We continued looking at Chapter 4 of Paul’s second letter to Timothy this morning.
2 Timothy 4:6-8
Assurance - Only God can give it. Paul had it, Pharaoh did not.
I have been reading about Pharaoh. As I read I found myself comparing him to what I had been reading about Paul’s character in today’s study. In his conflict with Moses we think of Pharaoh as unmovable. A look at the record, however shows that he vacillated between an apparent repentance and rebellion. Pharaoh illustrates the turmoil of a man disconnected from God when compared to the peace that Paul shows in this letter as he faces his death.
See:
Exodus 7:13 Yet Pharaoh’s heart became hard and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said. After the plague of frogs,
8:15 But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said.
The Plague of Gnats 8:16-19
Then the LORD said to Moses, Tell Aaron, ‘Stretch out your staff and strike the dust of the ground,’ and throughout the land of Egypt the dust will become gnats. They did this, and when Aaron stretched out his hand with the staff and struck the dust of the ground, gnats came upon men and animals. All the dust throughout the land of Egypt became gnats. But when the magicians tried to produce gnats by their secret arts, they could not. And the gnats were on men and animals. The magicians said to Pharaoh, This is the finger of God. But Pharaoh’s heart was hard and he would not listen, just as the LORD had said.
After the flies 8:25-32
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, Go, sacrifice to your God here in the land. But Moses said, That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable in their eyes, will they not stone us? We must take a three-day journey into the desert to offer sacrifices to the LORD our God, as he commands us. Pharaoh said, I will let you go to offer sacrifices to the LORD your God in the desert, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me. Moses answered, As soon as I leave you, I will pray to the LORD, and tomorrow the flies will leave Pharaoh and his officials and his people. Only be sure that Pharaoh does not act deceitfully again by not letting the people go to offer sacrifices to the LORD. Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD, and the LORD did what Moses asked: The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.
After being warned of the hail 9:20-21
Those officials of Pharaoh who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their slaves and their livestock inside. But those who ignored the word of the LORD left their slaves and livestock in the field.
Then after the hail 9:27-34
Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron. This time I have sinned, he said to them. The LORD is in the right, and I and my people are in the wrong. Pray to the LORD, for we have had enough thunder and hail. I will let you go; you don’t have to stay any longer. Moses replied, When I have gone out of the city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. The thunder will stop and there will be no more hail, so you may know that the earth is the LORD’s. But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God. (The flax and barley were destroyed, since the barley was in the ear and the flax was in bloom. The wheat and spelt, however, were not destroyed, because they ripen later.) Then Moses left Pharaoh and went out of the city. He spread out his hands towards the LORD; the thunder and hail stopped, and the rain no longer poured down on the land. When Pharaoh saw that the rain and hail and thunder had stopped, he sinned again: He and his officials hardened their hearts.
After the warning about locusts 10:7
Pharaoh’s officials said to him, How long will this man be a snare to us? Let the people go, so that they may worship the LORD their God. Do you not yet realise that Egypt is ruined?
After the locusts 10:16-20
Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. Now forgive my sin once more and pray to the LORD your God to take this deadly plague away from me. Moses then left Pharaoh and prayed to the LORD. And the LORD changed the wind to a very strong west wind, which caught up the locusts and carried them into the Red Sea. Not a locust was left anywhere in Egypt. But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.
This seems to be the last occasion when Pharaoh expressed something like repentance. Even after the death of the first-born of the Egyptians he did not humble himself and repent.
Pharaoh was dragged to God, but only by calamity, and always resisting. Paul ran to God and his high calling.
Paul had assurance. Is this presumption or vanity? No!
John 12:32 But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.
James 4:7-10 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
Ephesians 3:10-12 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
John 20:30-31 Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.
From NIV Study Bible notes: “Four conditions are given for drawing “near to God”: (1) a sincere heart. Undivided allegiance in the inner being. (2) full assurance of faith. Faith that knows no hesitation in trusting in and following Christ. (3) hearts sprinkled … from a guilty conscience. Total freedom from a sense of guilt, a freedom based on the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ. (4) bodies washed with pure water. Not an external ceremony such as baptism but a figure for inner cleansing…”
What an achievement, to know that all is completed, “fought, finished, kept”.
‘Fight’
1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight,
1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
‘Finished’
Philippians 3:11-12 …and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
‘Kept’
1 Thessalonians 5:23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
One of Elim’s Regional Superintendent, Gordon Neale, joined us this morning.
Today’s service was a very special one as we marked 10 years of Graham’s ministry. Graham believed it was a Sunday like any other but unbeknown to him we’d planned for Geoff Feasey (the regional superintendant in charge of the area when Graham was appointed) to preach, we read out messages of support sent in by people who had been touched by Graham’s friendship and ministry we had some visitors who used to attend our church regularly and we had planned a lunch buffet at our new building. Graham was moved to tears.
We celebrated Jesus’ birth on Sunday morning. Everyone arrived in their Christmas attire, there was even someone dressed as a Christmas present! The morning started with a few Christmas carols followed by the debut performance of the recently established York Elim Choir (pictured). They were very well received. Our youth treated us to two dramas, both of which reminded us of the real meaning of Christmas. One of the performances was entitled “The X-mas Factor”. Then we had some more carols followed by a performance from the smaller children. The children opened presents which had significant christian symbols inside, they were then asked to describe what these were and why they were important. As might be expected with children, there was much hilarity at some of their responses and behaviour.
It was great to be joined by Gordon Neil, the regional superintendent for Elim. After Gordon’s reading and Graham’s preach all the men were invited on stage to sing “We Three Kings”. It is surprising that the stage didn’t collapse as almost every man in the congregation piled on. The morning was concluded with Graham throwing Quality Streets into the congregation. We celebrated Jesus’ birth this morning! It was a fun morning, it was a blessed morning.
On Thursday the 5th June, at 12.00 noon, two mini buses full of students from churches all around the city of York set off for London. The event? Passion London. There would be a well known American Speaker/Pastor/Evangelist there, Louie Giglio but for most they just didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see three great musical acts for £5! Normally, it would cost at least three times as much to see Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin or Dave Crowder Band as individual acts but £5 for all three it was an unmissable opportunity.
Six hours later and we were there! There were huge queues outside the Apollo theatre in Hammersmith London, hundreds long. Some of us arrived a little later than the 7.00pm start time because we wanted to grab a bite to eat. It was an overwhelming experience walking into the theatre with nearly 3,000 people all worshiping with one of the best worship leaders around, Chris Tomlin.
Passion had requested that everyone bring a bath towel and three pairs of socks for man, woman and child. These were to be given to the needy in London. About 1300 towels (and three times as many socks) were collected! My favourite act of the evening was probably Dave Crowder Band. Even secular music critics rate his music highly. I really like the simple, yet beautiful, poetry of the following lyrics from “He Is Our King”:
“And what was said to the rose to make it unfold
Was said to me, here in my chest
So be quiet now, and rest
So be quiet now, and rest.”
You can hear the whole of “He Is Our King” on the Dave Crowder Band myspace page. For the What? Who? Where? And Why? of the Passion Conferences, it’d would be best just to direct you to their website, here. It was an unforgettable night, I got home to York at 5.00am! There’s a few pictures below and a youtube video of Dave Crowder band here. I shot the video with my phone so it won’t win any oscars for cinematography, considering this it’s pretty decent anyway.
The Spurriergate Centre, York
A Christian cafe set in the heart of the city of York, it is unique in the fact that the premises have been transformed from what was once a redundant church. The staff are always pleasant and friendly, while the food, which is good quality and value, caters for all tastes. Overall, the facilities are excellent, with opportunity for counseling and prayer. Highlights include: toddler’s play area, gift shop (stocked with fairtrade items), free refill offers on coffee, plenty of seating, good toilet facilities and friendly staff.
Review by Bernard Ellis
Link: Spurriergate Centre
It will soon be Easter again and here in York the church leaders are getting ready for the next open-air Easter baptisms in the city centre.
I think it is only a matter of time before we hear the usual from those who suggest that the business of dating Easter is sorted out.
As a Christian you may be asked about why Easter is dated as it is. A simple answer is to say that Easter is dated according to the moon, but it is more complicated than that.
Have a look at my blog TheMorningFlight for more answers you can give.
On Sunday we rejoiced with Samuel and Everline as they brought baby Ruth to the Lord for dedication.We pray God’s blessing on Samuel, Everline and their family!
England’s Messiah by Martin Saunders - A Book Review
“Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I’m very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that.”
(Bill Shankly, Liverpool Manager 1959-1974)
This is a Christian novel for anyone who loves football, although it is probably best suited for 15-18 year olds. Having said that it was a book I really enjoyed. It’s a fairly easy read and follows the progress of the two main characters in a way that draws you in. By the end of the book you really feel that you are sharing in their lives. Harry Foster is a bitter and cynical football reporter whose own career as a player was cut short by injury. He has all but lost faith in football until he sees a young man, John Christie, playing football at the local park. Thanks to his intervention John’s life changes forever. The rest of the book follows his rise to prominence and the trials and tribulations that come with that rise. This book is designed simply to entertain, however the behaviour of John Christie, a devout Christian, draws parallels with the life of Jesus and offers us insight in how we can behave at work and in the world in a way that is different and that makes a difference.
- This review was written by Hamish.
