Office

9 December Yvette brought us the word.

If someone asked you to name an important world event, would you have chosen the work of John the Baptist?

Luke thought this was so important he dated this and provided lots of evidence. It covered the period 28 to 29 AD.

The rulers mentioned here did not do a great job. They managed to antagonise the Jewish people. These rulers were supposed to keep the place stable. The Romans needed this place kept stable. John was a wild man separated for god. They have given themselves to god.

Like most of the important people in the bible  John the Baptist spent time in the wilderness. We may spend time in the Wilderness itself but it never lasts. John asked people to repent and be baptised. Luke makes sure people know that this for all not just a select group. But us important that we turn to God. We can’t earn our way into heaven . Just attending church does not get you in.

Keep trusting and obeying. Be the person God wants you to be. John was in the wilderness when he received Gods call. In chapter 30 Luke reinforces the importance of what John was doing. The Pharisees rejected gods plan by refusing to be baptised by them.

We have the same power and authority to speak whether we’re speaking to one or 10’000. Some of the people in this church have been called to be watchmen and women. We need to be obedient, don’t right off what might seem a bit crazy or weird. The bible is filled with the most unlikely people . There is a new horizon for god’s people. Being obedient and in the place god wants us to be is important. Whatever god has planned for the coming year may be not what we expect but let’s make sure we don’t miss it.

Esther brought us the word on 18 November. She observed that Don’t we just love our buildings,and asked what possessed the disciples?

24 hours before … Jesus is leaving the temple for the last time. Esther thinks Jesus was weeping inside. The building would be nothing in future. Jesus takes them to the Mount of Olives a fruitful place known for its abundance. Jesus knows this is the last opportunity for Him to share wirh his friends what will happen. The temple was a place for the poor , it was not a place for robbers and people to take advantage and Jesus had already thrown out those who sought to take advantage.

Esther came across a fantastic welcome statement St Paul’s church in Covent gardens. This is sometimes known as the Actors Church. They use the same welcome notice as Coventry Cathedral and we’ve decided to also display it as well in our entrance hallway.

Esther also thought she should extend a special welcome to those in need of prayer right now.

The Gentiles were not welcome,  the temple at that time was an exclusive god full of people who were not full of the heart of god. They were missing the point of the temple as a house of prayer to welcome everyone. God’s temple had become man’s institution. We find Jesus sitting on the Mount of Olives. He’s looking down on the temple. The disciples realised that they got it wrong in a big way. Herod remodelled it how he wanted it yet within 7 years of him finishing it was destroyed.

David them read Jesus last message to the disciples. Esther asked us to close our eyes and imagine ourselves on the Mount of Olives
Mark 13:3-8 NIV
[3] As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, [4] “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” [5] Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. [6] Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. [7] When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. [8] Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom….

Be prepared is what Jesus says. We need to live as if we are in the last days, share the love of Jesus as we go through life as Christians as friends families and colleagues. He died for each one of use whether we know it or not. Jesus became the temple and gave us access to God. Describes the pain of child birth that all who are mothers can recognise. Yet the reward of the birth of new life means everything. When we see the changes in society, persecution and war we need to bring Jesus to others. We need to be careful that we don’t take salvation for granted. Today is the day for prayer for the persecuted churches. We don’t know that personally but we’ll show a video that sheds more light on that . We remember the case of Asia Bibbi tried to get water from a well she asked the question to try to share her faith and to understand the point of view of other people. Despite a judge deciding she should be free she’s still not free as too many people want to kill her. When we know Jesus has rescued us this should help us to stand firm. The passage says whenever you are arrested and brought to trial the Holy Spirit will be with you.

So glad that when things come against we don’t need to worry.

Think about the wider world. Think about Terry H’s map showing how WVBC sits in the centre of a cross of the community. Think also about Terry W reflecting on the  people who made the difference to him. We need everyone on board to help people pray for those teaching out. Be encouraged, stand firm with our persecuted brothers and sisters.

Esther shared the situation her brother Malcolm is dealing with. He’s assisting in a court case in London to help an Iranian man prove he is a Christian! Imagine if we all had to do this.

On 4th November we were joined by Vicky Thompson from Darlington Baptist Church as part of the pulpit exchange scheme. Vicky told a fast paced story to set the mood about the man who builds his house on rock and the man who builds on sand. She had the kids and adults enthralled with a familiar tale.

Vicky from Darlington brought us the word today from John 21. She quoted from Theodore Roosevelt.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Vicky said that what inspires her is the person who dares. Our world seems to only value success and achievement then you are loved. Think about the recent news coverage of Teresa May in the news where she did a terrible dance. We love to criticise as a nation. We’re loved according to our likes on things on Twitter or Facebook. What if it is ok for us to just be who we are, not because of what we have or what we’ve achieved. What if we just get applauded for who we are.

We find Peter a good fisherman , one of a long line of fisherman. He knew everything there was to know about fishing, yet follows Jesus when he was called. He leaves everything to follow Jesus. He even changes his name. Simon means reed Peter means rock. It’s Peter who climbs out of the boat..it’s this Peter, the only one that dared to get out of the boat. He’s the first to recognise Jesus. Peter has this amazing journey to this point. Think about this Peter” . In the lead up to this  passage, Peter had given up everything, this Peter who denies Jesus, he had all these experiences. Jesus has died and risen again and Mary is told to tell Peter. Peter the denier!

Vicky at this point offers a  a quick short story of the father who hears his son shouting “Dad Dad help!” It’s thundery and the little one is frightened. Dad tells him “You know Jesus is with you!” His son replies ” I know, but I  just need someone with skin on!”

Peter has gone fishing, after Jesus dies,  everything has gone wrong so he goes back to what he is comfortable with. Jesus come to find him. He doesn’t leave Peter there. It’s the same for all of us. Whilst we were still sinners Christ died for us. God is love and loves us regardless of what we do. Rely upon the fact that God loves us completely and we can never change that.

Think about an auction sale. The auction item only worth what people will pay for it. You and I are worth what God says we are worth. We are worth his Son dying for us.

Vicky then shares the story of a little boy learning piano. His parents take him to see great pianist. The boy had a look around. Sees piano, opens piano and plays chopsticks. His parents are mortified, but the great pianist hears this. Keep on playing he whispers. It becomes the most magnificent tune as the pianist plays along with him. We get it wrong. We can allow the great pianist who is God to whisper keep going it’s ok. Don’t be crushed by guilt, don’t go back to the comfortable , keep going your doing great let God fill in all the other notes.

In this moment Jesus comes to Peter and they sit down for breakfast. Jesus addressed Peter’s failure. He talks about whether or not Peter loves him. The three types of love Agape Eros phyllo.

Jesus asks Peter do you agape me. Peter can only respond saying I like you. He’s asked again twice and eventually responds you know I do.

When you go out walking with a child you holds his hand tight, different to a child’s holding your hand they can let go. Your holding tight, you won’t let the child go. Neither will God let you go.

Do you love me more than the other disciples your hobbies your cars your houses.

Do you love me more than anything else is the question right through the bible. The Jewish have a prayer  box that they put in the doorpost the forehead the wrist to show this love.

Examine how you spend your time and your money. That will tell you what you love. Do you love him enough to follow wherever he takes us. Our ambition is not to get from life to death safely. The call of Christ is one of obedience and love, it’s not comfortable or easy.

The credit belongs to the man in the arena , the one who has lived Jesus, who spends himself in a worthy cause. Let me encourage you to do the deeds of Christ. Follow Jesus to these places.