On 12 January 2020 Ian led worship with Amanda and Jonny.
Tim preached on Isiah 42.
The servant of the Lord is the title of the passage.. Isiah is living in difficult times. Jesus is the fulfilment of the prophesy.
You need to know what was going on at the time. We’re familiar with the journey of the nation of Israel. They stray from God’s covenant and God’s prophets bring them back to God. But then in the 6th century before Christ the Babylonians come and capture Israel and enslave the people. That’s the background to this passage. Most of us have not been forced out of our homes by conflict. Imagine what it feels like, Israel abandoned to the enemy. Was God still God they wondered as they sat and wept by the rivers of Babylon. Stormer describes these as meaning making literature for people under siege.
Sometimes we need such words. We help to live in the midst of chaos. In v13 God is depicted as both a warrior and a women in the labour. This imagery of a suffering servant, a bruised reed, a burning wick. Yet not broken, not extinguished.
In these words the servant comes with a different power not that of the Babylonians. What you see is how people who have been traumatised are called, not to put up walls or engage in nationalism, but to be a light to the nations. Our songs and the psalm Ian read at the start of service are all appropriate.
We sit safe from these issues in our warm church.
It zooms to the wider view. Isiah relocated the purpose of the people not as a defeated beaten broken people but people who share God’s light. God gives breath and spirit to every living person. On the planet. This is the God of the expansive universe.
This bruised reed who will not break is a liberator who will bring justice.
All the way to the edges of the known world is where this Word is to go. God calls them to bring sight to the blind free the prisoners. The passage is full of energy, God is still God. God’s people have not been forgotten.
Isiah shifts Israel from themselves to the wider world.
Who is the servant, ultimately Jesus fulfils this . Unbroken and not dimmed by the cross.
Is God speaking of a community though? We’re meant to hear this as both. The community that Jesus ultimately brings into being following him. Look at the news at the moment, chaos is rampant at the moment.
Leonard Cohen in his song Anthem says
“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.”
The imagery is present in Corinthians in the clay jars.
When we feel helpless and out of control we can see the power that grows out of compassion, to look beyond our problems and do good and share light.
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Light always wins over darkness
On 5 January 2020 Jonny led worship supported by Jacob and Amanda. Tim preached from Isiah 60 1:6
Have you ever felt like an outsider, not getting the joke. The magi were summoned as outsiders . They were invited to celebrate the light that had come into the world. By the time that Matthew is writing the story of the magi, the message of Christ is being broadcast around the known world. Jesus is the light of the world that has come amongst us. The nations will come to be included in the blessing. It comes at a time when people are struggling And Isiah speaks into this darkness .
The cloud over the people reflects the separation of the people from Israel. The things going on in the world seems to reflect the similar situation. We’ve put away the lights and January often feels dark in any case.
But remember what we celebrate at Christmas.
For a time it would be pitch dark in the lower regions of Jerusalem but the temples where higher on the hill and lit first and last at sunrise and sunset.
This part seems to have been written as the people are returning to a broken Jerusalem.aybe their hopes hadn’t been fulfilled in the return so the prophet looked forward to a time of light.
Matthew describes Jesus as God with us Emmanuel! It’s no accident that the wise men were drawn by the light of a star.
Johns gospel reflects that in Jesus was life and that in Him was light for all.
Imagine that it is possible to move from darkness into light. If we follow Jesus there is no need for us to stay in darkness we can have the light of life.
Light drAws people in. The Old Testament says that when god returns it will be for the benefit of all peoples. We see this in the passage today. People coming to learn rather than to conquer.
The wise men who came to Jesus were the first of thousands of gentiles. Our church needs to be a beacon and we need to share the light. Isiah reverses this a little . God remains at work in our world despite the darkness. If we lift up our eyes we will find God ahead of us in the world. The church has to arise to its mission. Take heart that the light has come. We can arise out of despair and get on. Jesus used the symbol of light, as the light of the world,
As you pack away your lights, with all that’s going on it’s easy to think that darkness is winning. But remember the light always wins. Darkness is defeated by the smallest glimmer of light. The gospel writers reflect this all the time. On the cross darkness is defeated, light wins! In 2020 be the light in your everyday things.
Nations will walk in the light, God’s dwelling will be among people.
Jesus tells us we are the light of the world, flawed as we are. Lots of people are hungry for spirituality. Let them see the light through us.
Let us go and share that light with others.
Are you part of God’s upside down kingdom?
In our 29 December 2019 service Esther thanked Ian for the Mary did you know?” song. It’s one of her favourites. She reflected on the fact that sometimes what we expect to happen and what actually happens may be different. January is a gloomy month and we need to know that we walk in the light. Esther asked for people to share what had been happening in their lives. Esther’s brother Malcolm is going to share what’s been happening in Walthamstow and Ben will share what is happening in Lancaster. Esther read from 1 John 4 7 21
As we’re leaving this year and this decade 2020 is good vision. The best focus and that is what we will need,
Malcolm said it was good to be back on home ground. Malcolm reckoned that he came here before he was even born. Malcolm recalls this church always encouraging people to share their gifts. He learnt the Bible here teaching it to others.
Malcolm shared that about 4 weeks ago a young lady from Iran came to live with them. She came here aged 17 studying and passing her exams but then she went off the rails. She applied for asylum, and the Home Office moved her to Liverpool. She found out about Christ and joined a church in Liverpool. Her asylum claim was rejected and she then became stuck in the system and ended up living with an Iranian family.
Malcolm found out about her in February through a fellow minister , and invited her to join the church to help with the Iranian members of their congregation. She flew through the scriptures and she came alive when talking to people about the gospel. Malcolm shared that two years ago they’d started work trying to get an intern. But it came to nothing. Malcolm invited her to volunteer with his church hence why she has come to live with them.
He read from 1 Corinthians, showing God chooses . Malcolm never expected that the person who was perfect for work in his church with young people would come from Iran , and study maths and science. Often what we need is sitting right in front of us.
When God leads you on a journey it’s exciting. God’s upside down kingdom often surprises!
Ben then talked about his internship in Lancaster . He’s been working with them for a year and a half. They get a lot of students. Watching them grapple with the great truth of the gospel. Sharing that God sent his son to save us. Ben finds it great to see people come to make decisions based around the bible and the church. They had one person Danni, who slowly over time decided to become a Christian. Another young person meets up for coffee to discuss the bible and ask hard questions!
He also reflected on the discouragement , they’re trying to move building and are having to learn to trust God’s word and timing. It’s tempting to think “If only we had” when all we need is God’s word.
Esther talked about how we are privileged to be able to connect to our communities through Filling Station through Sheraton Court through the Alpha course.
We need to find ways to touch peoples lives. Find a way to communicate Christ to them even if it is just a smile and hello.
Are you dancing to the same tune?
Tim and Jonny led today and Penny brought us some news on the BMS work planned in Africa .
2 Thessalonians 3:6-13
A letter to Christians not unlike us. Paul seems a little harsh here. Tim compares this to the professional performers in Strictly where people are all in sync. Imagine the Red Arrows all in sync.
What happens when things go wrong. It looks a mess. Verse 6 says watch out for those who step out of line. The display is being spoilt, the flow is damaged, the outsiders see something is wrong. “I command you” from Paul is a strong message.
This passage is a call to work, to be busy. The idlers may be those who think God is coming soon so why bother. There are those today who think that working for justice today is a waste of time and God isn’t bothered about this little planet .. God is before all things and reconciles everything in the passage edris read today. Think about the issues affecting our planet climate change etc.
Maybe it also refers to people taking advantage of an incredibly generous community.
Not so sure these are who Paul is talking about.
Third possibility is the wealthy who expect others to do things for them.
We don’t know who Paul is referring to. This scripture has been used to deny help to others. The key to interpretation of this is really the last phrase focussing in on “do not weary”.
An alternative interpretation is that those being referenced are trouble makers. V11 the word play is even true in the Greek, busy bodies causing grief and trouble using their efforts for chaos rather than serving the community. This is nothing to do with who deserve help, but simply saying do not stop helping. Expectations that people would follow what the disciples had handed on to them. Tradition is a tough word in churches, pew vs chair, modern versed established ways. If we limit our view to this letter think of the encouragement of verse 1. The grace, the relationship with the father, the relationship with Jesus and the disciples, follow the ways of Jesus. Jesus will speak the truth and annihilate the liar.
This can be the reality in our society. What does our dance look like?
Common life of the disciples is essential to the well being of the community.
Reminder is to be the kind of community life that focussed on the good of all and not the individual. Charity at times was not very loving. Do people in need deserve help? Of course we believe they do but we have had experience where sometimes it’s not received with gracefulness.
Don’t give up! Don’t give up!
If you are unwilling to help then shouldn’t be fed! Maybe this isn’t as harsh as it sounds. Maybe what it is saying is if you don’t get involved you can’t grow. Think about our own experience with Filling Station. Think about the unlikely friendships we now have with people we might not have got the chance to meet.
Tim shared an image of people’s vests in the Durham cathedral art installations. As we sit together as God’s church this is us! Nothing more workmanlike than a vest. This is us filled with God’s Light, a church in step together.
We are part of the dance encouraging others whether in Africa or simply going to school and college. Never stop doing good, don’t be discouraged, as we perform this dance together.Let’s stay in formation. Let’s never tire of doing good.
Don’t be scared to reach out and help a Zombie
3 November 2019
We were joined by Mattie Steel who preached on 2 Thessalonians chapter 1
He shared his experience of being at Stockton sixth form college he took chemistry but he struggled about pulling together ingredients to make the final product. Other things in life are not as difficult. Fish and chips, visiting the lakes and good weather, Middlesbrough and a win makes a happy Matty.
The opening of the letter shows Paul in a good mood . Persecution is on the increase but this church in Thessaloniki is increasing.
Matty can see a similar spirit here at West View Baptist Church. But Paul’s letter shifts to those who don’t accept god. It gives Paul no joy to say this. Jesus will return and there will be a judgement. Paul shows that he knows God’s heart is that none should perish.
Our Godmay make you worthy of his calling. Paul expands on this in chapter 8 of Romans. God has chosen called or invited people to come into a relationship with him. He also provides the way for us to be made right with God.
What Paul is not saying is that there is some sort of level that people need to achieve.
In Christ you get a new identity. You are different and this is described right through the New Testament. Different audiences are called to this change, from say a little Corsa to a powerful Ferrari for Christ. Whenever there is a command you will receive the power and grace of the Holy Spirit to live up to the call as a child of god set free from the bondage of sin. You are free. Paul wrestled with this in Romans 10. We live a new life as the old self was crucified with him. Alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Paul prayed that God may make you worthy of his calling. Theologian Don Carson says we are to grow up into Christian maturity.
If there is any struggle you feel in bondage to, Jesus will set you free. Matt offered to pray for any one who needs this freeing from struggle.
Paul prays for fruit from this group of believers in Christ. He recognised the deeds coming from faith, but there is a need for prayer as well. We will only see new kingdom fruit with prayer behind it. Falling to the extremes of either of these camps makes it easy for the external world to dismiss us. Holy huddles, or Christians doing nice things is what we will be dismissed as.
Always offer to pray when out on the streets. Matty gave example of an addict they prayed for who felt sober for the first time in a number of years.
Take the risk and see what happens. Nothing that you can do that can put people off God’s love.
Matty related the story of the time that he was down in Brighton and there was a Zombie festival that weekend. He found himself alone in a railway station at midnight being prompted by God to go and speak to someone. That someone was dressed as a Zombie… at midnight! Matty offered help. Found out the man in the costume had been suicidal previously and following chats then and later he came to Christ and was baptised.
He also shared that our hospitality does not have to be perfect. He once offered a meal to two people down on their luck. He only had beans and bread in to offer. The two young people wanted to cook the meal and sadly they burnt the toast and were that keen on stirring the beans so they wouldn’t stick, they reduced them to mush. It didn’t matter. God still used burnt bread and bean purée to enable someone to be led to Jesus.