‘Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3’ is the refrain often heard when testing sound levels on a microphone. Testing is a common feature of everyday life these days: when doing electrical jobs in a house, it’s wise to test a live current with a neon screwdriver, for example, to check that it’s working before relying on it; a car has to have an MOT after three years to ensure it’s still roadworthy; portable electrical appliances have to be tested annually. Our society doesn’t just test things either: children are constantly tested at school; schools are regularly tested by OFSTED; most jobs require ongoing professional development.

In the Christian life, there is a test we have to do regularly, for 1 Cor 11:28 reminds us to examine ourselves thoroughly before we take Communion. The word means to test, to scrutinise, to prove and we have to reflect, consider, look back and evaluate how we are doing in the faith on a regular basis (see also 2 Cor 13:5).

The opportunity to take the emblems of bread and wine gives us pause. We are to consider, confess and consume. What we have done wrong or failed to do must be confessed to God, but 1 John 1:9 assures us of forgiveness. We are not to test ourselves simply to avoid taking Communion, but to confess and then consume the symbols God has given us which remind us that our salvation is not dependent on our efforts, but wholly available through Christ’s sacrifice.

Tonight’s Bible study looked at the difficult topic of church discipline (1 Cor 5:1-13). The immediate cause for concern in this chapter is sexual immorality (a man was sleeping with his stepmother and seemed to think this was perfectly acceptable, as did others in the church, presumably because in their ‘enlightened’ state, the Corinthians felt they were so spiritual, what they actually did physically had no spiritual consequences.) Sexual purity has always been an issue in the church. In 1 Cor 6:18-20, Paul shows us why: all other sins are committed ‘outside the body’, but whoever sins sexually sins against their own body, which as Christians is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The Biblical view of sex (later expounded in 1 Cor 7) is that of sexual purity outside of marriage and sexual faithfulness within marriage; marriage between a man and a woman is the only Biblical endorsement of sex. This issue is as relevant today as it was when Paul wrote this letter, for our society does not recognise this Biblical view of sex and many inside the church do not live according to God’s laws.

It’s often said that ‘a sin is a sin is a sin’, meaning that all sin should be judged in the same way. Whilst it is true that we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23) and that in that sense, any sin means we cannot reach God’s mark, it is clear that not all sins have the same consequences (see Ex 32:30, Ex 22:1-14, Num 35:6-34, Ezek 23, John 19:11, Luke 19:5-9, Luke 12:47-48); our law makes provision for this in regard to murder and manslaughter, showing that intent, motives and attitude have to be considered as well as actual behaviour. Paul is concerned because the Corinthians are treating sin lightly; it is for this reason that he challenges the church to deal with this behaviour by actually expelling (or excommunicating) the immoral brother.

This course of action should never be taken lightly. The Bible urges us to speak with people privately and seek to resolve matters (see Matt 18:15-20). Even Paul is clear that the drastic measures to be taken (whereby a person is ‘handed over to Satan‘) is to be done with the express purpose of their restoration (see 1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 2:5-11). He is also clear to differentiate between believers and non-believers (1 Cor 5:9-11). Nonetheless, there must be a clear difference in lifestyles between those who profess the name of Christ and those who do not. This does not apply only to sexual sins (as the rest of the chapter makes clear) and help must be given to all those struggling with sin (see Gal 6:1). Nonetheless, we cannot dilute God’s Word and must acknowledge the high standards it proclaims and endeavour to live by its guidelines, in discipline as in all matters.

Having ventured forth to celebrate the recent wedding, Igor has been travelling to foreign climes… though the sign below is rather misleading!

Far from being in Paris, Igor was actually in North Wales:

The view was almost like Switzerland, swans and all…

The trip to ‘electric mountain’ to discover all about hydro-electric power was amazing:

Then there were castles and coastlines to explore:

Igor likes to get around…!

Stephen continued his series on God’s fulness this evening, looking at the stumbling-block which often cause us to fail to experience God’s fulness in the way He wants us to. We often find it difficult to believe that God wants us to enter into His fulness; we are so used to hearing the negative voice of others and of the enemy which constantly tells us ‘You’re not good enough.’ When we read Scripture, we find amazing truths, but often remember verses out of context. Thus Rom 3:23 reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, but we often take that as condemnation, whereas Rom 3:24 goes on to remind us that all are justified freely through God’s grace and through the redemption purchased for us through Christ Jesus. There is no need for despair, but we often find ourselves in a ‘Catch 22’ situation, putting ourselves down and refusing to enter into God’s fulness because we feel unworthy.

The good news is that God’s grace is sufficient for us and that His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). All that is required from us is to believe that God wants us to enter into His fulness; He pleads with each of us to accept and receive His truth and allow this truth to transform our lives. He is not interested in part-installation which fails at the last moment (rather like trying to install new software on a computer and failing at the last minute!), but wants us to allow His fulhness to dwell in us through the living Word of God.

We also had two family birthdays to celebrate:

This morning, Mark spoke on Ps 91 at Cherry Tree Court. Many of us like to feel safe, not being daredevils or risk takers or adrenaline junkies and this psalm reminds us that those who spend time with God live under the cover and protection of Almighty God (El Shaddai.) He is our refuge (a safe place to hide) and fortress (which gives us protection on all sides.) No matter what the danger – and several are mentioned in the psalm, such as the fowler’s snare, a perilous pestilence, terror by night and arrows that flee by day, we can be secure because of God’s shielding protection. Even sudden death cannot harm us, for He has secured eternal life for us. God promises protection even if 10,000 fall at our side; He has given angels the job of watching over us because of His great love for us!

Secure in the love and protection of God, we can know confidence and freedom, no matter what.

There were, however, many conventional aspects of the wedding. Traditional vows were exchanged during the ceremony and the register had to be officially signed:

After the vows, Stephen played an original piece of music he wrote for Stacey and then sang one of her favourite love songs:

A whole host of photos were taken of friends and family:

and there was lots of lovely food to eat!