Your Heritage | Ps Bruce McCleland | So Much More Part 4

Life Church Africa

Your Heritage | Ps Bruce McCleland | So Much More Part 4

September 22, 2024 • Ps Bruce McCleland • 1 Peter 2:5, 2 Corinthians 6:18, Romans 12:2, Romans 12:9, Romans 6:8

As we celebrate our diverse cultures and heritage this month, join Ps Bruce as he preaches on our new found heritage and identity in the Lord and how to walk confidently in that.

Last week, we were reflecting on the promises of God. As a children of God, we believe that His promises are for today because of our heavenly heritage. This heritage also gives us an eternal inheritance.

Our heritage can come from many things:

- Our country

- Our culture

- Our traditions

- Our life experiences (both good and bad)

- Our inheritance

- Our legacy

- Our identity

- Our physical, moral, and spiritual development

We are marked by our heritage. For some, it may feel like a badge of honor, while for others, it might feel like a burden. But it shapes who we are and how we live, and in turn, how we influence others. Now, we have a new heritage. We are rooted in Christ, accepted by God, sustained by Him, and given purpose through Him. We are called to bear fruit for Him.

1 Peter 2:5, 9 (ESV) says, “You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

We are part of God’s family now, adopted as His children. 2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) says, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Though we’ve spent a lifetime shaped by our worldly heritage, as followers of Christ, we now have a new heritage. Paul urges in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

There’s tension between our old heritage and our new one. We are transformed from the inside out by God’s grace, but society tries to conform us from the outside in. The battle for our heritage is real.

So, where do you feel the tension between your worldly heritage and your heavenly one—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?

Just as it took time to conform to the world, it will take time to conform to Christ. One way to do this is by spending more time in His Word.

Romans 6:8-14, 17, 20-23 (NIV) reminds us that we are no longer slaves to sin, but slaves to righteousness. The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

So take time to reflect on how your ethnicity, culture, upbringing, and life experiences have shaped you—for both good and bad.

His Promises | Ps Bruce McCleland | So Much More Part 3

September 15, 2024 • Ps Bruce McCleland • James 1:5, Hebrews 11:32, John 14:27, Matthew 28:20

As we continue with our series on So Much More, join Ps Bruce as he teaches on the promises of God and how they keep us secure and enable us to walk in His purpose for our lives. Hebrews 11:32-34, 39-40 (NIV) tells us about the heroes of faith who did amazing things through faith. They conquered kingdoms, escaped danger, and grew strong in weakness. Though they had faith, they didn’t receive all God promised because He had something better planned for them, and for us too. However, today, promises feel less important. We often apologize for not keeping them instead of making sure we follow through. Whether we forget or just don't take them seriously, promises have lost their weight. The book of Hebrews 11 reminds us that while some promises are fulfilled now, others are for the future. Sometimes, we struggle to trust God’s promises because we don’t fully understand who He is, or we keep His promises in our minds but not in our hearts. Sometimes we struggle with the Promises of God because of: 1) A broken filter 2) Bad understanding of who God is 3) Head knowledge, not heart knowledge Here are some of God’s promises: 1. John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 2. Promise of Peace: John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 3. Promise of the Holy Spirit: John 14:16-17 - And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. 4. Promise of Provision: Philippians 4:19 -And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. 5. Promise of God’s Presence: Matthew 28:20 - And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. 6. Promise of Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 7. Promise of a New Creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here. 8. Promise of God’s Guidance: James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 9. Promise of Strength in Trials: 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. 10. Promise of Victory Over Death: Revelation 21:4 - ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. If we have a broken view of God or don't really know Him, then we struggle to trust these promises. However, if they stay in our heads and not our hearts, then we will be able to trust Him. So, what has God promised you? Do you trust Him? Do you trust in His Promises?

Desire God | Ps Bruce McCleland | So Much More Part 2

September 8, 2024 • Ps Bruce McCleland • Hebrews 11:32

As we continue with our So Much More series, join Pastor Bruce as he takes us through having a desire for God and growing in faith. . Hebrews 11:32 says: What more can I say? There isn't time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets. Through faith, they conquered kingdoms, brought justice, and received promises. They shut the mouths of lions, survived fire, and escaped the sword. Their weakness turned to strength, and they became powerful in battle, defeating enemies. Even though they were praised for their faith, none of them saw what was promised because God planned something better, which includes us. None of them were perfect—they had flaws, insecurities, and made mistakes, but they still took steps of faith and overcame their struggles. Gideon struggled with his status, Barak had doubts, Samson had weaknesses, Jephthah was the son of a prostitute, and Samuel was separated from his mother. Yet, they overcame their past and trusted God's plan for more. How does this connect to us? 2 Peter tells us that God has given us everything we need for a godly life. By trusting in His promises, we can take part in His divine nature, escaping the world's corruption. We should add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, love, and more. These qualities will help us be productive and effective in knowing Jesus. Without them, we're blind, forgetting we've been forgiven. Think of it like baking a cake: You can have all the ingredients, but if you don't put it in the oven, nothing will happen. Similarly, faith is the seed that activates grace in our lives, leading to growth. Without faith, we become ineffective and unproductive. It's through the process of sanctification, being purified from sin, that we grow in God. Philippians reminds us to work hard in showing our faith because God is giving us both the desire and power to do what pleases Him. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and follow me." This means abandoning our old ways and embracing God's will. In the end, there is so much more for us—more than just for ourselves, but for those who come after us. Like those before us, we must trust in God's promises and keep our faith strong. There’s more at stake than we realize, just as Jesus knew when He faced the cross.