York Elim Pentecostal Church

Sermon Sunday 25th July 2010, Psalm 103

john — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:05:21 +0000

Great discussion and sermon based on Psalm 103.

Because we had so many people away (usual for our summer meetings) we were able to discuss together and meditate on Psalm 103. It is best to listen to the recording to get the extra details but the notes used are as follows:

Failure - Psalm 103

The Psalm could be viewed from a number of perspectives. The first one would be of course that this is a song of praise and worship. However, I brought this to the congregation as a meditation on how a believer can respond to disappointment and failure. When we fail we must come to Jesus but this Psalm has wisdom on this subject.

Responsibility, verses 1-2
I may not always be responsible for what happens to me but I am always responsible for how I react, whether I react in forgiveness or with rage. We tend to look for someone to blame. We often blame God. See 1 Corinthians 13, God can take it, he does not go in a huff.

I can take responsibility by worshipping despite the situation, and by remembering, “forget not all his benefits”. The enemy wants us to forget, that is the victory he often achieves with those who fall from faith.

Focus, verses 3-5, 10-12
Instead of blaming, claim the grace of God. God’s love is for us and is not dependent upon what we do.

Security, verses 13-18
If we read this section but finish at verse 16 we would and up with a miserable conclusion that we have little value. We must read this including verses 17 and 18 and we see his love lasts longer that the physical creation, “But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him.”

Perspective, verses 15-18
Why compare ourselves with others? Why worship what others are of have?

A determination to worship, verses 20-22
David is not only determined to worship but he calls others to join with him. David is saying, “You angels, come with me, I am going to worship. You heavenly host, come with me, I am going to worship. You, all of creation, come with me, I am going to worship.

What a nerve David has to call those to join him. What a great faith he displays.

I want to be a worshipper like that!

Sermon Sunday 18th July 2010

graham — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 08:44:20 +0000

There was no recording posted last week as we had a visiting speaker who lives in North Africa and it would not have been appropriate to have recorded it.

This week there are notes but no recording. As Many of the regulars are away I used the opportunity to revert to a café-style and we had discussion groups around the topic of prayer. It would not have recorded well.

The notes are as follows, perhaps you can use them in a group or in your personal meditations.

Prayer

As I introduce this subject I wonder how many Christians will harbour the often unspoken thought, “I do not pray enough.” At the end of this study I do not want to leave you with that thought.

Discussion Question: But how much is enough? And is there an appropriate amount?

I think this condemning attitude is not what Jesus intended and it is not helpful for our spiritual health. We are not supposed to be an our room praying all the time, there are things to do and a life to enjoy.

Discussion Question: What did Jesus teach us about prayer?

Not many words of his on the matter are recorded - not that they are not laden with meaning and content though.

What has come to us is not only what he said but what he modelled for others to see him live and to write about.

Discussion Question: See the following scriptures. what can we conclude from these?:
Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning…

Conclusion 1: Jesus recommended a secure time and place. Privacy. Safe from being disturbed or distracted..

Discussion Question: See Luke 18:1. What does this tell us about prayer?

The Parable of the Persistent Widow
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

Verse 1 is the interpretation of the writer, it is he who is telling us what the theme and meaning of the parable is. It is not about God being a grump.

See verse 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?

Conclusion 2: Jesus recommended persistence, and regular talking with God.

What is the faith that is written about here? This is the faith that finds expression in relationship.

See Luke 11:1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.

Discussion Question: “When he finished.” They must have been watching him as they waited for him to finish. What do you think they were thinking? What did they see? What was it they saw that was desirable?

Conclusion 3: Relationship with God is possible.

Discussion Question: See Mark 1:35-37
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: Everyone is looking for you!

What are the priorities we see here, those of Jesus and those of the disciples?

Conclusions. What are your conclusions from this study? What is the Spirit emphasising to you today?

No Mp3 this week

john — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 13:20:59 +0000

Sorry, no Mp3 this week as we had a presentation from Chris who works in North Africa.

Sunday 4th July 2010, Judas Iscariot

john — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:00:48 +0000

We had The Gathering’s Pastor Matt Parkins speak this morning.

Sermon - Sunday 27th June 2010

graham — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 18:37:18 +0000

Here are the notes for the preaching at the meeting of the two congregations together, based on Isaiah 40 - fly, run, walk. Don’t forget you are free to take any of Graham’s preaching material and preach it yourself.

Fly, Run, Walk.

Isaiah 40:27-31
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God?
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no-one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Intro
Compare Isaiah 40:27-31 with Exodus 19:4 You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.

This referred to them being carried out of Egypt in the great exodus from slavery into a land of their own. The prophecy through Isaiah speaks not of flying on an eagle but flying like and eagle. Not just flying, but soaring, which implies height and lift. By leaning on God, trusting and believing, they could experience this. Remember though, we are New Testament people. We now have God in us, not far from us.

Last time at our Together meeting on 22 May 2010 I talked about praying or waiting on God using the quote, “behold he prays!” Now we will see the consequences of waiting on God, flying, running and walking.

Who is this to?

First to the nation, God’s chosen people long ago.
It then is addressed to the experience of the individual then.
I take this dynamic to be applicable to the “children of Abraham according to the promise” - the followers of Jesus.

Look at context. The greatness of God is emphasised before this great declaration.

This scripture is often quoted as though to soar is the goal. You must ask yourself how you see these verses, are they different dynamics at different times or are they a mixture of life styles and experiences that we all experience all of the time?

For the benefit of unpacking this scripture I limit myself to presenting these verses as they express different phases of a believer’s life. Sometimes we soar, sometimes we run and sometimes we walk. I see soaring as the special experiences and special times. I see running as the times when progress in unimpeded, and the way is clear, there are no obstacles and do halts to ponder direction. I see walking as the normal life with its problems, decisions and obstacles. Walking is about how we keep on going, how we endure.

(1) Fly (soar)
Don’t get too carried away with wanting to spend your life flying like the eagle, untroubled by the problems of life below ideas. I can tell you something about eagles, a soaring eagle is solitary and selfish.

I think this section is about the type of movement or progress that is possible, not being like an eagle.

These are the special experiences and encounters with God. Some would like this sort of life style to be the norm but I think that would be the vain hope that there is a way to avoid suffering in this life.

Compare Romans 8:35,38.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What special experiences and encounters with God of yours can you think of here? What memories come time mind?

Firstly, it is important that we are sure we are thinking of an authentic encounter with God. There is now much counterfeit in the global church currently. The answer to this is to know God better. The better we know our God the more able we are to recognise his handiwork.

Secondly, these experiences are great but we must not get dependant upon them. What would life be like if we only had these times? If we lived in them all the time they would not be special any more. If they were all the time, would we not want special times too?

Seen recently “What some people call revival, and others call a special visitation, you can live in all the time.” We discussed this at our men’s meeting. We decided it depended what you meant by revival.

Some Christians get dependent upon the flying, they chase novel preachers that can bring sensation or the superficial. These are the sorts of Christians that are most likely to be led astray by the odd and the bogus.

It is by trial and trouble that we put muscles on our faith.

See:
Matthew 13:21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

Romans 12:11-13 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.

2 Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

2 Corinthians 7:4 I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.

Ephesians 3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

Where would we place gifts of the Spirit? They are not ecstatic experience, they come under the heading of “walk”.
(2) Run
Don’t judge running from the perspective of your sofa. For a moment try thinking like a runner.

To a runner running is enjoyable and in some ways it is relaxing and effortless. It is a pleasure and not a chore. After running a few miles a runner will feel that they can run longer and further. When they finish they are left with a feeling of exhilaration and well-being.

Running represents a period in life when all is going well and we would like it to continue for a long time. This is when we are making good progress, when life is easy and the way is clear and unimpeded, when there are no obstacles or delays.

Envy?
You may envy someone else’s life because yours seems one long walk, or trudge. You don’t remember much flying and you don’t remember much running either.

If you look at someone else and all you seem to see them running effortlessly though life, and you are tempted to envy them, I suggest the following:

You don’t know their secret struggles or their past troubles. You may think they run through life, they think they may trudge.
Perhaps it is true that they are running through life. But you do not know their future and the challenges they will yet face, the things that will bring them to a sudden halt.
Before you envy someone else’s lot think of the words of Jesus to Peter when you thought John was to have a good future.
John 21:21-22 When Peter saw him, he asked, Lord, what about him? Jesus answered, If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.
Eternal reward
See 2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him.
You might wonder if you will never achieve anything before you die. A Christian believes there will opportunities beyond the grave. Your greatest achievements may lie ahead in that kingdom.

(3) Walk
If you look at a person who is enjoying a ‘running’ time of life it can appear that they are a person favoured by God. Don’t be mistaken, running is a phase and not a life-style. I think walking is the normal life style.

In the book of Acts the Christian life is describes as a way or ‘The Way’.

Acts 18:26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Acts 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervour and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Acts 19:9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way.

Acts 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.

Acts 24:14 However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect.

Endurance
For thousands of years walking has been the main method of making a journey. This walking speaks to us of a life-style of endurance.

See
2 Thess 1:4 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.

Hebrews 12:1-4
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly.

2 Timothy 2:3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:12 if we endure, we will also reign with him.

2 Timothy 4:5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

1 Peter 2:20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.

I think we fly that we might run, and we run that we might walk. The walk of endurance and the walk of experiencing God in the ordinary. When Jesus promised abundant life he was not suggesting that the believers would never know trouble or the boring and mundane. He was promising that he would be with us there and that there we can have fullness of life.

God in the ordinary. Quote from ‘The Mantra of Jabez’ by Douglas Jones.
This part of the book is a spoof incident where the writer is supposed to have no wisdom and has been sharing faith with a women who replies to him:

“Doesn’t the incarnation mean anything? … Show me how to see the glory of God in the ordinary things of life; show me how to be faithful and find meaning … Show me how to ‘eat me bread with joy and drink my wine with a merry heart’ like Solomon says. Show me how to raise children so that generations from they will rise up and count me blessed. Show me how to live life artfully. Show me…”

She kept shouting at me as I wandered off. There was no helping her. She just didn’t get it.

If you are not confident that the Holy Spirit is with you in your walking, in the ordinary, you will crave more of the moments of flying no matter how short-term or superficial the effects. Why will you crave the things? Because you will see little value in the “walk” and you will have no confidence that you will ever again have periods of running.

Sunday 20th June 2010, 2 Samuel 7:18

john — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 13:52:24 +0000

John Barton preached for us this morning, we are very proud of him!

2 Samuel 7:18-26

Background

David had built a palace and wanted to build temple to replace Tabernacle. Nathan (prophet) agreed, a good idea, but God said no. You want to build a house for me; I will build one for you – The House of David (a dynasty).

Who am I? (18)

David a great king, mighty warrior, had reason to be proud, but remained humble. Humility is really only possible if we are great. Predecessor, Saul, was humble. 1 Sam 9:21, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the smallest tribe in Israel and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.” Later on, however, 1 Sam 15:17, “Although you were once small in your own eyes . . .” Just before this conversation God had revealed to Samuel that “Saul has gone to Carmel. There he has set up a monument in his own honour.” (1 Sam 15:12) Greatness led to pride, but greatness came from the Lord.

How do you see yourself? Humility is important, not just in eyes of others but in our own eyes. Arthur Watson told me the story of great preacher who liked people’s praise. He told his wife he had been told he was a model preacher. His wife showed him the dictionary definition – a cheap imitation of the real thing. Paul had it right. “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Phil 4:13)

Pride is relying on self – like Samson. Humility is about relying on God. How should we think of ourselves? Famous sketch in Frost Over Britain featuring John Cleese, Ronny Barker and Ronny Corbet, “I know my place”. But Bible tells us our place. Eph 2:6 says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms.” Where is your place? “Seated in the heavenly realms.

How great you are. There is no-one like you (22)

We can be too proud of ourselves, but not too proud of our God. I love, “How great is our God” and “How great thou art.” We need to remind ourselves of this. But we can be proud not only of his creation but also of his salvation plan. How proud are you of our God. We need to apologise over things done in the name of Christianity, but never for our God. But is that all?

Who is like your people? (23)

Can we be proud of the church? We can. The church is responsible for much good in the world, much of which we can be proud. Secular society will knock the church – I understand that. But it hurts me when I hear Christians criticising other believers. It’s easy for preachers to knock the church. Many years ago I heard people quoting 1 Chr 16:22, “Do not touch my anointed ones,” to mean be careful how you treat pastors. However, this is not about kings, priests or preachers. It is about the whole nation of Israel. Read the context. It’s a warning about how to treat the church. We need to be careful that we don’t harm the church.

Summary

Don’t be proud of yourself – but know where you are seated

Be proud of your God

Be proud of the church – seek to build it up

Closing Instruction

Before you leave today, tell someone that you are proud of them.

No Mp3 This Week

john — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:52:14 +0000

Apologies, there’s no Mp3 this week as we had a presentation from David who works in Tajikistan.

Sunday 6th June 2010, James 5 Part 2

john — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 13:25:22 +0000

Martin delivered the second part of his series on James 5 this morning. The recording starts in the middle of his reading James 5: 13-16.

The beginning of the recording was unclear but Martin did give a shout out to Kristine and Stine who will be listening from Norway!

Sunday 30th May 2010, James 5 Part 1

john — Sun, 30 May 2010 16:26:01 +0000

Guest preacher this morning, one of our Elders, Martin Rowley.

He preached on James 5 before we went out and baptised 7 people! It was brill!

Sunday 23rd May 2010, Joint Service at Archbishop Holgate School

john — Sun, 23 May 2010 14:29:08 +0000

This morning, we had a joint service with The Teaching Service and The Gathering. Graham preached on Acts 9.

Acts 9:1-22

Prayers of Saul & Ananias

Today we see the man who prayed,

the God who heard,

and the man through whom the answer came.

In all this it is God who is central.

1) The man who prayed
“He is praying,” verse 11.

Paul, a Jew, a Pharisee, would have been familiar with saying prayers. I think he would have said prayers all his life. But would he have ever talked to God, I wonder?

Now his praying will be different. Now he has access to God is a way never before possible. Now he is talking to God. Now he is having a conversation.

Once he was separated from God.
Ephesians 2:11-19
Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcision (that done in the body by the hands of men)- remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,

Romans 3:9-20
What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.
As it is written: There is no-one righteous, not even one; there is no-one who understands, no-one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no-one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practise deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Now has found access to God.

Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

2) God who heard
(a) “He is praying,” verse 11. In the AV it is, “for, behold, he prayeth.”

Gk idou means to draw attention to = lo, see. Perhaps in the NIV they could have better put it as “look, he prays” or “see, he prays.”

These words “look, he prays” is a clearer evidence of the man’s conversion than some of the more superficial things sometimes considered such as, “look, he sings Christian songs,”
or, “look, he raises his hands,”
or, “look, he reads the Bible,”
or, “look, he preaches.” (adapted from C. H. Spurgeon, September 20th, 1885)

Is God capable of surprise or wonder? There seems here to be the sense of God wondering, of being amazed. As though God is saying “Can this be Saul of Tarsus praying to Jesus for mercy?” It is God saying to his servant Ananias, “look, he prays.”

(b) Judging from this reference, God seems to value prayer a great deal. As I accept that, believe that, it amazes me that I do not pray more myself!

Paul has been given a vision (verse 12). In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.

What a privilege this revelation was to Paul, and more was to follow, including some revelation that would have been uncomfortable to receive (verses 15-16).

Having listened to many believers over the years I get the impression that the first revelations (though they are often not recognised as such) are often concerned with morals, with behaviour. This is important as some things we say or do can hinder the development of our new relationship with God and the conversation we can then have with him.

3) The person through whom the answer came
Perhaps that was the very revelation that God needed to give to Ananias, to reassure him that Saul of Tarsus was now a converted man by saying to him, “look, he prays.”

What can we know about Ananias?

His name means “Yah has been gracious”. Was there a prophetic declaration in his name when he identified himself to Saul?

We know very little about him. We can note this man for:

His obedience. He went!
He was someone who talked with God, he was receptive. See verse 10.
As he prayed for Saul in a very simple way, it showed that his confidence was in God and not in some sort of performance or desperation.

Compare this last point with the practice of the prophets of Baal seen on Mount Carmel in 1 Kings 18:26-29

So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. O Baal, answer us! they shouted. But there was no response; no-one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. At noon Elijah began to taunt them. Shout louder! he said. Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or travelling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened. So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no-one answered, no-one paid attention.

Paul was given a vision (verse 12). So why was Ananias needed at all? Because God gives his people the privilege of being part of his work, of partnering with him,

We to have our instructions:

Obedience. We are to go as God sends
We are to be people who talk with God, who are receptive. See verse 10.
As Ananias prayed for Saul in a very simple way, it showed that we should have confidence was in God and not in some sort of performance or desperation.

Now we should get on with it.

The Gathering: Lifeshapes Pentagon - The Ministry Roles of Ephesians 4

Matt — Mon, 17 May 2010 10:27:16 +0000

Jo Parkins spoke at the Gathering on Sunday 16th May 2010 on the Ministry Roles of Ephesians 4. Each one of us have been apportioned grace to be an Apostle, Evangelist, Prophet, Teacher or Pastor - but what does that mean for us and how does that work in the every day?

You can take the ministry role test online at facebook: What’s my Ephesians 4 ministry role?

Sunday 16th May 2010, 2 Timothy Final Part in the Series

john — Sun, 16 May 2010 13:43:34 +0000

Graham finished up his excellent series on 2 Timothy this morning.

2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

This verse is spoken by the man who said in verses 6-8:
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

1) The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack
This does not mean he thinks he is not going to die. This is one who knows his life will go on beyond the grave.

Faithful believers do suffer awful things. It is the testimony of history.

It is the promise of Jesus. See John 16:32-33
But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble ['tribulation' in AV]. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

2) …and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom.
This was the longing of the criminal that died along with Jesus.

See Luke 23:40-43:
But the other criminal rebuked him. Don’t you fear God, he said, since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.

With Paul it was more than a longing, it was a certainty.

See Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ

See 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10
You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia- your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead- Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

See what Paul wrote to the Corinthians to see his convictions about this subject 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

How can we know what lies ahead for us? We reach out for certainty. There is so much speculation and sentimentalism, where can I turn for truth? Not the bright light at the end of the tunnel that has seeped into popular culture. I hold up scripture as the authority.

At a funeral it is wonderful to declare “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you.” But if it can only make us feel good, it is a mocking lie. It is truly comforting because it is true!

The immortality spoke of in 1 Corinthians 15 means - without death/dying. A negative word with a positive meaning. It is a putting on and not a putting off, it is an adding to not a subtraction. We lose nothing worth keeping and only gain what is precious beyond our understanding.

Just think what Paul must have meant when he declared, “..to be with Christ is far better..” (Philippians 1:23) or “..to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.” Or the words of Jesus, when He said, “This day you shall be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:23)

When Paul taunted death declaring that the sting is gone. He was speaking in the present tense. See 1 Corinthians 15:56-57.

This is how he could write this confident way to Timothy.

3) To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen

This is faith speaking “Thy will be done.”

See the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ in
Matthew 6:9-11 (King James Version)
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

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.
And 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

This version is taken from the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, 1662. In this country it now the Anglicans that have abandoned it and now use a modern version. It is based on Matthew 6:9-13 in the King James Bible from AD 1611.

Sunday 9th May, 2 Timothy 4:9-13

john — Sun, 09 May 2010 13:45:29 +0000

We got back to Graham’s series on 2 Timothy this morning. Great stuff!

2 Timothy 4:9-13

Intro and Background
‘Come’ and ‘bring’… He wants people and he wants some things.

1) THINGS

“Bring…”
We must live as though each day is our last, yet plan for the future. We never know how short or how long our race turns out to be. He knew he was about to die but he wanted some of his things brought.

(a) Cloak (verse 13). Carpus had been entrusted with some precious things.
The mention of his cloak is rather sad. It sheds a light on the last days of Paul’s life. If people were visiting him why would he not borrow one from them? Perhaps they were no longer visiting him.

Evidently by this time no one came to visit him. He must have been forgotten or Onesiphorus, a believer coming to Rome and meeting with other believers would have known where to find him, he would not have had to search for him.

See 2 Timothy 1:15-17
You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.

Paul is feeling the winter cold and wants his cloak. See verse 21 “Do your best to get here before winter.”

(b) Books (my scrolls, especially the parchments).
As long as we live we can learn. Though Paul was a person who had been entrusted with great revelations he submitted to learning from the writings of others. I try to draw from a wide stream, I read all sorts of things, good bad and indifferent. I also read novels so that by them I can live many lives and learn from the experiences of those lives.

Perhaps he was not only wanting to read, but to pass on to others this precious resource. Perhaps this collection contained some of his inspired letters. As he approaches his end he knows that the work will go on. If he did not believe that he would not have written this letter to Timothy.
2) PEOPLE
Intro
Paul wanted Timothy to come because Demas had gone. Tychicus had been sent by Paul (verse 12) to Ephesus to fill in for Timothy. When Timothy comes Paul would like him to bring some things with him. But bringing things is not the reason he asks Timothy to come, he asks him because some have left to the business of the Master, his friends deserted him (verse 16) and Demas abandoned the work of God.

Demas has deserted Paul. The one that deserts us leaves a wound the other leavers have not. Such is grief, hurt, loss and betrayal.

Titus must have left Crete after straightening out the affairs of the churches there. See Titus 1:5. The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.

Dalmatia was part of the Roman province of Illyricum on the coast of the Adriatic. Paul had written to Titus asking him to meet Paul there in Nicopolis. He may have been intending to preach the Gospel in the adjoining province of Dalmatia when spring came. Paul was arrested so didn’t get there. Titus seems to have got on with the job alone.

See Titus 3:12. As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.

Paul had friends there but not many. Some Roman Christians visited him. But they did not support him in court at his first defence, see verse 16 At my first defence, no-one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.

Perhaps some of them returned later. See verse 21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.

(a) Demas
Demas, once a “fellow labourer” of Paul, along with Mark and Luke (Col 4:14; Phm 24). Demas has not only gone, he has deserted because “he loved this world”.

What did he mean by this? Demas might have liked worldly ease too much, or safety, or the comforts of home. Perhaps he anticipated he might have to face danger with Paul.

See Matthew 13:20-22. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.

(b) Timothy
Timothy is asked to come to be a comfort to Paul, and also to be strengthened by Paul, for carrying on the Gospel work after Paul’s decease.

2 Timothy 4:21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers.

2 Timothy 1:4 Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy.

(c) Mark (also known as John Mark)
By looking at Colossians 4:10 written two years before this, we can work out that he was with Paul then and about to go to Colosse, a city in the West of what we would now call Turkey, then called Asia Minor.

Timothy was in charge of the church in Ephesus on the West coast of Turkey, not far from Colosse. As Christians in fellowship and not living far apart Timothy is asked to bring John Mark.

Mark is now a man restored. “he is helpful to me for in my ministry”. Mark had forsaken Paul at a critical moment in his missionary tour with Barnabas.

Acts 13:5, When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John [Mark] was with them as their helper.
Acts 13:13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John [Mark] left them to return to Jerusalem.

After Paul refused to take Mark on the second journey, Barnabas separated from Paul, taking Mark with him on a mission to Cyprus.

See Acts 15:37-40
Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

Eventually Mark proved himself to Paul. He was with Paul during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment.

See Collossians 4:10
My fellow-prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)

Philemon 23-25
Epaphras, my fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow-workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Timothy had replaced Mark in relation to Paul. He held the post Mark once held. Some think here Paul’s wording is careful to avoid Timothy feeling threatened by Mark or by being compared with him as though Timothy was the superior. This is the Mark of Mark’s Gospel, the one who has spent time with Peter, an eye-witness of the ministry and miracles of Jesus.

In this short section we have mention of both a deserter and a returner. God is always at work. Returning is always possible until the moment of death. Not only return but also reconciliation between these two. As reconciliation had already taken place that can not be the reason for the meeting again, however the quality of the reconciliation is seen in Paul’s desire to see Mark before he dies?

John 13:35
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Sunday 2nd May 2010, Mp3 Recorder Issues

john — Mon, 03 May 2010 08:54:28 +0000

Sorry everyone, Pastor Matt did preach brilliantly for us but due to Mp3 recorder problems we only managed to record about 4 minutes of it!

Sunday 25th April 2010, Three Signs

john — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 19:52:21 +0000

In this, our first of three joint services, of The Teaching Service and The Gathering, held at Archbishop Holgate school, Graham preached about three signs, two them in the bible.

1 Kings 16:34-17; 18-

The Demonstration of the power of God

Today we look at three miracles or ’signs’.

Miracle 1, The ruin of Jericho.

The nation had turned to idolatry and the worship of a false god called Baal. Elijah’s ministry was particularly important at a time when the king and priests had failed to continue in faithfulness to the Lord God.

God’s judgement was pronounced, three years without dew or rain. Without dew!? This would have been a ’sign’ or miracle that was a call to the nation to repent and turn back to God.

Interesting that the pronouncement of judgement in 1 Kings chapter 17, follows the mention of rebuilding of Jericho.

Jericho had fallen by a demonstration of the power of God. This evidence was to be left untouched, a continuing reminder of the power of God and of his capacity to bring judgement. A curse would come upon anyone removing the evidence of the miracle by restoring the city

See Joshua 6:26 “At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: Cursed before the LORD is the man who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: At the cost of his firstborn son will he lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest will he set up its gates.”

They were removing the evidence of a miracle.

Miracle 2, Drought

Now another miracle speaking of judgement, offering this time the opportunity for humility and repentance - a three year drought even without any dew. Famine follows.

After three years (1 Kings 18) Elijah is to go up to Ahab the king and bring an end to the famine. Ahab is again given the opportunity to repent. Ahab’s greeting showed there was not repentance. [When God allows us to face trouble as an act of discipline -"he would the Lord loves..." - how well do we use that opportunity to learn?] What follows is a demonstration of God’s power on Mount Carmel followed by Elijah praying for the return of the rain, yet another sign of the power of the true God.

As I read about Elijah on Mount Carmel it reminds me of something I often say about this God who is now revealed through the Christian gospel, This stuff is not only true, this stuff works! Today I am asking you if you know that the gospel true and do you know it works.

In our day we do not have the same sort of signs (we still have signs). A reason is this, in the Old Testament we see a whole nation learning to live in a special relationship with God, so they have evidence of his power in the ruins of Jericho and the events on Mount Carmel. These speak to the whole nation, calling them back to God. The the New Testament age, our age, it is no longer a nation, but people called out of all nations to belong to Him. While Old Testament law taught a nation how to live with God, the New Testament teaches Christians how individuals and churches can live in relationship with God in an unbelieving world.

Miracle 3, the one we ask for now

We do still have signs and miracles but now instead of only one or two special people in the whole land, now all Christians can know the power of the Holy Spirit and can show it in their lives. That is you and me. The Holy Spirit in you and me shows that the gospel is not only true, it works.

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

A miracle/sign is not measured by the flamboyance of the asking but the quality of the giving by our generous God.

Remember the over-the-top behaviour of the followers of Baal compared to the request of Elijah.

See the following:

From the Old Testament

2 Kings 5:11 But Naaman went away angry and said, I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.

Zechariah 4:5-7 He answered, Do you not know what these are? No, my lord, I replied. So he said to me, This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

1 Samuel 17:47 All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.

From the New Testament

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.

Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Acts 9:17-18 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, Brother Saul, the Lord- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here- has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptised.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

Election Briefing 2010

john — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:22:10 +0000

Yesterday, Graham mentioned an election briefing that he had been sent comparing different political parties and their stance on Christian issues.

The document was prepared by The Christian Institute (responsible for providing legal representation to a number of Christians who have recently had their Christian rights breached) and it compares the following parties: Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, UK Independence Party, Green Party, Christian Party and Christian Peoples Alliance. The pdf can be downloaded by clicking the following link.

If you have 5 minutes, why not visit www.westminster2010.org.uk and sign the deceleration along with 26,000+ other Christians. This is something simple that you can do to MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

Sunday 18th April 2010, 2 Timothy 4:6-8

john — Sun, 18 Apr 2010 14:05:14 +0000

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.

Sunday 11th April 2010, 2 Timothy 4

john — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 13:42:47 +0000

Some home truths from Graham this morning as he continued his series on 2 Timothy.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

‘I give you this charge’

‘I give you this charge’ this is a charge to do something.

Preach

What is preaching in this instance? Greek is KERUSSO meaning to be a herald, or to proclaim. Here it is the ministry of preaching the Scriptures, with special reference to the Gospel.

See 1 Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Romans 10:11-15 As the Scripture says, Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile- the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

There is a work to be done. This is a work he is able to do.

See 1 Timothy 4:13-16 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

This is something we can all do.

1 When

When I am ready and when I am not.

When conditions are favourable and when they are not

2 What

Preach Truth. Preach believing there is the Truth, that there is ’sound doctrine’. Call believers to align themselves with it - ‘correct, rebuke and encourage’.

There is only one Truth, only one gospel.

Galatians 1:3-9

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!

3 Despite opposition

We must always be prepared to go against the flow.

See Romans 12:2

The Message - Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.

New Living Translation - Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world

New International Version - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world

J B Phillips Translation

With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.

This is important for all believers but especially for anyone who is seeking to proclaim the truth of the gospel. A man in the UK was recently fined, when preaching in the street, for saying that homosexual sex is a sin.

Verse 5

But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

‘But you’

Set apart. Different. Consecrated to service. See Old Testament ritual of appointing the priests in Leviticus 8.

‘keep your head in all situations’

This is not about being good at emergencies or being the best person to be in a lifeboat. This is about truth and the proclaiming of it.

‘endure hardship’

Self explanatory.

‘do the work of an evangelist’

You don’t have to believe you are called to be one before knowing that you share in the responsibilities of one. The great work is always to reach out for the lost.

‘discharge all the duties of your ministry’

Everyone who serves Jesus has those duties that are preferred and those that are not liked. An disorganised person will do the things they like before the important things or the urgent things.

This is not merely a list of things asked of Timothy, this is a list of things he can accomplish.

City Screen to welcome Archbishop and filmmakers of Mugabe And The White African

john — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:23:28 +0000

City Screen Picture House York Presents

MUGABE AND THE WHITE AFRICAN: If good men do nothing, evil will prevail.

Event with Archbishop of York and filmmakers: Sunday 18 April, 5.00pm

Cert: 12A

York’s City Screen Picturehouse is to host the Archbishop of York and filmmakers Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson for a discussion alongside a special showing of the film Mugabe and the White African, on Sunday 18 April at 5pm.

Booking line: 0871 704 2054.

The award-winning documentary portrays the decline of Zimbabwe into a frightening, racist and violent society, barely able to feed its citizens, through the eyes of Mike Campbell, a Zimbabwean farmer who challenges President Robert Mugabe in the international courts.

Dave Taylor, Marketing Manager of City Screen, said, “We’re greatly honoured to welcome The Most Reverend & Right Honourable Dr. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, to watch the documentary which shows the brutality of President Mugabe’s regime and yet offers great hope through the strength of the human spirit.”

Directors Lucy Bailey and Andrew Thompson are delighted that their film, Mugabe and the White African, will be screened in York. Lucy Bailey said, “Our film is about the extraordinary courage and faith it takes to face up to a dictator. The Archbishop has been a prominent opponent of Mugabe’s regime; we know the screening will be an important event in raising issues of human rights, rule of law and democracy for all in Zimbabwe.”

Movie URL: www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com
Photos/info: www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com/press-pack/

Sunday 4th April 2010, Resurrection Day

john — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:19:29 +0000

This morning we celebrated Resurrection Day!

Luke 23:50 to 24:8

‘They remembered his words’

1) EVIDENCE FOR THE RESURRECTION

(a) His absence from the tomb

Theories:-

1 Jesus did not die

See John 19:33,34 “But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.”

2 Disciples stole the body

3 Authorities stole the body

4 Robbers stole the body

See John 20:1,2 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

(b) His presence with the disciples

Hallucination? No!

Consider the number of appearances, at least 10 different occasions
Consider the number of people, over 500
Consider the period of time, about six weeks
Consider the nature of appearances

See Luke 24:37-43 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.

(c) The Immediate effect

Birth and growth of Christian church

(d) The Effect down the ages

Experiences of Christians

2) BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTION

Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not an optional belief within Christianity, like some sort of half-way faith for the reluctant.

If there is no resurrection of Jesus Christ:

you and I will not be raised
our sins would not have been forgiven
Christ would not have conquered death

See 1 Corinthians 15:12-20

But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

3) CELEBRATION OF THE RESURRECTION

Easter is a time:

To celebrate resurrection, his and ours.
To declare it to the world by observing it.
To remind ourselves of the truth of it in the hope that the wonder of it might continue to fill us.
To claim again the benefits of it.
To be identified with Jesus again. See John 19:38-92

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no-one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there.

Sunday 28th March 2010, Palm Sunday

john — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 14:38:35 +0000

Graham didn’t divert much from his series on 2 Timothy this morning neither did he ignore the glorious event that we remember this Palm Sunday.

Palm Sunday

2 Timothy 4:1

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

Intro

In the opening verses of 2 Timothy 3 Paul warned Timothy,

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

I have no idea what such people would think of today’s verse. One who has no confidence in the power of the Holy Spirit, who has a form of godliness but who denies its power, must have little excitement over his appearing and his kingdom rule.

1) Our Past

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah and his entry was a declaration of his kingly rule. The crowds understood his claim and cooperated in the drama by hailing him with the predicted greeting, waving palm branches, and putting their clothing under his feet.

We look back to this, but it is not only a past event. This triumphal entry is the beginning of something that carries in to the centuries following that date, and into the centuries ahead of us.

2) Our Present

(a) In our world.

That is why believers pray “Thy kingdom come.”

(b) In our lives.

What would you be saying if you put your clothing down for someone to walk over?

Each Palm Sunday Christians again invite Jesus to ride into their lives again as Lord, as King.

He does ride in and take residence. We live “in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus.”

See Revelation 3:20-21 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

John 1:10-13 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

3) Our Future

The rule of Jesus will finally be seen in completeness when he judges and when he appears.

(a) “in view of his appearing and his kingdom”

Does this refer to the future or to the rule of Jesus in Paul’s day and ours? The following scriptures might help us come to a conclusion.

1 Timothy 6:13-15 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time- God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

2 Timothy 1:9-11 who has saved us and called us to a holy life- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.

2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope- the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

(b) “in view of”

This means Paul knew he was living with the consciousness of this truth. It is a truth that should shape how we live, not just how we think.

Sunday 21st March 2010, Thankfulness.

john — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:46:55 +0000

We had a nice surprise this morning. Pastor Matt from The Gathering preached for us at The Teaching Service, while Graham hung out at The Gathering. He delivered an excellent message on “Thankfulness”.

Sunday 14th March 2010, 2 Timothy 3:10

john — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:23:17 +0000

We’re now onto 2 Timothy 3 from verse 10, in Graham’s preaching series.

2 Timothy 3:10-17

1) Example

Paul’s example, verses 10 to 11

Timothy’s example, verse 14

My example and yours.

2) Our Example despite of opposition

The last days are terrible times for those who follow the Truth. (But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. Chapter 3 verse 1). They “will be persecuted”

3:12 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

3) Our Example is sustained by God’s word. All scripture is God-breathed

“All scripture”

Strictly speaking refers to the Old Testament as the works that now make up the New Testament were in the process of being created. Christians now accept this principle to apply to the New Testament too, even though Paul’s words did not exactly include the NT.

“God breathed”

The point of course is not the explanation of a technique but of the source of this revelation. Peter says something similar.

Is all of the Bible true? No!

Well, it depends upon what is meant by the question. Often when it comes from a ‘God-dodger’ (atheist) they have their own meaning loaded into it. I believe the scriptures are a gift of God to us, the manufacturer’s handbook. But I do not believe that all that is in it is true.

See the incident in Job when, after a great personal disaster, he is visited by his friends. First of all, is this an account of events or is it a book of philosophy which presents, through Job’s friends, the dominant philosophies of the day?

Whether literal or not, the first of the friends to speak talks rubbish, and we are meant to realise this. Job pours out his grief and Eliphaz the Temanite replies unsympathetically.

Job 4:12-21 A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it. Amid disquieting dreams in the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear and trembling seized me and made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stopped, but I could not tell what it was. A form stood before my eyes, and I heard a hushed voice: ‘Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker? If God places no trust in his servants, if he charges his angels with error, how much more those who live in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed more readily than a moth! Between dawn and dusk they are broken to pieces; unnoticed, they perish for ever. Are not the cords of their tent pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?’

Eliphaz tells of a special revelation he received. The revelation came to him in terror and spoke of condemnation and a god that does not value or love people. Many would recognise this as a demonic visitation. It is preserved for us to make us wise, but it is not true. It is to be compared with the rest of scripture and its consistent message of God’s grace culminating in the redemption bought by Jesus by his death on the cross.

Another problem is if we take poetry in the Bible and attach literal meaning to it, or some of the metaphor that we find in scripture. When Jesus spoke to the woman from Samaria in John’s gospel Jesus was saying something literal about what God is.

John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.

But there are also metaphors. The Bible does not teach his eye-balls have little legs to run about on.

See 2 Chronicles 16:9 (New American Standard Bible) For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.

Nor does the Bible say that God has wings, or is a giant chicken!

See Psalm 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Nor is God a building.

See Psalm 61:3 For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

See 2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Though it is important to know why we can be confident the Bible is from God, it is a more important thing is to know that it is to our guide for living.

Timothy was told to remember who had showed him what was in the scriptures - people. His grandmother and mother. See 2 Timothy 1:5

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.

He is told to remember who the scriptures come from in the first place, God himself.

See 2 Peter 1:20-21 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

He is told to remember what the scriptures can do, they can equip us for “every good work”.

They remind us how to live. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.

They teach us how to live. Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

The scriptures penetrate to the inner person in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Joint Service Times

john — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:50:53 +0000

The Teaching Service and The Gathering will be coming together at Archbishop Holgate school for a joint morning service on the following dates: 25th April, 23rd May and 27th June.

The services will begin at 1030am at Archbishop Holgate. There will be no services at St Laurence’s School or at Elim Corner on these dates.

Click the link for a map to Archbishop Holgate.

Sunday 7th March 2010, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:9

john — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:38:21 +0000

We’ve come a little further in our study of 2 Timothy this week, 2 Timothy 2:22-3:9.

2 Timothy 2:22 - 3:9

1) Truth is declared

2) Truth comes through repentance

3) Truth comes in power

1) Truth is declared

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

Not quarrelsome. Again, a person with and experience of the truth will have a calm confidence. The teacher (verse 25) does not argue, but instructs.

The is a place for wondering, for speculation, and discussion. But there is also a place for declaring, proclamation.

2) Truth comes through repentance

“In the hope that God will grant them repentance” verse 25.

The huge significance of this comment is easy to miss when the reader is following the flow of this part of the letter.

If it is God who grants repentance this gives us a clue to how we can pray for someone, either for an unbeliever or a backslider. We may wonder about the tension between a person’s free will and the call of God on a person’s life, but this at least seems to be clear. I can pray for someone that God will grant them repentance. That gift is God’s to give.

What of the person who wants to wait until the end of their life before turning to Jesus, those who think that they can plan a deathbed repentance? I tell them they can not presume that the ability to repent will be there for them then. The capacity to turn in faith might not be theirs then. That is why the Bible stresses the ‘now’ when it comes to repentance and turning to God.

3) Truth comes in power

Speaking of the last days, Paul must have meant that age in which he was living, which began with the crucifixion of Jesus. That he believed he was living in the last days is evident from his phrase “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” This is an instruction about how to behave in the present, not is some future time.

What sort of Christianity had Paul encountered when he visited Ephesus earlier? A powerless one!

See Acts 19:1-7

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They answered, No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit. So Paul asked, Then what baptism did you receive? John’s baptism, they replied. Paul said, John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus. On hearing this, they were baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

When Paul was at Ephesus and wrote to the believers in Corinth he began his first letter to them by stressing the importance of the power of the Holy Spirit. I wonder if the near missing of this truth and experience had made Paul more aware of the need to stress these things.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

The power of the Holy Spirit had been important to the early church in Jerusalem.

See Acts 6:3-5

Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word. This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.

Some people in out day deny that the power of the Holy Spirit is for out time.

See 1 Corinthians 13:8-13

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

These gifts for the church will cease when the perfect comes. The perfect has not yet come.

We live in great days, the days of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit throughout the nations.

Acts 2: 16,17 “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people …”

Partnership with other churches and other Christians is good, but not at the expense of truth.

“They are the kind…” (3:6)

What kind? Is it the whole list or just the last point about denying the power of the Holy Spirit?

See the awful description of those who reject the Holy Spirit.

Sunday 28th Feb 2010, 2 Timothy 2:11-26

john — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 15:28:34 +0000

Graham continued his exposition of 2 Timothy this morning, focusing on 2:11-26.

Sunday 21st Feb 2010, 2 Timothy 1:15-2:13

john — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 15:06:12 +0000

Graham pressed on with his fascinating and insightful series on 2 Timothy this morning.

2 Timothy 1:15 - 2:13

1) Real treasure is other people
Those that run and those that stay. Some stayed, some deserted him. This dying man is evaluating treasure, and it is not silver or gold but people. It is people that matter to a dying person, not things.

Graham Norton held an old woman’s hand.

On 18 Nov 2007, I was reviewing the Sunday papers on Julia Booth’s show on BBC Radio York. I arrived to a pile of papers and colour supplements and had to select things to mention. That morning one of the things that caught my eye was a feature in the Observer supplement about Graham Norton. According to my wife and the family tree research some of her side of the family have been doing, he is related to us (or us to him).

In that article I discovered something I never knew about him. Graham was stabbed in the chest during a mugging in 1989. His attacker left him to die in the street. In the article he described the old couple who came to his aid, and the elderly lady wearing her dressing-gown.

‘It was interesting because when you’re losing blood it really is your life force going out of you. And what’s nice about it is that it’s only a little bit panicky and then you’re just really tired.’ He remembers an elderly couple came to help him. ‘The old lady was there in her dressing gown, God love her, with someone bleeding on her doorstep, and instinctively I asked to hold her hand - which I think is a kind of human thing, where you don’t want to die alone.’ Graham Norton quoted from Observer 18/11/07

Thinking he was about to die, he asked the old lady to hold his hand as he didn’t want to die alone.

I have not heard of anyone, facing their looming death to ask for their new or finest possessions to be brought in. “Please bring my new flat-screen TV near to me that I may have my hand upon it as I die!” No, we want people near us, preferably our treasured family and friends, those important to us. In Graham Norton’s case even an unlikely stranger was better than any of his possessions or material riches.

2) Real treasure is character
We can not take with us our best toys and things, but we can take our character with us beyond the grave, what we are and what we have become.

Paul appraises their character and encourages Timothy to be a person of character in Chap 2:1-2 who will be able to pass on those values to others who will be able to pass them on to others. I must experience for myself the good things of God or I am only passing on hearsay.

Meat or milk? See Hebrews 5:11-14

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

How to experience? Give time to the ancient devotional practices of prayer and bible reading. There are no short-cuts, no instant snacks, no microwavable manna.

3) Real treasure may take effort to acquire
Chap 2:1ff
True wealth, the sort we can take with us after the end of this life, has to be worked for.

This scripture tells me what I can be. However it also gives me a glimpse of how I can be left behind if I am not vigilant. That is a constant message of scripture, all I can be or all I can fail to be.

Sunday Sermon 14 Feb 2010, Peace

graham — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 14:00:29 +0000

This week I didn’t do the preaching, John Usher did. John preached an excellent sermon tracing how ‘peace’ is portrayed in the Old Testament and how it is presented to us in the New Testament.

Particularly worth hearing is John’s description of his experience of the peace of God. Worth listening to.

The God of Peace

I wanted to impart something that (1) Had the inner ‘yes’ from God (2) rooted in the Word and (3) rooted in my own experience.

I’m going to talk about peace.

Peace in the Bible

The OT

Unsurprisingly, ‘peace’ in the OT is primarily concerned with (1) an absence of war, (2) of harmful intent between individuals or groups or (3) an absence of personal anxiety i.e inner peace.

[1. Lev 26:6 I will grant p in the land; Jos 10:1 Made a treaty of p with Israel; Judges 3:11, 30 and 5:31 so the land had p for …. years; Jer 30:10 Jacob will again have p and prosperity.

2. Gen 44:17 The rest of you, go back to your father in p, 1 Sa 1:17 Eli answered “go in p”, 2 Ki 9:17,18 “Do you come in p”?

3.Nu 6:26 the Lord turn his face towards you and give you p; Ps 119:165 great p have they who love your law.]

There are however, sign posts, in the OT which point towards a time of peace to come.

Isa 9:1-7;

This is what we call a messianic prophesy. Whether Isaiah knew it or not he was prophesying about Jesus, 700 years before Jesus was born. He describes where Jesus would be born and some characteristics of Him and His Ministry end of v6 and v7

Another Messianic prophesy

Eze 37:24-28

A little nearer the time of Jesus now about 600 years before he was born. Sometimes Jesus is referred to as David because he was David’s descendent. David was a good King but Jesus is the perfect King. We have a covenant of peace with the Father through Jesus whom we have accepted as our Lord and Saviour. Only Jesus was good enough to be a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. Jesus alone forever intercedes with the Father on our behalf. We are living under a covenant of peace now.

The NT

Peace in the NT is not really used so much to describe an absence of war.

Matt 10:34

When I say that at the last Prime Minister’s Question time, “Gordon Brown and David Cameron were at each other’s throats“. I don’t mean that they literally put their notes aside, got off their podiums and started to throttle each other’s necks.

If your mum or uncle or sister doesn’t want to come to church, I do not think for one second that Jesus is advocating that you stab them with a sword. But even here in our church, there are some who have experienced a difference of opinion with family members and friends, over Jesus, that is so sharp it cuts deeper than any sword.

If you are looking for a peace that glosses over differences just for the sake of superficial harmony you will not find Jesus advocating that in the Bible.

I’ve come into a bit of inheritance, it was left to me in a kind of will. In fact, it’s for everyone “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…” John 14:27

I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This is the peace that I really want to talk about. It is the peace, that (Philippians 4:7) “transcends all understanding”. That’s not a normal sense of peace. It’s not something that comes with walking through the Lake District or being by the sea. That sort of peace is nice but it’s available to everyone regardless of whether they are Christian or not. Natural peace comes from within and it is natural, supernatural peace comes from outside of ourselves and it is a gift of God reserved for His children.

This peace comes to me most often when I’m praying. It doesn’t happen every time but when it does it’s like a presence has entered the room. It’s like the dew of God has descended on my spirit. It’s like my heart has picked up the scent of the fragrance of the Lord. It’s the streams of living water flowing through the canals of my soul! I’m absolutely helpless when this peace descends on me, I’m not powerless I can move but I just absolutely cannot deny that something wonderful is happening to me. And I’m just compelled to praise God, sometimes quietly because I can hardly speak.

The fact that we don’t know when we will receive this peace is a good thing because it proves that it’s not just some sort of hypnotic formula that can be repeated by going through the same motions again and again. “This wind blows wherever it pleases” Jesus said John 3:8 “so it is with everyone born of the Spirit”.

Jesus is describing that the HS is not magic, not hypnosis, it’s not a formula the HS has a mind of His own, He makes choices, He has a personality.

The Benefits of ‘the peace that transcends all understanding’

1. It is a very affirming experience.

I am rich. I’m not wealthy in a wordly sense but I wear the glistening crown of a clean conscience. Not because I have no sin but because I am aware of my sin, I have confessed it before God, I have received forgiveness, it has been nailed to the cross and He knows I’m trying to stay on the narrow path. The peace that transcends all understanding is like a “well done” from heaven. When John baptised Jesus in Matthew 3, heaven opened and Jesus saw the Spirit of God descending on him like a dove and a voice from heaven saying “this is my son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” Peace is the heavenly assurance that you are God’s child and with you He is well pleased. It’s the heavenly “well done good and faithful servant”[Matt 25:23] repeated to us time and time again even before we leave this body and come into our heavenly inheritance.

The peace that transcends all understanding is the Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16)

2 Cor 1:22 God set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

Eph 1:13 Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory!

We are God’s possessions and with his Holy Spirit we are gloriously possessed.

2. It gives you confidence in your relationship with God so you don’t have to compete.

Some people, in an effort to assert how Christian they are, seem to treat spirituality like some kind of competition. Now, I am quite a competitive guy in some spheres of life for example if you want a game of chess, then I would say to you, “bring it on”. I will relish the competition and I will be disappointed if I lose. But in the sphere of spirituality, of relationship with God and the exercise of spiritual gifts I’m not in competition with anyone.

The Spirit of peace descends on me like a dove. When that happens it’s just me and my saviour in precious relationship. Why should I be competing with anyone? If you pray 3 hours a day God bless you but don’t look down on those who don’t. Some people, in group prayer, they go on too long…sometimes they’re preaching a three point sermon. Spirituality is not measured by the length of our prayers. Or have you ever been having a conversation with someone, then prayed with them and they use the prayer to get the last word in!

If you read and memorise the bible more than anyone then God bless you but it’s not a competition. If you know the bible then bless people with your knowledge build them up, don’t beat them down.

It gives you confidence in your relationship with God so you don’t have to compete, I’m not saying complacency. 3 hours of prayer, that’s still 3 hours of mighty intercession.

3. This peace of God that descends on us, protects us from constructing a false theology based on inexperience.

Which brings me to my next point which is really about the limits of theology without experience. The peace of God as I have experienced it compels me to believe that God’s Spirit is tangible but also that God heals in the church today.

My story of being instantaneously healed of throat infection.

Some intelligent, scholarly, Christian men and women have never experienced God’s healing in a miraculous way and I dare say they have never (really) encountered the peace that transcends all understanding. Otherwise their minds would be open. So they have decided that it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t exist. The rest of us who have experienced healing and powerful peaceful presence of God are deceived or liars or delusional.

Which is more valuable, a theology based on the bible and inexperience or a theology based on the bible and experience? If you ever meet someone like that please don’t get all argumentative with them but please just show them sympathy. We who know the presence and power of God can’t deny it but they have made a choice. In some ways, quite an understandable one. Some may have been attending church for years, they may know the bible and theology very well yet some new convert who knows very little about the bible or theology is talking about an experience that they’ve never had. I don’t envy the decision that that person then has to make, either construct a theology that accommodates his own inexperience and invalidates the experiences of others or he has to swallow an almighty portion of pride. Be sympathetic to these poor people.

The peace of God that descends on us protects us from constructing a false theology based on inexperience and reinforces in us a strong theology based on the bible and grounded in experience.

How to get this peace

This is the hardest part of this sermon because there are no simple answers. “This wind blows wherever it pleases”…we just can’t tell when or who God will give a tangible experience of his Spirit. But I think there are certain things we can do to prepare the ground as it were. These things will depend on what stage of your Christian walk you are on.

If you are not a Christian and you want to experience this peace, the peace that transcends all understanding the spring of living water that wells up within you to eternal life, the seal of approval from God that speaks to our spirit and says yes you are my child and you have an inheritance in heaven. If you want to come into the richness of these experiences then you need to claim Jesus as your Lord and saviour. You don’t need to know the whole bible, you’ve got the rest of your life to do that. For now you can just go with your gut instinct, if you believe Christians have something different then you can pray to Jesus and ask him to make you different as well. You can ask a Christian friend to pray for you. You may or may not come into an experience of God’s presence immediately but believe me something will happen sooner or later as surely as Jesus lives something will happen.

If you are a new Christian, why not come and ask for prayer. Ask me or Graham the pastor or an elder to lay hands on you and pray for you. My first experiences of peace, really came with the laying on of hands of God’s church leaders.

Ok, perhaps you’re not a new Christian. You’ve been a christian for a while or for many years and you’ve never experienced the peace of God as I have described it this morning. Perhaps you feel like you are at that cross roads, where you’re thinking about going with a theology that invalidates these experiences because you’ve never had them and that’s humiliating for you.

Well, it doesn’t mean that God is not please with you. You’re justified by faith, not by works but don’t wait until you die and go to heaven to experience the nearness of God. You should be experiencing it now. Maybe He needs you to draw nearer to him in spiritual discipline. I can recommend a really good book, “Celebration of Discipline” by Richard Foster.

All of us. We’ve got to at least aspire to have some sort of devotional routine. There’s no way we can walk closely with God if we’re just Sunday Christians and we spend the rest of the week watching TV. Students, I know how hard it is to fit in “quiet times” when you’re studying but it is possible. You will benefit from it and your studies will too. I don’t think anyone should pray or study the bible to the detriment of their degree but neither should someone prioritise their degree over any form of daily devotion. God will not settle for being second in line. Maybe you can only find 5 minutes after breakfast everyday, well that’s fine be still and rest in the presence of God for 5 minutes. It’s a start.

To conclude, this morning I wanted to celebrate peace and encourage those who lack it. It’s a wonderful thing, seek after it, it will add great quality to your life.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16)

Sunday 7th February 2010, 2 Timothy

graham — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:38:47 +0000

Graham continued his exposition of 2 Timothy this morning. This time just one short verse was studied.

Notes below.

2 Timothy 1:12

That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.

I Know Whom I Have Believed by Daniel W. Whittle

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

Refrain:
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

‘I know’
‘I’ - though others may doubt, I know.

‘Know’
See John 10:14 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me
John 17:25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.

Not just think, but to know, a certainty. After my trip to China I think I could explain to you what deep fried scorpions taste like. You know what apples taste like!
Psalm 34:8
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Colossians 2:1-4
I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no-one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.

‘Whom’
Know who you have believed in.
It is not what I have believed in.
Nor is it how I have believed.

It is that I know WHOM I have believed.

You will know more about who he is by ready the Bible. Because Paul knew who God is he be confident about God being faithful in the remainder of that verse. See 2 Timothy 2:13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

‘Believed’
More accurately described as “trusted”. Paul is continuing with the metaphor of a depositor depositing his pledge with
someone whom he trusts.

‘Persuaded’
Paul says he is persuaded. This is a conviction that has come about as the result of many influences. Perhaps he thinks back to the light and the voice on the road to Damascus. Perhaps he remembers is healing, or the words of prophecy spoken over him, or the demonstration of the faithfulness of Jesus in his life, or the regular encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit which is so real he described it in his letter to the church in Ephesus as a ’seal’ and as ‘a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance’

Ephesians 1:13-14
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.

He is persuaded, he knows despite the pressures and foes around him.

See Romans 8:38-39
For I am convinced (or persuaded) that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

‘He is able’ Yes God can cope.

‘Keep’ (or ‘guard’)
Keep my deposit (Greek = deposit) which I have deposited in God’s safe keeping. This deposit is all I that am and all that I have, my body, soul, and spirit.

See 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.

1 Peter 4:19
So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

Paul knew that a transaction had taken place.

When I submitted my life to Jesus Christ and he came to live in my by his Holy Spirit, a transaction took place. I deposited my spirit, soul and body with him, he deposited his Spirit in me (remember ’seal’ and ‘a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance’). Yes body as well for that was also Paul’s confidence as he faced execution.

It was the confidence of Job in Old Testament times.

Job 19:25-27 (NIV)
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes- I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

It was the confidence Paul communicated to others in happier times.

1 Corinthians 15:50-58
I declare to you, brothers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed- in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain.

What is the deposit in verse 14?
I think it is conviction, the message of truth, the teachings of this new life, his revelation, all given life by the Holy Spirit.

Christ Himself, in dying, deposited his spirit into his father’s care for safe keeping

Luke 23:46
Jesus called out with a loud voice, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last.

What do you or I need to deposit with him at this time?

David Radcliffe Testimony

john — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 14:37:27 +0000

David Radcliffe became a christian at York Elim Church 50 years ago. Since then he has spent many years leading a church. He came back to York Elim on the 50th anniversary of getting saved to give us his testimony.

Guest preach, Simon Desborough

john — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:24:33 +0000

Our Pastor Graham has been running a Preaching Course. Those who complete the course are given an opportunity to preach. Here’s one of the graduates, Simon Desborough, preaching for the first time.

Sunday 31st Jan 2010, Joint Service at the National Centre for Early Music

john — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:19:20 +0000

This morning our two congregations of York Elim Church: The Teaching Service and The Gathering (cafe style expression of York Elim), met together for the first time in The National Centre for Early Music. Graham preached on 2 Kings 3: 1-24.

2 Kings 3:1-27

Intro:

a) “Sin of Jeroboam” was the making of two idols, calves made of gold, as objects of worship. It was to prevent his people drifting back to reunification of faith with the Southern kingdom of Judah.

b) v11 “But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may enquire of the LORD through him?”

See Joshua 9:14 Peace treaty made without enquiring of the Lord.

“The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not enquire of the LORD.”

c) He called for a harpist. Ministry of the prophetic and of the psalmist.

1) fill the valley with ditches.

Water:

See John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him. By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified

John 3:8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

Acts 1:1-4 In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Fill, no half measures. There are times when we are asked to do more. Faith does not replace hard work or legitimise laziness.

Obedience without knowing why, and in spite of lack of other indicators. Where does this place the ministry of leadership?

3) v18 “This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD;…”

This is an easy thing for the Lord. What isn’t? We need constant reminding.

4) This valley will be filled with water.

V17 For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.

His supply will be abundant.

Sunday 24th January 2010, 2 Timothy Part 2

john — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 15:55:08 +0000

Graham continued his exposition of 2 Timothy this morning. Notes below.

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Previously:

“According to the promise of life…” verse 1
These are the words of a dying man. By that I mean
(a) he is aware of his mortality, as we all should be
(b) now imprisoned by Nero, he knows he approaches his end, his execution

You may not be an apostle but you are a minister of life and of the promise of life. This theme continues this week.

This week:

1) The Purpose

2) The Work

3) The Cost

1) “Purpose” verse 9.

Where was God in Haiti?

That was the question on the Today programme on BBC Radio4. The presenter mentioned that Archbishop Sentamu would be asked, “Where was God in Haiti?” when he came on the programme later. The presenter went on to put his question in context by asking why a loving, merciful and all powerful God did not intervene to stop the earthquake.

What would I have said? I will give it a go.

God could have prevented the earthquake, or he could have allowed it but prevented it from harming anyone. He could ensure that people living in a danger zone would never suffer the consequences of their actions. He could also make it so that a falling tree could never injure, or a person could go out in the Arctic without clothing and he would not feel the cold. In that sort of world no one could ever be robbed as the thief would be prevented from stealing, a person could be shot at but God would prevent the bullet connecting. There would be no need to feed the hungry or care about anyone because God would intervene and care for them. In that world God could all remove freedom to harm another person and all responsibility for any actions that we take.

However, we do not live in that world. Our world does not run like that.

And yet, I think God weeps over the suffering he sees, as Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus.

Purpose? Here in 2 Timothy 1 the great purpose is eternity. God’s plan to save, to rescue sinner, all of us, was made in eternity past.

See Ephesians 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love

1 Peter 1:18-20 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

2) The Work

“Appointed” verse 11.

1 Timothy 2:7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle- I am telling the truth, I am not lying- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

We are all appointed to be heralds. A herald proclaims and carries.

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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.

3) The Cost

“That is why I am suffering” verse 12, bearing the consequences, paying the cost.

A Christian British Airways employee who was asked to conceal her cross at work has launched a legal challenge in the Court of Appeal. Nadia Eweida is trying to overturn a previous ruling which said BA’s actions did not constitute religious discrimination.

Opposition to the Christian faith in this country is increasing due to the agenda of the secular and atheistic interest groups. Already there are jobs that Christians are not longer able to do as they are forced out. Unless things change I expect few Christians will be able to work for the State. This will affect the career choices of young Christians. Before you think me exaggerating or scaremongering, consider the following:

From Christian.org.uk 26/11/2009

A coalition of secular campaigners, gay rights activists, transgender organisations, trade unions and “progressive faith” groups has united to remove all religious liberty safeguards from the Equality Bill.

Calling itself the Cutting Edge Consortium (CEC), the group includes the British Humanist Association, the Lesbian and Gay Christian Movement, the Muslim Women’s Network, Liberal Judaism, Ekklesia, Unison and the TUC.

It has called on Parliament to remove what it calls ‘religious opt-outs’ from the Bill.

The Bill already dramatically narrows safeguards in sexual orientation employment laws which protect the religious liberty of churches and other faith groups. It has the support of the EU.

Under the current law, religious groups can restrict posts to Christians whose private conduct is consistent with the Bible’s teaching on sexual ethics. These posts must be for the purposes of organised religion, which could include jobs like a youth worker.

But under the Equality Bill the Government is specifying that this protection can only apply to posts that mainly involve leading worship or explaining doctrine.

The Bill’s explanatory notes make it clear that this protection “is unlikely to permit a requirement that a church youth worker who primarily organises sporting activities is celibate if they are gay, but may apply if the youth worker mainly teaches Bible classes”.

But we teach celibacy outside of marriage to heterosexuals too!

From Christian.org.uk 21/1/2010

Christians who work in the public sector risk being squeezed out of their jobs because of a wrong use of equality and diversity laws, a senior Anglican Bishop has said.

During a House of Lords debate Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt said that some people view Christianity as “abnormal” and think that believers should keep their faith in a box rather than freely express it in public.

The Bishop, who is the fifth most senior prelate in the Church of England, said this attitude “seems to be a thread that is at risk of running through the equality and diversity agenda. In fact, in my observation it does run through it”.

He added: “My concern is for Christians, for the churches, for members of other faiths and their attempts to do what any honest believer would by not keeping their faith in some little box, only getting it out at home or with fellow believers.

From Christian.org.uk 22/12/2009

Churches should be “lining up” lawyers to defend themselves against secular legal challenges under the Equality Bill, a Government equalities minister has admitted.

Michael Foster MP, a minister in Harriet Harman’s Equalities Office, was asked whether the Bill would lead to legal action between churches and atheists.

He said both sides “need to be lining up (their lawyers) by now.”

He added: “The secularists should have the right to challenge the church and if the church’s argument is good enough - which I believe it is - then the church should win through.”

The Equality Bill will dramatically shrink the liberty of churches to insist their staff’s conduct is in accordance with the Bible’s teaching on sexual behaviour.

The Bill will also impose an ‘equality duty’ on public bodies like schools and the police to promote gay and transsexual rights.

A new Christian Institute report has revealed the extent to which Christians are being marginalised by a raft of equality and diversity laws which leave them the first to be punished and the last to be protected.

The report, called “Marginalising Christians”, catalogues numerous cases of Christians being sidelined by public bodies, popular media, employers and barriers to public funding. You can download the PDF from my blog, www.TheMorningFlight.com.

So should we have lawyers ready? Michael Foster MP suggests we should, and that if we are in the right we will win. Yes, but we may not win. Right does not always prevail this side of heaven.

The Apostle said he was suffering for the gospel. And his advice?

2 Timothy 1:11-14

And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Morning Service Being Held at Centre for Early Music on 31 Jan

john — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:47:38 +0000

Dear All,

On Sunday 31 Jan the morning service won’t be held at St Lawrence’s Primary School. Instead, it will be held at The National Centre for Early Music: St Margaret’s Church, Off Walmgate, YORK, YO1 9TL. We will start and finish at the usual times. This is just for one week and the following week 7 Feb the Teaching service will be back at the school and The Gathering will be back at Elim Corner.

Maps below, click them to enlarge.

Blessings,

York Elim Church.

1 St Lawrence's Primary School, 2 Elim Corner, 3 National Centre for Early Music

Parking: 1 Percy's Lane is unrestricted on a Sunday (both sides), 2 National Centre for Early Music car park, 3 Herbert & Sons car park. Alternative car parking at Elim Corner or HomeBase.

Sunday 10th January 2010 - 2 Timothy

john — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:28:43 +0000

We have started 2 Timothy! Graham has been unwell for a while but now he’s back and on form.

2 Timothy 1

Intro
Reasons for writing, according to the NIV study bible:

He was lonely.
Concerned about the welfare of the churches.
He wanted to write to the Ephesian church through Timothy.

1 “According to the promise of life…” verse 1
These are the words of a dying man. By that I mean
(a) he is aware of his mortality, as we all should be
(b) now imprisoned by Nero, he knows he approaches his end, his execution

But Paul knew where he future home was.

Job 19:25-27 (New American Standard Bible)

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, And at the last He will take His stand on the earth. “Even after my skin is destroyed,
Yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, And whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!

Hebrews 11:21

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshipped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

John 5:25

I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
You may not be an apostle but you are a minister of life and of the promise of life.

2 “I long to see you…” verse 4
He wanted company, but he wanted the company of someone of faith.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Note, (a) effects of fellowship (b) equality in fellowship (two equal elements).

Koinonia, in the NT translated variously as ‘fellowship’ or ‘communion’. Literally it means intimate participation.

Isaiah 12:2-4
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.
In that day you will say: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.

To draw from a well was not a community task, unlike the Samaritan woman in John’s gospel who went to the well at an odd time to be there alone.
3 Verses 6 and 7
Refer back to Timothy’s need for courage mentioned previously. Now in new context. From his prison dungeon he knows what the hope for the future is, it is Holy Spirit empowered people.

Many Christians, at the end of the 1800s were eagerly anticipating the return of Jesus which they believed would happen once they had evangelised the world. The end of the 1800s and beginning of the 20^th century saw many young Christians giving themselves to world evangelisation.

Along with this international missionary endeavour there was a crying out for more power of the Holy Spirit. It was into this appetite for more of the Spirit that the outbreak of modern Pentecost came.

About Dr Griffith John (in the 1870s):

Griffith contributed several articles to the book “Evangelisation of the World” one of which was entitled “Our Pressing Need is for a Baptism of Divine Power”. He was a Welsh missionary in China with the London Missionary Society

In Hankow, Hudson Taylor and 3 of the Cambridge 7 were given hospitality by Dr Griffith John. John had already been in China for 30 years and had a thriving congregation in Hankow.

Griffith John’s wife, returned to China from a stay in America in the 1870s having been influenced by the Holiness movement. John describes it as follows “The Heavenly Dove descended upon her as a spirit of sanctity and power”. John was impressed by the change in his wife and began to desire an experience himself. He wrote of this desire “It is the Holy Ghost in us that is everything…My cry these days is for a Pentecost”. According to Gibbard, he attained this experience when he was going out to preach in China with no specific text in mind “God, however, opened his lips and endowed him with exceptional power, such power that he had no doubt as to its divine origin. It was a baptism of the Holy Spirit of God”.

The power of the Holy Spirit is still needed by believers today.

We should submit to receive

in fellowship
in the laying on of hands
admitting our need, always, for the Holy Spirit

Sunday 27th December - Marriage

graham — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 21:21:42 +0000

Another Christmas theme. This time a look at the fragile institution into which God was willing to entrust His one and only Son.

Jesus was born into a family

Luke 1:26-33

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.”

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 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, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

This is a good time to mention the special place of the family.

Various groups within our society now have various ideas and claims about what marriage is and what constitutes a family.

What would have happened if that particularly family had not been one that would continue. Joseph does disappear from the account, though at least not until after the incident in the Temple with Jesus talking with the teachers.

Luke 2:40-48

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him. Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the Feast, according to the custom. After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they travelled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.

Jesus was born into a family

A lesbian couple who was the first same-sex couple to marry in the United States in 2004 divorced only two years later in 2006.

Hillary and Julie, 52 and 51 respectively, led the fight to legalize gay marriage in Massachusetts. They were among seven gay couples who filed a lawsuit in 2001 challenging the state’s gay marriage ban. The case led to a state Supreme Judicial Court ruling that made Massachusetts the first state to recognize same-sex marriage.

The lesbian couple wed on the first day same-sex marriage was legalized in the state, May 17, 2004.

Kris Mineau, president of the Massachusetts Family Institute, a Judeo-Christian-based public policy group that fought to repeal gay marriage, said,

“Divorce is a very painful issue, but I also can’t help but reflect on the pain this couple has caused on the commonwealth and the nation to redefine marriage. And now they’re getting divorced? It doesn’t make a lot of sense, Obviously, they don’t hold the institution in very high esteem.”

I noticed that the former couple went on to share custody of their 12-year-old daughter, Annie.

Meanwhile, a custody battle between another lesbian couple that ended their Vermont civil union is to me, even more interesting to me

After Lisa Miller split from her civil union with Janet Jenkins, Janet sought full custody of Isabella, Miller’s biological daughter.

Vermont courts ruled that Jenkins had parental rights because she was joined in a civil union with the girl’s mother at the time she was impregnated through artificial insemination. Janet Jenkins was not given custody but was given liberal unsupervised visitation rights to the six year old girl.

Lisa Miller left the homosexual lifestyle and became an evangelical Christian when Isabella was 17 months old.

It is not yet known why lesbian and homosexual relationships last less long than heterosexual ones.

Heterosexual relationships break up too of course, and marriage is a factor.

Earlier this year (2009) a new study found that choosing to cohabit rather than marry can more than double a woman’s risk of becoming a single mother by the time her child reaches five years of age. The study was based in Bristol on 15,000 mothers and featured in a collection of studies co-edited by Harry Benson of the Bristol Community Family Trust.

Not that marriage is a magic formula…

Headline in Daily Mail Online, 26th December 2009:

‘We never restrict each other’: Angelina Jolie speaks about her relationship with Brad Pitt and says fidelity is not essential.

The article went on to say fidelity is still not high on Angelina Jolie’s list of priorities. The actress has revealed that the couple do not restrict each other and says she doubts fidelity is essential.

Speaking to German magazine Das Neue, the 34 year-old said: ‘I doubt that fidelity is absolutely essential for a relationship. Neither Brad nor I have ever claimed that living together means to be chained together. We make sure that we never restrict each other.’

The revelation will shock fans of the couple, who have have a family of six children, three of whom are adopted.

In June a leading family judge, Mr Justice Coleridge, warned that marriage urgently needed to be reaffirmed as the “gold standard” of relationships. He said an “epidemic” of family breakdown was damaging children.

Mail online 17th June 2009:

Only marriage can mend broken Britain, says top judge in attack on ‘pass the partner’ society

Marriage should be promoted by the Government to end the ’social anarchy’ of family breakdown, a senior judge said last night.

Mr Justice Coleridge accused mothers and fathers who fail to commit to each other of engaging in a game of ‘pass the partner’ that has left millions of children ’scarred for life’.

In a hard-hitting speech in Parliament, he called for a change of attitude that would attach a ’stigma’ to those who destroy family life and said a National Commission should be established to devise solutions for the ‘epidemic’ of broken homes.

He said: ‘The reaffirmation of marriage as the gold standard would be a start.’

Currently, one in three marriages ends in divorce. One in ten children lives with cohabiting parents and a quarter live with a single parent.

Children from single-parent families are far more likely to do badly at school, suffer poor health, fall into crime, drug abuse, binge drinking and teenage pregnancy.

Condemning the ‘endless and futile quest for a perfect relationship’, he said many parents were in ‘a complete and uncontrolled free-for-all where being true to oneself and one’s needs is the only yardstick for controlling behaviour’.

He added: ‘The children are caught up in the conflict of their parents’ unresolved relationship issues and it can leave them scarred, sometimes severely scarred, for life.’

The judge also said government should support ‘those who chose not to marry but live a committed life with a partner’, since they provide stability for children.

Calling for ‘a fundamental change in individual attitude and behaviour’, he said: ‘What is a matter of private concern when it is on a small scale becomes a matter of public concern when it reaches epidemic proportions.

‘I am not suggesting that all relationship breakdown and termination can be avoided in all cases. Of course it cannot.’

But he concluded: ‘The time has come for a major examination of all the issues surrounding family life, its support and maintenance, and especially the mechanisms and laws for its termination.’

Tory MPs to tell Cameron: ’shut up about marriage’

December 17th, 2009, The Christian Institute’

Conservative Party leader David Cameron has been told to “shut up about marriage” by some Conservative MPs who say he risks alienating single parents and cohabiting couples.

The Conservatives have pledged to recognise marriage in the tax systems and abolish the couple penalty in the benefits system if they win the General Election next year.

But some in the party are concerned that such a move would stigmatise unmarried couples.

Earlier this month Mr Cameron spoke about the benefits of marriage.

He said that “evidence shows marriage is a good institution which helps people stay together, and commit to each other. A society that values marriage is a good and strong society.”

However, his critics say he may be seen as moralising about people’s personal lives and called for alternative relationships to be recognised.

What a lot depended upon the quality of the marriage into which the Christ was placed.

God entrusted the Messiah to

a human marriage. What if they had failed to commit? What if they had turned out to be selfish?
a very young couple
to people empowered by God

God still entrusts His treasure to human beings

to human marriages the upbringing of children
to human beings the message of his love and life
to human lives the display of His glory
to people empowered by God

2 Corinthians 4:1-8

Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all- surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair

Sunday 20th December - The Magi

john — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:41:21 +0000

As it’s Christmas, we had a sermon all about The Magi. It was fascinating stuff!

Christmas Sermon - Malachi 3:1-3

Intro

What brought the Magi to Judea? A prophesy made by Daniel, writing between 605 and 530 BC, stated that Jerusalem would be rebuilt after the Babylonians destroyed it in the 6th century BC. The prophecy went on to say that 490 years would pass from a command to rebuild Jerusalem until a messianic kingdom would emerge on the earth, in the region of Palestine, which would fill the whole world.

Although vague references to a Jewish Messiah had been made by earlier prophets, Daniel was the first to specifically predict the birth of this Messiah. However, Daniel’s prophecy had some factors that were rather vague.

For instance:

Daniel did not clearly explain which command to rebuild Jerusalem was meant.
He also did not say whether his year-lengths were lunar or solar.
As regards the Messiah, Daniel did not indicate at what point in the life of the Messiah the 490 years began their countdown. Thus, the prophecy does not provide, with pinpoint accuracy, when the Messiah would make His presence known. Significant events in a Jewish male’s life could include his Bar Mitzvah, when he achieved 20 years of age and thus able to go to war, or when he became thirty, the year of spiritual adulthood. The 490 year period could also have begun whenever the Messiah would be proclaimed King, which could happen at any time during his life.

According to Flavius Josephus, the Jewish historian who lived in the last part of the first century, there was a conviction among the Jews that this prophecy of Daniel would have its fulfilment within the first century. Josephus further stated that it was shown in the “sacred writings” that about that time, from Judea would come one who would become governor of the habitable earth. The sacred writings were particularly the prophecies of Daniel.

Daniel was a Jewish slave. As a young man he was captured by the Babylonian invaders of Judea and taken to Babylon where he served the Babylonian kings. He became a Master Magi, highly valued by the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar, because of his ability to interpret dreams and predict events based on these dreams.

The origins of the Magi are not entirely clear, but they are believed to have had their beginnings with the teachings of Zoroaster, sometime around 1000 BC. Zoroaster was a religious leader and teacher in the region of Persia where the Magi were thought to have their origins. Zoroaster espoused monotheism, and taught that at sometime in the future, there would arise a king who would raise the dead and transform the world into a kingdom of peace and security. Interestingly enough, the Zoroastrian traditions associated with this prophesied king said that the king would come forth from the descendants of Abraham.

Even the Romans were aware of the prophecies of Daniel. Roman historians in the early second century wrote of the firm belief that had long prevailed through the east that it was destined for the empire of the world at that time to be given to someone who would come forth from Judea. Even the Roman emperor Nero was advised to move his seat of empire from Rome to Jerusalem because it was believed that Jerusalem was destined to become the capital of the world. Nero declined. However, in 2 BC, the Romans decided that Caesar Augustus was the fulfilment of the prophecy so they didn’t feel the need to look elsewhere for interpretations.

In the early church there was no celebration of Jesus’ birth. Each Sunday was a celebration of Christ’s resurrection. That was why the Christians chose Sunday as their day instead of Saturday which is the Jewish Sabbath. The Jewish festivals of Passover and Pentecost continued to be celebrated by the church for a time since they were closely associated with Christ’s death and resurrection. In the third century, some churches in the east began to celebrate January 6 as the Epiphany, the time that Christ revealed himself to the people as the Messiah. The birth of Jesus was also commemorated at this time.

So if we are to celebrate it, what should we seek to get out of it?

1) Popular culture or Truth?

A Magus would be so mysterious to the common people that some of what he did would seem like magic, just as our science would to them.

Like today’s scientists the Magi would want to look at the facts and come to conclusions from the facts. To put it another way, the Magi looked for someone fulfilling the ancient prophecies, not the expectations of popular culture. They looked for the hand that fitted the glove, not a glove made to fit a hand.

See Romans 12:1-2

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Magi were the scientists of their day. They saw realities and wondered what God might be saying through them. Faith should cause me to look around me with the same mindset. God is at work in our world. As I read the newspapers I should wonder what God is doing and when His return is likely.

2) Therapy or an encounter with God?

See Malachi 1:1-3,

See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come, says the LORD Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.

The gospel is the great message of good news about the relationship between man and God. It is not some form of therapy that is centred around the demands of self-absorbed, selfish, materialist individuals.

3) Look in the right place

The Romans looked in the wrong place for the great king. They looked to themselves and not to something new like a child in a manger.

How to look in the right place? See 1 Thessalonians 5:13b-24 for a good summary.

Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil. 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. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.

Sunday 13th December

john — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 10:21:56 +0000

Graham continued his series on 1 Timothy this morning, from chapter 6.

1 Timothy 6

Maintaining Values

Intro

In chapters 3 & 4 - Developing Character
In chapter 5 - Bearing Responsibility
Now in chapter 6 - Maintaining Values

Much of the chapter could be seen as being about money, with the first bit about slavery a different topic altogether. Rather, I see Paul’s comments about money as a continuation of his comments to workers.

When speaking to slaves, Paul is taking about values. He then continues this theme by talking to all believers (not just slaves) about money. I see the theme of this chapter as being about maintaining values.

1) Values of the heart

See Acts 21:1 for how Luke described their parting from the Ephesian church leaders. Notice Paul’s heartbreak at the departure. Image his sadness over the Ephesian leaders who gone over to false teaching.

“After we had torn ourselves away from them…”

See: John 13:34-36

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Simon Peter asked him, Lord, where are you going? Jesus replied, Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.

1 John 3:1,11,23

1 How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

2) Values for the workman

Slavery 1 Tim 1:6

3) Values to manage my money, or my money will manage me!

See Matthew 6:19-24

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No-one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Eternal things first

Verses 1 and 2 are about work, and those who get those values wrong will be open to the discontent outlined in verses 3 to 5. Lack of contentment leads to chasing financial gain, which is highlighted onwards from verse 6.

See Nehemiah 13:14-22

City gates closed for the Sabbath. The Sabbath rest was to be a continual reminder to the people of Israel that there are more important things than business or the pursuit of wealth. What do you do to remind you of the values you want to maintain?

Guest Mini Preach Sunday 6th December

john — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:06:13 +0000

Our guest mini preach was delivered by Toby Stokes this morning.

Sunday 6th December

john — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 16:03:44 +0000

Graham continued his series on 1 Timothy this morning, concentrating on 1 Timothy 5.

1 Timothy 5

The last theme was Character, now we have Calling and Responsibility

Intro

Some details in this chapter were for them alone. It appears that in Ephesus they had a church widows programme. This is not a recommended practice, it is a report of what was happening there. Is this evidence of the business women again?

For those wanting to study the New Testament letters it is worth stepping back from the detail from time to time and asking, “What is the grand theme of this section?” The answer to that question is often the key to unlock the meaning of the detail.

So I step back, and what do I see? In the previous section I saw ‘character’ as the theme, now I see ‘responsibility’ as a theme, and also another thread running through about God calling believers to respond to him and commit themselves to his calling upon their lives.

First though, where are the church elders? Why is Timothy having to deal with these issues?

See Acts 20:29-30.

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

I think Timothy’s role is one of a trouble-shooter. Not easy for a young man, and an outsider.

1) Responsibility

The importance of commitments freely entered into. We may not have this widows system but we still enter into commitments.

Providing for family, mutual care. Care for those for whom we are responsible.

Good order in the church is important v1-20.

Verse 21 “keep these instructions” compare with 2:12 “I do not permit…” This instruction is just that, an instruction, and not a matter of Paul’s own preference and practice.

2) God’s calls believers

Ordination, verse 22.

Why would he be hasty?
Character of ordinand?
Age of ordinand?
Possibility of not keeping faithful to calling and commitment? Compare with the matter of the young widows.

The church leaders calling and vocation, verses 17-20

Worth. Not a salary scale!
Do not allow a leader’s reputation to be easily destroyed by mischievous people.
Do not allow sinning leaders to get away with it. See Acts 20:29,30.
Public! Guard the special nature of the calling to service.

Jeremiah 1:4-16

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.

Ah, Sovereign LORD, I said, I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.

But the LORD said to me, Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the LORD. Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, Now, I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.

Psalm 139:13-17

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.

Sunday 29th November

john — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 15:22:23 +0000

Graham continued his Timothy series this morning with a bit of a revamp of the previous few weeks.

1 Timothy 4

Character

Intro

The theme of this chapter is character. This continues the emphasis on character we noticed in chapter 3 when Paul wrote regarding to the appointment of leaders. See verses 7,8, 13-16.

Paul opens the chapter with an outline of the character of false teachers. Paul tells us that attempts at godliness without character results in legalism. This is not first century stuff only, the church of the 20^th century was blighted by legalism.

Now Paul encourages Timothy. Timothy may or may not succeed in all he attempts to do for this church but his is told to watch his character, guard his fire, or else he loses all hope of having in his moment and in his location.

1) A Good Minister v6. How?

A good minister does not promote legalism, but life abundant and thankfulness. A good minister is committed to proclaiming the truth.

2) A Youthful Minister v12. How?

“Let no one look down on your youthfulness” - yes but how?

Live the anointing. Guard the fire of the Spirit.

3) A Gifted Minister v14. How?

He will later be encouraged about this again in 2 Timothy 1:6. The problem identified then would be Timothy’s timidity. Perhaps he was still conscious of his youthfulness when Paul wrote his second letter - an internal battle still not won. He will need courage to carry out the rest of the instructions Paul gives in this letter.

The way it is worded here, the gift is described as a spark that can be fanned into flame. A skill all would have in the days before matches and electronic ignition. There is huge potential from a small spark when the spark is placed there by God.

How would you fan it into flame?

Timothy is being reminded to trust in the prophetic word he received. See 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

Sunday 22nd November

john — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:01:54 +0000

Graham continued his 1 Timothy theme this morning. The recording starts just as Graham is reading the first few verses of 1 Timothy 4.

1 Timothy 4

Tolerance and Unity

1) False teaching should not be unexpected.

Paul refers to what must have been a common expectation. The Spirit was speaking about this to the church.

According to the NIV Study Bible, some suggest that Paul is speaking about a particular revelation of the Holy Spirit that he had received.

He also had the words of Jesus. See:

Matthew 24:3-11

As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately. Tell us, they said, when will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? Jesus answered: Watch out that no-one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.

Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth-pains. Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

Mark 13:22

For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect- if that were possible.

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3

Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.

See 1 John 4:2-6.

This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognise the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Paul did have a revelation. Acts 20:29-30 Prophetic warning given by Paul to the leaders of the Ephesian church at his farewell meeting.

2) Spiritual Agents of Deception

Deceiving spirits, “demons”.

See incident with Peter. Matthew 16:22-23

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

We must ask, “Could the enemy use me?” In reply we must admit our weakness as human beings. We are all capable of deceiving and being deceived.

3) Human Agents of Deception

Moral failure - “hypocritical liars”.

Damaged conscience - ” seared…hot iron”.

Bad consciences, unless they turn to repentance, will always turn to hypocrisy for comfort. In contrast, faith and a good conscience partner together.

See 1 Timothy 1:5

The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

The Greek, however, primarily means “branded” with the consciousness of crimes committed against their better knowledge and conscience,

A “brand” can be compared to the seal from God. See 2 Timothy 2:19

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: The Lord knows those who are his, and, Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.

Ephesians 1:13-14

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession- to the praise of his glory.

A conscience repeatedly denied, the voice of the Spirit repeatedly ignored, will result in damage.

The solution? Repentance and restoration. Glory in the seal of the Holy Spirit.

Sunday 15th November

john — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:36:35 +0000

Graham preached for us this morning. Sometimes funny and sometimes very moving but always excellent.

1 Timothy 3 Part 2

From last week:
Leadership is character. Our character is not God’s gift to us, it is our gift to God, it is our worship.

See Romans 12:1-1

This week:
People should know how to behave because it is God’s household. Verse 15ff is the “because” of the previous verses.

Because - The theme of unity continues as Paul draws their gaze to the greatness of the church.

1) The house (household) of God
Hebrews 3:1-6
Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honour than the house itself. For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything. Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

Hebrews 10:19-22
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 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.

1 Peter 4:17
For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Corinthians 3:16
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

Temple of Ephesus
Ephesians 2:22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesus was the home of the Artemisian, the Temple of Diana (also known as Artemis), a wonder of the world. See Acts 19 for Paul’s marvellous yet difficult time in Ephesus, The introduction of power with disciples filled with the Holy Spirit, extraordinary miracles (verse 11) and a riot (verse 23 ff).

Here in his letter to Timothy Paul is declaring that the invisible church is greater than the temple of Diana.

See Hebrews 12:18-24 “You have not come… But you have come to Mount Zion…”

The church, the congregation of the living God. “Living God” is compared to the dumb and lifeless idol, Diana of Ephesus.

2) Pillar and foundation of the truth.

This is the church he speaks of. Though the pillar of the church rests upon Christ, in this world the non-believers see the church. The church is the pillar that carries the truth that the future church rests upon. Each generation needs the previous one that has supported and preserved the message of God.

3) Mystery
If we could know all things about God he would be no bigger than our understanding. A God without mystery is no God at all.

Yet this is not about God being a mystery. It is about godliness being a mystery. The God who call for character is the one who shapes character.

See Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

See 1 Corinthians 2:7-14
No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

However, as it is written:

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him-but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no-one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Conclusion

Timothy has been reminded of the glory of the church in which he labours. These are the high stakes Timothy must fight for. This is the ‘because’ of verse 15. This is the reason why unity in the church is so important.

Sunday 8th November

john — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:04:10 +0000

Apologies to all for the ropey quality of the first recording. It was recorded using an old mp3 player. This first short recording is the first bit of the sermon.

1 Timothy 3

Intro

We have identified that the grand theme of this letter so far is unity. Paul has been dealing with disunity by addressing with those things which either the cause or aggravate disunity.

He has covered man arguing, who he told to pray, and women displaying social difference by their jewellery and expensive hair braiding. Paul even mentioned his personal policy of restricting the role of women in church meetings. I mentioned that at this time business women guilds were large and powerful. In some cities the business women guilds had the largest buildings.

This section gave us the context of the previous section and helped persuade us that it was about people appropriating leadership or influence without having any right to do so.

1) Non-appointed leadership
Self-appointed bullies. Those that control yet are accountable to no one.

If this error is left uncorrected, a church will normally have more than one such self-appointed ‘leader’.

2) Properly appointed leadership

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

“Reliable is also translated “faithful”. God can add ability to character and availability. God can not add character to ability, that is our gift to Him.

The list of qualifications is all about character before ability.

(a) Elders
Also called overseer. Duties were to teach and preach (3:2, 5:17), direct the affairs of the church (3:5, 5:17), Shepherd the flock of God (Acts 20:28), guard the church from error (Acts 20:28-31).

(b) Deacons
They serve.
Difference between the two offices of elder and deacon? And Elder answers for the souls in their care.

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

(c) “Wives”. Literally translated - “the women” in 1 Timothy 3:11

New International Version - In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
New American Standard Bible - Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things.
New Century Version - In the same way, women must be respected by others. They must not speak evil of others. They must be self-controlled and trustworthy in everything.

(d) Female Deacons

Romans 16:1-2 refers to a woman who was a deacon (no such thing as a deaconess):

I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant (diakonos), of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper (prostatis ) of many and of myself also.

3) Purpose of leadership

Discipleship. Order, yes, but the real purpose is the fullness of stature for the believers.

Ephesians 4:11-14
It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

A comment about MILK
Hebrews 5:12-14
In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 2:1-3
Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

2 Timothy 2:2
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.

Sunday 1st November Guest Speaker Gordon Neale

john — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:50:59 +0000

One of Elim’s Regional Superintendent, Gordon Neale, joined us this morning.

What? No sermon?

graham — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:01:46 +0000

On Sunday 25th many of the men in our church were away at our men’s weekend at a centre in Ingleton.

Pamela was our preacher and many people were doing jobs they were not used to to cover for those away. The sermon was excellent, but the recording did not come out well. At the moment it is being put through various processes to see if it can be rescued. If we are successful we will post it here as usual.

Blessings to all our regular listeners.

Sunday 18th October Timothy Part 6

john — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:31:15 +0000

Graham continued his series on 1 Timothy this morning from 1 Tim 2:11. rushed on the recording.

1 Timothy 2:11-14

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner.”

There is a limit to how deeply we can go into this subject in the time available for one sermon. The false resurrection doctrine affecting Corinth at this time will have been affecting Ephesus. It is likely in view of the fact that Ephesus was a port and a short day-trip from Corinth. Also there are close parallels between problems addressed in the two churches of Corinth and Ephesus, questions about marriage, men and women, and food. This false doctrine had an effect on views about sexuality and attitudes to marriage and certain functions in the church.

About principles of biblical interpretation

You may ask yourself, “What does this scripture say to me?” That is a devotional question and must always be subject to proper principles of interpretation. First we must discover what it was meant to say to those who read or heard it first.

On this topic, and on this scripture, I seem to see advocates of proper principles of interpretation abandoning those principles.

The disciples of Christ must be a people without distinction of nationality, social standing or finances, rank, or party. We noted this to be the meaning behind the comments to women to avoid dress or ornament that emphasised differences in social class or wealth. It would be odd if Paul were now seeking to emphasis suppression or subordination of women, it would fly in the face of the context and of other declarations of Paul. See Galatians 3:28 , “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave no free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”.

We know that in Corinth there were disruptions in the meetings by some women, inquiring about prophecies (1 Corinthians 14:33-35). In Ephesus there is some problem to do with women and learning (1 Tim 2:11-12). The men had been challenged about anger and arguments disrupting worship in the church. This then is Paul telling Timothy what to do to sort things out.

Paul addressed this letter to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2) who was looking after the church in Ephesus. We must remember this when we are trying to understand what Paul meant. This was not addressed to the church generally, or to the church in the 21st century, even taking into account our belief that through the inspiration by the Holy Spirit this is meant to speak to us today.

1) Learn

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission.”

The first keyword here is the word “learn”.

Women did learn. In the church women had access to learning.

Phoebe is mentioned as a deacon in the Greek of Romans 16:1. There is no such word as deaconess in Greek. Phoebe was a deacon. When she is mentioned alongside her husband, her name is mentioned first.

The ancient church councils produced creeds that defined what was true and what was heresy. These councils also regulated female deacons. Early in church history we see that deacons were considered an order of the clergy. While this is not scripture, it gives a clue to an early, commonly accepted, understanding of this scripture, while still not far distant from the culture of Paul’s day.

In Paul’s time, in a culture when women did not have access to learning, the church taught all the eternal truths, and allowed women to teach them. The Christian church was the only religious institution that gave women religious instruction and training.

In those days, though women could not vote, they could own businesses on their own (see story of Lydia in Acts 16). Throughout Acts we see Paul utilising influential women who are converts. Excavations of ancient Pompeii reveal that the largest building in the town was a businesswoman’s club.

Perhaps the problem was not from women being trained for ministry or the diaconate, but the new female converts. Influential businesswomen receiving religious instruction would have found the situation a novel one. Women used to being in charge now have to submit to learning for the first time in their lives. I wonder if there was any added disruption from the differences in social standing between these women. That must have been the case from what we understand from the dressing modestly comments.

Men must have been expected learn in silence and submission too, but Timothy obviously didn’t have a problem with the men’s class.

I can imagine what the young Timothy faced with older, powerful women in the church vying with each other for prominence and power.

Clash of egos!

2) Teach

I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man. 1 Timothy 2:12.

Paul could have said, “Do not permit a woman…,” but he didn’t. He said, “I do not permit…”

Some would reply that I am being pedantic, splitting hairs. They would go on to say that if we are unsure, or there is any doubt at, we should restrict the activities and ministries of women in the church. I say if there is any doubt, we should not restrict them.

In Paul’s day, in the synagogues, men and women sat apart. Often the women sat in a gallery above the men. In 1 Corinthians 14:35 we read that some women were able to disrupt the meetings by asking men questions. Some think this is because they followed synagogue practice of having men and women seated separately. We can imagine how difficult this would have been with a wife calling to her husband across the room, “What it he on about?”

This scripture is a description of Paul’s practice, not a rule.

We have no record of the sexes being segregated in Timothy’s time. The early church had a mix of race, social classes and of the sexes. They reflected the words of Paul in his letter to the Galatian Christians, Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave no free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Perhaps as a Jew, Paul kept up the social customs of keeping men and women separate in the teaching environment. Perhaps, but if he did, this is only Paul’s practice. He said, “I do not permit…” If Paul is saying, “I do…” then it implies that other people did do it differently. If it was an accepted rule why would Paul speak of his practice. I suggest Paul’s way of doing things would have sorted Timothy’s problem without implying that the other common practices in other churches were not correct. This is not an instruction or commandment of Paul’s, he is giving advise to a particular young (4:12) church leader who is having problems in the particular church he looks after.

Remember the teachings of the early church. At the Church’s birth at Pentecost Peter quoted the following:

Acts 2:17-18; quoting Joel 2:28-29

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams, Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Again, Paul wrote:

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave no free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

But what was Paul’s practice? What about women prophesying?

In 1 Corinthians 11:1-15 we read about women being urged to follow a cultural custom of that time and that place, covering her head when praying and prophesying in the gathering of the church.

Paul defined what this prophesying was, in 1 Corinthians 14 verses 3,4 &31. It was to be the “edification, exhortation, and comfort of believers…” This was included in the public ministry of women allowed by Paul and was predicted by the prophet Joel.

In this letter to Timothy we are seeing the Church struggling to express the sexual equality they believe in, while being aware of the social customs they found themselves in.

3) Teach and have authority over a man (v. 12)

As we have noted this was a practice of Paul’s, and not a general rule or common practice.

Some claim that this represents a specific activity and that the general rule is that women teaching in the assembly would violate the accepted authority structure.

However, we should notice that Paul did not employ his usual term for the exercise of authority (exousia), he chose an unusual word (authenteo) that could carry other, negative connotations such as “to usurp or misappropriate authority” or “to domineer.” This unusual term probably signifies an unusual situation in the Ephesian church where women had misappropriated authority by taking upon themselves some status or position of authority. As false teaching was a problem in the church these women may have tried to domineer by the use of strange doctrines. Note the section that follows this is about the correct method of appointing leadership in the church.

Paul’s aim than in verses 11-12 is to restore peace in the gathering (back to the theme of unity again) by placing certain limits on the role of women.

But don’t forget Pricilla. Paul would not have forgotten that he knew Pricilla who led and taught in the church. And Paul knew the prophecy of Joel quoted as a declaration by Peter on the day of Pentecost,

“Your sons and daughters will prophesy…

Even on my servants, both men and women,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy”

Creation

When it comes to trying to understand what Paul meant by his reference to creation and Adam and Eve we have problems. Among Bible students and theologians there is no agreement.

Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:7-9 refers to the same passage in Genesis (2:21-23) as he does in 1 Timothy 2:13. But in Corinthians he deals with the covering of a woman’s head in worship, referring, most believe, to a particular culture.

In Ephesians 5:31 Paul refers to Genesis 2:24-25 where his point is that Christian marriage is honourable and is an illustration of the partnership and relationship between the believer and God.

Therefore, Paul’s allusion to Genesis 2 here, and speaking of Adam being formed before Eve (verse 13) is something we have to consider on its own.

What are the possibilities (remember there is no agreement)?

(a) Paul appeals to the order of creation to make a point. While it is usually thought that this statement backs up his comment in verse 12, “Teach and have authority over a man,” some say it covers all verses 9-12 too and encompasses dressing modestly. I see this whole chapter as being about unity in the church at Ephesus in their gatherings.

(b) Did Paul mean that the created order meant that there are distinctions between the sexes and an authority structure which existed even before the Fall, continued into the age of church? Why would he think such a thing? Compare 1 Corinthians 11:7-9.

(c) Did he mean that the conditions of the curse, which promised painful childbearing and placed the wife under the husband’s rule (Gen 3:16), were still in effect?

That was an argument of those men who opposed the introduction of anaesthetics. I wonder if anyone holding this view today will live by it and refuse anaesthetics next time they need surgery?

(d) Was he addressing the false teachers and their odd creation accounts which had influenced the thinking of some of the women?

To all of the above we have to reply that what Paul precisely intended to mean remains unclear to us.

Eve

Verse 14 is almost certainly a local reference to people in the Ephesian church being deceived. I conclude that the group of the deceived included, or were, a group of women. The deception of Eve had become a model to illustrate the dangers posed to the church by false teaching.

This model of Eve was used by Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:3, “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”

Paul’s use of the Eve model should not be taken too far though. I don’t think he intended it to be. Adam did nothing to help Eve and protect her from harm. When offered temptation by Eve (the forbidden fruit), Adam sinned. Adam did it. See Paul’s writings to the Christians in Rome.

Romans 5:12-14

“Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.”

Not a mention of Eve in Romans 5 where Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit blames Adam. In Adam all die, in Christ all can live. It was not Eve’s fault.

Conclusions

In all I have said so far today I have not mentioned what Jesus taught. Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well then sent her off as an evangelist. Jesus showed his resurrected body to women first. We should not be party to discrimination and suppression of women just to be on the safe side, when there is no incontrovertible biblical foundation for it.

Unity in the church is paramount.

Those who set their heart on being an overseer in Christ’s church desire a noble task (1 Tim 3:1) but it is done achieved by grabbing, but by developing character and living the right way.

Sunday 11th October Timothy Part 5

john — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:08:54 +0000

We heard part 5 of Graham’s Timothy series this morning, focusing on 1 Timothy 2:15.

Apologies that the post was late both last week and this. We have had some technical difficulties which are now resolved.

1 Timothy 2:9-15

1) Women to dress modestly v9

Modest dress. Is this a light-weight comment?

Some scriptures used to tell women not to wear adornment:

Proverbs 7:10

Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.

Isaiah 3:16-23

The LORD says, The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald. In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the ear-rings and bracelets and veils, the head-dresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.

Context

Girl approaching me, she appeared to wave to me, then signalled as though turning a corner on a bicycle, then she plunged a hand down her cleavage. When she got near to me I saw she had not been signalling to me but was pulling out the cables for her earphones.

Firstly remember that the pastoral letters are about church and how Christians fit together in church. So we see that men, women and different groups is church are spoken about, and in relation to each other. Context makes a difference!

What is this modest dressing about?

(a) Sexual temptation of men

I am uncomfortable with teaching about this text that overly stresses modest clothing for women because of men and their temptations to lust. If a woman goes too far with this thinking she would end up wearing a sack. A man needs very little to provoke sexual lust. The gospel deals with the hearts of men without needing to repress women.

I think men are to bear the responsibility for their own lusts. Jesus challenged men about looking at women with an attitude of lust. He did not say the blame lay with the women.

(b) Unity in the church

This is firstly referring to women in the church gathered. I come to that conclusion because of the context. This therefore refers to dress in the gathering of the Christians. To parade inequality or differences in social standing or wealth would not be helpful in a fellowship of believers where all are to be treated with equal value.

James 1:9,10

The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.

James 2:2-5

Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, Here’s a good seat for you, but say to the poor man, You stand there or Sit on the floor by my feet, have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?

The rich were incapable of braiding their hair without the help of servants or slaves. This is not about vanity, or about banning the wearing of pearls, it is about unity within the church.

Think about it. A pearl or a fancy hair do does not damage a church, but disunity does.

See John 17:20-23

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

First in this chapter we were told there must be no disunity between men, and prayer was mentioned, and the comment to men about no arguing. Now we have an appeal for no disunity between the women, and this is addressed by warning about displaying superiority and social difference through displays of status by the way they dress.

(c) A woman’s sense of self-worth

I have heard it preached that a woman in immodest clothing calls attention to herself therefore this is about display of pride instead of humility. It is usually men I have heard preaching this. I wonder about those preachers. What sort of cars do they drive? In what way is their car immodest, or a way of displaying of pride instead of humility, of calling attention to themselves?

See Proverbs 31:25.

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Or Song of Songs 1:9-11 and the celebration of female beauty.

I liken you, my darling, to a mare harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh. Your cheeks are beautiful with ear-rings, your neck with strings of jewels. We will make you ear-rings of gold, studded with silver.

1 Peter 3:3,4

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewellery and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.

Peter says a women’s beauty should not come from outward adornment, but it does not say there should not be any outward adornment! I can not conclude that it is wrong for a woman to make the most of herself, to think of herself as a great creation and to frame this wonder in the best way she can.

But does your clothing display who and what you are accurately?

Self Control

“Self control” This shows that in some way this is a heart matter, a matter of the inner person. “Self control?” Instead of what tendency? I would appreciate feedback from women following this sermon as I am trying to understand this scripture but somehow feel they may have some insight into this!

What is immodest clothing? What is modest clothing and in what way is it better than the alternative? I have heard immodest clothing defined as clothing that is showy, extravagant or sexually revealing. If we follow that line of thinking we could come up with some rules. The problem with that approach is that when it has been tried before it has resulted in pettiness and legalism. Perhaps it is easier to thing of the heart attitudes. If those attitudes are correct the rest may follow.

Is it the temptation to project ones self-image in purely sexual terms? Then the problem is about self esteem or a low view of ones own worth, instead of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Last week I said men may tend towards irresponsibility and being prayer-less and are challenged about that in this chapter, but here women are being encouraged to challenge something in their own female nature. The warning here is to be careful about portraying themselves as nothing more than the superficial and nothing more than sexual.

Sexual display

At one time people would tut tut over short skirts. Now it is the display of stomach with low trousers or lots of cleavage that is common. Interesting that in the days of the very short mini-skirt, the amount of cleavage that even Christian young women show now would have been considered shocking then even by non-Christians.

Young women, do you want to catch a partner and think that giving out overtly sexual signals is the most efficient and reliable way of getting a partner? If this is your way of catching a partner, what sort of partner do you expect to catch? Is this the way to catch a best friend, a husband to cherish and treasure you, and a father to your children? I think not!

The girl that has caught her partner by showing off her stomach or cleavage or a short short skirt has little excuse for complaining that, “We never talk.” Talk!? He will say it had never been put on the menu.

Some women will say to objectify women is always the fault of the male, but I reply that women should not cooperate in that error.

Forced prostitution and Clause 13

Clause 13 of the Policing and Crime Bill will probably be debated and voted on this month in the House of Lords. The clause proposes to make it illegal to pay for sex with someone who is subjected to force, i.e. someone who has been trafficked or is being controlled. Paying for sex with someone subjected to force is currently legal.

At Committee Stage in the Lords the debate on Clause 13 was discouraging - one peer even said that poorer men could only pay for sex with women who were subjected to force and therefore to criminalise this would be social discrimination! There is a need to highlight the fact that forced prostitution is a tragic occurrence, with all kinds of socially damaging side effects, which needs to be stopped.

I wonder what experience of womanhood did this peer have? It could not have been very good!

Young men, learn to see women, past the packaging (which will fade) and see the real person.

2) Women to learn in quietness and full submission v11. Next week.

I look at the context. Were some of the false teachers women? We know that women had high positions in the churches by this time. This comment must have had some relation to the church situation in Ephesus. This was written to Timothy about the Ephesian church before it was written to us in the 21st century.

3) Women will be saved through child-bearing

And so they will, because scripture says so, but what does this mean?

(a) Have children?

One interpretation is that by having children women will earn their salvation. If that is the case, how many children are necessary? And are the childless women lost? This is contrary to the gospel of grace so substantially that it must be rejected out of hand.

So how many children you must give birth to in order to achieve your salvation? None! It can not be about that. I know how a woman finds salvation, it is because of Jesus alone through grace alone, received by faith alone.

(b) Child-birth will be safe?

Some teach that this means women are saved from death in the act of child-bearing. Nice claim but historically we can not back this up. Christian women have died in child-birth as well as those who have not known Christ.

(c) Woman-kind bore the Christ-child?

Another interpretation is that women, women kind, are saved because a woman bore the Christ-child.

Or! (d)

I think I know what this is about.

Remember this section is about the church, the Christians gathered. Then, for a clue, link to the verses in Philippians 2:12,13

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

How is a man saved? The same way a woman is, then we say it is worked out in action, working out their salvation.

When Paul was writing, and down the centuries since, bearing children, parenting them and launching them into the world has been a main way for many women of working out, living out, their salvation with faith and submission to the Almighty God.

Child-bearing in the Greek from verse 15:

TEKNOGONIA. “To beget, denotes bearing children, implying duties of motherhood.” From Expository Dictionary of NT Words by W E Vine.

Sunday 4th October 2009 Timothy Part 4

john — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:27:45 +0000

We had the fourth instalment of Graham’s Timothy series this morning, based on 1 Timothy 2:1-8. Next week it is “women to dress modestly”

1 Timothy 2:1-8

1) Prayer

The first chapter was mainly an introduction. Paul now gets down to the business of worship, or more particularly, prayer.

Prayer for leaders. This tells us that prayer works. Followers of Jesus should be interested in, and be concerned about national issues and to express that first and foremost by prayer.

One God and one mediator - RC saints, unbelievers looking to Christian friends., other religions.

See also John 14:6, Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.

Continual or regular prayer , see the following scriptures:

1 Thessalonians 1:3

We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 2:13

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.

Romans 1:9-10

God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

Ephesians 6:18

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Colossians 1:3

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

2 Timothy 1:3

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.

Prayer for secular leaders. Nero ruled then AD 54-68.

Prayer is the partner of perseverance. I referred to “hold on” last week. While holding on - pray!

“Godliness” along with “godly” occurs frequently in Paul’s pastoral letters, but nowhere else in his writings. Is this because they are pastoral epistles or because of the dangerous times? In such times only godliness is the answer. Prayer is part of being godly.

2) Thanksgiving

Why thank? Do we imply that God did it? “Thanks I was the one to survive a car crash, even though they others did not.” But if I give thanks, do I blame God for the others?

I thank, I can not help it. Perhaps it is what I need to do.

See 1 Thessalonians 5:18 “…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

“Pray for…wants to be saved.” Even Nero? Yes, for there is no other salvation, yet this salvation is so great (”glorious gospel” see last week sermon)

Pray as though there is hope. Hold on as though there is always hope.

3) Lift up holy hands without anger or disputing.

Men pray and women dress modestly. Why speak to men and women about such different things, as though women would not be interested in prayer?

Do women find prayer more natural, so that the men need a particular encouragement?

MEN!

This teaching on prayer, is in the context of this chapter, seems to be about in the church meetings. Men should not be coy about public prayer.

Sunday 27th September 2009 Timothy Part 3

john — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:47:34 +0000

Graham continued his series on Timothy this morning majoring on 1 Timothy 1:12 to 18.

1 Timothy 1:12-18

Intro

Verses 12 to 17 Paul says - he has chosen me for this privilege.

Verses 18 to 20 Paul says - he has chosen you Timothy.

1) What a glorious Gospel!

The whole of Chapter 1 rests on the fulcrum of Verse 11

“…the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”

Verse 12. False teachers taught contrary to it, Paul and Timothy have been “appointed” to it.

committed to my trust-Translate as in the Greek order, which brings into prominent emphasis Paul, “committed in trust to me”; in contrast to the kind of law-teaching which they (who had no Gospel commission), the false teachers, assumed to themselves

See 1Timothy 1:8

Titus 1:1-3

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness- a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and at his appointed season he brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Saviour,

“Glorious gospel” and “Gospel of glory of Christ” See 2 Corinthians 4:4

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

The supremely blessed One is He from whom all blessedness flows. This term, as applied to God, occurs only here and in 1 Timothy 6:15 (which God will bring about in his own time- God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whom no-one has seen or can see. To him be honour and might for ever. Amen. )

Here it is that the Gospel is blessed in contrast to the curse on those under the law.

See Galatians 3:10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.

See 1 Peter 1:10-12

Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow.

It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

“glorious gospel of the blessed God.” Why preach the false when we have the treasure we can proclaim? The false teachers have failed to see the treasure. What would happen to to us if we lost sight of the treasure? We keep our sight of the treasure clear by fellowship, worship, conversation with God, feeding on the scriptures, obedience.

2) Verse 12 “Considered me faithful.”

Was that before his appointment? It seems it was before his appointment, when God knew his character. See verses 13 to 16.

God saw a different character in Paul than he saw in himself. Compare this with his view of himself.

Paul is claiming that God foresaw that he would be faithful by the faithfulness God placed within him. Once again we find ourselves refering to Philippians 2:11-13

(Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.)

So this great trust and equipping was committed to Paul. This conviction will have been a huge motivation to him. Does it motivate us? Paul was thanking God for this shows that the value of Paul’s faithfulness was due solely to God’s grace, it was not to his own natural strength. It does not have to be our alone either. Faithfulness is the quality required in servants such as us 1 Corinthians 4:1-4 (So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.)

Remember though, amidst all this talk of faithfulness, Paul is claiming that God foresaw that Paul would be faithful according to the faithfulness God placed within him.

3) Verse 19 “Holding on”,

not just in a general sense, but in particular regarding the false teachers and the pressure put upon church leaders to not ‘rock the boat’ in the church.

Appointments - Paul and Timothy’s calling and perseverance.

putting me into-rather as in 1Th 5:9, “appointing me (in His sovereign purposes of grace) unto the ministry” (Ac 20:24).

Timothy’s appointment, see 4:11-16.

What good is the appointment if there is no follow-on?

What good is starting a race if there is no completing?

See Luke 14:27-33

…anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

Holding on.

Holding on to the sense of what God wants to accomplish in you and with you.

Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus,

Colossians 1:11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,

1 Thessalonians 1:3 We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

2 Corinthians 12:12 The things that mark an apostle- signs, wonders and miracles- were done among you with great perseverance.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 May the Lord direct your hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance.

James 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

James 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Sunday 20th September 2009 Timothy Part 2

john — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 12:56:02 +0000

Graham continued his series on Timothy this morning concentrating on 1 Timothy 1:9-11.

False Teachers and Their Character
1 Timothy 1:1-11

1) “Command certain men”

What right has anyone in the church to command, or for another to submit? This is an exceptional situation so does not encourages bullying leadership a churches, but it does show that the church is a place of truth and order. This is an issue that would not need teaching to the Jewish Christians, as they would know about the rebellion of Korah, Dathan.

Paul has already begun his letter to Timothy by emphasising that he himself is under authority.

2) Myths and False teaching

Myths (1:4; Titus 1:14). The term “myth” is often used to refer to a story which is untrue. Academics use of the term does not generally refer to whether a story is truth or not. Unbelievers will use the word “myth” to refer to sacred stories of the various faiths. In a very broad sense, “myth” can refer to any traditional story.

Yes, but a myth is not the truth, and the gospel is the truth! The gospel is not a myth, it is the “power of God for salvation” (I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. Romans 1:16) and our faith does not rest on myths.”Endless genealogies”

The false teaching:
False doctrine, (1:3; 6:3). It is false, not true, not the real thing. Why settle for the counterfeit when the real treasure is available. Grace is better! When Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians he majored, not on the false teachings, but on truth. He described their pressures as the attacks of dark forces. Here though he deals with false teaching they were subject to.

What if I claimed a new revelation of God given to me in a day-time visitation, like the founder of the Mormons, or in a dream, like the founder of Islam? You would have to decide if you believed me.

For a Christian it is a different process of thinking entirely. A Christian trusts in the words of Jesus because his words were validated by his miracles and his resurrection from the dead. And we know that the records are trustworthy. We find that the transformed life Jesus offered is real once we have experienced it for ourselves. A changed life is not the evidence. It is the a changed life in accordance with the teachings of Jesus, the one who is trustworthy because of his miracles and resurrected life.

I met a church leader last week. Just as I was looking at his face trying to remember where I had seen him before he said, “Hello Graham. The last time I heard you preach, you preached…” He then recounted the main points of a sermon from my Ezra series. He went on to say the state he was in at the time and that God spoke to him clearly then, through my preaching, in a powerful way. That word to him then had been like the turning of a rudder on a ship, it give him direction and revelation about his situation in a way that could not have been due to me, but only due to God. And then he said, “And another thing. It was thoroughly biblical!”

That final comment was the one that pleased me, gave me a sense of achievement. I want the scriptures to speak. My duty is to allow God to speak through his word. False teachers want themselves to be heard. They don’t want the glory to go to God, they want to get it for themselves. Over the years I think I have seen a principle at work, that he or she who sets themselves up as an object of idolatry will become entangled in the dynamic of idolatry and will themselves become the slaves of idolatry. They end up worshipping the false gods of the misuse of drugs, sex, money, possessions, etc.

3) False teachers and their character
Regarding the Christians is Ephesus and false teaching, where was their discernment? Where was the, “I feel uneasy about that”?

It is a year since a Christian leader in Florida, USA was discovered to have been a fraud all along. While portraying himself as one thing, he was betraying his wife and his followers by having had a sexual affair with a member of his staff all summer long. Why did more Christians not feel uneasy? He claimed he talked to the dead and to angels who visited him and who gave him new teachings. This example should help us to understand why in Ephesus false teachers were tolerated. The might have been nice people, they might have sincere.

Wanting to be teachers of the law. “Teachers”. Is there a need for status in the heart of these false teachers? See 3 John and the mention of Diotraphes a false leader, in also in Asia. Does this give us some insights into the pitfalls? The need to control. Preventing the group from hearing ideas from outside. The leaders position becoming more important than the people served or the greater purposes of God.

“Law”. Stressing the Old Testament law gives ample opportunity to be measured alongside other believers rather than the standard God has for the individual. This legalism was a forsaking the gospel of grace.

A list of sins is given in verses 9 and 10. This is a list of rather extreme sins including murder, adultery and slavery. Is the extreme list used to show that the law is needed not just for the wicked, or for all lest they become wicked? The law exposes the flaw in human nature, but is not the means of salvation.

See verse 10 in various translations:

for adulterers and perverts - New International Version
for them that defile themselves with mankind - AV/KJV
for sodomites - NKJV
who practice homosexuality - New Living Translation
those practising homosexuality - Today’s New International Version

Literally - “men that lie with men”

Has God said anything about homosexuality elsewhere in the Bible?

In the Old Testament

One of the first encounters with homosexuality in the Bible is in the Old Testament and the story of Sodom. Note the subject matter. It is actually Lot who is portrayed as being not all he should have been. The story does not say the men of Sodom were homosexuals or that they were judged for Homosexuality.

The next encounter is Leviticus chap 18, 20. The passages have a clear message, men are not to practice with men acts that that they might do with a women. Some Christians may like these passages when speaking to homosexuals but at the same time forgetting the context. These texts are sandwiched between laws that are not considered valid any longer such as breeding of domestic animals and the wearing of garments made from mixtures of linen and wool.

In the New Testament

Using the accepted method of viewing the OT through the NT we come to the letter of Paul to the Christians in Rome chapter 1. Paul tells us we know the truth, God has not withheld the truth, but has shown every person His truth in their innermost being. God will not deal kindly with those who distort and hinder the truth. He tells us that mankind is without excuse. Mankind knew God, but rejected Him. He tells us that mankind left the “natural” and sought the “unnatural”.

What is normal or natural? The bible sets out its case in the first scene with Adam and Eve. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and shall become united and cleave to his wife”. This is described as a “one flesh” relationship. This is later refered to by Jesus when he said (Matt 19:4-6) “He who made them from the beginning made them male and female”. Paul picks up this message (Eph 5:31) later and claims that the union of male and female is a drama. This drama is ideally designed to display, in some small way, the union of Jesus Christ with his followers, the church.

When Paul wrote in Romans that it is not natural for men to burn with lust for another, or for women to use each other sexually, there can be no doubt that he is talking about sexuality and sexual relationships of the same sex. It is not a modern invention. There are no new sex acts for our age.

Non-Christians take a different view to Christians because they are free to follow conscience alone, while Christians are not. This mention of the subject in Paul’s letter to Timothy leaves us to come to a conclusion about what is the teaching of scripture and the way of God. This is not my teaching, this is what the book says, you must deal with this yourself.

I wonder how long it will be before it will be unlawful in this country to say even these things.

[Referred here to current issues pertaining to this subject from the Christian Institute website. Details as foot of these notes]

Conclusion
The importance of being people of the holy scriptures and not the standards of society. If Christians followed the standards of society they would not have stopped the trans-atlantic slave trade, and the list would go on.

Ways to study the Bible. Read it, a little often is better than much rarely. Bible reading notes are good but ensure they add information, historical, geographical and biblical, so the scriptures are understandable to you. It is the word of God that must speak not the ideas of a human being.

Details from Christian Institute:

A Christian registrar who has been demoted because of her beliefs about marriage will today face a grievance interview. Theresa Davies is the second registrar at Islington Council to be disciplined for asking to be exempt from registering same-sex civil partnerships. The Council gave her an ultimatum of demotion to an entry-level post or dismissal.
She will today [16/9/09] be interviewed as part of the internal grievance procedure.
Miss Davies’ case echoes that of fellow registrar Lillian Ladele who was bullied and threatened with the sack by the same council after she asked to be exempted from registering same-sex unions.
An Employment Tribunal upheld Miss Ladele’s claim of religious discrimination last year, but the ruling has since been overturned at an Employment Appeals Tribunal and Miss Ladele is now seeking a further appeal.
In June Miss Davies wrote to the House of Lords calling on them to protect her freedom of conscience.

http://www.christian.org.uk/news/christian-interviewed-over-marriage-stance/

The Government has been defeated in the House of Lords over its attempt to repeal a free speech protection from a sexual orientation ‘hatred’ law. Peers voted by 186 to 133 to keep the protection in place. The matter will be passed back to the House of Commons where MPs voted for repeal.
The protection makes clear that criticising homosexual conduct or encouraging people to refrain from such conduct is not, in itself, a crime.

http://www.christian.org.uk/news/20090709/lords-back-free-speech-shield-in-gay-hate-law/

The Government says its new Equality Bill will force churches to accept practising homosexuals or transsexuals in youth worker posts and other similar roles. Equalities minister Maria Eagle said religious believers should push ‘gay rights’ in their communities, but in the meantime the state would do it.

http://www.christian.org.uk/news/20090520/government-to-force-gay-youth-workers-on-church/

Sunday 13th September 2009 1 Timothy 1

john — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 12:30:43 +0000

Last week was actually the first in a new series on Timothy, even though it was based on Acts 28. Unfortunately, this week’s recording stops suddenly after 30 minutes because the mp3 recorder ran out of batteries.

1 Timothy 1

Introduction

Timothy is to get the church on a good footing to allow it to mature.

Note, the importance of church, the group. The church was to have a great future, growth was expected. Not like the film I once saw where Paul and Peter were disagreeing with each other and one said he was “fighting for the survival of the church!”

Timothy is to counter false teaching, develop the worship and appoint leaders.

By looking at what Paul told Timothy had to do, we can see some features of the church in Ephesus, it’s problems or deficiencies.

The structure of 1 Timothy are the task set out for Timothy to accomplish:
(a) Warn the false teachers against teaching doctrine contrary to the accepted gospel already proclaimed and accepted by the church. See 1:3-20, compare Revelation 2:1-6, Galatians 1.
(b) Teach orderly conduct in worship.
(c) Appoint properly qualified leaders.
(d) Select female church workers, widows who would be supported by the church and response would carry out certain duties in the church. See 2 - 6:2.
(e) Warn against covetousness and urge good works. See 6:3-19.

A summary of Timothy’s task could be: To bring about a community of the truth, worshipping in truth and living out the truth, all within the context of resisting false teaching.

Use of language reveals attitude or mood of the writer or speaker. I choose three words in the first part of this letter which, I think, reveals something of Paul.

1) “Command”
“Paul an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Saviour and of Christ Jesus our hope…”

“Commandment” - gk epitag?, stresses the authoritativeness of the command.

This later letter of Paul’s has a different greeting from his earlier ones. Previously he described himself as an apostle by the “will” of God. Now it is by the command of God. Does he now feel conscious that it is something he must submit to, with all the consequences? Perhaps he needed this perspective when the times became more challenging for him.

How to know the will of God?

Live in the scriptures.
Keep up your conversations with God.
Try to do what you believe you are asked to do by God.

2) Verse 3, “Stay.”

Sometimes we need to resist the urge to move on in our quest for the next adventure. Where the action is, is where Jesus wants you to be.

“Stay!” Why? Was he about to move on? The greater good, the mission of the church of Jesus Christ is put alongside personal desires.

3) “Charge” verses 3, 5 and 18
“Charge” - gk parangelia, a proclamation, a command or commandment, is strictly hsed of commands received from a superior and transmitted to others. (Vine’s Expository Dict of NT words)

Is also used in Rom 16:22-27

Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him- to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

A command or instruction is given, a charge is a responsibility accepted. This distinction is something explored further in this letter when Paul starts speaking of false teachers.