This morning at Cherry Tree Court we looked at the subject of contentment. We live in a society which doesn’t seem to value contentment, with advertisers urging us always onto better, bigger, brighter things! But Paul told TImothy that godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim 6:6) and warned us against placing too high a value on material possessions. (1 Tim 6:7-10). Contentment is of great value in life:‘I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.’ (Phil 4:11-13)

We might view this is as idealistic hopefulness, but throughout his life, Paul faced many hardships for Christ. He was flogged by the Jews five times because of his faith in Jesus. He was beaten three times with rods, pelted with stones and was shipwrecked three times. (2 Cor 11:24-25) He knew what it was not to know where he was going to spend the next night because he was constantly on the move. (2 Cor 11:26) He knew all kinds of danger – including danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from other Jews, and danger from Gentiles. (2 Cor 11:26) Paul knew what it was to work until you were utterly exhausted and then still not be able to sleep because there was other work to be done. (2 Cor 11:27) He knew what it was to be hungry and thirsty, to be cold and naked. (2 Cor 11:27) He knew what it was to be imprisoned unfairly – in fact, he wrote this letter to the Philippians whilst he was in prison. So if anyone had reason to be discontented, it was Paul.

Yet Philippians is a book which resounds with joy, because Paul has learned the secret of contentment, which is bound up in our relationship with God, our security in knowing He is Lord of all and that He is working for our good in every situation. (Rom 8:28) It’s Christ’s strength in us which enables us to rise above our circumstances and learn to patiently wait for the Lord. Joseph is another person who learned this secret. Despite opposition, being sold into slavery and unfair imprisonment, Joseph learned to wait and trust God, forgiving his brothers and seeing God’s ‘bigger picture’ come to pass. (Gen 50:20) If we learn this lesson, we too can find contentment in any and every situation.

“The early church didn’t import existing culture into the church; they exported kingdom culture into the world. It’s what culture carriers do.” (Alan Scott)

Jesus talked about His disciples being in the world but not of the world. (John 17:14-19) When we are in Christ, we become those who participate or partake of the divine nature (2 Pet 1:4) We are given access to God’s way of doing things and have access also to the very power that raised Jesus from the dead. (Eph 1:18-19)

So many of us live, however, as though Jesus is simply an add-on to the life we used to live. This is not how it is meant to be. (Eph 4:17-24) Jesus wants to transform us totally from the inside out. His principles, methodology and motivation have to become ours. We have to put on love. (Col 3:12-14)

I find Alan Scott’s words challenging but entirely consistent with Scripture: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Rom 12:2)

Be a culture carrier today. Forgive those who don’t deserve forgiveness. Love those who don’t love you. Bless those who oppose you and persecute you. Do something for nothing. Extend grace to those who have no hope. Show mercy to those who deserve judgment. Don’t retaliate when you’d love to punch someone. Live out kingdom culture insteasd of being indistinguishable from the world. Our evangelism has to be more than words. Carry God’s culture into the world and show people what God is really like.

The third Summer Fun day at Furlong Road Methodist Church was a great success, with board games and pottery painting the chief activities.

Outside, we had even more games:

Thanks to all the helpers, especially workers from the local Co-op who provided food for the event and helped to serve it.

We have a hope beyond this life.

“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
For I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see.

Hallelujah
Christ is risen from the grave
Hallelujah
Christ is risen from the grave

The prodigal is welcomed home
The sinner now a saint,
For the God who died came back to life
And everything is changed.

Oh death, where is Your sting?
Oh fear, where is Your power?
For the mighty King of kings has disarmed you.
Delivered and redeemed,
Eternal life resounds,
Oh praise His name forever.

And on the day You call me in
To Heaven’s sweet embrace
I’ll see Your scars, Your open arms
And the beauty of Your face
Through tears of joy, I’ll lift my voice
In everlasting praise
Hallelujah
Christ is risen from the grave.

And all throughout eternity
Our song will be the same.
Hallelujah
Christ is risen from the grave.” (‘Christ Is Risen’, Phil Wickham)

The activities tonight were intended to reinforce what we were learning about Jewish and Christian festivals.

The children had time to play in a tent (to get an idea of what a ‘booth’ or ‘tabernacle’ was like) and did collage pictures of the Jewish booths:

The adults (rather depleted in number since many of our congregation were actually on holiday at this time!) did quizzes about the Passover (learning, for example, that Romaine lettuce is eaten during the Passover meal because its bitterness symbolises the slaves’ tears during their years of captivity) and learnt about the order of Christian festivals:

As usual, there were holiday-themed prizes (including a fan for this hot weather, suntan cream, sunglasses and a watering can!)

God is interested in every part of our lives, and holiday are an ideal opportunity to spend more time with God and to allow Him to minister into our lives. We can go ‘on retreat’ to be with God, but even in a sun-soaked, fun-filled holiday, we have more time and need to use this wisely (Eph 5:16). We can, for example, spend more time looking at specific themes in the Bible or reading book we normally are too busy to read. We can set aside time to pray and to seek God’s direction for our lives. Holidays are relaxing and in those moments of relaxation, we can find God speaking afresh.

What turns a holy day into a holiday is ‘I’. We need to leave the kitchen sink behind when we go away but not push God out and so our holidays can be, like the Jewish festivals, ‘holy days’ of encounters with God.