Author: Ben (Page 17 of 35)
Let’s make the most of what we’ve got.
There are a lot of things we can’t do at the moment: we can’t gather together for Church, we can’t visit our family members, we can’t play sport or many other things.
But we can still gather together in a virtual way through YouTube, Zoom, Facebook and phone calls. We can open the Word of God and encourage each other, we can draw near to God in prayer, calling upon the Holy Spirit to be at work in us to make us more like Christ. We can proclaim the good news of Christ in new and creative ways to a world that needs Jesus Christ!
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.”
2 Timothy 2:8-9
We are currently held captive in our homes (sort of), but the Word of God is not, let’s allow the Word of God to do it’s work in our lives, and in the lives of others!
I’m really excited to preach through the book of 1 Samuel with you over the next 8 weeks. I had intended to challenge you all to be regular at Church this term. With many competing priorities in our lives it’s easy to let attendance at Church slip down the priority list (and I notice this happens all too often). But when we do this, we’re not the only ones who miss out. Our brothers and sisters are all the poorer for our absence.
When you are faithful at ‘turning up’ at Church – it has a profound positive impact on your brothers and sisters in Christ. It encourages them. It spurs them on. And it allows you to exercise your gifts in serving them. It also has a profound positive impact on your family members. It says to your children, “Church is a priority, we need to make Jesus our number one!”
So, this term, for everyone who ‘turns up’ every week (which simply means watching along on YouTube during lockdown weeks) I’ll have a chocolate bar reward for you on the final Sunday of term!
Yours in Him,
Ben
This Sunday we will finally conquer the book of Luke! We began in January 2017 when Phil Parker preached. Do you remember? Were you there? We’ve spent at least a term each year working through it, and this Sunday will be the 70th sermon on Luke – approx 24 hours of preaching! (you can listen to them all here). Luke begins his gospel with these words:
‘Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eye witnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.’
We have been encouraged in our faith, we have been shored up in our certain hope in the gospel promises of forgiveness of sins and eternal life in Jesus Christ. Luke’s gospel has served us well.
It is such a great joy and treasure that we can open up God’s Word whenever we like and read it! It is an even greater treasure to be able to share in it together as we gather Sunday by Sunday and at other times.
Next week we’ll embark on an 8 week journey looking at the book of 1 Samuel. It’s a book full of rich drama and intrigue as the Kingship is established in Israel and God’s true Kingship of his people is explored. I can’t wait!
Yours in Him,
Ben
