Rob Norman: Commitment | A Culture Of Commitment
In order to usher in a new culture, the old culture must be mercilessly destroyed. Can this also apply to church cultures?
Commitment | A Fulfilled Life
Rob Norman: Commitment | A Fulfilled Life
Real fulfillment can only be found in Christ. Yet, discipleship caries a cost that we measure by questions like “what will it cost me if I do this?”. We may not say that ‘out-loud’, but subconsciously we ‘do the maths’ in terms of time, money and energy. What we don’t often consider is that non-discipleship also carries a cost that can be measured by answering the question “what will it cost if I don’t do this?”
Commitment | Courageous Commitment
Rob Norman: Commitment | Courageous Commitment
As society turns away from God the lives of true Christians stand in greater contrast to the lives of others. We will encounter greater battles and greater persecution. The Christian life will require greater courage.
Commitment | Commit Big!
Rob Norman: Commitment | Commit Big!
We are wired by our creator to gravitate towards causes that are bigger than ourselves. This is what gives our lives ultimate meaning
Commitment | The Cost Of Commitment
Rob Norman: Commitment | The Cost Of Commitment
The parables of the ‘hidden treasure’ and ‘the pearl of great price’ in Matthew 13:44-46 are about God’s absolute commitment to His people. When we understand the magnitude of God’s love for us it becomes natural that when Jesus said “follow me” to his disciples the invitation meant following him all the way into ministry!
Commitment | Three Myths About Commitment
Rob Norman: Commitment | Three Myths About Commitment
The word “commitment” dials up all sorts of anxieties in us. As soon as we hear someone asking us to commit our minds automatically begin looking for an ‘out’, an excuse that precludes us from committing “too heavily”. Commitment, however, is at the very heart of following Jesus.
Commitment | Christ, His Church, His Cause
Rob Norman: Commitment | Christ, His Church, His Cause
Is it possible to be a good Christian and not be fully committed to Christ, His Church and His Cause? Hint: NO!
What Is The Gospel? | Kingdom Power
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Kingdom Power
Most people would agree that if there is a God He would be all powerful and able to reveal himself to us in ways that transcends human understanding.
What Is The Gospel? | Redemptive Community
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Redemptive Community
Incarnational ministry seeks to dispense with ministry “from a distance” and embrace ministry “up close and personal”. If we are to be Jesus to the world then it is imperative we know the person and works of Jesus.
What Is The Gospel? | Justice Fulfilled
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Justice Fulfilled
The Old Testament provides us with a view of Justice that stands apart from all other writings of antiquity. Its pages reveal account after account of consequential justice being executed against a back-sliding Israel because of her breaches against God’s just Law.
What Is The Gospel? | Enlistment To The Kingdom
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Enlistment To The Kingdom
The Gospel is far more than an insurance policy in the event of death or even sickness. The Gospel Jesus and Paul preached was a Gospel that called people to enlist in Kingdom service.
What Is The Gospel? | Sin – No Small Matter
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Sin – No Small Matter
When we talk about sin people get their noes out of joint because we equate ‘sin’ with being a particularly bad person. The truth is, since the fall, in the garden of Eden, only one person in history has been sinless.
What Is The Gospel? | Information To Transformation
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | information to Transformation
Most people in the world have a view of Christianity that is information and built around rules that exclude them. The good news is that Jesus has invited everyone to the table.
What Is The Gospel? | Following Jesus
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Following Jesus
The Gospel Jesus preached included the call to “follow me”. This phrase is recorded as being used directly used by Jesus 20 times in the four Gospel accounts.
What Is The Gospel? | The Gospel According To Jesus
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | The Gospel According To Jesus
The message Jesus preached emphasized the present reality of the kingdom of God through His ministry. This includes the signs of the kingdom: healing, deliverance and the miraculous.
What Is The Gospel? | Introduction
Rob Norman: What Is The Gospel | Introduction
Critics of Christianity and some theologians think that Jesus and Paul preached different gospels. This is where a seemingly simple question “What is the Gospel?” becomes a little more complex, thus requiring us to dig deeper. On the surface it appears that Jesus and Paul had slightly different emphases. Again, this is where we all have a responsibility to study Scripture and understand the big picture, not just our favourite doctrines, themes and verses.
Faith | The Prayer Of Faith
Rob Norman: Faith – The Prayer Of Faith
• Formulas are hardwired recipes that always produce the same outcome if you carefully follow the instructions.
• Processes are flexible paths that respond to various external influences and contexts.
Faith | Faith In The Waiting
Rob Norman: Faith – Faith in The Waiting
When people are subject to a fear of not having enough they open an entry point for a spirit of poverty. This spirit knows no social or economic boundaries.
Faith | Submission To God
Rob Norman: Faith – Submission To God
It is a very sobering thought that God might actually oppose our prayers and practices. Prayers that flow out of ambition and worldly desires could well be on His list!
Faith | A New Way
Rob Norman: Faith – A New Way
James, Chapter 3, makes two very powerful contrasts to highlight the differences between the old man and the new man. These contrasts are evidences that we are born again.
Faith | Listening & Doing
Rob Norman: Faith – Listening & Doing
Faith comes as a result of listening (hearing). As Christians we all need to work on the discipline of listening. Listening is important in hearing God but it is also important in relating to people.
Faith | Trials, Temptations & Faith
Rob Norman: Trials, Temptations & Faith
One of the forgotten qualities of life, in general, that has risen from the latter half of the 20th century is perseverance. We have been conditioned to expect everything to be given to us instantly. Our lifestyles reflect this expectation
Faith | Practical Faith
Rob Norman: Practical Faith
Biblical faith grows and thrives under all conditions because it comes from God not from man. Biblical faith is simple and yet robust, it doesn’t relay on certain outcomes, such as health, wealth or even acceptance by others.
Vineyard Institute Q2 : Intro To Modern & Contemporary Gnosticism
Rob Norman: Intro To Modern & Contemporary Gnosticism
Modern day Gnostics tend to over spiritualize everything. Often they ignore the historical teachings of Scripture and wise counsel from mature Christians, instead claiming that God has “told” them to leave their church, divorce their spouse, break a family relationship, etc.
Easter Sunday | The Resurrection
Rob Norman: The Resurrection
There are at least 12 different appearances of Christ in the resurrection accounts, beginning with Mary and ending with Paul. They were physical, tangible experiences with Christ eating, speaking and allowing himself to be touched by them. On one occasion he appeared to over 500 people.