West View Baptist Church, Hartlepool

A family friendly church in the town of Hartlepool

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Late Postings – The Feast at the Table – Isiah 25:8 15 July 2018

Don’t give the enemy a seat at your table. If we’re not focussed on God, if we don’t focus on him, we’ll be veiled and obscured. The devil wants to take you away from the food and sustenance that is Jesus. Jesus wants us to invite our enemies to his table. He is the good shepherd we started with Psalm 23. We’d shouldn’t be in want Jesus provides everything we need.

We live in an angry world where much is wrong and we are right. That is the time we really need Jesus , we need to focus on the author and perfector of our faith. Not listen to the prowling roaring lion that is the devil as described in 1 peter 5:8.

God  will destroy the shroud that entangled us,the sheet that covers us,   So that we can see clearly the love that Jesus brings. The enemies do not want us to have the joy that Jesus brings. People don’t know about it. God wants to say here I am feast on me I am the bread of life.

He is a god of mercy and grace but also of justice. We need to focus on him. His Invite, The Invite is to all is to eat at the table.

Yvette shared the thought she had been given that this is the second time recently people have been drawn to preach on this so we’re clearly still not getting the message. She believes it is because some of us come around the table but we’re not eating. He wants you to eat it all not just pick at it in a terribly British way!

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Very late postings – 8 July- Dianne Tidball 3 John 3-4

I’ve not done very well this month. For some reason I’ve not been able to settle down to producing the blogs. I can’t tell you how frustrating that has been for me personally.  I’m going to simply add the notes I’ve taken over the last month as a way of catching up.

Dianne Tidball spent the weekend of 8 July with us.

Dianne delighted to see us working hard and showing God’s grace to people who need it from Filling Station and our wider community. She reaffirmed the message that God has called you and will give you the resources to carry out his work.

Dianne shared her thoughts on 3 John.

She highlighted that this passage was more a postcard than a letter. She believed that there was not single person who wouldn’t like to see god at work more. We make it complicated but Jesus says he’ll give us everything if we just walk in the truth. Influences that tempt us can distract us.

We all like the verse in Isaiah that talks about eagles wings. We’d all that flying feeling, soaring above everything. But some of us are just crawling , life is tough. So today walking in the truth is what it is about. It’s an example for us. Jesus showing what is needed . Jesus is the hero of the kingdom of god. But God has a part for all of us to play. It’s God’s holy gift to all of God’s people. We need to be real though,  lets face it, we’re all rubbish at this life thing.

But we don’t need to be. We can make a difference, whether it’s like Dianne’s friend Sue providing taxi money for someone in need, or the three young men who stepped up when her friend Brian Gilbert had to step away from his role in the church.

We need to remember and realise that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is exactly the same power you have to live for Jesus. That’s a truly awesome thought.  We need God’s grace and wisdom in us all. We need and hope that our eyes may be enlightened. But we need to recognise that we get spiritual cataracts. We see problems and issues that discourage us.

1 Corinthians not a matter of talk but of power. It’s not a power that will give you friends and status. It’s simply and truly God’s grace. We’re called to do something tough. We’re called to walk in the truth without compromise.

Dianne finished by concluding with an offer to stand with as many people who would like to have prayer with her.

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Wet and dry fleeces, a mighty warrior, Sheraton Court and gathering to learn

I’m a bit late with the blog this week. We’ve packed a great deal into the week.

The Hyde family, Tim, Eleanor and Jonny led worship on Sunday. Tim brought us the Word and looked at Judges 6 and 7. He reflected on the fact that he was blessed to have been tutored by someone who was part of the committee who translated the NIV Bible.

Judges sits in the history of Israel. People had settled in the land, God continually raised up leaders for the people. In chapter 6 Gideon is visited by the angel of the Lord. He’s threshing wheat in secret,

The angel  confuses Gideon by saying “The lord is with you mighty warrior.”

Tim asked us to think about how would you thresh wheat in a wine press? How do you get the height and the wind to separate the wheat from the chaff?

Go and save Israel is the message and chapter 7 is all about Gideon taking back Israel from the Midianites .

The story is full of irony. Gideon is introduced as the mighty man of valour, Gideon was full of fear and doubt. In the time of Judges they’re in the cycle of people forgetting God and being punished. Peoplke lived in constant fear hiding in caves in the mountains. Gideon is trying to thresh wheat. Anyone tried it? The separation of the chaff is vital yet Gideon is doing this inside without the benefit of the wind. Gideon surveys the destruction wreaked by the Midianites.

Doubt and fear makes him doubt. But his doubts are out of ignorance. Gideon is a caricature of the whole of Israel. He is a clear marker of someone who has sunk to a low point full of fear and doubt.

A man who is crippled with fear and doubt yet is called to lead the people into battle. Gideon when being addressed as a mighty man of valour probably looked over his shoulder looking for someone else!

Gideon questions the wisdom of being face to face with god. In the midst of fear and doubt God says I am with you. It’s encouraging that God calls people like you and me. Gideon asks for more proof. He’s heard it before. He goes to get lunch for God and God spontaneously combusts the lunch. Gideon perceived the truth.

Gideon is clothed by the spirit of the Lord. It speaks of protection, comfort security and empowerment for the task ahead. Think of what Jesus said . Gideon overcomes his fears and sounds the call to battle. Gideon is the contender for the Lord not for Baal. He still doesn’t get it. If you were wrapped in God.s presence you’d marh straight into battle. Gideon wants another test, he puts the fleece on the ground . But he squeezes out the water and still doesn’t believe. He asks for more proof.

Gideon has become desensitised to God, Are we like him?. No one else in the Bible gets more encounters with God but still doesn’t get it. God is patient and that is good news for us all. Ironic that God chose a smaller weaker battle force. God wanted them to be left in no doubt as to who wins the battle. God gets directly involved for the first time in picking the team. Those afraid didn’t need asking twice before leaving the battle, but there were still too many. How people drank then decided the team. Only 300!are left. No cup no glass, how would you drink?

God was picking the weaker army. God is underlining he is the victor here. He’s picking an army using as criteria skills and abilities that have no use in battle.  Tim posed this as a question for us all. For the church to teach another generation do we need more or less people, bigger or smaller buildings, or no buildings at all. No coincidence that this follows Deborah . She attributes without prompting the thanks to God.

Gideon’s success goes to his head, he thinks about taking taxes from the people, Gideon is the only one who doesn’t get the title of judge. Ironic that no other judge dies as much harm to the spiritual health of Israel.

We are just like Gideon. He’s not an example to be followed, he’s like you and me. The story is about a patient god who meets us in our fears and doubts to accomplish his purposes and it doesn’t matter how many of us there are. Is the fact that churches are closing good or bad? God’s church will survive even if ours or yours do not. God is seeking out people who are following him. There are times when his ways don’t fit with ours and it all feels risky. Gideon teaches us to trust in God. But if you want to know about how to celebrate victory look to the song of Deborah rather than the actions of Gideon.

Later on Sunday we caught the last few minutes of the England football match as we joined our friends at Sheraton Court for a short service. It was nice to see the welcome we got and the efforts the staff had made for the residents to celebrate England’s victory.  Not quite the song of Deborah but we did join the residents in a small chorus of “We’ll meet Again” as we were leaving.

On Tuesday we hosted a new series of workshops for those interested in leading worship or preaching. We had friends from Oxford Road and the Headland join us. Pray for those taking part in this new venture as they explore new ideas.

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Veggie Tales and Tumblin’ Walls: Humbly serving God

Ian led our Father’s day worship today assisted by Amanda and Tim brought us the word.

Tim continued with his excursion through the Old Testament highlights He shared that is not actually something you get to preach on very often. Tim was very enthusiastic about the way that Veggie Tales tell todays reading very well. Those involved in children’s work knew what he was on about but there were puzzled looks from some in the congregation. I’ve included a link at the end so you can experience the Veggie Tales story.

Tim read from Joshua Chapter 5:13 onwards about the fall of Jericho. He shared his own feelings on this and similar passages from the Old Testamement. He asked us if we saw the difficulty and the problems. If it was easy as the children’s tales make out. He sort of regrets doing this highlights tour. Killing everyone is a subject that causes real problems. Richard Dawkins uses this story as evidence God doesn’t exist.
Tim stressed the importance of being careful what we read into this and how we deal with this. He had read some commentaries on this. Need to recognise this comes from an ancient world where war and destruction was an everyday occurrence.

God’s people are different and are separated. This is part of a much longer story of God providing a promised land. Jericho was a fortress standing in the way of that Promised Land and that needed to be dealt with.

Deuteronomy Chapter 20 v16 to 18 sets out the fact that things need to be destroyed. A necessary step in building purity. Tim says it is not necessarily how it happened, and if you read further on not everyone was destroyed. God’s bigger plan is to establish His people . Despite uncomfortable things in the passage there are things that will help us. Recommitting themselves to God was a start. But this was going to be hard work and Joshua needs to look to the heaven. First thing we notice is the appearance of a helper. God asserts that the battle is his and the commander of the Lord’s army appears. It’s like forming a football team and you’re struggling for players and Renaldo or whoever you like turns up. Ultimate the responsibility does not lie with Joshua. The God of the bible has a knack of tailoring his appearance to suit the needs of his people . No more evident than with Jesus.

As Joshua begins to realise who the commander is, Joshua understands God isn’t on anyone’s side. Sometimes it is more important to know who God is rather than what his plans are. Into desperate, hopeless, circumstances comes the appearance of help. God shows up on a way we often don’t expect.

The methods of God’s battle plan are a little strange, armed men , the sevens, the horns, the Ark! The Ark of the Covenant is referenced ten times and holds centre stage, it is the Ark that shows God’s presence with his people, this is what will make the difference!

You can imagine doing all the things asked, looking very silly, imagine the tensions waiting for the signal to break the silence. The emphasis here is on just how passive God’s people are and how important God’s presence is here. Leaves no doubt, God wins this battle not Joshua. God’’s tactics win out. God invites us to be involved in building God’s Kingdom. We do have a tendency to obscure his glory. Paul writes that the overwhelming power comes from God not us. Think about what we’ve seen in the Trump meeting with North Korea this week . It is incredible. Some of these things he does are ridiculous but what if they are foolish things acting in God’s power ? Will this lead to world peace?

Last thing is the demands placed on God’s people in verses 10 and 16. The writer shared some instructions first with the people. The writer emphasised the importance of the rules that need to, and must be followed. Obedience to God’s word is more important than the victory. It’s not what you do that matters, it’s how you do it! The temptation here was to grab loot, but God says no.

No doubt modern film makers would focus on the battle. But that’s not the focus here, In half a verse (20) the writes sums up what happens. Our response needs to be that of humble obedient servants through whom God can work, 1 Peter chapter 1 v16 “Be holy because I am holy”. Our battles shouldn’t be about winning minor victories but about winning for God.

There’s a story of salvation here for Rahab. She was not just someone saving spies. He is God in heaven above recognising she was a women of faith who believed in God. Rahab is found in Christ’s line according to Matthew 1:5. God chose a pagan prostitute to save. Let us have the simple faith that Rahab found and may our pursuit of God’s goals be as humble. Come have your way amongst us today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDpM_j1MZG8

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The adventures of Little Ted, being true to Scripture and a church of cracked pots

I feel like I’ve not been away from the church this weekend but that’s not a bad thing. On Saturday I helped Lynn with the IT for the Level 3 Safeguarding course she ran for leaders from across the Northern Baptist region. Even though I’ve spent a large part of my career in safeguarding I still learnt a lot, with a different focus on churches rather than schools. One memory aid that can stand us in good stead whenever we’re trying to find out what is troubling someone is Little Ted. Lynn used a Little Ted to remind us all of the best type of questions to ask that don’t assume or lead people.

Tell me about….

Explain what you mean….

Describe what happened when…

All of the course participants were given a lot to think about and now have the tools to make their churches safe environments for children and vulnerable adults.

 

 

On Sunday Jonny (aka Jacob!) led our worship and Amanda supported him with singing.

Jonny used the image of a Prayer tree to encourage people to think about issues to pray for.

Matty shared his thoughts on the importance of reading the bible from 2 Timothy 3:16 word for today. He drew on Paul’s teaching and cautioned us against the temptation to change scripture to fit today’s society. His conclusion was straightforward and direct. “Preach as it is written.”

Yvette brought the Word today, drawing from 2 Corinthians 4:13 to 5:1.

We know that if this earthly temple is destroyed we have an eternal house in heaven, one not built by human hands.

1 Corinthians dealt specifically with gifts . Paul wrote this letter to combat false prophets. Corinth was a busy port worshipping Greek and Roman gods. Anyone threatening these religions threatens the economic stability. Paul was threatening that stability.

We do need God we can’t do things on our own. Paul in his teaching was threatening the people making money. Just like in today’s society we should be an example of difference. We  don’t get even we forgive, love your neighbor live according to His Word glorify His Word.

We have a society of young people with health problems and image disorders . True beauty’s letting Jesus shine out. We simply need to realise that Jesus thought that we’re worth dying for.

The world says don’t rock the boat. Jesus says don’t conform to society . The Corinthians were struggling so Paul writes to support them. Bizarrely though Paul boasts about his weaknesses and faults .

He refers to clay jars, to poor pots, the sort that your average Corinthian householder would use to hides jewels. Paul is calling us cracked pots filled with the treasure of Jesus.

Darkness flees from us simply because we didn’t arrive on our own. We bring the light of Jesus . Darkness has no choice but to flee. Jesus is the light at the end of the tunnel. We need to keep going and persevere.

If we’re honest about ourselves, about our cracks and chips, that’s where people see light of Jesus shining through those cracks. That’s when it’s clear to people what we believe in.

Yvette  shared that the more she learnt about how much God loves us the less she worries about what other people think. Put our trust in God. We need true belief so it shows in our face, in how we talk to other people.

Yvette also shared how she keeps track of scriptures that speak to her and mean something. She writes the Scriptures on cards and keeps them in a tin. We need to be aware of signs and wonders. Holy Spirit moved when Paul preached. Faith without doubting only comes when you believe it.

God can use you to speak to someone, if you’re nervous or unsure say it in prayer, or ask leader or a friend in church.

Some have the gift of praying in tongues. Yvette encouraged us to ask for it , it’s your private prayer language.

Pray the bible, speak the words in prayer. Jesus didn’t go in for dramatic actions all the time. He often simply spoke and people were healed, demons were cast out.

Yvette said that as usual her message would include mention of her mum. She recall a time when some atheists asked Yvette’s mum to pray for them . They could see she was God’s friend . She believed and that belief shone throughand touched them.

Paul in chapter 11 23 lists his momentary troubles. Let’s be honest to us this doesn’t sound momentary yet despite all of that Paul continued to travel and to preach. He believed in God;s promises, he kept going, kept preaching, kept trusting. God never intended church to be stationary, he wants us all outside,  so walk along your street, pray over your street, take a photo we’ll put it up pray about it, use it as a backdrop to sing praise over.

When we get to meet him we will all want to get told well done good and faithful servant.

Yvette also shared what she thought her aunt Alithea and her mum would be doing in heaven, singing and dancing. She also thought her mum would have a Zoo rather than a mansion! Glory waits for us in heaven and will be worth all the struggles and pain. God sees us as we can be. We cannot disillusion god. Who we are belongs to God. One day these cracked pots will be stunning vases. Join with us in making earth a little more like heaven.

Ian concluded our service by leading us all in communion.