Gaining a Heart of Wisdom

Gaining a Heart of Wisdom Wisdom: First Things
Proverbs 1:1-7

Navigating life, work, and relationships well can be overwhelming. We face a multitude of decisions throughout a day, not to mention throughout life. Some may have far-reaching consequences for our lives and relationships. Sometimes the Bible is clear in its direction. But often we face decisions where Scripture doesn’t give us specific direction. We need wisdom. This age offers its wisdom, which looks attractive but is deceptive. This Sunday, Preston begins a series of messages from the book of Proverbs. We’ll consider together how to understand the Proverbs and how we can gain a heart of wisdom to navigate life and relationships wisely to the glory of God.

Lament—The Honest Cry of a Hurting Heart

Lament—The Honest Cry of a Hurting Heart

Psalm 13
Pain and brokenness are part of our lives and part of our society, here and everywhere. We struggle with the pain and we struggle with God. Thankfully, that is not the whole story. In this week’s message from Psalm 13 we will consider together the hope offered to us in lament. That may be a new form of prayer for you, but it is not new—lament is found often in Scripture, especially in the Psalms. It is God’s gift to us to help us work honestly through pain and brokenness and move toward hope and trust for each day while we wait for what God has promised.

Strength for the Difficult Journey

This Sunday we will be looking into Acts 4:23-31

In Acts 4, the church experienced its first taste of the opposition Jesus had promised. Following that, they gathered to pray. In their prayer we find help as we face our own challenges, whether it is opposition to the gospel, or another type of personal challenge in life, or the challenge we face together as a church in transition.

Follow Me

This Sunday, we reflect on the post-resurrection transition the disciples have to make as they may no longer have Jesus with them 24/7.

As we undergo a similar transition of our own, we hope to learn from their experience, and be reminded that an awareness of God’s abiding presence with us may help us to manage this transition. Job Yan, an ICP elder, will be sharing from John 21:1-22.

Things to Remember

This Sunday I will be sharing some, "Things To Remember," in a Living Letter to a Church we love. This will be my final sermon as Pastor of ICP. We are so thankful to God and to each of you. Serving ICP has been an honour far beyond our dreams for Becky and I. We love you all so much!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Walking In Step with the Holy Spirit (part 2)

This week we will conclude the message on being in step with the Holy Spirit and explore what true worship looks like.

The Holy Spirit is the most personal expression of God's love towards us. He makes our hearts His home. Every believer should desire to be filled and seek to live in way that makes the Holy Spirit at home in our lives.

1. Desire to be filled - We are invited to ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 11:13)

2. Denying Self as Jesus denied Himself for us.

3. Dependence fully on God

4. Daily refilling

5. Devotion (Love for God with all that we are)

6. Delight in what Delights God (Loving others)

7. Discernment - Be aware that the enemy is a prowling lion seeking to devour and deceive even followers of Jesus.

Join us this week as we explore Walking In Step with the Holy Spirit in our series, Pathways to Knowing God and making Him Known. We will explore how Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit.

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Walking in Step with the Holy Spirit

The person and work of the Holy Spirit is often neglected in the life of a believer, but it is absolutely essential for every follower of Jesus to understand.  You need to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Why we need to be filled, and refilled again and again.

The Holy Spirit convicts and draws unbelievers to know Jesus

The Holy Spirit indwells and influences all believers

The Holy Spirit gives life to the believer

The Holy Spirit enables us to obey

The Holy Spirit unifies believers as One in Christ Jesus. 

This week we will explore how to walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Walking in Step with the Holy Spirit involves…

Desire to be filled - We are invited to ask for the filling of the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13

Denying Self as Jesus denied Himself for us.

Dependence fully on God

Daily refilling

Devotion (Love for God with all that we are)

Delight in what Delights God (Loving others)

Discernment - Be aware that the enemy is a prowling lion seeking to devour and deceive even followers of Jesus.

Join us this week as we explore Walking In Step with the Holy Spirit in our series, Pathways to Knowing God and making Him Known.  We will explore how Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit. 

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord and to equip you to seek Biblical revelation and guard against projecting our thoughts onto our understanding of Scripture.  Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we continue on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Walking Like Jesus

Too often there is a gap between what we say we believe and what we experience. The source of the gap begins with not understanding our union with Christ Jesus and the filling of the Holy Spirit. This week will explore how to Walk Like Jesus; in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

To walk like Jesus, start by focusing on Him and not you. Walking with Him requires us to focus on Him first and not ourselves.

To Walk like Jesus with must be continually filled with the Holy Spirit. Jesus walked and worked in the power of the Holy Spirit and so must we.

John 16:12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

The Holy Spirit sometimes seems mysterious, but He is not confusing. The Holy Spirit seems a bit illusive because He always points us to Jesus. He speaks in ways the draw us into a closer relationship and likeness to Jesus. The Holy Spirit does not draw attention to Himself, and the gifts He gives are never intended to draw attention to us, but to focus the glory and honor on Jesus.

Join us this week as we explore Walking Like Jesus in our series, Pathways to Knowing god and making Him Known. We will explore how Jesus teaches us about the Holy Spirit.

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord and to equip you to seek Biblical revelation and guard against projecting our thoughts onto our understanding of Scripture. Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we continue on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Discerning the Right Path

How can we recognize Jesus voice and know that what we are hearing is true?

In John chapter 10 Jesus gives us both a warning against false teaching and the comfort of knowing that we can accurately hear His voice. There is nothing more important for believers than to be able to discern truth and listen for what God has to say. This week we will explore this important passage along with its background from the Old Testament in "Discerning the Right Path; Hearing Jesus' Voice Correctly."

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord and to equip you to seek Biblical revelation and guard against projecting our thoughts onto our understanding of Scripture. Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known: The Path of Union and Communion

Jesus commanded us to do two very specific things: Baptize people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to celebrate the Communion meal in remembrance of Him.

Baptism represents our Union with Christ Jesus' death burial and resurrection through faith in Him and what He has done.

Lord's Supper represents our Communion and ongoing fellowship with Jesus. It is a celebration of the life we have in Him and an anticipation of His return. These two celebrations are beautiful displays of what life in Christ truly is.

In addition to our celebration of baptism this week, we already have others who want to be baptized in the weeks to come. If you are interested please email Pastor Drew - drew@icprague.cz. And join us this Sunday for a very special celebration together.

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord and to equip you to seek Biblical revelation and guard against projecting our thoughts onto our understanding of Scripture.  Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we walk the Pathway of Union and Communion, on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - The Path of Prayer

Prayer is the life line that connects a believer to the presence, power and person of God, and yet it is often misunderstood, and neglected.  Here are some good questions about prayer.

What is the purpose of prayer?

How are we to pray?

Why do some prayers seem to be unanswered?

How important is prayer?

How did Jesus pray?

This week on our Pathways series we will explore what Jesus has to teach us about the incredible privilege and power of Prayer.  Please join us in person or online this week as we explore the Scriptures together and have a time praying together as well.

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord and to equip you to seek Biblical revelation and guard against projecting our thoughts onto our understanding of Scripture.  Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we walk the Pathway of Prayer, on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Path of Understanding

Knowledge and understanding are not necessarily the same thing. A person can have great knowledge even about God's Word and yet lack understanding. Jesus frequently commented on the religious leaders of his day concerning this very truth.

To move from knowledge to understanding we need to apply the Truth Test, to what we think and examine how it lines up with the fullness of God’s Word. This week on our Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him known, we will explore practical ways to ensure we have a correct understanding of God's Word. In this study we will learn the difference between Projection and Revelation.

Projection is the process of "eisegesis" (to write in) where we imprint our worldview, opinion or wants onto a passage of Scripture. Projection imports a persons subjective interpretations on the passage of Scripture, often disregarding the overall context and the balance that is found in other passages of Scripture.

Revelation is found through "exegesis" (to draw out). Which means to allow the text to speak in context and in harmony with other scriptures to reveal meaning, understanding and application.

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord and to equip you to seek Biblical revelation and guard against projecting our thoughts onto our understanding of Scripture. Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we walk the Pathway of Understanding, on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Narrow Path of Truth

Last week we discovered that Truth is a Person not just a set of ideas. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.: John 14:6. Therefore truth will always conform to Jesus character, commands and example. He is how we measure between what is true and what is false.

This week we will explore the importance of our though patterns and how we are to take our thoughts captive and make them obedient to Jesus. Each one of us in engaged in a spiritual battle for our minds. And the front line of that battle is learned to discern truth from error. This study will give you some practical ways to measure whether or not a teaching or belief is true. This is so important for us to learn. We all need to measure what we believe, and what we practice by the Truth Test of how it compares to Jesus, character, commands and example.

We have a Resource Guide below to help you develop your time with the Lord. Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we wrestle with the Narrow Path of Truth, on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Pathway of Truth

This week's Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known, is The Path of Truth. Truth is a person. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, according to John 14:6. Truth is not an abstract principle. Rather truth flows from the very character and nature of its author. It is possible to know a great deal about the bible and never know its author. We are called to have an encounter with the person of truth, Jesus Christ and to then live out the truth He reveals in His strength.

This week is very practical and we have a tool below to help you develop a personal time with the Lord each day in the Scriptures. It is designed to help you encounter God Himself through His World.

We have a Resource Guide Below to help you develop your time with the Lord. Click on the link in the section below to download the Pathways Scripture Exploration Guide.

Join us this week as as we wrestle with Truth, on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Pathway of Blessing God (part 2)

God has revealed Himself to us in so many ways.  His fingerprints are on all of creation.  He has given us His Word to show usHis thoughts and character.  And He sent His Son, Jesus to rescue us from sin and from ourselves.  God wants us to know Him.

On our Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known, this week we will explore the second half of Psalm 103 and discover how to grow closer to the Lord.

The incredible Psalm has 4 steps for learning how to Bless God.

1. Appreciation for God’s Gifts (V 1-5)

2. Admiration of God’s Character & Grace (V 6-12)

3. Awe of God’s Love & Greatness (V 13-21)

4. Adoration of God’s Person (V19-22)

Join us this week as seek to foster as tens of Awe for God greatness and an Adoration for God Himself as we travel through Psalm 103 on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Pathway of Blessing God

Knowing God is an interactive relationship. As we come to know the greatness of God, our hearts respond with praise. There is a progression of worship in the Psalm 103 that parallels our growth in knowing and loving God. Worship is the natural outgrowth of love for God. True love must be expressed.

Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

What does it mean to “Bless God?"

Join us this week as we explore Psalm 103 as we travel the ancient Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Desiring God

Today we begin a new series entitled Pathways to Knowing God and Making God Known. My prayer is that your heart for God will be enlarged and that you will discover that the Lord is the true desire of your heart.

Thomas Watson, the great puritan minister made this important point... In heaven the saints rest with Him; on earth we may walk with God. We are to draw near to God and to see Him…. There is no walk in the world so sweet as to walk with God.\We were made to walk with God, to not just know God intellectually but to experience His presence and love in a way that is better than life. That is how David describes his walk with God.

Psalms 63:2-3 (ESV) 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.Join us this week as we explore Psalm 63 as we travel the ancient Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Jesus as Risen Savior

For our Resurrection Sunday service we will focus in on Jesus as Risen Saviour, Reigning, and soon Returning King. We will explore the incredible description of Jesus as He is right now as recorded in Revelation chapter 1.

This powerful passage pulls back the curtain of heaven to allow us the see the majesty, and power of Jesus Christ.

Here is John's description of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 1:12-18 (ESV) 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Jesus Christ is Risen from the Dead. He is risen indeed!

Jesus Christ Reigns over heaven and earth. He reigns supreme!

Jesus Christ is Returning soon. He is coming soon. Even so come Lord Jesus!

Worship in the Dark: A Song in the Dark

Last week we saw. How Habakkuk learned about how faith overcomes the darkness. This Sunday we will explore "A Song in the Darkness." Habakkuk teaches us not just how to endure trial but to worship in the middle of our questions and struggles. God did something incredible in the heart and life of Habakkuk. The Lord shared His own heart and His incredible plan to rescue every tribe, tongue and nation from sin. Habakkuk came to see that he was part of God's amazing work of redemption in reaching out to all peoples with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That revelation transformed Habakkuk.

Here is the amazing news, you as a follower of Jesus Christ are also part of God's amazing work of redemption. When we see how our lives connect with the greatness news in all of history, it empowers us to sing in darkness as well. Join us as we conclude our exploration of Habakkuk.

Worship in the Dark: Faith over the Darkness

The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with tough questions about the evil in he world around him.  He struggled to understand how God was working.  Habakkuk took his questions to the right place, to the Lord Himself. The answers He received were confusing at first, but He learned to trust God with his doubts and discovered how to worship in the darkness.

Hidden in the middle of this small book is one of the most transformative truths in all the Bible; "the righteous will live by faith."

Habakkuk 2:4 (ESV) 

4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

What is faith? (Biblical faith)

Faith is trusting and treasuring God above everything else.  This is the faith of Habakkuk and this little phrase occurs 3 times in the New Testament.  At each point, god uses it to direct us to a correct understanding of what our should be and how we are to live by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Join us this week as we see how God met Habakkuk in the middle of his questions.  God's answer to Habakkuk was to assure him that His plan was accomplishing much more than Habakkuk could see or believe.  He offers us the same assurance when we take our questions to the Lord as well.