Myrtle House Podcast

In this sermon, Bill Chapman draws on his love of sailing to illustrate how Jesus is the "steady keel" in our lives, keeping us on course amidst life's challenges. Using sailing imagery, he explains that just as a boat needs both a sail and a keel to navigate, we too need the right balance in our spiritual lives. The sail represents our character and our direction, while the keel represents Jesus, who stabilises and grounds us. Without a keel, a sailboat is at the mercy of the wind, drifting wherever the wind blows it. Likewise, without the steady foundation of Jesus in our lives, we are prone to being tossed about by the pressures and circumstances we face. The keel, however, gives the boat stability and helps it move forward in the direction it is meant to go, no matter the strength of the wind or the height of the waves. Bill emphasizes that in life, we will face challenges, storms, and adversity, but if our "keel" is secure—anchored in Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit—we will remain on course. He uses Hebrews 2:1 (MSG), reminding us to hold firm to what we have learned so we don’t drift away. He also links the concept of the steady keel to the Apostles' Creed, which summarizes the core of Christian faith. Just as a boat’s keel must be well-formed to endure the wind, our lives must be rooted in the truths of our faith—God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, Bill encourages us to understand what our keel is—our faith in God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—and to rely on it in order to navigate through the pressures of life. No matter how difficult or overwhelming the journey becomes, trusting in God as our steady keel will ensure we remain on course, moving forward toward His purpose for us.

This week at Myrtle House Community Church, Ellen delivered a thought-provoking message titled "Time for a Reset." She challenged us to reflect on our walk with Jesus and ask ourselves: What do we want to do for Him? The Word of God is our guide, helping us understand all that He has for us. But are we true to who we are in Christ? Are we living in obedience to His commands? These are the questions that should stir our hearts and minds as we seek to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Taking Stock: A Call to Reflection Sometimes, we need to pause and take stock of our lives. Are we truly living for Jesus? Are we sharing His love with others? Who is following our example? How can we play our part in expanding the Kingdom of God? The answer lies in prayer. Prayer is our direct communication with God and the foundation of our faith journey. It is through prayer that we align our lives with God's will and reset our focus on what truly matters. Jesus' Commands: A Daily Commitment The Bible is filled with Jesus' teachings and commands—clear instructions on how we should live our lives. A command is not an option; it is a directive to be followed daily. Ellen highlighted several key passages that remind us of what Jesus asks of us: Matthew 4:17 – "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near." We are called to be a people of repentance. Matthew 4:19 – Jesus says, "Come, follow me," inviting us to become more like Him. Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before all people." Are we shining brightly and reflecting Jesus? Matthew 5:37 – Are we people of integrity, keeping our word? Matthew 5:40-42 – Jesus challenges us to go the extra mile and serve others beyond expectations. Matthew 5:43-44 – "Love your enemies." God's strength enables us to love even the most difficult people. Matthew 6:33 – "Seek first the Kingdom of God." Are we putting Him first in our lives? Matthew 7:7 – We are called to ask, seek, and knock—trusting God with our needs. Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus commands us to "make disciples of all nations." Are we actively doing this? A Lifestyle of Following Jesus Living for Jesus is not just about knowing His commands; it's about putting them into action. Our lifestyles tell a story—do they reflect Christ's love, grace, and truth? Jesus calls us to: Be hungry and thirsty for the things of God (John 6:35). Guard our hearts and minds (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). Stay alert and keep watch (Matthew 13:33-37). Deny ourselves and put others first (Luke 9:23-24). A Wake-Up Call: What is Jesus Saying to You Today? As we reflect on these scriptures, we must ask ourselves: What is Jesus calling me to change? Where do I need to tighten up? Am I living with fervour and passion for Him? Am I following Jesus wholeheartedly? Each of us has an assignment—to follow Jesus and His commands, to live with compassion and power, and to bring Him glory in all we do. Moving Forward: How Do We Reset? The key to resetting our spiritual walk is found in: Prayer – Spending intentional time communicating with God. The Word – Immersing ourselves in scripture and allowing it to shape our lives. Obedience – Acting on what we know Jesus has called us to do. Community – Walking alongside others in faith, encouraging one another. Conclusion: Bringing Glory to Jesus At the end of the day, our goal is to bring Jesus glory and to become more like Him each day. As we take time to reset, let’s ask ourselves: What do I want to do for Jesus? Let’s be people who pray, who love, who serve, and who share His message with the world. It’s time to get up, be awakened, and step into all that God has for us. Let’s reset our focus and commit to following Jesus with all our hearts.

Life with Jesus is a journey—one of transformation. He changes us from the inside out, and every day, He continues His work in us. One Body, Many Parts 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 reminds us that the Church is one body made up of many different parts. Each of us has a unique role to play in God’s kingdom, and no one is without purpose. "All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it." (1 Corinthians 12:27) We need each other – No part of the body can function alone. Just as an eye needs a hand and a foot needs a leg, we are dependent on one another to build the Church. We all have gifts – God has given us different talents and abilities. If you don’t know yours yet, ask God to reveal it to you. We are called to community – Meeting together, whether in Life Groups or Sunday services, strengthens our faith and allows us to grow together in Christ. Ask yourself: What role has God given me in His body? Controlling the Tongue James 3:1-18 teaches us about the power of our words. Our tongues may be small, but they have the ability to build up or tear down. "The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire." (James 3:5) Our words have power – Proverbs 18:21 tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.” What we say can bring encouragement and healing or cause harm. We must choose our words carefully – James 1:26 warns that if we do not bridle our tongues, our faith is worthless. Speak words of grace and encouragement – Ephesians 4:29 reminds us that only wholesome talk should come from our mouths, bringing grace to those who hear. How Can We Control Our Tongue? Rely on the Holy Spirit – James 3:8 says no human can tame the tongue, but with God’s help, we can. Guard our hearts – “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) What we fill our hearts with will eventually come out in our words. Be intentional with our speech – Proverbs 15:4 says “a gentle tongue is a tree of life.” Our words should bring life, not destruction. Key Scriptures to Hold On To: “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Colossians 4:6) “Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24) Final Thoughts We are called to be part of the body of Christ, using our gifts to serve and encourage one another. At the same time, we must be mindful of our words, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our speech so that it brings life and not destruction. What is the gift God has placed in your hand? Ask Him today. How can you use your words to build up those around you? Let’s be people who uplift, encourage, and speak life! Romans 12:2 – Ask God to change the way you think and be an example with your words. Let’s commit to using our words wisely and embracing our role in the body of Christ!

This week at Myrtle House Community Church, Ellen delivered a thought-provoking message titled "Time for a Reset." She challenged us to reflect on our walk with Jesus and ask ourselves: What do we want to do for Him? The Word of God is our guide, helping us understand all that He has for us. But are we true to who we are in Christ? Are we living in obedience to His commands? These are the questions that should stir our hearts and minds as we seek to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Taking Stock: A Call to Reflection Sometimes, we need to pause and take stock of our lives. Are we truly living for Jesus? Are we sharing His love with others? Who is following our example? How can we play our part in expanding the Kingdom of God? The answer lies in prayer. Prayer is our direct communication with God and the foundation of our faith journey. It is through prayer that we align our lives with God's will and reset our focus on what truly matters. Jesus' Commands: A Daily Commitment The Bible is filled with Jesus' teachings and commands—clear instructions on how we should live our lives. A command is not an option; it is a directive to be followed daily. Ellen highlighted several key passages that remind us of what Jesus asks of us: Matthew 4:17 – "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is near." We are called to be a people of repentance. Matthew 4:19 – Jesus says, "Come, follow me," inviting us to become more like Him. Matthew 5:16 – "Let your light shine before all people." Are we shining brightly and reflecting Jesus? Matthew 5:37 – Are we people of integrity, keeping our word? Matthew 5:40-42 – Jesus challenges us to go the extra mile and serve others beyond expectations. Matthew 5:43-44 – "Love your enemies." God's strength enables us to love even the most difficult people. Matthew 6:33 – "Seek first the Kingdom of God." Are we putting Him first in our lives? Matthew 7:7 – We are called to ask, seek, and knock—trusting God with our needs. Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus commands us to "make disciples of all nations." Are we actively doing this? A Lifestyle of Following Jesus Living for Jesus is not just about knowing His commands; it's about putting them into action. Our lifestyles tell a story—do they reflect Christ's love, grace, and truth? Jesus calls us to: Be hungry and thirsty for the things of God (John 6:35). Guard our hearts and minds (1 Corinthians 16:13-14). Love our neighbours as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40). Stay alert and keep watch (Matthew 13:33-37). Deny ourselves and put others first (Luke 9:23-24). A Wake-Up Call: What is Jesus Saying to You Today? As we reflect on these scriptures, we must ask ourselves: What is Jesus calling me to change? Where do I need to tighten up? Am I living with fervour and passion for Him? Am I following Jesus wholeheartedly? Each of us has an assignment—to follow Jesus and His commands, to live with compassion and power, and to bring Him glory in all we do. Moving Forward: How Do We Reset? The key to resetting our spiritual walk is found in: Prayer – Spending intentional time communicating with God. The Word – Immersing ourselves in scripture and allowing it to shape our lives. Obedience – Acting on what we know Jesus has called us to do. Community – Walking alongside others in faith, encouraging one another. Conclusion: Bringing Glory to Jesus At the end of the day, our goal is to bring Jesus glory and to become more like Him each day. As we take time to reset, let’s ask ourselves: What do I want to do for Jesus? Let’s be people who pray, who love, who serve, and who share His message with the world. It’s time to get up, be awakened, and step into all that God has for us. Let’s reset our focus and commit to following Jesus with all our hearts.

In the run up to 'Missions Week' we have three short but encouraging messages on the subject of mission, both on a local, national and international level.