Sunday Bulletin
Secret Harbour – Western Australia
Sunday 10:00am – Gen 25 – “Eternal Affections or Earthly Appetites”
Sunday 6:00pm – Special Message: Ps Marlon
Tuesday 9:30 am – Calvary Women’s Bible Study/Prayer
Wednesday 7:00pm – Prayer and teaching with Thomas Woodage (Elder)
Friday from 5:00 p.m. – Kids Club & Youth Group
28th April, 2024
www.ccsh.com.au
This week at Calvary Welcome to Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour this Sunday. If you would like prayer after the services, please see one of the Elders or Pastors after the service at the front of the sanctuary. The second weekend of May we have our special Mother’s Day service. We continue to seek servants who want to be a blessing here at CCSH by being part of the ministry teams. Simply fill in a Connection Card available at our information desk at the entrance of the Church and place it in our offering container. You will notice that we do not take up an offering, but we have an offering box available for you at the left rear of the sanctuary for you to place your tithes and offerings. We place a heavy emphasis on prayer here at Calvary and invite you to join us each Wednesday evening at 7:00pm as we gather to intercede for our nation, our Church, and our families. The encouragement is again extended to men to step forward to be Sunday school teachers here at CCSH. This is a ministry that can impact a child’s life for eternity – do you have the gift of teaching; do you know the Word of God? Be a blessing and fill this precious ministry.
From the Pastors Desk (sermon notes/synopsis) – Choosing Between Eternal Affections and Earthly Appetites
Genesis 25 offers a profound juxtaposition between two sets of men—Abraham and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau—each representing contrasting pursuits in life: eternal affections versus earthly appetites. This choice not only shapes their destinies but also serves as a mirror for our own introspection.
Abraham and Jacob exemplify those who set their affections on eternity, anchoring their lives in the promises and purposes of God. Despite challenges, Abraham lived a full life, satisfied in God’s grace, while Jacob pursued spiritual birthrights.
Conversely, Ishmael and Esau prioritised immediate gratification and worldly pursuits. Ishmael’s legacy fades into obscurity in the pages of scripture, while Esau, driven by his appetite, falls short of God’s grace, selling his birthright for a fleeting moment of pleasure.
In our lives, we’re confronted with similar choices. Do we chase after earthly desires or invest in eternal treasures? The temptation to seek fulfilment in worldly pleasures may seem enticing, but like Ishmael and Esau, it ultimately leads to emptiness and disappointment.
However, when we set our affections on eternity, we discover true satisfaction in God’s grace. Even amid trials and uncertainties, like barrenness for Rebekah, we can find peace, knowing that God’s purposes are at work. Our struggles become opportunities to draw closer to Him, deepening our reliance on His provision and guidance.
So, as we navigate life’s complexities, let’s heed the wisdom of Scripture. Let’s prioritise eternal values over fleeting pleasures, trusting that God’s grace will sustain and satisfy us. For in seeking the things above, we find fulfillment that transcends the passing allure of earthly appetites.
Reflective Questions:
- Do I prioritise eternal values or worldly pleasures in my daily decisions?
- How do I handle struggles and challenges? Do they drive me closer to God or lead me to seek worldly comforts?
- What adjustments can I make to align my affections more with eternity and less with earthly desires?
- In what areas of my life do I need to surrender worldly appetites and trust in God’s grace for fulfillment?
- How can I cultivate a deeper reliance on God’s promises and purposes, even in the midst of uncertainty and adversity?
Grace Giving
2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. We encourage all of you who are part of our Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour Fellowship family to give without obligation but with a cheerful heart of worship. Your gifts allow God’s work to be done in our surrounding communities. Located on the eastern side of the sanctuary is a container for your grace giving.
Online giving via – Commonwealth Bank
Account name – Calvary Chapel Church Secret Harbour Incorporated
Account – 10891970
BSB – 066-516.
Calvary Chapel Nasinu Let us pray for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to spread through Fiji.