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susie
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Posts by susie
Sermon 08012012 Creation and the fall
Jan 9th
This morning, John Barton began the E100 preaching series looking at the first passage, Genesis 1-3.
Standard Podcast [ 43:03 ] Play in Popup | Download
Creation and the Fall
Introduction Not about creation v evolution. All have views. Some different from others. Good idea to read around the subject – but being an expert doesn’t save you. In Matthew 23, Jesus said, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. Obey them” Yet he goes on to say, “Woe to you teachers of the law and Pharisees …” The were experts on the Bible, but missed the Messiah. Also the experts in Herod’s Palace when the Wise Men came. Relationship (with God) is more important than knowledge about him. [Better felt than telt] In the beginning Bible starts with t statement. Must believe it. Part of the Apostles’ Creed. One thing is clear, God was doing something good. “God saw all he had made and it was very good.” (31) But it also says “God created man in his own image, male and female he created them.” (27). Not physical image (as male and female). We are made like God – eternal with free will. Different from animals. He wants More >
Encouraging words help unlock potential!
Dec 20th
* Colossians 1:1-23
Sometimes people drift and their enthusiasm for God begins to decrease. How do we encourage these people? Paul faced this challenge when writing to the church in Colosse.
Paul praised the Colossians for their good start in following Christ, giving them positive feedback rather than scolding them for drifting. New believers need encouragement rather than criticism. Paul repeatedly tells them that he has been praying for them.
However, when the believers were in danger of going off track, forgetting the supremacy of Christ and the power of the gospel, Paul reminded them that the heart of the gospel is Jesus. Verse 15-20 present incredible truths about Jesus, and then in verse 21-23, Paul hits them again with the gospel. Paul’s gentle approach, which repeats things they’ve already heard in order to cement it, helps the new believers to re-focus. Sometimes we can criticise new believers and think that they must not have ‘got’ it. But if we gentle walk alongside them we have help them to re-focus on Jesus. However, its important that we remember that God knows the person’s heart and he is working in their life.
- Do you know someone who is drifitng? How can you encourage them More >
Sermon18112011 The Peace of the Christ compared to the peace of Caesar Augustus.
Dec 19th
At our carol service this morning, Graham shared a short thought about the difference between the peace that Christ would bring and that promised by Caesar Augustus at the time of Jesus’ birth.
Standard Podcast [ 16:36 ] Play in Popup | Download The ‘how’ and ‘what’ of peace
Is there, was there, a challenge in that first Christmas vision? You would not think so judging by the sterilised image of Christmas in the media at this time of the year. The Christmas message is often presented to us in such a way as to avoid disturbing the peace of ignorance. There was a challenge and a surprise to the first readers of Luke’s gospel and, before that, to the first witnesses of the birth and its announcement.
Power
In Luke’s gospel note the titles given to Jesus and to Caesar. Jesus was declared to be Son of God, Saviour of the World, and Christ.
Luke 1:32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David… Luke 2:11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
Between those titles appearing in Luke’s gospel More >
Protect yourself in mind, body and soul!
Dec 13th
More amazing wisdom from Paul about protection! Wear God’s armour and follow the formula for peace of mind too!
* Ephesians 6:10-20
Someone recently made a comment that really struck a chord with me. Their comment concerned the way in which our society moves straight from celebrating Halloween to getting ready for Christmas. Isn’t it funny that shops will dress up their display windows with Halloween symbols, and then more or less straight after 31st October, they’re covering the same space with Christmas decorations? How bizarre when the two occasions are completely contradictory. I think its incredibility weird that people would be perfectly happy to spend time thinking about evil things, dressing up as and decorating their homes and shops with witches, goblins and devils etc, and then that all comes down, and we’re instantly bombarded with Christmas trees, carols, nativity plays; a celebration chiefly about Jesus’ birth, Jesus who is the light of the world, who came to combat the darkness! How ironic.
But what’s so good about evil? Why do people want to celebrate something like that? Maybe they don’t really understand the reality of it. This passage in Ephesians looks at this, Paul was aware of the reality of evil, More >
The Holy Spirit: God’s help for us today.
Dec 12th
* Romans 8
What a cracking passage! Paul hammers home so much truth in this chapter, and it contains so many verses that I have heard before, but I didn’t realise that they were all packed into the same space! I could fill pages with my musing about this chapter, but we’re only look at a few verses to save time and space. However, you might want to spend longer pondering the chapter as a whole. Remember you can comment on the post if you have things to add or questions you want to ask!
In this passage, there is a section entitled, “More than Conquerors” which is full of truth that can encourage our faith. It includes 2 questions, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) and “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (8:35). These hypothetical questions enable Paul to spur on the believers, reinforcing the power of God and also his unfailing love for us. What is sometimes misunderstood is that these verses are not saying that God promises that only good things will happen to his followers. No, it is saying that God has an overall plan for good things for More >
Sermon 11122011 What are angels? Was Daniel’s crystal man an angel? What are cherubim and seraphim?
Dec 12th
This morning Graham looked at angels, exploring what they are and why we are more special and more privileged than the angels.
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Luke 2:1-15 Angels
This week we will see that: 1) Angels are real and represent God 2) Angels are not saved 3) Angels are witnesses of the incarnation
1) Angels are real and represent God We are given little information on angels in the bible. Too much has been said using too little authoritative information.
Not all spiritual beings mentioned in the bible are called angels. Something appeared to Daniel in the form of a man made of crystal revealing the nature of these creatures. Though was not said to be an angel in this case (Daniel 10:13).
The crystal ‘man’ said: “But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia”.
We are not told what the king of Persia is or what Michael is. It is assumed he is some sort of spiritual being that has great power, status and authority.
Some of the powerful creatures mentioned in the bible are cherubim and seraphim
Cherubim Genesis 3:24 More >
Sermon 27112011 A sin that leads to death.
Nov 28th
This morning Graham looked at the final passage in 1 John, exploring what to do when a fellow believer sins.
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1 John 5:16-21
Sin and the believer
Intro
One way of looking at his section is to say first we have an assurance that prayer makes a difference in verse 14-15, then we have an example of what prayer can do.
Another way of looking at it is to say the writer was wanting to talk about praying for those in need and precedes it with an introduction that declared prayer is the solution in these cases.
The two ways of looking at it do not change the meaning but suggest different emphasis.
1) Can a believer sin?
This is the third time in this letter that the subject of believers and sin. Previously the emphasis was that true believers do not live in a lifestyle of sin yet now the writer admits that such a thing is possible. This is not a change of doctrine, this portion still carries the assurance that the common experience of the believer will be to live out a life displaying the transformation the new birth brought about.
The readers/hearers have already been instructed how they More >
What’s your will?
Nov 22nd
Both of theses passages look at how Paul did God’s work across different counties in setting up the early church. But they also describe different challenges he faced, and they encourage us that even though things might be tough, that doesn’t mean we are outside the will of God. God uses all situations and teaches us lots through each of them.
* Acts 16-20
Its interesting to note how at the beginning of this passage Paul was searching for God’s direction. In verses 6-8, Paul and his companions are trying out different options, trying to work out where to go to preach next. Sometimes we can find ourselves struggling to know what God’s will for us is. Which way should we go?
The starting point always has to be God. However, its often easier to set off and then invite Jesus to join us. It doesn’t really work like that. It’s much better to pray, fast, seek advice and wait for the Holy Spirit to guide us, than to set off on the wrong course, just because we’re too impatient (and maybe even too proud) to hold back and let God lead. However, that doesn’t mean that we hold completely still. See how More >
Sermon 20112011 We know we have what we have asked for… we can have confidence in him.
Nov 21st
This morning Graham looked at the final section of 1 John 5, from verse 13. He explored the theme of what we ‘know’ about God and the confidence that we can have in him.
Standard Podcast [ 23:55 ] Play in Popup | Download
1 John 5:13
Intro
Note: I was asked a question about verse 7-8. NIV 7 For there are three that testify: 8 the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement.
Some translations add a bit: AV 7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 8And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
This extra bit about the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost does not appear in any translation until the 1500s. It is thought to be a margin note that was mistakenly coped into the text be a careless copier.
Verses 11-12 “I write these things…” marks a new section, the conclusion to this letter.
1) Know “Know” appears 7 times with a mention of “confidence” added. Verse 13 We know we have eternal life Verse 14 “Confidence”. Approach, Heard, request More >
Sharing News…
Nov 14th
* Acts 13 & 14
This passage looks at the ministry of Paul and Barnabas. At the beginning of chapter 13, the Holy Spirit calls them to go out and proclaim the gospel. Each of us is called to share the good news with others.
But it is the way that this is done which is often a talking point for Christians. How do we share the gospel with others without being accused of ‘shoving it down their throats’? If we are excited about what God has done and want to share that, is there any harm? What’s the difference between us talking about what we believe and atheists proclaiming their opinion? We chatted about this today at a Christian Union group… I guess as long as your message is one of hope and you share in a sensitive way, then it should be okay!
We can take a directional lead from Paul’s approach (13:16-43). He communicated the truth of the gospel but did so recognising that his audience were both Jews and Gentiles. The emphasis was also a positive one, rather than a negative one that gets so much press.
But Paul and Barnabas’ journey isn’t a complete success, it also throws up More >
