Romans 3

Jan 25, 2026

Today in our Bible discussion we looked at Romans 3 and God’s solution to the problem of sin. An understanding of sin and God’s plan of salvation is necessary for our witness to those who do not believe, since sin separates us from God and we need His intervention to resolve this estrangement.
If we are trying to earn God’s favour by our own goodness, this is like walking on a high wire with no safety net: one wrong move, and we are doomed. It’s impossible for us to reach God’s righteousness through our own good works, and so we need God’s help in resolving this dilemma. Paul draws many Old Testament quotations together to show us that sin is pervasive and no one (Jew or Gentile) is righteous enough; all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:23) He goes on to give us the answer, however, in revealing Christ’s righteousness and sacrifice as the way back to God.
Following the law and being good is rather like trying to pay on the door at a concert only to find the ticket price is way too high. God has provided us with a different pathway, offering us a ‘free pass’ if we accept the death of His Son, Jesus, as the way back to Him. He has already paid for the pass; we can benefit from HIs amazing grace and generosity.

Confident, Committed, Consistent

Jan 18, 2026

Confidence in God leads to commitment and consistency. When we are confident in God, we understand His covenantal commitment to us in Jesus Christ, and see that a life with God must bring our ‘yes’ to God and to His plans, even when we do not always understand them. Jesus models commitment to us (Heb 10:7, Luke 22:42) and enables us to live a surrendered life where God’s will becomes our priority.
Commitment is worked out in everyday life through consistent living, when we reflect God’s faithfulness, love, kindness and forgiveness in how we live. If we grow up with inconsistency – never knowing if we are accepted, always treading on eggshells as it were because of moods and volatility – growth is hindered, because we become wary and withdrawn, unwilling to risk being hurt. But God never changes (Mal 3:6), and so we can be assured that He will always treat us the same and that we can know where we stand with Him. His Holy Spirit grows consistency in us as the fruit of the Spirit so that we can model consistency which, far from being dull, gives stability in an unstable and insecure world.

Confidence in God

Jan 18, 2026

Today we continued looking at confidence in God, and focussed on two verses: Psalm 27:13 where David proclaims ‘I remain confident of this: that I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living’ and Philippians 1:6 when Paul writes, ‘being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.’
Our confidence ultimately must be in God, and especially in His character. God is good (see Ps 119:68), and we need an assurance of His goodness and ability to work for good in all circumstances (Rom 8:28) if we are to remain standing when the storms of life hit us. So often, we cannot see what God is doing (think of how Joseph’s life went from bad to worse, being sold as a slave and then wrongly imprisoned, languishing in prison a further two years after his good deeds were forgotten or how David, anointed by Samuel to be king over Israel, was pursued by Saul and lived as a fugitive for years, even feigning madness to survive.) Nonetheless, both these men show us that they were in the right place at the right time, and God fulfilled His promises to them.
If we are confident in God, we know that He is Lord and will therefore begin the work He has started. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was written from a Roman prison. It would have been easy for him to feel frustrated and thwarted, but he remained confident that whatever happened to him would be for God’s glory (see Phil 1). When we are assured that God is in control and is sovereign over all, we can be confident that the storms of life will not have the last word.

The Flood and the Tower of Babel

Jan 11, 2026

Tonight in our Bible discussion we looked at what happened after the flood (and the changes that have resulted since then, including changes in diet, longevity, God’s promises of seasons and day and night) and the Tower of Babel (Gen 8-11).

There are many promises from God in these chapters (including the promise never to flood the earth again and the sign of the rainbow – or ‘warrior bow’, signifying the warrior hanging a banner to declare the end of the war.) These speak directly into our world today, reminding us that God is in control, no matter what climate warriors may declare.

The Tower of Babel shows us the introduction of other languages into the world and the confusion this caused (and still does!) These first chapters in Genesis tell us of the Fall, the flood and the Tower of Babel, all events which answer many questions that are still important today.

New Year’s Day party

Jan 5, 2026

We also enjoyed a variety of games and quizzes at the New Year’s Day party.

 

New Year, more food!

Jan 5, 2026

January 2026 is only a few days old, and we have already enjoyed our New Year’s Day party buffet and our first fellowship meal (we eat together after the first service in every month.)

Eating together is a great way of having leisurely conversations and getting to know each other better. Jesus spent much time eating with people and talking to them. We’re just following in His footsteps!