Week beginning 12th February

Sorry this one is out of sequence.  But better late than never.

Song: Ho, reapers in the whitened harvest! 

Ho Reapers In The Whitened Harvest | Nairobi East Chorale - YouTube

Reading: Psalm 130

Song: Open my eyes that I may see, 

Open My Eyes That I May See ~ Joslin Grove Choral Society ~ lyric video - YouTube

Reading:  Isaiah chapter 26 and chapter 27 verse 1.

Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, who hears us when we pray in faith. forgive us that we have not been all that you want us to be we have said things we regret . We do not always have patience to wait for you, we try and fail in our own strength we are truly sorry. Lord forgive us. Give us perseverance. fill us with your love and peace.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hears us when we pray in faith, we bring our prayers to you; for the Church, the world and for ourselves. Lord, we give thanks for all who have dedicated their lives to you, for all who work in your church today, especially asking for protection on those who are persecuted for their faith. As the gospel is bravely spread by those who fear for their lives, as well as by us who live in freedom, we pray for the growth of the church in our generation.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hears us when we pray in faith. we pray for the many nations of the world torn apart by war, poverty, natural disasters and dictatorship. Be with all who have difficult decisions to make and are not sure which way to turn. Guide them in your righteous ways, to make the right choices for the good of all. We pray for all who endeavour to break the chains of injustice, to free the oppressed, to share food with the hungry, welcome and clothe the homeless and care for the poor. Inspire the hearts of all concerned that they may turn to you and know of your mercy and love, even in the darkest of days.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hears us when we pray in faith. we pray for our our Church for our homes, our neighbours, schools and places of work, for those sitting alongside us now. We thank you for those who sustain local life and for voluntary organisations that care for every need. We remember those who live amongst us who have lost hope, who live in fear, those who have turned away from you, those who live in darkness. Give us the grace and courage to be all you have called us to be, as your church. May we be available and committed to spend time with those in need, not to bring attention to ourselves but to point everyone to the good and loving, saving God that you are.

Almighty and everlasting God, who hears us when we pray in faith we pray for all who will find this day long and hard, for those in hospital and care homes for all who are ill at home, those struggling with despair or depression, those waiting for important news, or a friend to call, those struggling to pay their bills, to feed their children, the rough sleepers and the unemployed. We pray particularly for those for who this day will be their last. For all in need, may we sit alongside them, being prepared to rearrange our schedule, to listen and to give our time as we serve you in faithfulness. We name in our hearts any people we know in special need Comfort and strengthen all those who suffer in body mind or spirit and give them courage and hope as they go forward.

Almighty and everlasting God, we give thanks that life is eternal. We remember those who have recently died in faith, and those whose anniversary falls at this time and ask that they will be comforted by your outstretched arms of love.

Almighty and everlasting God, as we begin a new week, may we daily invite your Holy Spirit into our lives, to help us to love and serve, and shine in ways that reflect your character, your truth, your grace, mercy, love and compassion. Almighty and everlasting God, Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.   Amen

The Lords Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, lead us not into temptation, but

Deliver us from evil For thine is the kingdom the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Let’s start with a question:

In average, how long does a person has to wait for a heart transplant in the UK if they are on the non-urgent list? [guesses]

According to the NHS, in 2022: from 18 to 24months!

But in September 2018, the longest waiting heart-transplant-patient in the UK was a 45yo man from Stockport called Gareth Evans.

And he once said in an interview: “…having to tell the family you may not make it, is the most difficult thing to do. Thankfully we are all positive and always look to the future.”

At that point, Mr Evans had been waiting for a new heart for 9 years… And he had spent the last months in hospital, patiently waiting for a new donor.

Isaiah chapters 24 to 27 are sometimes called “Isaiah’s Apocalypse” by some people who have studied them and found similarities with the book of Revelation.

Some of these people understand that these 4 chapters in Isaiah only describe the last days in the future… But when we read the book of Revelation, we can find passages about the future, but also what happened to the 7 churches in the past, for examples…

So, I believe it’s more helpful to read books like Isaiah with the idea of layers in mind (a past layer and future layer), which will hopefully help us with the application of our passage today when it comes to our waiting for the Lord to fulfil His promises…

I will not be able to cover every verse. But, in order to help us as we have a very quick look at the text, I divided Isaiah 26 v1 to 27 v1 in 2 parts:

First: A Song (vv1 to 19 of chapter 26); and

Second: An Encouragement (vv20 to 21 of chap 26 to chap 27 v1)

And the main point I would like you to take home is:

“The Lord will bring peace & justice in the end. So patiently trust Him as you wait.”

Starting with the first part, which is a song of thanksgiving, we have the continuation of the comparison that Isaiah has been doing in previous chapters between a temporary city (which represents all evil & human sin), and an eternal city (which God himself stablished, full of those who have waited & trusted Him for salvation).

The expression “in that day” of v1 has been mentioned in previous chapters as well: in chapter 24 it stands for the day when God will punish natural & supernatural beings for their evil. And in chapter 25, it comes right after the indication that God will wipe every tear away, and will destroy death forever.

So, in that day (when what is wrong will be made right) God’s people will praise God with this song.

In vv16 to 18 of this song, we see that God’s people in the Old Testament were not able to “give birth”, as it were, to salvation for the earth, even after all the distress they went through as God disciplined them for rejecting Him.

On the other hand, as v1 tells us, the walls of God’s city are made of salvation since He is the one who can bring it.

So, it does not seem to be a physical city (surrounded by walls of stone or concrete that can be destroyed). Rather, it is a symbol of a secure place of salvation that cannot be destroyed by any war.

And more of this deep security can be found in verses 3 & 12 of this song…

V3 says God will keep in perfect peace those whose minds have stayed upon Him, the reason being that they have firmly trusted in Him.

That’s why God’s people must patiently trust Him as they wait for His salvation.

V12 points to what happened in the past regarding God’s peace, reminding us that God has established peace for his people in certain periods in the past.

And the next verses point to God’s people’s journey as a whole, where we find rulers (such as Pharaoh and Canaanite kings) who were immediately destroyed or who completely lost their power over time since they tried to exterminate those who waited in God for their salvation.

So, we can trust that God will bring peace again, since He did that in the past when He delivered the Israelites from their enemies in specific situations…

And no-one can say that it happened because God has favourites...

The Bible shows that, in times of rebellion, the nation of Israel went through times of “child-birth-like” pains, as God Himself punished them to the point they only had strength to whisper their prayers (as we see in v16).

So the just destruction of that symbolic human city that Isaiah has been mentioning (especially in chapters 24 & 25), will be a final demonstration of God’s perfect justice that He will bring in the end.

And here in chapter 26, we see in verses 5 & 6 that those who will be brought low are the arrogant ones, while those who will benefit from God’s justice are those that have been oppressed, and those who have been financially neglected…

All the pride, evil, rebellion & sin that humans have practiced since the fall of Adam & Eve, and have NOT repented of (even after God has clearly shown them His grace, in v10), will be judged & punished by the Judge of the universe (from whom our sense of justice comes from).

Therefore, unlike the human city that is destined to destruction, God’s city will stand strong within its walls of salvation. And, as we can see glimpses of it in the Bible and in church history, the Lord will bring peace & justice in the end to those who patiently trust Him as they wait.

So having this in mind… let’s move to the second part:

An Encouragement (vv20 to 21 of chap 26 & chap 27 v1)

In vv20 & 21, Isaiah now addresses God’s people, urging them to hide in the Lord (not in a physical place that can be destroyed). But he also encourages them by saying that, even though they will have to wait… it is only for a little while until God’s wrath has passed by… so they just need to be patient and to wait…

And, before the Lord brings judgement & then peace in the end, God’s people would experience difficult times of hardship as they patiently wait for his rescue.

Waiting patiently is very difficult for most people, since it is like accepting that we have no power to get what we want. And I think it is especially hard when we do not see much justice or peace around us.

Yet, if we look at Isaiah 26 v21 and then chapter 27 v1, we can see that God is not ignoring the situation in which the world has been since the fall of humanity in Genesis.

The Lord has already prepared a punishment to come upon evil & sin, including those crimes that were done in secret and were never punished by human justice… The earth will disclose the blood shed on it, and those responsible for it will have to pay.

Additionally, chapter 27 v1 encourages us by saying that God will permanently destroy the enemy of His people, called here: “Leviathan”.

We find similar ideas in other parts of the Bible.

For example, the beasts of Daniel 7 emerge from the sea; Revelation 13 speaks of a seven-headed beast coming from the sea; and the psalmist used the name “Leviathan” to describe Egypt, a deadly enemy of Israel.

So, Leviathan was a symbol of all evil powers in opposition to God’s people. And, considering verse 13 of this chapter 27, I believe that possibly Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria are here represented under the symbolism of: the gliding serpent, the coiling serpent, and the monster in the sea, respectively – pointing to us today (in 2023) that God has defeated these enemies, and these powerful Empires no longer exist.

Also, it is quite likely that Isaiah saw behind these human kingdoms: Satan himself, who is working through world authorities in opposition to God’s kingdom.

If we go back and look at Isaiah 24 vv21 & 22, we can believe that Satan’s final punishment will happen in the end. And we Christians probably remember that part of this prophecy against Satan has already happened thanks to the death & resurrection of Jesus… For example, in John 12 Jesus Himself says:

“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”

In the next chapters of Isaiah, we are told that the future of God’s people in God’s City would only be possible through the Messiah who would bring God’s kingdom.

In the Bible and in church history we can see that THAT layer of this promise has been fulfilled. Jesus Himself says in the New Testament:

“The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent, and believe the good news!”

And in His ministry we can see clear signs of the beginning of this future-reality that God has prepared. Therefore, we can confidently believe that: the Lord will bring peace & justice in the end to those who patiently trust Him as they wait.

Now… let’s think about a few application-questions for us today:

As I said before, waiting patiently is very difficult for most people… Whether you are waiting for a heart transplant, a life-changing court decision, the birth of a child, and etc…Waiting is really hard.

And it is hard also when we do not see much justice or peace around us.

But in the biblical context of Isaiah: “waiting” is not a passive acceptance of things that are wrong... Rather, it is actively walking in God’s ways and patiently trusting that He will deal with human sin permanently.

So…

-after seeing everything that is happening in the world recently, do we still trust that God is able to bring justice & peace in the end? Or have we started to doubt Him, and have given up on waiting?

-are we still waiting for God’s rescue, or has our perspective changed because of the hard times we’re going through, or because of the wars & injustice that we see in the world?

-what or who are we trusting to give us peace now? And what or who has been our hiding place when we’re struggling?

-have we become so used to this life here that we’re longing for earthly comfort instead of waiting for what God has promised?

The Lord can give us what we need to patiently trust Him. So please ask Him to do it, and to change our perspective about what’s really important and what it means to wait for Him.

Many earthly things in life are worth waiting for: an organ transplant, a missing family member, a court decision… But what is eternal is even more important (since it will never end). So the eternal things are even more worth the wait, because they’ll never be taken away from us!

We Christians can do like the heart transplant patient that I mentioned at the beginning, and look to the future that the Bible shows that is coming. But we can also already see in the Bible and in history the layers of fulfilment of the promises God has made in the past, especially the ones fulfilled in Christ.

Therefore, remember that the Lord will bring peace & justice in the end. So patiently trust Him as you WAIT.

Poem by Deborah Ann Belka

Those who wait on the Lord,

Those who wait on the Lord, shall ride out the storm ahead
they shall climb over any doubt for they are Spirit lead.

Those who wait on the Lord, shall fly against the strongest gust
they shall soar above their sorrow because in God they trust.

Those who wait on the Lord, shall run a good and faithful race
they shall not grow faint or weary for they are filled with His grace.

Those who wait on the Lord, shall walk the talk they believe in
they shall go up against this world and not get caught up in sin.

Those who wait on the Lord, shall arise and take their stand
they shall rise up against temptation for they put their life in His hand.

Those who wait on the Lord, shall conquer every doubt and fear
they shall endure to the end for they know His Kingdom is near!

Song: I will sing I will sing unto the Lord

I Will Sing, I Will Sing A Song Unto The Lord Song Lyrics Video - Divine Hymns - YouTube

Week beginning 19th February

 Apologies for the lack of a post for week beginning 12th February.  There were technical issues which I hope to resolve.  If we can overcome the problem soon, There will be a service added for this week, but of course, it will be out of sequence.

Song:

You’re the word of God the Father

You’re the Word of God the Father (Across the Lands - 6vv+refrain) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading:

Isaiah chapter 61

Prayer:

Father, it would hardly surprise us to learn that you had long ago given us up as hopeless. Certainly we often feel like despairing if ourselves, when we remember the temptations we have wilfully sought out, the danger signals we have recklessly ignored, the harm we have done to ourselves and to others. This is the tale we have to tell, and it is sickeningly familiar.

Yet, you have not abandoned us, nor rejected us. Far from giving us up as hopeless, you have kept on coming to look for us. When we see Jesus eating with sinners, we know there is hope for us. May his love be brought home to our hearts by your spirit today.

Amen

Song:

God’s spirit is in my heart

God's Spirit is in My Heart (He Sent Me to give the Good News to the Poor) (Singing the Faith 404) - YouTube

Reading:

Matthew’s gospel, chapter 11: verses 1 to 10

Song:

I the Lord of sea and sky

I, the Lord of Sea and Sky (Here I Am, Lord - 3vv+refrain) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading:

Isaiah chapter 58: verses 6 to 9

During the coming month, there is a campaign on Sheffield to prayer walk the whole city. Watch this video about the project. Perhaps, if you are not in Sheffield, you can pray for us here, or perhaps you can be inspired to prayer walk in your own community. Do not underestimate the power of prayer.

Video: from “Arise”

Arise:March 2023 - you are here for such a time as this - YouTube

Song:

The love of God comes close

474 The love of God comes close - YouTube

“Annual income; twenty pounds, annual expenditure; nineteen pounds nineteen and six , (97½p) result happiness.
Annual income; twenty pounds, annual expenditure; twenty pounds ought and six, (2½p) result misery” Mr Micawber, Charles Dickens

What is our experience of poverty? Our chapel at Mayfield is sitting in one of the most affluent, and least deprived constituencies in the country. The area with the highest proportion of academically qualified people in the country.

We can get on a bus at the top of the hill, (the 83a) which leads to a constituency in the bottom 10. Sheffield is a divided city.

There can be hidden poverty. People whose circumstances change after moving house. People made redundant. People with obsolete skills. People with unsaleable property. People on fixed incomes. They may have relatively high incomes by some standards, but still are experiencing poverty

Poverty restricts opportunity. Opportunity to eat, to think, to choose, to hope, to aspire, to relax, to love and so much more. Maybe you are reading this, and you have never had to want for anything. Pause for a moment, and consider how your mind works when you are hungry, cold, ill or stressed… Most people just want to be left alone, preferably in a dark room; you certainly don’t want to apply yourself to a major task that requires any level of thinking. Consider the person that has been hungry, cold and stressed for months on end. Add to that the responsibility of bringing up children, not to mention the stress it would put on any relationship.

The ‘Great American Dream’ uses the ‘Boot Strap’ philosophy, that if you work hard enough you will succeed, and it uses Actors & Sports Stars living in Hollywood to prove the point, especially those who have ‘rose from the gutter.’ But they are the exception, and it fails to acknowledge the millions who live in poverty and work hard, long hours just to exist. The cynic may well ask ‘Is the American Dream just about motivating the poor to work harder, to make the rich richer, by selling them an unrealistic, materialistic dream?’

This paper seeks to help us as Christians to consider poverty in light of the Gospel (Good News to the Poor, Matthew’s gospel, chapter 11, verses 4 to 6) and the priorities that the Gospel sets for us as the Church.

Poverty devalues a person. Devalues them in their own estimation and in the estimation of society. Dignity is far more important than we may first realise and it’s Jesus who demonstrated this priority. If we ignore dignity as an essential to any type of provision, we devalue the person. Companies and advertisers know this when selling to the rich, so why are those who are vulnerable not given the same priority. For example, sticking people in high-rise concrete flats, so when they open their front door, all they see is a grey concrete wall a few feet away, robs them of dignity, value, and hope. Jesus speaking about poverty said, “consider the lily of the valley!” He was speaking to those concerned where they’re next meal or clothes would come from, and He got them to consider the beauty, of a wild, free, flower for hope. In the same breath He was offering them the love of His family and a relationship with His heavenly Father, this is true dignity.

Jesus publicly defended the marginalised and made their dignity a priority of His ministry and the Gospel. At His first public sermon He read one of Isaiah’s prophecies’ about the coming Messiah’s ministry…..

“the Lord has anointed me. He has sent me to preach good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the prisoners and recovery of sight to the blind, to liberate the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.” ^{Luke 4:16-19}

Once in the Temple, observing the wealthy offering big donations, Jesus pointed out a ‘poor widow’ who gave just two small coins (Luke’s gospel, chapter 21, verses 1 to 4) Jesus said that she had given more than everyone else. He acknowledged her act of true worship because it isn’t money or status that gives us dignity. In Bethany, a week before He was arrested, Mary the sister of Lazarus poured very expensive perfume over Jesus, “this perfume could have been sold and given to the poor!” accused Judas. Again, Jesus looked beyond the monetary value, and acknowledged this woman’s act of true worship, but in answer to Judas, He said, “You will always have the poor among you” (John’s gospel, chapter 12, verse 8). I don’t believe that Jesus was saying that this is a desirable state, but that the opportunity to do something about it would always be there. The jar of perfume could not solve the issues of poverty, no matter how expensive it was. You can’t just give money and then turn your back. Poverty isn’t an issue that you can fix like a broken bike, or an item ticked off on your To Do List. Yes, we all need food and money to live, but the dignity of the person cannot be addressed with money alone, but love, friendship, hope and ultimately a relationship with God.

Ask these three simple questions to any of the following stories Lazarus and the Rich Man (Luke’s gospel. Chapter 16, verse 19), The Rich Young Ruler (Mark’s gospel, chapter 10, verse 17), Zacchaeus (Luke’s gospel, chapter 19, verse 1), and The Woman at the Well (John’s gospel. Chapter 4, verse 1)^.

1. Where was the poverty?

2. Where was true fulfilment/satisfaction found or lost?

3. Who found or lost dignity and how?

Compassion and understanding for those experiencing poverty

When seeking to help someone who is vulnerable, we must guard against trying to be their saviour. In the Woman at the Well story, it was Jesus who asked her for water. When Bartimaeus who was blind cried out for help (Mark’s gospel, chapter 19, verse 46), Jesus asked him, “What do you want me to do for you?

We need to seek to understand those who are struggling and not presume we know what problems they are facing.

Consider why we might ask “How did you get into this situation?” Is this question necessary? Is it really us seeking to judge the person in need? Or to justify our own life choices and situation?

Also asking someone to explain how they came to this point, could be very traumatic. Recounting their story could carry immense emotional stress. Failure of a business, abuse, family breakup, unemployment; or to a refugee it could be the trauma of war, losing their home and family, even the journey to this country. How could anyone unpack this to a stranger.

In understanding Grace remember: - Love is patient, and kind, it is not envious, nor does it boast, or is proud. It does not dishonour others, nor is it self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs. it rejoices in the truth, always protects, trusts, always hopes, and perseveres.

Now if someone, starts telling you, voluntarily their story, of course we listen, take them seriously and respect their confidence. Maybe we could say “If at any time you want to tell me about your situation, I’m here to listen.”

Practical Action – How do we respond?

It could well be that as you read this, you’re the one struggling to make ends meet. You wish you had the resources to help others, but you’re struggling to heat your own home, feed yourself or your family. Maybe it’s time that you’re short of, or your health is not what it used to be, and you don’t have the physical energy or strength to volunteer.

Being honest and open about our situation is the best place to start, and with this can come mutual support and friendship. Apparently, there was a time in Lancashire, when people didn’t have their own ovens, and they would take their uncooked stew to the Bakers before work, and when the Baker had finished baking his bread, he’d load the oven with peoples Hot Pots. On the way home from work, they would then collect their steaming Hotpot. Maybe we need to re-learn the practice of sharing and receiving hospitality, warmth, food, and friendship with our neighbours.

Jesus, throughout his ministry accepted hospitality from others, from Pharisees, Tax Collectors, Samaritans, and close friends. He fed thousands, provided a BBQ on a beach for cold, hungry, tired fishermen. In offering hope, support, love and hospitality we demonstrate the heart of the Gospel, full forgiveness, a home and family embrace in heaven. Jesus described Heaven in one place as a Kings Wedding Feast for those living under hedgerows and they were even given a set of quality clothes with the invite. At another feast He spoke of the humble being elevate to the most important seat at the banquet.

Viewers of “Great Continental Railway Journeys” with Michael Portillo may have seen his visit to Nice. There he walked along La Promenade des Anglais. The English walkway. Why?

Starting in the mid 18^th century, Nice was a fashionable destination for the English aristocracy to spend winter. In 1820, a bad winter had resulted in a large number of beggars coming into the city.

The members of the Holy Trinity church in Nice decided, along with the Reverend Lewis Way, decided to fund the building of a walkway along the seafront, providing work for the unemployed. The walkway was named La Promenade des Anglais. Not all churches can undertake work on this scale, but even small scale projects can make a big difference.

Why not Google? (Other search engines are available.)

What’s going on in your area?

Use Google maps and Street View to pray for your area.

Look up where your local Food Banks, Citizen Advice, Food Share Programs etc. Pray for them. Consider how you could get involved.

In our area there is a company that provide Suits people suits and training for interviews. They can also provide clothing for when you start a job.

What’s on offer in your area? Can you advertise these projects at your church and pray for them.

Do you have activities like Warm Spaces or coffee morning, where you can link up with those who are struggling?

Look up Christians Against Poverty (CAP) and see what they offer. Maybe you could invite someone from CAP to come and speak at your church.

Song:

Beauty for brokenness

Beauty for brokenness - YouTube

Week beginning 5th February.

 Song: Come, now is the time

Come, Now is the Time to Worship by Kim Hill - YouTube

Prayer:

Father, thank you for the privilege of meeting and bringing you our prayers. We pray for those who have to worship in secret. We pray that you will open your treasure store of blessings to everyone who meets in your name. Amen

Reading: Genesis, chapter 23

Song: Because of you

Because of You (There's a Place) - YouTube

Reading: Acts, chapter 9, verses 1 to 22

Prayer:

Almighty God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, we thank you for your Son, Jesus, the Messiah. We believe that no power can stand against you for ever. Help us to remember this when we see evil apparently unchecked in the world.

We pray for the church worldwide, and ask your blessing on all who call on your name. We especially remember those who encounter daily danger because of their faith. Hunt down those who persecute your followers and convert them to your service as you did Saul.

We pray for time when every knee shall bow in your name and every tongue confess you.

We pray for the state of the world, and pray for your light to overcome the darkness.

Song: King of Kings

We pray for cruel, corrupt and incompetent government; for the homeless; for victims of violence, crime, disease and disaster.

We pray that the agencies that care may be adequately resourced. May governments have wisdom, courage, clarity and compassion.

May harsh governments repent and become a blessing and not a burden to their people.

May people be salt and light, and turn the hearts of their persecutors.

Amen.

King of Kings, Majesty - YouTube

The second letter to Timothy, chapter 3, verses 16 and 17 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” So, what does this rather obscure passage from the book of Genesis, and a better known passage from Acts have to say to us in the 21sr century?

We know that Sarah died aged 127 in Canaan. Canaan had been promised to Abraham, but at this point he did not own any part of it. He makes a polite, and respectful offer top buy a bit. He goes on to reject a free offer, he takes a longer term view and wants a legally binding solution. He again offers to buy for money, and even though Ephron offers it as a gift, he says that he will give money. Eventually a price is agreed in silver, about 45kg, or somewhere in the region of £27000 at today’s prices.

The land became his possession. The sale was witnessed, and would be remembered. It was a permanent place.

Is this just a history lesson? No, it is an illustration of the benefits of persistence, he gets what he wants through his efforts. He kept plugging away, he made sure that all was fair and above board.

As Christians, we are strangers and sojourners in the world. We are just passing through. Rather in the same way as Abraham was in Canaan.

We must be respectful to the powers of this world, without kow-towing to them. We need to live at peace if we are to win people for Christ.

Saul leaned that “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18). Saul fell whilst trying to win a territory already bought and paid for by Christ. In this fall, he learned who called the shots.

Ananias, is a quiet hero. He was reluctant, as he feared for his own safety, but he went, and the rest is now history. Saul became Paul

In the modern world, there are those who once had the spirit of Saul taking upon themselves the spirit of Paul.

Abraham Lincoln once said “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”

God chooses his vessels, and what they do. We believe that nothing is impossible with God.

“if you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10, v9)

This is really very simple, but some find it difficult. May we help others to find this simple truth.

Song: I stand amazed in the presence

My Saviour's Love - YouTube

Week beginning 29th January 2023

 

It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.

Psalm 92

Song: O worship the king,

O Worship the King, All Glorious Above (Tune: Hanover - 6vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Prayer:

Almighty and merciful God, We bring you our humble thanks for your goodness; for your love in redeeming us; for your grace and hope of glory.

Give us a sense of beauty. May our lips and live be devoted to serving you through the coming week.

In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, and the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen

Song: How deep the father’s love for us,

How Deep the Fathers Love for Us - Stuart Townend - YouTube

Reading: Psalm 14

Song: There is a redeemer,

There is a Redeemer by Sarah Groves lyrics - YouTube

Reading: Luke’s gospel, chapter 4, verses 14 to 30

Prayer:

Heavenly Father. Thank you for the privilege of being able to meet with you, and each other freely. We know that we can meet with you any time and any place, but it is good to set aside a time for you.

Forgive our lack of faithfulness, and forgive our doubts. When doubts overwhelm us, we pray that you will be there with us and support us.

We pray for victims of harassment, persecution and imprisonment. Where there are Christians who have to meet in secret, we give thanks for their continued witness and faithfulness. We pray for all who bring your light into the darkest of places.

We pray for our government, and pray that they may have the wisdom to meet the crises with which they are confronted. Especially at the moment, we pray that they will be given the strength to cope with the financial crisis, and the difficulties in the health service.

May they be given rest in between their duties. We thank you for their service.

We pray for our family and friends, the people with whom we meet. May they be aware of your presence in their lives, and may they know that we are praying for them.

Help us to trust in you, that you have your hand on all our affairs.

May you will be done,

Amen.

Song: Come let us sing of a wonderful love,

Come, let us Sing of a Wonderful Love - YouTube

Jesus rejected at Nazareth

When people return home after experiencing success there is often a great celebration or act of welcome. Last year when the Lionesses returned home in triumph, there was the open-topped bus ride through the adoring crowds, banquets and honours.

When there is a “Local person makes Good”, there are usually newspaper headlines and memorials. In Sheffield a letter box was painted Gold to celebrate Jessica Ennis’s win at the Olympics.

This apparently did not happen for Jesus. He came home, read the scripture at the synagogue, and made a rather extraordinary claim. His “home crowd” turned into a lynch mob after they heard him. Fortunately he had a miraculous delivery, otherwise it would have been “Game Over” as we say today.

We have no record of him ever returning to Nazareth.

They presumably heard him teaching in other synagogues, so when he came home on the sabbath he was invited to read. We don’t know whether the reading in question, from Isaiah, was part of some sort of planned lectionary, or whether he chose it himself.

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour

Isaiah 61, vv1,2

The atmosphere must have been electric as he announced “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” He was claiming to be the promised Messiah. He spoke well, and all were amazed.

This was a very bold claim. The Old Testament looked forward to this event.

Jesus still brings redemption and salvation. He still opens people’s eyes ro God’s kingdom.

And yet, he was met with scepticism (as often he is today).

Then the scepticism turns to fury. How can this scripture be fulfilled by this man, they asked?

Mark reports it like this: “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?  Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?”

Mark 6: vv2,3

This is the man who mended their fences, repaired their ploughs and made their doors fit. How could he be so special?

People reject Jesus today, and have done in all ages. They cannot see the relevance of a man from so long ago and so far away. The bible was written centuries ago.

This simply shows the importance of studying the word of God. The need for bible study and groups such as Christian Unions and the like.

Witnessing to friends and family is often more difficult than to others. Just like the people of Nazareth knew Jesus, our friends and family know us, all about us, about our shortcomings and deficiencies. This generates the same scepticism that Jesus was met with.

Jesus reminded them that God broke out of the bounds of Israel. He was there for the foreigners as well.

John says in his gospel “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”

Not just for one nation, for all the world. Matthew says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

We don’t need to be Jews, clever, or influential. We just need to believe, and trust. This way we will not miss out on the full relationship with God which is available to us all.

Song: Tell out my soul

Tell Out My Soul - Timothy Dudley-Smith - YouTube