We Are Church

Jul 16, 2023

Joy Gascoigne from Grimethorpe Pentecostal Church spoke tonight from Ephesians 1:15-2:3, reminding us of both the individual and corporate nature of the church. Jesus Christ comes in power and energises individuals, and so the church is effectively a working body, a living body and a growing body.
Local churches are in touch with people and must live not on bread alone but on the words of God (Matt 4:4). Our role is to share the word of God with others, holding on to His promises. The church must not become insular, but must seek to find those who are outside the church, often lonely peple who need the connection church can bring to others and to God.
Everybody has a part to play in this, starting with prayer. Prayer is not the last resort; God moves in response to the call of His people and works in power, with the same power that raised Christ from the dead. From our prayer life flows our actions; God works in and through us to reach others.

God’s New Covenant

Jul 16, 2023

Dave spoke this morning from Jeremiah 31:31-34, a wonderful prophecy of hope among the judgment and doom generally associated with that prophet’s name. He likened reading the Prophets to taking cod-liver oil as a child: beneficial but not always pleasant to the taste! Nonetheless, in these verses of promise about God’s new covenant, we see the hope that was realised at the cross.
The old covenant, made with the people of Israel and reinforced through the laws given after the Exodus, was an agreement between God and the people, but the people broke it repeatedly through their disobedience. The law brings awareness of sin, but does not give us the power to do what it requires (see Romans 7); what is required is not so much that we turn over a new leaf, but that we have a new life. The new covenant spoken of here and reinforiced by Jesus at the Last Supper, is based on God’s sovereign grace, speaking of an intimate, personal relationship and offering the total forgtveness of sins. Sin no longer has mastery over us (Romans 6); we have hope and are made perfect through Christ’as sacrifice (Heb 10:14).
Our reponse is to take God at His word, know His promises and believe them. This, then, leads to eternal life: knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent. (John 17:3)

God’s Wedding Feast

Jul 14, 2023

Revelation 19 speaks of Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and evil (He is here portrayed as being ‘faithful and true’, a rider on a white horse in command of armies, the ‘King of kings and Lord of lords’) and points to a glorious future for believers (the bride of Christ) as we are told of the wedding supper of the Lamb that is to come. Even today, weddings are occasions of great joy, and the wedding reception (or wedding breakfast) is an occasion for friends and family to come together to eat and drink in celebration. Couples often spend much money on table decorations, lighting, wedding favours and lavish meals, wanting to mark their special occasion as best they can. I vividly remember my son’s wedding when church members worked hard to decorate the community room with fairy lights, pompoms, table decorations, flowers and beautiful tableware and to prepare a feast fit for a king! One parent who attended our Parent & Toddler group at the time stood at the door for a sneak preview as she passed the building and her jaw literally dropped at the transformation she beheld. How much greater will be this heavenly celebration!
The wedding of the Lamb is the culmination of history, and for those who have fine linen to wear thanks to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, a reason to celebrate. But for those who have rejected Christ, this great supper will signal destruction and total judgment (see Rev 19:17-21). This reminds us that now is the time of God’s favour, now is the day of salvation. (2 Cor 6:2) When Christ rides out of heaven in splendour, it will be too late to choose. Choose now!

God’s People – Saints

Jul 9, 2023

Dave spoke tonight from Hebrews 11 about saints – God’s people listed there as heroes of the faith. Most people have a very different understanding of the word, associating saints with God’s people, but generally thinking they must be particularly holy or close to God and generally must have been dead for a great many years! Eph 1:15-18 names these people as ‘God’s people’, His ‘holy people’, but the term ‘saint’ has now become a formalised religious term, instead of describing God’s chosen ones.

We sometimes associate particular attributes to saints, such as dedication. Saul was dedicated to God in pursuit of Christians originally, but it was not until his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus that he was converted and thus became a saint. All those saved by God are saints; they are made holy by God. He is the one who determines our status. We are made holy by Him, set apart for His work, and our role is now to live in such a way as to glorify Him. Saints are not perfect, pious people; they are simply those who seek God and seek to follow Him, acknowledging their sinfulness and the work of God in them. Being a ‘saint’ is not about being perfect or even necessarily doing miraculous deeds. It is the term God uses for all He has called out of darkness, and as such, God’s children are also saints!

Mercy

Jul 9, 2023

One of the clearest explanations of mercy I have ever come across is in Phil Wickham’s song ‘Mercy’, where he looks at Adam, at Jesus and at what God’s mercy means for us today. Beautifully poetic and poignant, the song gives us clear insight into God’s mercy.

“Made from the dust and breathed into life
He stood unashamed with a fire in His eyes
The image of God walking upon the world
All of the Earth was under His feet
Except for the fruit from a forbidden tree
He took a taste and that’s how He breaks the world

He cried, “Mercy, mercy”
He broke the whole world with the fruit from a tree, have mercy

Heaven to Earth came down from on high
With hope in His name and a fire in His eyes
The fullness of God walking upon the world
He said He was love, then proved it with blood,
Rose from the dead to prove He was God
And that’s what it takes for one man to save the world.

Oh, such mercy, mercy
He saved the whole world, when He hung on a tree, such mercy

Now here inside of our skin and bones
Heaven above is making its home,
The kingdom of God living upon the world.
To love like He loves and give like He gives,
To tell the story that makes dead men live,
And that’s what it takes if we’re gonna change the world.

Mercy, mercy
Your love is a song, and You sing over me.” (Mercy,’ Phil Wickham)

Summer Outreach

Jul 6, 2023

Outreach to our community is a vital part of who we are at Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church (there’s a clue in the name, after all!) We believe that Jesus brings us good news of forgiveness, hope, restoration and relationship with God and this news is so fantastic, we don’t want to keep it to ourselves!

You can join us once a month for coffee mornings on the 1st Saturday of each month between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. – the next coffee morning is on Saturday 5 August.

We’re also working with other local churches to put on family fun days in school holidays where we explore a Biblical theme through crafts and activtiies and enjoy eating together as well – which is what Jesus and His disciples often did, sharing meals. We will be at Furlong Road Methodist Church on Wednesday 26 July between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., looking at the theme of ‘Lost Things’ (and how God finds them!)

On Wednesday 2 August we are hosting the family fun day at GPCC fbetween 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., looking at the theme of ‘God’s Great Party’. Did you know that God throws a party every time someone comes to faith? (Luke 15) Or that God is planning a wedding feast for His bride, the church? (Matt 22) Find out more at this fun day.

In addition, we are going to do things a little differently on Sunday 6 August and hold a party church service at 4 p.m., to carry on the teaching in the family fun day. Come along for party food and games, a buoncy castle and singing and dancing as we remember just how much God likes to celebrate and rejoice. Being a Christian doesn’t mean leaving fun behind; Jesus came to give us life to the full! (John 10:10) Find out more.

Because food is involved in many of our events, we need to know numbers for catering purposes. You can book in to any of the above (which are all free to attend) by contacting Julie on 07729 421405 or emailing julie@gpcchurch.co.uk

We’re also supporting St Helen’s with their fun days on Monday 7 and 14 August (11.00 a..m. -12.30 p;.m.) at St Helen’s Church Hall in Thurnscoe and will be doing free crafts at the ‘Bounce Into Summer Event‘ at Goldthorpe Cricket Grounds on Wednesday 23 August between 12 and 4 p.m.