformedinto the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”(2 Cor. 3:18).

THE BIG IDEA: As we spend time in the secret place of prayer – in solitude,silence, and soaking – we are transformed into the image of Jesus.

REVIEW TEXT: (John 15:4-5).

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bearfruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless youabide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I inhim, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

The first spiritual discipline is prayer – abiding in Jesus – in the secret place.

SOLITUDE: Review this point from last week.

Solitude is spending time with Jesus alone in the secret place of prayer.
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6).

SILENCE:

Silence is spending time with Jesus listening in the secret place of prayer.
“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10).

“Be silent, and know that I am God!” (NLT).
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God.” (The Message).

Too often in prayer we do all the talking and don’t pause to listen.
God wants to speak to us and give us encouragement, wisdom and direction in our lives:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27).
We need to take the time to listen to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to our lives.
As we’re going through the process of transformation, part of the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict us of sin and show us areas we need to work on.
QUOTE: The secret place “is the place of conversion, the place where the old self dies and the new self is born, the place where the emergence of the new man and the new woman occurs… (where) I get rid of my scaffolding: no friends to talk with, no telephone calls to make, no meetings to attend… just me – naked, vulnerable, weak, sinful, deprived, broken – nothing.” (Henri Nouwen).
This is why it’s good to get silent in solitude – so we can hear God speak to our hearts.

EXAMPLE:

“1 In theyear that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and liftedup, and the train of His robe filled the temple. 2 Above it stoodseraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two hecovered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one cried to another andsaid: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full ofHis glory!" 4 And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice ofhim who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 So I said:"Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And Idwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King,The Lord of hosts."” (Isaiah 6:1-5).

When we get alone in the secret place, God can speak to our hearts and give us direction:
“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me.” (v.8).

SOAKING:

Soaking is spending time with Jesus abiding in His love.
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (John 15:9).
What is soaking? Definition: to lie in and become saturated or permeated with water or some other liquid. If we aren’t soaking in His love, we become cracked and dry.
So soaking in the secret place means to come into your prayer closet with no agenda but let Jesus pour out His love on you.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5).
When we neglect our personal quiet time with Jesus, and don’t meditate on His love, that’s when we get disappointed and lose hope.
TESTIMONY: Youth retreat in Albany, Oregon – soaking, angel visitation, Scripture (Matthew 13), release into supernatural ministry. All fruitfulness flows out of intimacy! After this, we started preaching the kingdom and saw the supernatural power of God.

EXAMPLE: We need to press in and draw near to Jesus, and not let go untilHe blesses us…

“24 ThenJacob was left alone; and a Manwrestled with him until the breaking of day. 25 Now when He saw that Hedid not prevail against him, He touched the socket of his hip; and the socketof Jacob's hip was out of joint as He wrestled with him. 26 And He said,"Let Me go, for the day breaks." But he said, "I will not letYou go unless You bless me!" 27 So He said to him, "What isyour name?" He said, "Jacob." 28 And He said, "Yourname shall no longer be called Jacob, but

Israel

; for you have struggled withGod and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying,"Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that youask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob calledthe name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God faceto face, and my life is preserved."” (Genesis 32:24-30).

“A Psalm of David when he was in thewilderness of Judah.O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My fleshlongs for You In a dry and thirstyland Where there is no water.” (Psalm 63:1).

“For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, And floods on the dry ground;I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, And My blessing on your offspring.” (Isaiah 44:3).

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION AND BIBLE STUDY:

“And do not beconformed to this world, but be transformedby the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2).

I have never met a person who experienced a transformed life apart from God’s Word.
QUOTE: “The best food for you is the Word of God itself. Sermons and books are well enough, but streams that run for a long distance above ground gradually gather for themselves somewhat of the soil through which they flow, and they lose the cool freshness with which they started from the spring head. It is always best to drink at the well and not from the tank. You shall find that reading the Word of God for yourselves, reading it rather than notes upon it, is the surest way of growing in grace.” (Charles Spurgeon, How to Read the Bible).
We need to read the Bible, but also to study it, meditate on it, and memorize it:
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!” (Psalm 119:11).
TESTIMONY: One of the things I learned to do early on in my Christian life was to memorize Scriptures. Sometimes a few verses or paragraphs, but also whole chapters.
In the next couple of weeks I will do some teaching on how to study the Bible.

SOAP JOURNALLING: (courtesy of Wayne Cordeiro and the LifeJournal)

S - Scripture - write out the Scripture God speaksto you through

O -Observation - write out your observationson that Bible verse

A -Application - write out how you intendto apply this truth to your life

P - Prayer - write out a prayer to pray back tothe Lord based on this Scripture

CHALLENGE –PRACTICAL TIPS:

Begin slowly, praying for 5 minutes a day.
Choose the same time each day.
Stir up your hunger for more of God – maybe fast if you need to (food or TV/other stuff)
Take your Bible with you and meditate on the Psalms.
Pray through and meditate on Scriptures like the Lord’s Prayer or Psalm 23.

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Transformation #2 - Sermon of the Week

2011-11-15T11:04:00.001-06:00

TRANSFORMATION#2: THE SECRETS OF THE SECRET PLACE
(October 2011 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.
To listen to or download the audio message, click HERE.

OPENING TEXT: “But we all, with unveiledface, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformedinto the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”(2 Cor. 3:18).

REVIEW:

1.                 The Spiritual Disciplines help us become more like Jesus.
2.                 The Spiritual Disciplines aren’t a measure of your spirituality.
3.                 The Spiritual Disciplines are tools to help us change and grow.

THE BIG IDEA: As we spend time in the secret place of prayer – in solitude,silence, and soaking – we are transformed into the image of Jesus.

INTRO TOTOPIC:

“Spend your time and energy intraining yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has somevalue, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a rewardin both this life and the next.” (1 Tim. 4:7b-8,NLT).

I like the NKJV translation of this passage: “Bodily exercise profits little!”
I used to use that to explain to people why I didn’t like going to the gym.
The point is this: Spiritual disciplines are like physical exercise:
If we want to have a healthy body that’s in shape, then we need to eat right and exercise.
If we want to have healthy spirits, grow spiritually, and experience transformation, then we need to train ourselves for spiritual fitness.
John Ortberg says that “we don’t need to try harder, we need to train wiser.”
ILLUSTRATE: You hear a preacher talk about the disciplines and you decide to ‘try harder’ and it works for a day or two.
It’s not about your willpower, but about training yourself little by little.
You don’t set out to run a marathon tomorrow! It takes time to develop and grow.
How do we do that? What disciplines do we need to incorporate into our lives?
One of the most important ones is prayer, and we’re going to look at that this morning.

KEY TEXT: (John 15:4-5).

The first spiritual discipline is prayer – abiding in Jesus – in the secret place.
TESTIMONY: Discuss season of soaking, hours in my office on floor, others would join me, early morning prayer meetings. Note though that there are rhythms and seasons, and we don’t always have seasons where we can spend hours soaking (i.e. little children!).
It’s not just about growing spiritually, but also about knowing Him more:
“(For my determined purpose is) that I may know Him – that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him.” (Phil. 3:10, Amplified).
You’ve heard many times: “Christianity is not a religion, it’s about a relationship.”

SOLITUDE:

Solitude is spending time with Jesus alone in the secret place of prayer.
QUOTE: “Solitude is the furnace of transformation.” (Henri Nouwen, Way of the Heart).
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6).
As we abide in Jesus, we get to know Him better, and become more like Him.
This key is so important in our hurried and hassled busy age. We need to unplug!
The secret place of solitude is also a place of refreshing:

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.” (Psalm 23:2-3).
“Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.” (Mark 6:30-31).

What do we do if we’re too busy?

QUOTE: “Deliberately say “no” more often. This will leave room for you to slow down, get alone, pour out your overburdened heart, and admit your desperate need for inner refreshment.” (Charles Swindoll, Intimacy with the Almighty).

How can we find the time?

If you have children, you may have to do it early in the morning or late at night.

“We have, indeed, to fashion our own desert where we can withdraw every day, shake off our compulsions, and dwell in the gentle healing presence of the Lord.” (Henri Nouwen).
To those who want to help others: All fruitful ministry flows out of intimacy with God!

NEXT WEEK – Part#2 – we‟ll look at silence, soaking, and Scripture meditation…

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

The Weekend Report - Concert, Costa Rica, and Youth Worship

2011-11-08T10:51:00.003-06:00

Dear church family,

Another great weekend! Is God good or what? Here's a quick look at some of the things that happened this past weekend...

Friday night - Adolf and I took our youth group to see Jon Buller in concert at the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg. I'm so glad we went! More than just a Christian rock concert, this night became an amazing celebration of worship and praise - filled with singing and dancing. The atmosphere was electric as hundreds of people praise the Lord together. The evening was a fundraiser for Calvin Christian School in Winnipeg, and as a part of the night, the school's choir joined Jon on stage to sing some old hymns. Jon was also joined by Fresh IE and Steve Bell for some special songs. I got fresh vision for some creative things we're going to be doing with the youth in worship!

Sunday morning - church service was awesome, as usual. Tracey's worship team led us into the presence of the Lord, followed by a great time of communion, led by Pastor Alvin. When we dismissed our children to their classes, the older kids (K-Grade 6) went out to begin rehearsing for our upcoming children's Christmas musical, "Angel Alert" - coming up Dec. 18th at 6:00 pm (mark your calendars). After the children were dismissed, we looked at a thank you missions video from Pastor John and Debbie Overholt, the missionaries we support in Costa Rica. For your info, we had $587.98 come in for Costa Rica in October, and that's about double what our general missions giving used to be. Blessings to all of you who contribute to our missions fund!! See our mission report (below) for a link to the video if you didn't see it on Sunday.

After the video, I preached the second part of our "Transformation" series called "The Secrets of the Secret Place." I talked about how as we spend time in the secret place of prayer – in solitude, silence, and soaking – we are transformed into the image of Jesus. If you missed the service, you can download the audio message for free from our website by clicking here:
http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/index.php/downloads/online-audio-sermons

Sunday afternoon - Liza and I headed into Winnipeg to watch Phil Gut and the Nationals bantam football team play in the finals at the Bombers stadium. It rained, it snowed - good times! My son Caleb was one of the players chosen to play in the Nationals midget bowl which takes place next Saturday, after which football will be done for another season.

Monday - As most of you know, Monday is my day off, and so I spent a good chunk of my day working on the novel I'm writing, a Christian allegory / youth fantasy novel (similar to John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress or CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia). I'm participating in NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month - and joining with writers from all over the world to attempt to write 50,000 words in 30 days. I'm currently at 10,841 words, which translated to about three and a half chapters of my book. Pray for me! More than just an entertaining story, this is a book with a message that will challenge the church.

Monday Night - in the evening, we had our (wait for it!) first-ever youth worship practice! With about eight youth in attendance, they had a great practice, led by Mike Tomasson, and with help from Phil Trudeau and Patti Martin. I'm excited about what the Lord is going to do in and through our young people as they begin to worship together at their youth nights once a month. And who knows? Maybe we'll have them lead worship one Sunday morning!

So that's it for this week's weekend report. Here's a look at some upcoming events at BCC...

HOME GROUPS - WEDNESDAY NIGHTS:
We have just begun a new series called "The Life You've Always Wanted." I want to strongly encourage you to consider getting involved in our home groups, if you're not already involved. There are many benefits to being involved in a small group - relationship building with other members of the church (knowing, loving, caring and praying for one another); and also an opportunity to interact with God's Word and dig deeper. The series we're going through right now is looking at the spiritual disciplines, just like we're learning about on Sunday mornings. This Wednesday, we're going to look at the two disciplines of CELEBRATING and SLOWING DOWN. Here's a sneak peek at what we'll be looking at this Wednesday at 7:00 pm:
"Slowing... involved cultivating patience. A more traditional practice is solitude. Jesus engaged in in frequently (and) taught his followers to do the same. And as he said to them, "Come away to a deserted place," he says to us all still." Contact the church office for the address of one near you!

SUN. NOV. 13TH: THE SECRETS OF THE SECRET PLACE PART #2:Join us at BCC as we continue our series on Transformation! This Sunday we will continue looking at The Secrets of The Secret Place. Henri Nouwen said, "Solitude is the furnace i which this transformation takes place... (and) it is from this transformed self that real ministry flows." Solitude, Silence and Soaking in the Secret Place - three keys to life transformation.

That's it for this week... please know that Liza and I love and care for you and your family very much, and are praying God's richest blessings on you today!

Chris Jordan

Lead Pastor, Beausejour Community Church

Church Web-site: www.beausejourchurch.ca

My Personal Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

About our Mission Field . . .

“Thank you”s. . .

(Mission Report by Janet Trudeau)

There is power in our words – in fact the Bible says we hold the power of life and death in our tongues (Proverbs 18:21). As Christians, we have a responsibility to speak life into those around us and an amazing thing happens when we tell another human being that they have done something to make a difference in our lives. We breathe life into each other. We build each other up, and encourage each other. Rather than just tell you how much our prayers and support mean to Pastor John and Debbie Overholt, and the team God has assembled for them in Costa Rica, hear it in their own words as shared in an email from early November:

We just received news of your church’s support for the Filadelfia church, so just want to say that pastor Juan Carlos will be more than excited to hear the good news. I know he has been a little preoccupied with how the rent was going to be paid coming up. Please convey our deepest appreciation and thanks to our Beausejour Community Church family. Here is a little video of our appreciation.

Blessings,

John and Debbie

http://vimeo.com/31444527

In the video we see the area of Martina Bustos where the Overholt’s started their second church in 2009. Pastor Juan Zepeda was the one who required a risky brain surgery this spring, but looks great now! The video shows his humble kitchen in which, with help, we managed to prepare a meal for almost one hundred children and some of their moms during a community outreach this summer. It is in Martina Bustos that most people do not have running water in their homes which are made of corrugated tin. Speaking to us in English in the video was Pastor Juan Carlos, from the church in Filadelfia. These are his words of encouragement for our congregation:

(With a very slight translation)

Hi Canada!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

In these parts it is pouring rain. God is supernatural and the blessing is coming and touching many hearts who hunger and thirst for God.
Pastor Chris, thank you for being part of this Bread of Life. It is a piece of Canada in Costa Rica, a beacon of light and hope for many to reach the path of truth and life. Pastor Jordan may your God shed glory on your congregation, and may your leaders be planted by streams of water and their leaves not fall. May all that they love flourish.

Greetings to all and hope at his home in Costa Rica for great things.Thank you for your contribution. It will be of great blessing

Pastor Juan Carlos and Alejandra, Bread of Life Church

To Him be the glory

Once again I say it is an honour to be involved with this.

Transformation - Sermon of the Week

2011-11-03T09:44:00.000-05:00

TRANSFORMATION#1: EXPERIENCING SPIRITUAL GROWTH
(October 2011 – Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.

To listen to this audio message or download the MP3, click HERE.

OPENING QUOTE:

“How do I grow?What does a spiritually mature person even look like? Will I ever really be anydifferent? … The Christian gospel insists that transformation… really is possible. Never easy. Rarely quick. Butpossible… It begins to happen anytime people become intensely serious aboutlearning from Jesus how to arrange their lives.” (John Ortberg, The Life You’ve Always Wanted).

Why do you come to church? Is it just to sing songs and hear stories?
Or is it because you believe you can experience a life transformation?

QUOTE: “The desire for transformation lies deep in every human heart… ” (JohnOrtberg).

It is no wonder that our favourite stories and movies are tales of transformation.
The frog becomes a prince. Cinderella becomes a princess. Pinocchio becomes a real boy.
Why are we so enchanted by these stories of transformation?
Because they reflect the heart of God, and His desire for our lives to be transformed.
Are you tired of the status quo? Are you frustrated with where you’re at spiritually?
Then get ready to learn how to live a transformed life!

OPENING TEXT:

As a pastor, myheart echoes that of the Apostle Paul: “Mylittle children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed inyou.” (Gal. 4:19).

I long to see you experience the transformed life – growing spiritually!
How do we experience this transformation? How do we grow? = Spiritual Disciplines.
Spiritual Discipline defined: “Any activity that can help me gain power to live life as Jesus taught and modeled it.” (John Ortberg).

THE BIG IDEA: God’s desire is that we would be transformed into the image ofJesus, bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. This happens as we engagein the spiritual disciplines.

BACKGROUNDINFO: Important things we need to know about thespiritual disciplines.

1. The Spiritual Disciplines help us become more like Jesus:

Before: “When you follow the desires of yoursinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality,impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation indemonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger,selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those inyour own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds ofsin.” (Gal. 5:19-21a).

After: “But when the Holy Spirit controls ourlives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Gal. 5:22a). THISis transformation!

· If you lack the fruit of theSpirit, you’re in need of change and growth.

ILLUSTRATION: In the grocery store, doyou always look for the shortest line? If so, you may have ‘hurry’ sickness.Antidote: Pick the longest line, and let someone else go in front of you! Storyat the Co-op this past week.

2. The Spiritual Disciplines aren’t a measure of your spirituality:

· Praying or reading your Bibledoesn’t automatically make you more spiritual. And it doesn’t affect how muchGod loves you.

3. The Spiritual Disciplines are tools to help us change and grow:

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2).

· As we pray, read our Bibles,etc. we are transformed.

4. There are two main categories of Spiritual Disciplines:

§ Engagement: intentionally doing things (prayer, Bible study,worship, etc)

§ Abstinence: refraining from doing things (fasting, solitude, etc)

A LOOK AT THESPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES:

There are threemain spiritual disciplines we are going to look at in this series:

Prayer – abiding in Jesus
Bible reading and study
Loving, serving and doing good deeds in secret

QUOTE: “Tragically,precious little in this hurried and hassled age promotes such intimacy. We havebecome a body of people who look more like a herd of cattle on a stampede thana flock of God beside green pastures and still waters.” (Charles Swindoll, Intimacy with the Almighty).

PRAYER – ABIDING IN JESUS:

“Abide in Me,and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides inthe vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are thebranches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Meyou can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5).

The first spiritual discipline is prayer – abiding in Jesus.
If we want to grow spiritually and be transformed – we must spend time with Jesus!
This is more than just ‘saying our prayers’. You can say your prayers but never pray.
Prayer is intimate fellowship with Jesus where you spend time with Him.
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” (Matthew 6:6).
As we abide in Jesus, and get to know Him better, we will become more like Him:
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3:18).

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

The Weekend Report - Wild West & NaNoWriMo!

2011-11-01T09:44:00.000-05:00

Dear church family,

Can I tell you how much I love and appreciate our church family?

We have three different worship teams in our church that do a four week rotation every month, and every once in a while, we get a five Sunday month like this one that totally throws things off-whack. Because of that, we didn't have a worship team for Sunday morning, and we almost ended up resorting to me leading worship with a banjo, which would have been pretty terrible since I can neither sing well, nor play the banjo. However, I am so thankful that Tracey volunteered to help organize a team for this past Sunday, and we were so blessed by the amazing presence of the Lord during our worship service!

Now let's back up a little bit to Saturday night. Our church was one of several different venues that hosted a CD release party for Christian recording artist David Bracken. Unfortunately, we didn't see a very good turn out at this event, but even though numbers were low, David still gave us 100% of his heart, and rather than just showcasing some of the songs from his latest CD, Scale Me Down, he turned the night into a worship event. I love his heart for worship and using his musical gifts to minister the truth of God's Word to people. And so I invited David to come and join us on Sunday morning to share a couple of his songs with our church, and Tracey invited him to join our worship team as well. If you missed the service, you can listen to or download the audio from Sunday which includes the worship team's rendition of "It is well with my soul," a few of David's songs from his new CD, and my message entitled, "Transformation: Experiencing Spiritual Growth." I want to strongly encourage you to listen to the message if you weren't there, as this kicked off a month of focusing on the spiritual disciplines that bring transformation into our lives. This is where God is calling us as a church family to go, so let's go on this journey together!

So Sunday morning service was incredible as usual. Then Sunday evening, we invited people to come out and help us tranform our auditorium into the Wild West Fun Fest, a fun outreach we had planned for children grade 6 and under. I was so blessed by the number of people that came out: we had the whole event set up and all of the candy bags packed in around an hour! I want to give a huge thank you to all of the adults and youth who came and volunteered their time to help us with this - you are a blessing! Our youth group took on a project together of changing our big kids classroom into a jungle shooting gallery, and I think they all did a fantastic job with that as well.

When Monday rolled around, we had our incredible team of volunteers in place and ready for the doors to open for 6:00 pm. We probably had around 100-150 people come through the building over the course of the evening, and I enjoyed watching the kids playing mini-golf and bowling, basketball and hockey shoot-outs, balloon darts, fishing pond, lasso roping, face painting and more. We had several people join us from the community as well, including some of the children who had attended our Vacation Bible School in the summer, and some of the students from our weekly Christian Club at ESS. Overall, I think the night was a smashing success, so a big thank you and God bless you again to all of our amazing volunteers - we love you guys!

On a personal note, after a long, full and busy weekend, after Liza and the kids went to bed last nght, I stayed up after midnight to kick off NaNoWriMo. If you have never heard of that before, it stands for "National Novel Writing Month." I have a few writing friends who participate in this event every year, and the challenge is simple: for writers to spend 30 days to reach for the goal of writing 50,000 words. As most of you are aware, I love to write, and published my first book, "Supernatural: Contending for Signs and Wonders Today" in June of 2010. Well, long before Supernatural, I had the idea for a youth fantasy book called "The Voyagers." I've had this story idea rattling around in my brain for about 12 years now, but have never got past the first chapter. And so, I decided to take this month of November to attempt to get this story written. I know, some of you are thinking - are you crazy? In addition to pastoring, being a husband and a father, leading weekly youth group activities, the Christian club at ESS, bi-weekly chapels at South Haven and monthly chapels at Eastgate, weekly home groups and more, and you're going to take on writing a novel? Yes! So, if I seem a little frazzled by the end of this month, now you know why... :) So, please pray for me. More than just being an entertaining youth novel, this story is a Christian allegory (similiar to John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress or CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia). There's a mesasge in the story that I believe will speak to the church today! Thank you.

Click here if you want to follow my daily vlog (video-log) updates on NaNoWriMo...
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChristopherJordan007?feature=mhee

In regards to upcoming events, the most important one on the radar right now is our home groups. I want to encourage you to plan to get involved in our new six-week home group series called "The Life You've Always Wanted" by John Ortberg. These small groups are a great opportunity for you to get connected in deep and meaningful relationships with other people in the church. But it's also a place to learn more about the spiritual disciplines that we're going to be studying on Sunday mornings as well - topics such as how to pray, read the Bible, and more. Here's a brief synopsis of the material we'll be looking at in our home groups:

You Can Live a Deeper, More Spiritual Life Right Where You Are. The heart of Christianity is transformation---a relationship with God that impacts not just our 'spiritual lives,' but every aspect of living. John Ortberg calls readers back to the dynamic heartbeat of Christianity---God's power to bring change and growth---and reveals both the how and why of transformation. Paved with humor and sparkling anecdotes, The Life You've Always Wanted is an encouraging and challenging approach to a Christian life that's worth living---a life on the edge that fills an ordinary world with new meaning, hope, change, and joy.

Contact the church office for the address of a home group near you, and GET CONNECTED!

Finally, don't forget to check out this week's mission report below...

Praying God's richest blessings on you and your family!

Lots of love,

Chris Jordan

Lead Pastor, Beausejour Community Church

Church Web-site: www.beausejourchurch.ca

My Personal Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Transformation - Faith in Focus Column

2011-10-25T13:50:00.002-05:00

Faith in Focus
with Pastor Chris Jordan of the Beausejour Community Church

(the latest article from The Clipper newspaper)

Transformation!

“The desire fortransformation lies deep in every human heart.” So declared the author of a bookI’m reading, and I heartily agree with his assessment. Is it no wonder thenthat all of our favourite stories and movies are tales of transformation? From thefrog that becomes a prince, to the ugly duckling that becomes a beautiful swan;our hearts are inspired by such tales. Cinderella becomes a princess. Pinocchiobecomes a real boy.

Why are we soenchanted by these stories of transformation? Because they reflect the heart ofour loving Heavenly Father, and His desire for each of our lives to be transformed.

Christianity isn’tjust about singing songs and hearing stories about what Jesus did in the past.Rather, the true message of the Kingdom of God is this: You too can be transformedtoday! If you are lost, alone, hurting and broken, you can experience hope,healing and restoration through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ!

How do weexperience that transformation? The Bible tells us that we are transformed byrenewing our minds by the Word of God. God has given us a gift in the spiritualdisciplines – prayer, Bible reading, worship, silence, solitude and others –that help us to experience a metamorphosis. As we behold Jesus in prayer and theWord, we are transformed into His image.

If you’re tiredof the status quo – if you expect there’s more to Christianity than what you’veexperienced – then get ready to live a transformed life!

Come and join us at BCC this Sunday, Oct. 30th and hear how you can experience a TRANSFORMED LIFE today! Service starts at 10:30 am. Everyone is welcome...

To listen to the full message, please go to www.beausejourchurch.ca and click on downloads (available after this Sunday, Oct. 30th).

Pastor Chris Jordan

Foursquare Foundations

2011-10-20T08:33:00.002-05:00

FOURSQUAREFOUNDATIONS:

In September of 2011, I had theopportunity to attend the Willow Creek GlobalLeadership Summit. This event was hosted by Riverwood Community Church in Winnipeg, and I was one of manypeople who were blessed with a free ticket to attend this event – thanks PastorTodd and Scott! At this event, I was encouraged and inspired by variousleadership principles taught by people such as Bill Hybels, Dr. Henry Cloud,Mama Maggie Gobran and Patrick Lencioni. As a browsed the books in theirresource centre, one of the little volumes that caught my eye was a book called“Move: What 1,000 Churches Reveal AboutSpiritual Growth.” This book, written by Greg Hawkins and Cally Parkinson,considers the poignant question: “Is our church really helping people to becomedevoted followers of Christ, or are we just giving them a nice place to go tochurch?”

As I began reading through the book overa double double coffee at Tim Horton’s,I discovered one really important principle of spiritual growth that inspiredthis booklet. The authors wrote: “We intentionally began our discussion ofspiritual catalysts with beliefs and attitudes because this is where thespiritual journey begins.” In other words, knowledge of the core, foundationalbeliefs of Christianity is indispensible to growing spiritually.

I realized that on a typical Sundaymorning, I don’t always cover these basic foundational truths, although I doendeavour to teach on them at least once a year. However, I thought it might bebeneficial to systematically go through our statement of faith, addingcommentary on them, and make it available in booklet form for the members ofour church family.

The 22 statements are takenfrom the Foursquare Gospel Church’sStatement of Faith. As a part of this family of churches, Beausejour Community Church also holds to these basic Christianbeliefs. I encourage you to take the time to read through each of thesestatements, and look up the additional Scriptures (where indicated) in your ownBible, and feel free to share to me with any questions you might have aboutthese statements of faith.

Click HERE to download the printable version of this document.

Note - if you are a non-reader, there is an audio version of the Foursquare Foundations that you can listen to by clicking HERE.

My prayer is that as you go throughthese Foursquare Foundations that your faith will be encouraged as you learnmore about our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and His wonderful plan ofsalvation.

Pastor Chris Jordan

www.beausejourchurch.ca

Heroes of Faith #3: Sermon of the Week

2011-10-19T10:49:00.001-05:00

HEROESOF FAITH #3: ABRAHAM: WALKING BY FAITH
(September 2011– Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.

To listen to the audio message, or download the MP3, click HERE.

INTRO TOTOPIC: Two weeks ago we began a series in the hallof faith in Hebrews 11.

Enoch walked with God. We learnedthat to walk by faith means to walk with God.
Noah built an ark. Welearned that God wants us to build the kingdom.
This week, we’regoing to look at the faith of Abraham,the father of our faith (Rom. 4:16).

OPENING TEXT:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, forhe who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He is a rewarder ofthose who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6).

THE BIG IDEA: God is calling us to walk by faith. Faith obeys the call, believesthe promise, and sacrifices everything.

1. FAITH OBEYS THE CALL:

“By faith Abraham obeyedwhen he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as aninheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faithhe dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents withIsaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for thecity which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.” (Heb. 11:8-10).
When God calledAbraham to go, he obeyed, not knowing where he was going.
(You can readAbraham’s story in Genesis 12-25 – it’s a great story to read in your ownBibles).

PERSONALTESTIMONY: When we were called to Beausejour five years ago.

Our journey isnot always making a geographic journey like Abraham did.
The wholeChristian life is a journey of walking by faith:

To move from exploring Christ,
to growing in Christ,
to being close to Christ,
to living a Christ-centered life.

Our goal is toknow Jesus more and to become more like Him, totally surrendered to Him.
We want to seepeople’s lives transformed by the living, loving Saviour, Jesus Christ!

How was Abrahamable to obey God and trust Him completely?

“And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord andcalled on the name of the Lord.” (Genesis 12:8).

He built an altar to the Lord – he knew that worshipping God was his highest calling.
He lived in tents – he knew life on planet earth was temporary, and eternity is forever.
What is God calling YOU to do? Our highest calling = to know, love & serve Him!
Obeying the call means obeying God’s general will (what’s written in the Bible), and also His specific will (what He’s calling you to do personally).
God called Abraham to leave Ur, a place that represented sin and unbelief.
What “Ur” are you called to leave? The place of lying, gossip, unforgiveness? The place of lukewarmness or compromise? It’s time to leave Ur and journey to the Promised Land!

2. FAITH BELIEVES THE PROMISE:

“By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceiveseed, and she bore a child when she was past theage, because she judged Him faithful whohad promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, wereborn as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sandwhich is by the seashore.” (Heb. 11:11-12).

I’m glad Sarah was included in the hall of faith – women can be heroes for God, too!
God had promised Abraham that he would be the father of many nations at the age of 75.
At the age of 99, they still didn’t have any children.
Would you continue to believe God’s promise after 24 years with no results?
Don’t give up or lose heart – keep believing the promise!
Hebrews 6:12 says it is “through faith and patience that we inherit the promises.”

“And not being weak in faith, he did not consider his own body,already dead (since he was about a hundred years old), and the deadness ofSarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief,but was strengthened in faith,giving glory to God, and being fullyconvinced that what He had promisedHe was also able to perform.” (Romans 4:19-21).

That’s faith! Remember, faith doesn’t just believe God exists.
It also believes that He is good and faithful, and rewards those who diligently seek Him!
Not only is faith about obeying the call and doing what God is calling you to do for Him, but it also trusts Him to do what He has promised to do for YOU!
Abraham was strengthened in faith – His faith grew – and our faith can grow too:
“Faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17).

GOD’SBLESSING TO ABRAHAM:

“Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country,From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. Iwill make you a great nation; I willbless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. I willbless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you allthe families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Gen. 12:1-3).

WE AREBLESSED WITH ABRAHAM:

“So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham… Christ has redeemed us from the curseof the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed iseveryone who hangs on a tree"), that the blessing of Abraham might come uponthe Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spiritthrough faith.” (Gal. 3:9,13-14).

Because Abraham was blessed to be a blessing, so are we!
What has God promised you? Don’t let go of the promise – keep praying and believing!
PERSONAL TESTIMONY: There are many times we persevere in prayer.
EXAMPLE: This past week’s sewer back-up and the $1,000+ bill – God will provide!

3. FAITH SACRIFICES EVERYTHING:

“By faith Abraham, whenhe was tested, offered up Isaac, andhe who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, ofwhom it was said, "In Isaac your seed shall be called," concluding that God was able to raisehim up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurativesense.” (Heb. 11:17-19).

The final demonstration and ultimate proof of faith is its willingness to sacrifice.

“Now it came to pass after these things that God testedAbraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here Iam." Then He said, "Take now your son, your only son Isaac,whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer himthere as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tellyou." So Abraham rose early in themorning and saddled his donkey, and took two of hisyoung men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burntoffering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.”(Gen. 22:1-3a).

It’s easy to say you trust God and are walking by faith, but would you be willing to give up the most important thing in your life if God asked you to?
QUOTE: “Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” (Corrie Ten Boon, Dutch Christian holocaust survivor).
The story of the rich young ruler is an example of one who loved money more than God.
When Abraham was willing to give to God the most important thing in his life, God gave it right back to him.
It’s like – when we honour God with our finances and tithe, we find we can do more with 90% of our income – and God’s blessing on it – than if we had all 100%.

THE LORDPROVIDES:

“9 Then they came to the place ofwhich God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood inorder; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. 10 And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knifeto slay his son. 11 But the Angel of the Lordcalled to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" So he said,"Here I am." 12 And He said, "Donot lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that youfear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." 13 Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and therebehind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and tookthe ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. 14 And Abraham called the name of the place,The-Lord-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "Inthe Mount of The Lord it shall be provided.” (Gen. 22:9-14).

When we obey the call, believe the promise, and sacrifice everything, God will bless us!

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Sunday Blitz - The Week in Review

2011-10-04T11:07:00.001-05:00

Dear church family,

What a busy time this past week has been! Let me share with you some highlights...

WED: HOME GROUPS:
Last Wednesday night, we had our second home group meeting. We're going through a curriculum by John Ortberg called, "If you want to walk on water, you've got to get out of the boat." The format is very different from some of the DVD curriculums we have used in the past, but I'm finding I'm enjoying it very much. John Ortberg's teaching style includes many visual aids to help us remember the lesson. And not only is the Bible study material challenging, I love the small group format that allows us to get to know one another better, to love and care for and pray for each other. If you haven't come out yet, I want to encourage you to find a home group near you this week and come and join us - get connected!

THURSDAY: GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT:
On Thursday and Friday, I had the opportunity to attend Willow Creek's Global Leadership Summit, hosted by Riverwood Community Church in Winnipeg. Someone blessed me with a free ticket, so I was able to attend this excellent leadership event, with speakers such as Bill Hybels, Dr. Henry Cloud, Dr. Reginald Bibby, Patrick Lencioni and more. In the very first session, Pastor Bill Hybels said, "Leaders must be learners. The day you stop learning, you should stop leading." As a (still relatively) young leader, I know the importance of adding to my leadership tool belt on a regular basis, so that I can more effectively lead this congregation that the Lord Jesus has called me to pastor. Perhaps one of the most encouraging truths I learned at this event, in the session with Reginald Bibby, was the fact that the so-called secularization of society has not proven to be true, rather, the decline of interest in all things spiritual or religious has leveled off. In fact, 50% of the people in Canada are open to the idea of greater involvement in church activities, and they're looking for churches that will address their personal needs. That gives us hope that the people in our great nation are ready for something that's real, a Christianity that will offer them hope, healing and restoration for their broken lives!

FRIDAY: COURAGEOUS:
On Friday night, after the final session of the leadership summit, I headed over to the theatres at Polo Park to watch the movie Courageous. "Four men, one calling: To serve and protect. As law enforcement officers, Adam, Nathan, David, and Shane are confident and focused. Yet at the end of the day, they face a challenge that none of them are truly prepared to tackle: fatherhood." I very much enjoyed the previous two movies by Sherwood Pictures, the moviemaking ministry of Sherwood Baptist Church in Albany, Georgia: Facing the Giants and Fireproof. However, this newest movie was a thousand times better then their previous (good) installments - from the acting, to the cinematography, and more! Not only did it have a riveting story with dramatic elements and unexpected plot twists, I laughed, I cried, and I cheered. In my opinion, this is the only must-see movie of the year. If you get a chance, go and see the movie at Silvercity Polo Park in Winnipeg - you'll be glad you did!

SATURDAY: FOOTBALL:
On Saturday, our family went into Winnipeg to watch Caleb and his Transcona Nationals football team play against the Morden Corn Huskers. Although I always enjoy watching the Nationals play football - just because Caleb is on the team - it was great seeing them win 62-6.

SUNDAY MORNING: BLITZ:
Those of you who were at church two Sundays ago know that I felt like I had had an 'off' Sunday. Battling with bronchitis, I came into the service with little energy to deliver God's Word. As a result of that, I spent the past week seeking God and praying for a fresh Word from Heaven that would bring life to our church family, and I believe God came through in a mighty and powerful way. During worship this past Sunday morning, the Holy Spirit started moving and ministering, and pouring out His refreshing rain upon us in the service. From that ministry time during worship, right through communion and through to the end of the service, the presence of the Lord was electrifying.
If you missed the service, you can listen to the audio from the service by clicking here: http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/index.php/downloads/online-audio-sermons.
The first audio file, "Heroes of Faith #2: Noah - Building the Kingdom" - is the message I preached on how the Bible suggests that we spend our lives building three things: Building the Kingdom of God, Building Broken Lives, and Building for Eternity.
The second audio file, "When God Came Down" - is the audio of the prayer, prophecy, worship and ministry part of the service.

SUNDAY NIGHT: WILDFIRE YOUTH:
I spent all afternoon on Sunday setting up and getting ready for our first youth worship night, with help from Tori & Austin. For as long as I've been in Beausejour, I've had a heart to see our young people form their own worship band, and have youth worship services. Heading into this new school year, I felt like the Lord said that now is the time. And so, I invited David Bracken to come out for our fall kick-off and help us with our fledgling youth worship team. This first night, we had Sonja on guitar and vocals, and my son Caleb on the drums. We are looking forward to getting more youth involved on our worship team - singers and musicians - to lead worship for our youth once or twice a month. And who knows? Maybe a couple of months down the road we'll see them leading worship on a Sunday morning?? Let's pray and believe God for a breakthrough in the lives of our young people, amen? That this would be the year where they would be set on fire with a passion to know Jesus, become more like Him, and make Him known to others, amen?
(Click HERE to look at some of the pics from our first worship night - if you're not on facebook!)

MONDAY: DAY OF REST:
Well, after a solid, full, busy, crazy week of events and activities, I took my Monday off and spent the day at home with Liza, resting and relaxing. And - we're back in the office today ready for another week of ministry, serving our awesome God!

TODAY: ELECTION DAY:
And today is election day, so make sure you get out and vote, and pray for people to follow the Lord's leading as they are choosing who to vote for. And, let's pray for all of the new leaders! The Bible says: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and ALL WHO ARE IN AUTHORITY, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence" (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

UPCOMING EVENTS:
SUNDAY, OCT. 9: Heroes of Faith #3: Abraham - Believed the Promise: "By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going" (Heb. 11:8). Come and join us as we continue our series looking at the hall of faith in Hebrews Chapter 11...

Praying God's richest blessings on you and your family today...

Lots of love,

Chris Jordan

Lead Pastor, Beausejour Community Church

Church Web-site: www.beausejourchurch.ca

My Personal Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

[photo from our Wildfire Youth Night]

Heroes of Faith #2: Sermon of the Week

2011-10-04T08:43:00.001-05:00

HEROESOF FAITH #2: NOAH: BUILDING THE KINGDOM
(September 2011– Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.
To listen to this audio message, or download the MP3, click HERE.

INTRO:
Why did you comehere this morning? To sing some songs and hear some stories? I hope not!
Two thousandyears ago, Jesus said, “I will build my church.” Not a building, but people.
We’re here tosee lives transformed, to provide hope, healing and restoration to brokenlives.
Our hope is thatyou would encounter Jesus and taste and see that the Lord is good.

INTRO TOTOPIC:
Last week, westarted a series in Hebrews chapter 11, the Hall of Faith.
We looked atEnoch who walked with God, and talked about how God wants us to walk by faith.

OPENING TEXT:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he whocomes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those whodiligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things notyet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of hishousehold, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousnesswhich is according to faith.” (Heb. 11:6-7).

The true story of Noah is a familiar one. By faith, Noah obeyed God and built an ark.
People thought he was crazy, building an ark when there was no rain.
They may have mocked him and tried to discourage him.
But Noah knew he was building something that was going to save his family.
Everyone’s building something. What are spending your time and resources building?

THE BUILDINGPARABLE:

“15 And He said to them,"Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life doesnot consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." 16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "Theground of a certain rich man yieldedplentifully. 17 And he thought within himself,saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18 So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there Iwill store all my crops and my goods. 19 And Iwill say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years;take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' 20But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; thenwhose will those things be which you have provided?' 21So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (Luke12:15-21).

We’re all building something. What are you spending your time and resources building?

THE BIG IDEA: The Bible suggests that we spend our lives building three things:Building the Kingdom of God, Building BrokenLives, and Building for Eternity.

I. BUILDINGTHE KINGDOM:

1. BY FAITHFULLY PRAYING:
“In this manner, therefore,pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come.Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.”(Matt. 6:9-10).

God wants us to pray that His Kingdom would come. Salvations, healings, deliverances!

2. BY SACRIFICALLY SERVING:

“whoever desires to becomegreat among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to befirst shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43b-45).

Jesus said the greatest in the kingdom are those who serve. Where are you serving?
Needs in the church right now: children’s ministry, nursery, youth ministry, praise and worship team, janitorial, ushering and greeting, sound ministry.
When you serve, you’re building the Kingdom, and following the example of Jesus!
But don’t just serve in the church – love and serve people in the community, too.

3. BY GENEROUSLY GIVING:
“Do not lay up for yourselvestreasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in andsteal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither mothnor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where yourtreasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt.6:19-21).

When you give to the church, you’re building the Kingdom.
Notice Jesus contrasts worldly building and heavenly building. Where are you building?
When you give generously, you are also investing your heart in the Kingdom.
Don’t just give your tithes; give offerings to – to missions!

II. BUILDBROKEN LIVES:

In Isaiah 58,the Lord is rebuking

Israel

because they were so focused on their religious exercises – prayer, worship,fasting, etc. but they had neglected caring for people. God’s response:

"6 "Is this not the fast thatI have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, Tolet the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, Andthat you bring to your house the poor who are cast out; When you see the naked,that you cover him, And not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then your light shall break forth like the morning,Your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall gobefore you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; Youshall cry, and He will say, 'Here I am.' "If you take away the yoke fromyour midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness, 10 If you extend your soul to the hungry And satisfy theafflicted soul, Then your light shall dawn in the darkness, And your darknessshall be as the noonday. 11 The Lord will guideyou continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones;You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters donot fail. 12 Those from among you Shall build theold waste places; You shall raise up the foundations of many generations; Andyou shall be called the Repairer of the Breach, The Restorer of Streets toDwell In.” (Isaiah 58:6-12).

God said, “I don’t care about your religious exercises if you’re not helping people!”
It’s time to start focus on reaching out to those who are hurting and broken.

“1 The Spirit of the Lord God isupon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor;He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives,And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And theday of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, 3To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil ofjoy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That theymay be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may beglorified." 4 And they shall rebuild the oldruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair theruined cities, The desolations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:1-4).

God wants us to be anointed to rebuild broken lives, in the power of the Holy Spirit!

III. BUILDFOR ETERNITY:

Too often weneglect building the Kingdom and building broken lives because we’re toofocused on the here and now, like the rich man who wanted to build more andbigger STUFF.

We need an eternal perspective in our lives like Noah had when He built the ark!

“9 For we are God's fellowworkers; you are God's field, you are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me,as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it.But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is JesusChrist. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundationwith gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it willbe revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort itis. 14 If anyone's work which he has built on itendures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone'swork is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so asthrough fire.” (1 Cor. 3:9-15).

ILLUSTRATION: Have vases of gold, precious stones, wood and hay.

What are youbuilding your life on?

When you strive to get money, power, or worldly success – you’re building with wood.
When you’re living a selfish life, hanging on to offenses, living for yourself – you’re building with straw.
But when you build the kingdom by faithful prayer, sacrificial serving or generous giving – you’re building with gold.
When you help to build and restore broken lives – you’re building with precious stones.

On the Day ofJudgment, your work will be tested by fire.

That which was built with wood, hay or straw will be burned and you will suffer loss.
That which was built with gold or precious stones will endure and be rewarded.

CHALLENGE:

By faith, Noahbuilt an ark and saved his family and gained an eternal inheritance.

It’s time tostep out in faith and begin building the kingdom, broken lives, and foreternity.

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

You Can Be a Hero - Faith in Focus Column

2011-09-28T09:07:00.002-05:00

Faith in Focus
with Pastor Chris Jordan of the
Beausejour Community Church

YOU can be aHero!

I remember as alittle child wearing a red towel around my neck, pretending that it wasSuperman’s cape. Who didn’t, right? There’s something in us from the time thatwe’re really young that looks up to and aspires to be a hero.

But what makes ahero super? Do you need to wear a big cape, blue tights, and underwear outsideof your pants? Do you have to be bitten by a radioactive spider and therebygain super powers? Or is being a hero something more… simple?

A hero isdefined as “a man or woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for theirbrave deeds and noble qualities.” That tells me anyone can choose to be a hero,if they want to.

If you’ve everread the Bible before, you’ve probably noticed that it’s largely biographical.Rather than just giving us a list of rules or do’s and don’ts, God rather choseto fill His holy book with stories of men and women of faith who did greatexploits for Him. Their lives are an example for us of how we too can be heroesof faith.

In Hebrewschapter eleven – the Hall of Faith – we have the accounts of the lives of manygreat men and women who were heroes for God: Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah,Moses and more. Each of their stories tells us how we can walk by faith, and beheroes today. You can be a hero – join the fight for what’s right!

To listen to the latest message in our Heroes of Faith series,please go to www.beausejourchurch.ca and click on downloads.

Pastor Chris Jordan

Heroes of Faith #1 - Sermon of the Week

2011-09-27T11:58:00.002-05:00

HEROESOF FAITH #1: ENOCH: WALKING WITH GOD
(September 2011– Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.
To listen to or download this audio message, click HERE.

INTRO TO TOPIC:

This morningwe’re going to look at one of the most important topics in the Bible: Faith!

FOUR TIMES in the Bible it says, “The justshall live by faith!”

(Hab. 2:4; Rom. 1:17; Gal.3:11; Heb. 10:38).
Mark 11:22:     Jesustold His disciples to “Have faith in God.”
                        Hetalked about people having little faith or great faith.
2 Cor. 5:7:       Forwe walk by faith, not by sight.
Eph. 2:8:          Forby grace you have been saved through faith…
1 Tim. 6:12:     Fightthe good fight of faith.

But – what is faith? And how do we live byfaith and walk by faith?

To answer that question, we’re going to go tothe hall of faith chapter – in Hebrews 11!

THE BIG IDEA: As Christians, God wants us to walk byfaith. This is the key to pleasing God, and experiencing His goodness in ourlives.

I. WHATIS FAITH?

“1 Now faith is the substance ofthings hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The word “substance” (hupostasis) in the Greek, means ‘to stand under or to support.’ Faith is the foundation that gives the believer the confidence to stand.
The word “evidence” means “conviction.” This inward conviction enables the believer to believe things not yet seen, that God will perform what He has promised.
The more we know God, the more we will trust Him.

ILLUSTRATION:
There was alittle boy who was caught in a fire at home. He could not get out of theburning house. He climbed up out onto the roof of the burning home, and beganto cry for his father’s help. The father looked up at his son from the ground,and told him to jump. “I can’t see you though daddy, how will you catch me?”said the son. The father said, “I can see you.” Without further hesitation theboy jumped into his father’s arms. That’s faith!

2 For by it the elders obtained agood testimony. 3 By faith we understand that theworlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen werenot made of things which are visible.

In the Apostle’s Creed, we declare that we believe: “In God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, and in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son our Lord…”

4 By faith Abel offered to God a moreexcellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he wasrighteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead stillspeaks.” (Heb. 11:1-4).

When we have faith and believe in God, we will worship Him, as Abel did.

THREE ASPECTSOF FAITH:

KNOWLEDGE: You can’t believe what you don’t know.

· “For "whoever calls on thename of the Lord shall be saved." How then shall they call on Him in whom theyhave not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have notheard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (

Rom.

10:13-14).

AGREEMENT: To agree with what we hear or read. Just because you know something doesn’t mean you have faith in it! Assent means I believe the Bible is true!
TRUST: To rely on or receive it into your life. See illustration…

ILLUSTRATION:
Charles Blondin's greatest fame came in June of 1859 when he attemptedto become the first person to cross a tightrope stretched over a quarter of amile across Niagara Falls.
He walked across 160 feet above falls several times - once on stilts, ona bicycle, and in the dark! On one though, he asked for a volunteer. A buzz ofexcitement ran along both sides of the river bank. The crowd “Ooohed!” and“Aaahed!” as Charles carefully walked across one dangerous step after another-- blindfolded and pushing a wheelbarrow.
Upon reaching the other side, the crowd's applause was louder than theroar of the falls! Charles suddenly stopped and addressed his audience:"Do you believe I can carry a person across in this wheelbarrow?" Thecrowd enthusiastically shouted, "Yes! You are the greatest tightropewalker in the world. You can do anything!"
"Okay," said Charles, "Get in the wheelbarrow....."No one did!

Real faith – trust – gets in the wheelbarrow.

II. HOW DO WE WALK BY FAITH?
“21 Enoch lived sixty-five years,and begot Methuselah. 22 After he begotMethuselah, Enoch walked with Godthree hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for Godtook him.” (Genesis 5:21-24).

Enoch is an excellent example of someone who walked closely with God.

“5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not seedeath, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; for before he was taken he had thistestimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, forhe who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of thosewho diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:5-6).

ENOCH’SEXAMPLE:

1. HEWALKED WITH GOD. (Gen. 5:22).

Walking with Godspeaks of a personal friendship – Christianity = a relationship, not areligion!
Worship, prayer,Bible study – these are all foundations for walking with God.
Do you walk withGod every day? Do you think about Him when you get up in the morning?
Side note: it’snever too late to start walking with God – Enoch was 65 years old when he began!

2. HEPLEASED GOD. (Heb. 11:5).

How do we pleaseGod? When we walk by faith and not by sight. True faith believes:
Not only thatGod exists, but also that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

3. HE WASTAKEN HOME – to live forever with God. (Gen. 5:24;Heb. 11:5).

The ultimatedestination of those who walk by faith is Heaven – living forever in paradise!
We most likelywon’t be translated like Enoch, unless we’re alive when Jesus returns! (preach!)

III. HOW DO WE GET FAITH?

Do you believethat God is good and faithful? Do you trust Him? If not, you can grow yourfaith!

1. READTHE WORD.

“So then faithcomes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).

2. STEPOUT IN OBEDIENCE:

“Thus also faithby itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "Youhave faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you myfaith by my works.” (James 2:17-18).

All of the heroes of faith in Hebrews chapter eleven DID something!
By faith Noah built an ark – what are you building? Are you building the kingdom?
By faith Abraham followed where God called – where is God calling you to serve Him?
By faith Sarah believed the promise – what promises are you standing on in His Word?

3. GETOUT OF THE BOAT:

“Now in thefourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when thedisciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is aghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them,saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." And Peteranswered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You onthe water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down outof the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.” (Matt. 14:25-29).

Peter got out of the boat and walked with Jesus – walked by faith – and pleased God!
The more you step out in faith, the more your faith will grow!
God isn’t concerned about our comfort as much as our growth in the walk of faith.

CLOSING STORY:

Five years agowhen we got the call to come and pastor Beausejour: I was comfortable in theboat of youth ministry, but God was calling us to take a risk of faith and moveour family half way across the country. We stepped out in faith and obedience,and God blessed it!

CHALLENGE: Let’s make a commitment to step out in faith and take great risksfor God!

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Sunday Blitz - It's Time To Get Out Of The Boat!

2011-09-20T14:44:00.000-05:00

Dear church family,

What a wonderful back-to-church service we had this past weekend! It was great seeing most of our church family back together again after having scattered over the summer months for camping, vacations and holidays. Colin and Laura's team led us in worship with a wonderful celebration of the goodness of the Lord, and Pastor Alvin emcee'd the service, wishing happy birthdays and anniversaries to several people including Sandra Gut's 40th birthday (happy birthday, Sandra!). Then I shared a message with our church family from John chapter four called "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." This story of a Samaritan woman's encounter with Jesus shows how - when we come to Him - He and He alone will satisfy our soul thirst. If you want to listen to this message, you can download it here:
http://www.beausejourchurch.ca/index.php/downloads/online-audio-sermons.

The highlight of the day for me was our BBQ at Pastor Alvin & Zenda's house. We had probably around a hundred people or so come together for food, fun and fellowship. Whether it was sitting around visiting in lawnchairs - enjoying the wonderful weather (yay God!) - or playing football, bocce ball or horse shoes, everyone seemed to have a good time connecting with one another. We'll definitely have to do that again sometime soon, don't you think?

HOME GROUPS:
Our home groups will be starting up this Wed. Sept. 21st with a six-week series called “If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out Of The Boat.”
Here's a quick synopsis of the book we're looking at:

Far too many of us have put our faith in a casual Christianity that never compels us to leave our comfort zones. But, deep within our hearts we know that Christ has not called us to comfort, but to an exciting, sacrificial and overwhelmingly fulfilling faith. In If You're Going to Walk on Water John Ortberg teaches us how to step out of the "boat" of casual Christianity so that we can faithfully follow the Lord who is calling us out onto the risky, exciting waters of the high seas. Learn how to leave your comfort zone for an amazing life of faith.

Here's a list of our host homes and leaders. Plan to get involved and get connected!

Leader: Pastor Chris Jordan
Home: Pastor Chris & Liza Jordan
Time: Wed. nights @ 7:00.

Leader: Dianna Freeman
Town: Beausejour
Time: Wed. nights @ 7:00.

Leader: Bill McClain
Home: Brian & Brenda Genung
Time: Wed. afternoons at 1:30.

Leader: Paul Flynn
Home: Ken & Judy Sundelin
Time: Wed. nights @ 7:00.

Leader: Jody Bartel
Town: Tyndall
Time: Wed. nights @ 7:00.

Leader: Nettie Doerksen
Town: Tyndall
Time: Wed. nights @ 7:00.

Praying God's richest blessings on you and your family...

Lots of love,

Chris Jordan
Lead Pastor, Beausejour Community Church
Church Web-site: www.beausejourchurch.ca
My Personal Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Sermon of the Week

2011-09-20T14:36:00.006-05:00

ISTILL HAVEN’T FOUND WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR
(September 2011– Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)

To download or listen to this audio message, click HERE.

To download a printable version of these notes, click HERE.

The singer of this song talks about searching for meaning in life, and not finding it in nature, city life, relationships or religious experiences. “I still haven’t found what I’m looking for.”

Nature: Ihave climbed highest mountain, I have run through the fields

City Life:                      Ihave run, I have crawled, I have scaled these city walls
Relationships:                Ihave kissed honey lips, Felt the healing in her fingertips
Religious Experience:    Ihave spoke with the tongue of angels...
I believe in the kingdom come, Thenall the colors will bleed into one; You broke the bonds and you, Loosedthe chains; Carried the cross, Of my shame, Ofmy shame, You know I believed it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

PERSONAL TESTIMONY: All night drive-in question: “There’s got to be more tolife!”

What’s the answer? Where do we find satisfaction,fulfillment and meaning in life?

BACKGROUND TO THE STORY:
“But Jesus needed to go through Samaria. So Hecame to a city of Samaria which is called Sychar, near the plot of ground thatJacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore,being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well.” (John 4:4-6).

Why did Jesus have to go through Samaria?
He knew that there was a woman there who still hadn’t found what she was looking for.
This woman had tried to find satisfaction in relationships with men – she has been married five times, and was living with a sixth guy – but she was still empty inside.

1. JESUS OFFERS TO US THEWATER OF LIFE:
“7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesussaid to her, "Give Me a drink." 8 For His disciples hadgone away into the city to buy food. 9 Then the woman of Samariasaid to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, aSamaritan woman?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. 10Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who itis who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He wouldhave given you living water." 11 The woman said to Him,"Sir, You have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where then doYou get that living water? 12 Are You greater than our fatherJacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, as well as his sons andhis livestock?" 13 Jesus answered and said to her, "Whoeverdrinks of this water will thirst again, 14 but whoeverdrinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water thatI shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up intoeverlasting life.” (John 4:7-14).

Was Jesus talking about well water? No! He was talking about something much deeper!
He said: There is water you can drink that will never quench your thirst.
In other words, there are things in life you can go to for fulfillment, but they will never satisfy: drugs, alcohol, relationships, sexuality, money, power, fame.
But the water Jesus offers will quench your thirst: it is a fountain of living water!

ILLUSTRATION:
A small boy issent to bed by his father. Five minutes later he calls out, "Da-ad!"
"What?"
"I’m thirsty. Can you bring drink of water?"
"No. Youhad your chance. It’s lights out."
Five minuteslater the boy calls out again: "Da-aaaad!"
"WHAT?"
"I’m THIRSTY. Can I have a drink of water?"
"I told youNO! If you ask again, I’ll have to spank you!"
Five minuteslater he calls out again, “Daaaa-aaaad!"
"WHAT!"
"When you come in to spank me, can you bring a drink of water?"

2. WE HAVE A CHOICE TO MAKE:
“15 “Thewoman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, norcome here to draw." 16 Jesus said to her, "Go, callyour husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered andsaid, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have wellsaid, 'I have no husband,' 18 for you have had five husbands, andthe one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." 19The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet.” (John 4:15-19).

Before we will hunger and thirst after God, we must come to a place where we realize that the other things in our lives haven’t really satisfied!
This woman had to make a choice to ask Jesus for the water of life.
Through her dialogue with Jesus, she had a supernatural encounter: “You are a prophet!”

QUOTE: “The weakness of our hunger for Godis not because He (doesn’t taste good), but because we keep ourselves stuffedwith other things… If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation ofthe glory of God, it is not because you have drunk deeply and aresatisfied. It is because you havenibbled so long at the table of the world. Your soul is stuffed with small things, and there is no room for thegreat.” (John Piper, Hunger for God).

“For My people havecommitted two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, Andhewn themselves cisterns--broken cisterns that can hold no water.” (Jer.2:13).

Your choice: Come to Jesus and be refreshed by rivers of living water.
Or go to the broken wells of worldly pleasures, dirty mud puddles that never satisfy!

3.         THE RESULT OF COMING TO JESUS:
“The woman then left her waterpot, went her way intothe city, and said to the men, "Come, see a Man who told me all thingsthat I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" Then they went out of the cityand came to Him.” (John 4:28-30).
·       You will leave your water pot - the old sources where you used to findsatisfaction.
·       You will want to share Jesus with others! Once you’ve been filled withHis Spirit, it will overflow to all those around you!
·       When I became a Christian, the first thing I wanted to do was to tellothers about God’s love.
·       God wants to take us on a journey: from being hurt, to be healed, to helping others.

4. THE CHALLENGE TO THE CHRISTIAN:

“31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, "Rabbi,eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat ofwhich you do not know." 33 Therefore the disciples said toone another, "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?" 34Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and tofinish His work. 35 Do you not say, 'There are still four monthsand then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and lookat the fields, for they are already white for harvest.”(John 4:31-35).
·       This second part of this story is a challenge to the Christian:
·       If you have found satisfaction in Jesus, then it’s time to tell others.
·       There is a harvest of lost and hurting people in the world who need toknow Jesus!
·       When we get involved in ministering to others, there is a joy andsatisfaction that comes.

CLOSING TEXT:

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesusstood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me anddrink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of hisheart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerningthe Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit wasnot yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” (John7:37-39).

THE BIG IDEA: Are you thirsty? Do you feel cracked and dry, broken, lost andempty? Come to Jesus and let Him satisfy your soul hunger and thirst!

BeausejourCommunity Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca

Pastor ChrisJordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/

Have YOU Found What You're Looking For? (Faith in Focus Column)

2011-09-14T10:26:00.005-05:00

Have YOU Found What You’re Looking For?
Faith in Focus article from The Clipper Newspaper
with Pastor Chris Jordan of the Beausejour Community Church

When I was in highschool back in the late 80’s (no jokes about how old I am, please!), U2released their single I Still Haven’tFound What I’m Looking For.* In addition to being one of their most popularsongs, this catchy little number is an apt description of the heart cry of manypeople in the world today. Have YOU found what you’re looking for? Or a betterquestion – do you even know WHAT you’re looking for?

There’ssomething in the heart of every human being that’s longing for… something. Whatit is, we may not know. Some call it the pursuit of happiness. Others say they’relooking for the meaning of life. But deep within the heart of every one of usis a sense that we were meant for more than the daily grind that often becomesthe sum total of our existence.

Two thousandyears ago, there was a Samaritan woman who was on such a quest. This woman whohad been married and divorced five times was now living with another man, and yetshe had failed to find any meaningful fulfillment or satisfaction in her relationships.As she sat down at the well one day, little did she know that the Person shewas about to enter into a dialogue with would radically transform her entire life.This one day, when she met Jesus, that inner thirst for more was finally satisfied. Come to Jesus today, and find what you’rereally looking for!

*If you're not familiar with this U2 song, check out this youtube video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb1XXs7e7ac

Come and join us on Sunday, Sept. 18th for our Back-to-Church Sunday at Beausejour Community Church and experience Pastor Chris Jordan's message "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Everyone is welcome!