DARE TO GROW - 2 Peter:1 Peter’s message is that in Christ we have everything we need for a productive, thriving and growing

Christian life. So if God has provided everything we need, why is it that some Christians never seem to

grow? There are Christian people who never seem to make any progress. They don’t have much joy.

Their lives don’t seem to lead to anything. Peter says that they seem “ineffective and unproductive in

their knowledge of Jesus Christ” (v8). Why is that?

Peter says to grow as a Christian there are certain things we must do, we must pursue in the power of

the Spirit and “if you possess these things in increasing measure they will keep you from being

ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” (v8). We have to “make every

effort” (v5) to pursue these things and adopt a mindset of wanting to grow. We need to take

responsibility for our own spiritual growth – it’s not a passive act. Simply saying “let go and let God.” Is

the opposite of what Peter says here. God has called us to pursue certain things in order to grow and

Peter gives us guidance. He brings together God’s work and our responsibility: God calls us; God saves

us; God gives us everything that we need for life and godliness. Yet, at the same time, he calls us to act.

For this very reason, add to your faith goodness and knowledge and self-control (v5).

What’s the point in telling someone to farm if they don’t have a farm, are without land, without seed

and without tools, nothing can be done. But Peter reminds us that all these things are given to us, and

therefore, having received them, we are asked to farm. Of course, our farming doesn’t guarantee a

harvest. It is God who makes things grow. God gives the farm. God gives the tools. God gives the

seed. God makes things grow, but the farmer is still involved! There is something for him to do,

and if he does not do it, there will not be a harvest. For this very reason, make every effort to add

to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-

control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to

CONTINUED…

King’s Community Church FAMILY FOCUS APRIL 2016 EDITION

King’s Community Church FAMILY FOCUS APRIL 2016 EDITION

brotherly kindness, love (v5-7).Peter shows us seven virtues that we are to pursue vigorously in the

power of the Holy Spirit if we dare to grow.

Goodness (Moral excellence) - If we want to be a fruitful Christian, then we need to grow in

goodness. Peter says to the believer, “you participate in the divine nature.” (v4). His Spirit lives in

you, so make every effort to grow in this goodness. Living by what is right is not always popular in

today’s society

Knowledge (Practical wisdom) - We also need to grow in wisdom, depth, stability, and maturity.

The way that happens is through the Word of God—learned, believed, applied, and obeyed. The

Bible is much more than information. David said, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light of my

path” (Psalms 119:105). We find direction, wisdom, and stability through meditation on God’s

Word.

Self-control (Controlling passions instead of passions controlling us) - Peter, the most

impulsive man in the New Testament, the man who was once a blundering disciple is now a

trusted apostle in the church of God. That’s growth! If that can happen for him, it can happen for

us!

Perseverance (Pressing on when we feel like giving up) - If we want to be useful to Jesus, we

need to learn perseverance. Perseverance comes from self-control. The impulsive person gives up

easily. Let’s determine to rise above discouragement, which all of us face in our own lives. Don’t

give up easily. Grow into perseverance. Remain steadfast!

Godliness (life that flows from a passion for God) - Worship expresses and refreshes our love

for Christ. And this love comes before love for other Christians and love for the world, because

love for Christ is the source of love for others and love for the world.

Brotherly kindness (A generous spirit towards other believers) - The person who is really

useful to Christ is always asking, “Where can I give a helping hand? How can I contribute to the

lives and needs of others? How can I include people in the work I do?” To grow in brotherly

kindness, we should be generous in giving, in helping and taking time to teach others so they can

become an active and accepted member of the family – not just a visitor. We should also be

generous in our judgment of other Christians; slow to think the worst of our brothers and sisters

but quick to think the best. This love is key to living in a harmonious relationship.

Love (God’s compassion for the world) - It’s very significant that Peter calls us to grow in love for

each other and in love for the world. Sometimes Christians who are most passionate about

reaching the lost are also most critical of their Christian brothers and sisters. And sometimes

Christians who are most generous to other believers are quite heartless towards the lost world.

God doesn’t give us a choice between loving our brothers and loving the world. He calls us to both!

These all lead to love. God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus and the divine power of the

Holy Spirit. Promising “I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the

age.”” The Message Matthew 28:20

God can and will work in us and we grow more like Jesus Christ if we listen and allow Him.

Compiled by Linda Elberts

Preaching Rota

3rd – Revd Colin Pye 10th – Pastor David 17th – Pastor David

24th – Stan Cooper

PRAY FOR THE NATION

7.30pm –Wednesday, 20th April Creation Cabin Café Letchworth Baptist Church, West View

APRIL BIRTHDAYS

3rd – Kings Community Church 14th – Christine Greener

Men’s Fellowship–Wednesday 13th April at 7pm

This month the men are getting together over fish, chips and games so share fellowship in Jesus’ name. See Stan Cooper to sign up or for more details

Ivel Court Ministry Good News Stand Saturday 23rd April

See Stan Cooper for details

APRIL PRAYER FOCUS - REHOBOTH

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation –

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving – present your

requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends

all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in

Christ Jesus.’ (Philippians 4:6-7)

SATURDAY 2nd APRIL

We always have such a great time when we serve our God and our community as part of the Need Project. If you want to donate something or help on the day, see Helen Ewings and she’ll give you all the details!

“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:45 (NIV)

This April/May, the CBA will be

joining in with a National

initiative from the 10th April for

40 days leading up to Pentecost.

They are calling it ’40 Days of

Daring Greatly’ with the aim of

encouraging churches to

consider doing something with a

mission heart that is out of their

comfort zone.

Rev’d Colin Pye says this “We all

know how easy it is to get overly

comfortable within our faith

communities and imperceptibly

disengage from the culture in

which God has placed us. I am

challenged when I see the

courage of Younger People (such

as in HOPE MK) impacting their

communities in the name of Christ, and deep down wishing I had a little bit more of

their umph. Of course many of our churches are already doing great things, but

sometimes it is helpful just to have that gentle nudge from the wider Christian

community. We will in due course be offering suggestions as to what this might look

like on the ground, but just for now please note this in your diaries and start

considering ways in which you & your church could engage intentionally with 40

Days of Daring Greatly”.

Kings Kitchen Monday, 11th April - 12:30

Please invite anyone you know who may need fellowship around a good meal

See Mike Ewings or Pauline Cowell for details

Worship Morning

Worship morning this month is on Saturday 9th April, starting at 10am. Our talented musicians practice old and new songs – but all are welcome to come and join in with the worship

Do you have the gift of Hospitality? Then why not join our Refreshment Team or take your turn to bring in flowers – at the end of the service you pick someone to give the flowers to – it really is heart-warming to serve and to give.

Why not join the team, see noticeboard for details

Visiting Preacher – Rev’d Colin Pye Colin grew up in High Barnet. He spent a year as a Voluntary

Evangelist with the London City Mission before pursuing a

theology degree at London Bible College. He was Pastor of a

small estate church in Northolt, West London for 8 years. In

1995, he moved to Little Kingshill Baptist church. Since the

advent of the CBA, he worked one day per week as Bucks

Association Secretary alongside his local ministry. Recently,

he became CBA’s full time Regional minister. Colin is married

to Annette and has a passion for music (somehow managing to fit playing with a

band called REDSUN alongside full time ministry). He continues to enjoy writing

music and has produced a couple of children’s worship albums (WIDE and

U.N.I.Q.U.E). Colin also has a keen interest in photography. We very much look

forward to welcoming Colin to Kings Community Church Sunday service on 3rd

April when he will bring God’s message to us. He will be speaking from John 4:3-

27 - the woman at the well.

You are invited: Kings Community Church celebrates its 9th

birthday on Sunday 3rd April – join in a

celebratory meal after the service and enjoy

fellowship as we reflect on all we have done as a

Church Together See Pauline Cowell for details.

Church Annual General Meeting Followed by

Church Members Meeting Tuesday 19th April at 7.45 pm

Come and celebrate what God is doing amongst

us and input on actions that could be part of the life and future of our church.

Everyone is welcome (although only members can vote).

As King’s Community Church we are committed to our mission

To glorify God, seeing lives changed by His Power, the declaration of His Word and

through Holy living and example

Regular Activities Sunday 10.30am Praise, Worship & Communion Service

Including our Children's Ministry ‘Kings Kids’ Monday 6.30pm - 7.45pm King’s Club (Term time only)

An hour of activity, fun and teaching for children in reception to school year 6

Tuesday 1.15pm – 2.45pm Tiny Tots (Term time only)

A fun time for all babies, toddlers and their carers Tuesday - Bible Study and Cell Groups

7.45pm to 9.30pm - friendship, study and prayer Friday –Corporate Prayer

10.30–11.30am and 8.00–9.00pm

For details, please do ask – No charge - KCC offers an all-inclusive package

Please ring and make an appointment if there is anything you would like to talk to us about.

King’s Community Church Office: Whiteway, Jackmans Estate, Letchworth Garden City, SG6 2PP

Tel: (Answering machine) 01462 677250 E-mail: Office.KCC@btinternet.com

Website: www.kccletchworth .com