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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.

Ian led the service on 26 October and Amanda brought us the Word. Amanda was led today to offer anointing using the Balm of Gilead. She followed what she was led to do even though it seemed impossible. Where do you get Balm from Gilead? Is it even possible?  Well it turns out it is possible via the wonders of the internet, but  the delivery times meant this would not happen. It would take 21 days to get here  which would put it into late November. Amanda ordered it even though it would not get here in time. Terry even walked around shops in various towns to see if he could locate a source. Amanda followed where she was led and the oil, the Balm of Gilead, prayed over before it was sent out from Jerusalem arrived in seven days. Terry  had to leave the church as the service started, drive to the sorting office and return with the oil for the end of the service. A Just In Time God setting the foundation for an amazing service.

Today’s Word was from Mark 10:46-52 New International Version (NIV)

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So, they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Amanda asked us to try and visualise in our own minds the scene here. We already know from scripture that God’s kingdom is breaking out around Jesus. There were crowds and crowds of people gathering following Jesus as he was moving through Jericho and they were continuing to multiply along the way as they left the city.
(Imagine the crowds that gather to watch a football team and you’ll get the idea)
Only they were following Jesus…Why? Because they had heard of his miraculous healing power…word was getting out there! They didn’t have twitter or face book – they relied on word of mouth. And boy did the word on the street spread quicker than wild fire. We know this from Matthew’s account of Jesus healing two blind and mute people.
Matthews (ch9,27-34) account was slightly different to Mark’s. Matthew account was that Jesus had gone indoors and asked if they believed he could heal them it was then he touched their eyes and they gained their sight. Also, in Matthew’s account Jesus gives these men a stern warning not to tell anyone. However, they spread the word anyway.

Now Mark personalises the account of Bartimaeus’ healing. Bartimaeus son of Timaeus had been blind since birth he was poor and destitute. In those days if you had any form of a disability you wore a beggar’s cloak. This was your right to earn your money it was also a responsibility if you like for bystanders to give them money, so they could eat or find shelter for the night. This cloak was Bartimaeus’ blue badge/his PIP. Remember this was his given right he didn’t have to work because his cloak warranted that he didn’t have to. Instead he was well known in Jericho he would of sat in a prime location so he was seen by travellers that passed by, this is Bartimaeus the blind man. (Amanda used my dressing gown as a prop for a beggars cloak…I didn’t think it was that bad!)

Can you begin to imagine the noise the crowds would create? It would have been very loud. Amanda asked us to wonder howwonder how Bartimaeus really felt? Confused, frightened maybe until he learned that it was Jesus coming along the way. Let’s not forget that Bartimaeus’ has already lost 1 of his senses so all the commotion would have been a bit of a sensory over load for his ears.
Amanda shared that she knew personally what it is like to lose eye sight! She lost my sight momentarily for about 2 or 3 minutes…She told us …I’m not talking blurry I’m talking BLACK I could only see the blackest black. (it was as if some switched the light off. The shock, anguish and fear raced through my body
I can remember crying out I’m going to have to learn to learn to walk again…you may think well that won’t affect your walking because you can already walk right?

Wrong once a sense instantly goes your body goes into shock and overdrive.

Yeah you know how to walk but to try and walk without sight was one of the hardest things Amanda  had to do. Amanda guessed Bartimaeus was used to this… Her question though was this,
Why was he sat there by the road?
Was he sat waiting for Jesus because he had heard he was coming his way and he’d already heard of his miraculous healing power. How people were healed with just one touch of his garments.
The crowd was beginning to get louder Bartimaeus started to call out son of David. No answer again son of David…. the people were telling him to shush be quiet. They were trying to push him back into the margins he had no rights! But the more they told him to be quiet the more he shouted the louder. Son of David Have Mercy on me. How many times have you heard /you said shush to someone, what was the reason, how do you think it made them feel? how many times have you walked passed a beggar at the bottom of the ramp in Hartlepool town centre?
Now Jesus was the son of God he had supernatural powers of course he would have heard him in the crowd, just like he felt the lady who was haemorrhaging touch the thread of his garment as she crawled along the filthy floor. Why did Jesus make Bartimaeus call out and why did he ask him again? To display the certainty of what Bartimaeus wanted.
Jesus called Bartimaeus. He told the other to get him when they approached him Bartimaeus flung off his cloak (right here we see from scripture that he didn’t just take it off he threw his cloak aside and … he ran to Jesus. Now I know it’s hard enough to try to stand without sight. But for Bartimaeus it was more. He wanted his sight he wanted to see the face of Jesus. He was ready to give up his security blanket in order to follow Jesus. Once the cloak was off the cloak he was declaring himself fit for work, he would now have to provide for himself.
Notice Jesus didn’t order him not to tell anyone instead he said your faith as made you well. This was one of the last recorded miracles of Jesus as he was heading to Jerusalem to fulfil the Father’s will.

Amanda then said that she didn’t know where this find you this morning maybe during this talk you have been going over the areas in your life that needs a healing touch from Jesus… Just one touch of his garment. She knew that for some of us we have deep wounds that need that healing touch. some of these wounds we think are too deep and far too complex
Ian joined Amanda in inviting people to come and receive prayer and anointing for healing.  Amanda knew people might be reluctant to go forward so she shared her own testimony of healing.

She was at a lady’s conference and knew the moment she walked in that she would be healed the lord had showed her through scriptures. At the end the lady had asked for those who need healing to go for prayer and anointing. Amanda was saying “I’m not getting up lord I’m not getting up you can heal me right here.” But she did get up because she was elevated out of her seat (She later found out that the group of ladies she’d gone with were praying for her to get up.) She was healed she felt the physical healing touch of the Lord. Now if  she hadn’t of got up she wouldn’t have received that blessing. Just like Jesus asked Bartimaeus he’s asking you what do you want?

Amanda and Ian stressed that people didn’t need to tell them what needed healing or prayer if they did not want , your father in heaven knows but come for prayer and anointing. They were simply vessels of the father following his instruction this invitation comes from him.

Amanda shared that James gives us instruction to anoint those we pray for healing
James 5; 13-20
The Prayer of Faith
13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops., she9 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

As the song Waiting here for you plays Amanda asked us to listen and pray it from your heart and come to receive your blessing. If you can’t come to the front, then put your hand up and we’ll come to you.

This oil should not be here by human standards it takes 14-21 days from it being dispatched this took 9 all the way from Jerusalem.

We played the song Waiting Her for You over and over whilst people came down for prayer and anointing. The service ran over by half an hour as people were moved to come forward.

 

Tim brought us the Word on 21 October. He preached from Hebrews 5 verses 1-11. Maybe the language in this passage is hard to understand. The language in Hebrews may be unfamiliar to us, but to to the people of the time it was clear as it was about Jewish traditions and culture. The writer of the letters (who we now believe was not Paul) is trying to get across juest who Jesus was and what he did. He is borrowing from the tradition but Tim’s reading finishes on the fact that this is difficult to understand.

Ever been for a job interview or applied for a particular job? Tim reflected on the day he saw a particular job advertised in a paper that could have been written only for him. (He also asked “When was the last time any of us bought an actual physical paper copy of a newspaper?”). The job description could only apply to him as it was a unique set of skills that he had at that point in his working life.

This passage in Hebrews is in effect the job description of Jesus. Jesus is the only one that ticks all of the boxes. Who helps you when you are in trouble? Who can you turn to when you want to make amends? The Jewish people had a sacrificial system. Jesus was the sacrifice for us.

Have you noticed how one or two people in a work area emerge as the people that everyone confides in? They are the people who rise up to be the “high priest” in that area. Someone to chat to, someone to go to. These are the folks for ehom this occurs naturally and organically and not because of their job title or the role they are given. This is route one for the High Priesthood, someone who has experienced something of what life can throw at them.

The passage in Hebrews is all about Jesus. Exodus 28 sets out the old requirements for priesthood , for standing in the gap. The responsibility and the humanity experienced by Jesus leads him to understand our weaknesses. Hebrews 5 verse 10 shows Jesus as “designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek.” This quoting from Psalms sets the requirement. Jesus in the words of the writer of Hebrews is a perfect priest. Through Christ’s obedience he was made perfect. As Jesus lived as a human and went to the death on the cross on our behalf, his obedience shows how he was perfectly qualified . He was saved after death on the cross. He had to share in the experiences of those he served.

Jesus became fully human although some struggle with this particular concept. He felt real human pain, cried real tears and died on the cross.

The writer in introducing Melchizedek. This and the appearance in Genesis chapter 14 are his only references in the Bible.He is the high priest and king of Jerusalem and his name means King of Justice. He comes with bread and wine! He is a Messiah figure. Jesus is not a traditional high priest, he’s not a Levite. Instead he is of the eternal order of Melchizedek, a priest forever.

Imagine the Jewish Christians receiving this letter. It validates who Jesus is! He is without sin, a priest forever, creating an order of salvation forever. He’s superior, perfectly qualified and the account in Hebrews connects with the audience it is aimed at. The writer talks about Jesus being one of us, flesh and blood, emotional and independent. The cross would break us as it broke him. The humanity of Jesus is never in doubt. Can a tortured, bruised, broken human be the one who carries us to God? Of course he can.

Jesus offered up prayers and supplication as any priest would. We are all called and chosen to work with him. We respond to God’s call to live out our faith. As Jesus stands in the gap for you and me, it is important for us to stand in the gap for the wider community. Through him we might approach the throne of Grace.

Is He qualified? Can He do the job? You bet he can. Tim shared the story of a man who did not believe in the fact that God would choose to be human and walk the earth as Jesus, with all of human fraility. He refused to go to church with his family, and stayed home for services. He was sat at home when he heard a sound like snowballs hitting his house. Going outside he saw a flock of birds had flown into the windows at the side of his house. He tried to entice them with food and with treats into his warm barn to recover, he tried to chase them in but none would go. They simply didn’t understand he was trying to save them. He stood there thinking “if only I was a bird, I could talk to them, show them, make them understand.” Suddenly he realised what he was being shown and sank to the ground. Crying “ Now I understand!”

This was broadcast by Paul Harvey on an American radio station, here’s a version  where someone has added some animation.

https://vimeo.com/149931982

Johnny and Tim provided the music today. Tim led worship and brought us the Word from Daniel 6:1-27. This is the last in the highlights of the Old Testament that we have been exploring.

It’satrap. A play on words but a true statement none the less.

Sirius was king of Persia, a known historical figure. Tim showed slide of Sirius cylinder in British museum. Part of history. The Bible says that he appointed Darius yet no reference in historical documents. It does however demonstrate that Gods people at this point are far from home.

The fact we don’t find mention of Darius elsewhere doesn’t matter. The story is being told to God’s people to encourage them in a time of oppression. It’s a book of prophecy and encouragement. Reminds Tim of Joseph. Like Joseph in Pharaoh’s court, Daniel finds his way to the heights of Darius’s civil service. The satraps or chief officials are all jealous of each other. They seek to undermine each other. They want Daniel out because Daniel is going to be a prime minister. They need some false news. They dig for dirt and can’t find anything , nothing to tweet, Daniel is an example of one who is faithful, incorruptible. There’s a steady faithfulness here of a man walking with God. It’s why this story is told. Jesus said teach people to be disciples and to follow. Daniel did this. God just asks us to be faithful. Two ways to interpret this trap being set. One view is that you are only allowed to worship Darius, another is that Darius is the only one who can pray.

It’s a clever trap. It can’t be repealed.

Daniel doesn’t question or doubt, he simply continues to pray with quiet faithfulness . He bows to Jerusalem, perhaps this builds on Solomon’s prayer dedicating the temple he built in Jerusalem.   Daniel prays towards this place . And Jerusalem was the place God chose. The temple had been destroyed by the Babylonians. Yet those in exile turn to the city in hopefulness and longing. Daniel does this without hiding it . He opens the shutters of his room and prays openly. He simply continues what he has done every day. Looking for God to return the to Jerusalem. Jesus in the sermon on the mount instructs us not to be showy but simply to pray in private .Daniel’s pattern of prayer seems to match what Jesus asks people to do. The most faithful pray-ers that Tim has encountered he reflects are those who do this in the quiet and without fuss. When do you pray? Where do you go? On the commute? After the kids have gone to school? Have you found that place? We’re all different but we need to work into our daily routine a pattern like Daniel.

The satraps go and tell the king and reminds Darius he can’t change his mind. Darius hopes that God will save Daniel and tells him this.

Darius fasts and is unable to sleep. He has a worst time of it than Daniel. Daniel is in with the lions but has faith God will keep him safe.

Daniel is saved and Darius punished the satraps. The writer seems to enjoy the satraps getting their punishment. Remember though this is not necessarily God’s view but that of the writer, a member of a downtrodden and abused people. Despite a sentence of death and the clear example, the lions were hungry and capable of killing. God is in control. The future is his. In Darius there is the similarity to Pontius Pilate, both powerful men unable to save the victims of false charges. Both were at private prayer, and both powerful men tried to save those falsely accused. Tim shared some pictures from the catacombs showing imagery drawing the same comparisons. We see the power in Jesus the Risen one. God shows up to take care of his faithful people. Hebrews 11 references the tale of Daniel. The disciples obey God rather than men, continuing to preach when they get out of jail. People notice this faithfulness in Daniel and Darius the mighty king shares v26 and v27, coming to the same understanding of the faithfulness of Daniel.

“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”