Servants of God

Nov 17, 2024

This morning we looked at our identity as servants of God, an identity mentioned in almost every New Testament letter (see James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1, Rev 1:1, Titus 1:1, Phil 1:1, Rom 1:1, Col 4:7, 12, Eph 3:7 and 2 Cor 6:4). Being a servant is generally not something we are too keen on, though popular TV series such as ‘Upstairs, Downstairs’ in the 1970s and ‘Downton Abbey’ more recently show us the importance of servants in a life of wealth and prestige! Nonetheless, we see that it is important to understand our role as God’s servants if we are to live as God wants us to.

God is the boss and we are not! Jesus told many stories about masters and servants (see Luke 17:7-10, Luke 12:35-48, Matt 25:14-30, Matt 18:21-35) and remind us of the authority of the Master. Jesus reminded His disciples that we cannot serve two masters (see Matt 6:24) and that whoever wants to become great must be your servant. (Mark 10:43) The reason we can ultimately view servanthood with different eyes is that God Himself came as a servant (see Isaiah 42:1-4, Isaiah 52 & 53) and thus set the example for us (see Mark 10:45, John 13:14-17, Phil 2:1-11).

 

Being a servant does not mean being enslaved under oppressive conditions, but understanding that we serve a merciful Master who is worthy of our all (in the words of the hymn, ‘Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.’) Our eyes should look to God like the eyes of a slave (Ps 123:1-2) and we should be like the Old Testament slave who did not want to be set free but whose ear was pierced as a sign of his devotion to his master. (Ex 21:5-6) As we serve God, we are set free to follow our Master’s example and to bless others, even as He served us and gave His life as a ransom for many.

Personal Encounters With Jesus

Nov 10, 2024

Tonight we looked at personal encounters with Jesus that underline the truth that being known by God can really shape our identity and change how we live.
We looked at Nathanael, the Samaritan woman, Mary Magdalene and Simon Peter, and saw how Jesus demonstrated a knowledge of them which clearly came from divine revelation and which led to their deepening knowledge of Him.
Nathanael (see John 1) was initially dubious that the Messiah could come from Nazareth, but Jesus’s knowledge of his character led him to see Jesus as the Messiah and to understand that to be fully known was proof of His divine identity. The Samaritan woman debated long and hard with this strange Jewish male intent on engaging her in conversation (John 4), but Jesus’s knowledge of her personal life led her to see that this one who told her everything she had ever done had to be the Messiah. Jesus’s knowledge of her gave her purpose as she sought others to meet Him too. His knowledge of her was more important to her identity than her ethnicity, gender or religious background.
Mary Magdalene recognised Jesus only when He spoke her name. From being afraid and tearful as to where His body was, she recognised Him as her Lord and this recognition meant inclusion now in God’s family. She too was filled with new purpose, going to tell the disciples she had seen the risen Lord. (John 20)
Simon Peter, that impulsive, fervent follower of Jesus, declared his undying support for Jesus at the Last Supper, but Jesus revealed the future that Satan desired to sift the disciples as wheat and that Simon would deny him three times before the cock crowed. Nonetheless, Jesus reminded Simon Peter that he had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. Peter ultimately would become that rock, being restored to faith after the resurrection, reminding us that God knows us through and through and still loves us, forgives us, prays for us and restores us. (Heb 7:25)
Being known by God gives us worth, significance and purpose – it’s not just head knowledge but our relationship with God fuels our everyday lives, giving us a secure identity which can weather all storms.

Remembrance

Nov 10, 2024

This morning, Garry spoke from Ephesians 1:15-16, Paul’s prayer which says ‘I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.’
Paul founded the Ephesian church (see Acts 19) and this letter is a great encouragement to the church. In Eph 1:3-14, Paul lists the spiritual blessings that come from being in Christ Jesus – being chosen, adopted to sonship, redemption and forgiveness of sins. He remembers how they came to faith and what has gone before, just as on Remembrance Sunday we remember those who have sacrificed their lives in wars. For Paul, being thankful and remembering are two sides of the same coin.
Remembering what God has done is a key part of Biblical exhortation. As we remember the desperate situations we have faced and how God has delivered us, our faith is encouraged and we are strengthened. We can be especially thankful for the things God chooses not to remember (Is 43;25), chiefly our sins, meaning that we can have a fresh start and ongoing clean slate with Him.
Paul does not stop at being thankful for the Ephesians; he goes on to pray for them. This includes practical help (see James 2:15-16), as we try to do with supporting the Salvation Army and things like Operation Christmas Child. We need to understand, however, the benefits of praying for others, asking God to help and bless. As we remember, let us also pray.

Coming soon…

Nov 3, 2024

Now that half-term is over, our sights are firmly set on Christmas! We have a number of special events coming up.

Christmas Market (Saturday 30 November, 12-5 p.m.), Goldthorpe Town Square ‘

 

We will be having a ‘Churches Together’ table offering free Christmas crafts and will also be carol singing. Bring your lanterns as the tree lights are switched on at 4.45 p.m. and join us in singing Christmas carols.

Christmas Family Service (Sunday 1 December, 6 p.m.), GPCC

Our Little Big Church service will continue our exploration of the theme of llight.

Christmas Coffee Morning & Fayre (Saturday 14 December, 10 a.m. -12 p.m.), GPCC

We will be selling bacon or sausage butties as well as homemade baking and will also have craft stalls selling homemade pickles and chutneys, Christmas cards and handmade crafts

Christmas Carol Service (‘Hey, Ewe!’) on Sunday 22 December, 6 p.m., GPCC

Come along to sing carols and watch the children perform their Nativity – ‘Hey Ewe!’

Christmas Day Service on Wednesday 25 December at 10.30 a.m., GPCC

Join us as we explore the raw ingredients of Christmas and what’s really necessary to have a good Christmas!

Spiritual Combustion

Nov 3, 2024

On Friday I attended a spectacular science show at Cast Theatre, Doncaster, with my grandchildren. It was a show looking at different sources of energy through experiments and ended by considering the fire triangle with a series of controlled explosions.
The fire triangle tells us that for fire to occur, three ingredients are required: heat, fuel and oxygen. Fire is extinguished when one of those elements is removed.
We are approaching Bonfire Night in England, and last night fireworks were set off in remembrance of Guy Fawkes’ attempt to blow up Parliament in 1605 using gunpowder. Fireworks contain gunpowder, an explosive consisting of a powdered mixture of saltpetre, sulphur and charcoal, and often look spectacular as their ‘mini fires’ light the sky, complete with loud bangs.
Gunpowder used to be transported in ‘powder kegs’, barrels used to move the gunpowder from place to place. The volatility of gunpowder made this a dangerous task, as any spark (heat source) could set off the gunpowder en route!
The three ingredients (fire, heat, oxygen) needed for fire have a spiritual parallel when considering the fire of God, that holy fire associated with God’s power and glory. We need God’s word to ignite faith in us (Rom 10:17) and we need God’s Spirit to fan that flame into a fire that burns and does not go out. (2 Tim 1:6)
I’ve always seen the fire triangle drawn as an equilateral triangle, for the three ingredients are all equally necessary. But I think spiritual fire is more like an isosceles triangle. God provides the two key elements – word and Spirit. Yet our faith is still needed, for any potential energy inherent in His word and Spirit still needs our faith (itself a gift of God) to ignite that into spiritual action and energy which can fuel our service.
We need God to set our hearts ablaze. We need the fire of God’s Spirit to rest on us as on the Day of Pentecost so that we hear the words of God and have the faith to believe what He says. The powder keg of faith needs God’s words and God’s Spirit to turn faith from something inert into something vibrant and living. When we hear God speak and the Spirit lights up that word, faith is ignited in our hearts and then we are set ablaze, bringing light and hope and fire to a world desperately in need of these things.
Other countries have fireworks’ displays in summer (think of the USA and France celebrating Independence Day and Bastille Day in July.) It seems fitting for us in England to use fireworks predominantly in November and for New Year’s Day. Fire provides both heat and light. We need the comfort of both, and God’s Spirit and word shine brightest in the darkness. May our faith be ignited so that holy fire burns within us, fuelling us through the dark days of winter ahead.

The Influencers

Nov 1, 2024

When we watch a film, it’s usually the actors who get our attention, and possibly the producer and director whose names are known. But if we persevere to the ‘credits’ on a film, we are amazed at the sheer number of people it takes to make a film. The diversity of people and jobs associated with cinematography is astonishing.

The same is true of life. Every person meets many others who are important to them, some more so than others. Part of assessing a person’s life is knowing these influences and people, who may range from family, friends, neighbours and work colleagues to those in positions of power and authority to those who have already died but whose influence remains (often through works of art, literature or music.)

In 1 Chronicles 11 and 1 Chronicles 25-27, we see lists of names of people who helped David. These had different roles (some were his ‘mighty men’, his warriors; some were administrative helpers; others were singers and musicians; others were priests. Some looked after his property; others were appointed leaders of the tribes of Israel.) Many are often not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible; these are apparently the insignificant ones. Yet there are no insignificant people, for God records their names in these lists and we begin to grasp the enormity of the truth that no man is an island. All of us need other people in our lives. All of us are helped and blessed by others.

Perhaps it’s time we made our own list of people whose views and help have shaped and moulded our lives. Perhaps it’s time to pause and thank them (they may not even realise they have made such an impact on us!) It’s certainly time to thank God for all who are there, helping us along life’s way. Without such people, we simply could not do the things we do. We salute these unsung heroes as David did and are grateful that we do not stand alone.