What’s Happening

Money, Money, Money

Aug 28, 2026

Last night’s Bible study looked at Jesus’ words about money, a very practical subject that is a part of our everyday lives but which also points us to eternity. In Matthew 6, Jesus reminded us that we cannot serve two Masters and must make a choice between serving God or money. Money of itself is neutral, but our tendency to greed (see Luke 12:15-21) makes us place more importance on the temporary comfort and security it represents on being ‘rich towards God.’

Jesus reminds us that money is transitory, so we should focus more on eternal treasure that will last. The farmer in Luke 12:16-21 is called a fool by God because he thought only of his own needs and comfort instead of using his surplus harvest to bless others. Jesus repeatedly spoke about our attitudes to money and giving. It’s not the amount that matters as much as our trust in God and our willingness to obey Him (as Mark 12:41-44 demonstrates.)

Giving to the needy is commended throughout Scripture (see 2 Cor 8 and 9 in particular). God is a cheerful giver Himself, and our giving means we can use our ‘worldly wealth’ for kingdom purposes. This does not need to be ostentatious or to be noticed and commended on earth (see Matt 6:2-4). Being faithful and trustworthy with money is necessary, and Jesus told the Parable of the Shrewd Manager (Luke 16:1-15) to demonstrate in part the difference between the world’s way of doing things (where dishonesty is commended!) and God’s way.

To live rightly, we need to see our possessions and money as gifts from God, given to us to steward wisely, instead of as something to hoard and use for only selfish purpose. God gives tu us and provides for our needs (Matt 6:25-34), but we must live knowing that life ‘does not consist in an abundance of possessions’ (Luke 12:15). Eternal life is knowing God and Jesus Christ (John 17:3) and recognising His rule and reign over every area of our life. We must be prudent and wise with regard to money (including paying taxes, Mark 12:13-17), but we must also live in ways that honour God (see Mal 3:10-12, Matt 19:21-30). Sacrificial giving and living are required; this is how Jesus Himself lived and how He commands His disciples to live.

Worship

Aug 23, 2026

Today in our series looking at the community of the church we looked at the subject of worship. Worship is often talked about, read about and sung about, but worship is much more than just singing.

In Gen 22:4-5, Abraham speaks about worshipping with his son; the word means to ‘bow down to the ground, to prostrate oneself.’ The posture expresses the respect, submission and loyalty that are all associated with worship. We worship God as One who is greater than we are.

In Ex 20:4-6 we are reminded that we are not to worship things or images. Idolatry was prohibited in the Old Testament, which meant not having physical idols. Worship involves acknowledgement of who God is and what He has done, which is often expressed through prayer and singing, but as 1 Sam 1:28 reminds us, worship involves our whole lives. John 4 talks about worshipping God in Spirit and truth; Rom 12:1 urges us to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice which is ‘your true and proper worship.’ Worship is no longer linked to one place (the temple) and can include the physical (bowing, kneeling, dancing, lifting arms etc.) and the vocal. Our whole life can be worship, though, even those jobs which we would not necessarily call worship.

The essentials of true worship involve a spiritual centre. It is ‘more than a song’ (as the song ‘Heart of Worship’ reminds us), but is a life dedicated to God.

Remove, Repair, Restore

Aug 23, 2026

At present I am reading through 2 Chronicles in my Old Testament readings, a historical record of the history of Israel and Judah after the reigns of David and Solomon. This is often a troubled history, with more kings choosing to go their own way than those choosing to follow God’s way!

It can be disheartening at times to read the repeated cycle of rebellion and disobedience and to understand something of the fickleness of people, but God has always maintained a ‘remnant’ of faithful followers, even in dark times.

What is encouraging is how a believing king can make a real difference. Asa was encouraged by Azariah the prophet, a reminder that we all need others in our journey of faith. The story in 2 Chronicles 15 also reminds us that God’s word brings energy and focus to the people, leading to positive action and real change.

Azariah’s word to Asa (2 Chron 15:7) galvanises Asa into action: to remove, to repair and to restore worship. (2 Chron 15:8) God’s word removed discouragement, and Asa then removed all the ‘detestable idols’ that had crept into the nation, also removing his grandmother, Maakah, from her position as queen mother because of her idolatry. (2 Chron 15:16) He went on to repair the altar and then restored worship in the nation, which led to a great gathering in Judah and a recommitment of the people to God’s ways.

When God speaks to us, He gives us the courage to do what is right and the energy to not give up. Then we can remove what is sinful from our lives, repair what is broken and restore God to His rightful place as Lord of our lives

Hidden With Christ In God

Aug 16, 2026

Today we looked at Colossians 3:1-4 and the fact that God’s people are described as ‘hidden with Christ in God.’ The identification between the Christian and Christ is so strong that only Christ is visible. We are “hidden with Christ in God” through the work of the Holy Spirit, who baptises all believers into one body—the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12–13). At salvation, we essentially step into Christ, being buried with Him through baptism and raised to life because of His resurrection (see Romans 6:4-7).

This identification with Christ (see also Gal 2:20) is not mere imagination, but is a work that God does in us. It is largely invisible, but Paul urges us to set our minds and hearts on things above, harnessing our thoughts and feelings so that they are aligned with God’s word. God’s word acts as the correcting lens to our thoughts and feelings, realigning us with the reality of His truths. Instead of us being influenced and directed by all we see and hear around us, instead of being swept along by wrong thinking or damaging emotions, God’s word realigns us with truth so that we can see life from His perspective. As we fix our minds and hearts on things above, we see Christ, seated at the right hand of God. (Col 3:1) We see God as King, as ruler, as the sovereign maker of heaven and earth. We see history as His story; we understand the significance of the cross; we see God’s power displayed in the resurrection. We begin to take God seriously, and as a result, our lives are changed.

Being with Christ in God gives us security, a safe refuge (see Ps 17:8, Ps 143:9, Ps 91). We are thus able to live without fear and anxiety, for we know God is in control. This means we are strengthened in our ‘inner being’ (see Eph 3) and are given an eternal perspective that is able to take the ‘long view’ of life (which includes glory to come.)

This identity leads to a changed priority (with God as the central importance in life), a changed practice (developed through personal prayer times, as Jesus modelled for us) and a changed perspective. We wait for our ultimate transformation (see also 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Cor 13), knowing that God is at work in all His people.

Our identity as the people of God is shaped by God, by what He has done for us in Christ, and by what He is still doing for us, a transformation that is ongoing and largely invisible. By faith we believe that we have been raised with Christ, that we have died and our life is now hidden with Christ in God. Our response is to set our hearts on things above, to set our minds on things above, to live with the daily expectation of Christ’s appearing and to hold on to hope, no matter what our physical eyes may see or our human emotions may feel. Just as so much of what we experience daily is invisible but still real – who can see the wind? – so God’s truths are real, even if invisible. Let’s do our part by looking up! As The Message version puts it, ‘Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective.’ (Col 3:2)

Discipleship (2)

Aug 7, 2026

This week we continued looking at what Jesus has to say about discipleship, and focussed on the hallmarks or characteristics of a disciple. Love is the defining mark of being a follower of Jesus (see John 13:34-35, John 15:9-17); the kind of love Jesus shows us is unconditional and sacrificial, and this is the kind of love His disciples must also show (see 1 John 2:10-11, 1 John 3:11, 14-18). We are called to reflect God’s love to other people.

Other characteristics include:

service (Mark 10:34-45, John 13:1-17), which includes humility and having a teachable spirit. It also means a willingness to examine one’s own life before criticising others (see Matthew 7:3-5, the ‘plank’ in your eye,)
faithfulness (Matt 25:14-30). It is significant, perhaps, that discipleship is often synonymous with servants/ slaves. We are called to be faithful in our service, in following Jesus, not simply to be obedient. In the parable, the servants who were commended were those who did their best for their Master, increasing the value of the money they were entrusted with. It is also perhaps relevant that being faithful is connected to having faith (the word etymologically is obviously connected.) The good and faithful servants were those who trusted their Master and wanted to do their best for him.
perseverance (Luke 8:15, John 15:1-8). We are required to continue following Jesus, no matter what our circumstances are or what comes against us.

Disciples of Christ are called to love selflessly, to abide in Christ so that the fruit of the Spirit grows in our lives. We are not called to lord it over others, but to serve humbly and faithfully, persevering in our calling to be followers of Christ and to make disciples of all nations.

Summer Fun Day (2)

Aug 5, 2026

The second Summer Fun Day organised by Dearne Churches Together was even busier than the first, with 154 people attending in total (81 adults, 73 children.) It was good to have the Salvation Army Emergency Response Vehicle there providing drinks for us all and to have members of the Dearne Family Hubs and 0-19 Team supporting local families. We are very grateful to the 21 helpers who did so much and to Nikki Hickling from JJ’s Chippy who fed us all magnificently.

There were a variety of activities and crafts to do today, including: