Not only are we as Christians ‘better together’, we are actually ‘knitted together’ in love by God (see Col 2:2). In our continuing series on ‘Connections’ this morning, we looked at how a cord of three strands is not quickly broken and how the individual strands are woven together by God’s Holy Spirit to make us into His body (see also Eph 4:15-16).

Eccl 4:9-12 reminds us that we are better together. Two are better than one: reminiscent of what God said when He had created Adam: ‘it is not good for the man to be alone.’ (Gen 2:18) There is a sense that two can achieve what one can’t on their own: ‘they have a good return for their labour.’ (Eccl 4:9) In addition, if one falls down, the other can help them up. (Eccl 4:10) Two can keep each other warm; you can’t do that on your own. (Eccl 4:11) One on their own may be overpowered, but two can defend themselves. (Eccl 4:12) In all of this passage, we see the benefits of relationship and togetherness, and at the end of this section, we have a reminder that a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

The simplest way of making a rope is to twist the strands together into one cohesive length. The individual strands have to be joined together to make one new object: the rope. The rope is made up of individual fibres, but these are joined together to create something new. The combined strength of twisted rope is naturally greater than that of a single strand. At Outhwaites in Hawes, there is a 100 feet rope walk in the shop and you can watch the ropemakers place the individual strands on the machine and see how these are twisted together to form the rope (watch the video here.)

In the same way, God wants to join people together into a body which looks very different from its individual components. This body He has called the church, and we are all being knitted together or united to form this whole. Paul reminds us that we are all different and have different roles and functions to play (Rom 12:4-5), but God the Holy Spirit unites us and knits us together.

There is a preparation process in making ropes: ‘In order to make rope, the fibres must first be processed. For ropes of natural materials, the fibres need to be coated with natural oil, cleaned, spread and combed to create continuous ribbons of fibre, known as slivers. The slivers are then twisted into yarn, which is wrapped onto spools or bobbins.’[1] God’s Holy Spirit provides the natural oil, the holy oil, the spiritual anointing which binds us together in love. He is the One involved in the preparation process and the joining together process. Without Him, this simply could not happen, but with Him, anything is possible!

[1] https://www.qualitynylonrope.com/blog/how-rope-is-made

Last night we had a special service where we gave thanks to God for the safe arrival of Isla-Rose in November and dedicated her to God. It was lovely to see so many of her family at the service and to be able to share in fellowship and food after the service.

The sermon looked at Psalm 16 and in particular at verse 11: ‘You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.’ (Ps 16:11) Many think of God as a kill-joy, someone intent only on punishing us and enjoying our misfortunes, but the Biblical view of God is completely different. God is the author of joy and Jesus wants us to be people of joy (John 17:3). Most parents, if asked what they truly want for their children, will say that happiness and health are the things that really matter and God also has good plans for us (Jer 29:11). There are times when He has to discipline us, but even that is for our good and to protect us (just as parents have to discipline their children for their own good.)

In Psalm 16, we see David’s confidence in God’s goodness. Psalm 16:5 says, ‘Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; You make my lot secure.’ God provides for us and satisfies us. He gives us hope and a future: ‘The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.’ (Ps 16:6) He helps us to face difficulties and troubles with confidence: ‘With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.’ (Ps 16:8) Moreover, His help goes beyond this life, since God gives us the hope of eternity: ‘You will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will You let Your faithful one see decay.’ (Ps 16:10) 

All of us need God to make known to us the path of life, for ‘there is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.’ (Prov 14:12) Jesus spoke of the narrow road that leads to life and the wide road that leads to destruction. (Matt 7:13-14) A dedication service does not make anyone a Christian, but our prayer is for Isla and all of us to find the path of life in Jesus that leads to God. (John 14:6) We also pray for joy to be our portion and for us to know eternal pleasures in God (see Ps 16:11). That way, we will live in the blessing of God.

We have just had a news update from Fredrick and Reeba in Bangalore. Fredrick tells us he will be going this month to the north of India, taking 200 talking Bibles with him. This is an area of India virtually untouched by the Gospel and these Bibles help those who cannot read to hear the word of God. They are solar powered and are therefore easy for people to use. He asks for prayer that God will open people’s hearts to His word as they receive these Bibles.

The tailoring graduations were scheduled for January, so we hope these have gone ahead as planned in all locations.

Please continue to pray for Fredrick and Reeba and their three children, and for Amshika, the little girl we sponsor.

We are very pleased to host two community groups seeking to help end social isolation and improve emotional and mental health in our communities.

B:Friend meets on Monday afternoons from 1.30 p.m. and offers a befriending service to local residents who often struggle to get out. The Monday afternoon meeting is a social gathering which looks at different activities each week and gives opportunities to meet new people and make new friends.

TADS works with young people who struggle with anxiety, depression and stress and is running a drop-in session for 11-18 year olds on Wednesday afternoons from 3.15-4.45 p.m.

It will also be holding one-off sessions in the half-term holidays (Tuesday 18th February for 11-18 year olds and a mindfulness session on Friday 22nd February for 5-10 year olds.)

We also host Dearne Stay Fit (a gentle exercise class for over 50s) on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and Slimming World meet in our building on Thursdays at 9 a.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.

In addition, the church runs a youth club on Mondays (6.30 – 8.00 p.m.) and a Parent & Toddler group on Fridays (9.30 – 11.00 a.m.) Please let others know of these groups!

The Rolling Stones sang, ‘I can’t get no satisfaction’, and for many people in life, the idea of total satisfaction seems an unattainable dream. We are people who are easily dissatisfied and our consumerist society fuels this dissatisfaction, always showing us the next best thing. The idea of godliness with contentment (1 Tim 6:6) seems a pipe dream and we often treat God as an accessory, wanting to trade Him in for a newer model in the same way that we upgrade our mobile phones…

In Psalm 36, we find verses which describe the satisfaction God provides: ‘They feast on the abundance of your house; You give them drink from your river of delights. For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.’ (Ps 36:8-9) One of the frequent images used to describe our union with God is that of marriage, with the marriage supper or feast described (see Matt 22:2, Rev 19:9). The most lavish meal we could ever imagine is as nothing compared to the abundance of God’s house. The food and drink industry is one of the most lucrative in this country; the Food and Drink Federation tell us that food and drink contribute £31.1 billion to the economy and is the biggest manufacturing sector in the country, but this just cannot compare to God’s abundance and supply. God gives us the best food we can imagine and gives us access to drink from His river of delights. There is literally nothing which can satisfy us as God does.

It’s crucially important that we are satisfied with God, because if we are not, we will live miserable lives that don’t recommend Him to anyone! We have to understand that life does not consist of an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15) and learn to seek God first (Matt 6:33-34). We should be magnets, pulling people towards God because they see in us a quality of life that they don’t have. If we are discontented, materialistic, anxious, miserable people, why on earth should anyone believe us when we say that God is worth knowing? On the other hand, when we are convinced of God’s love, faithfulness, righteousness and justice and protection and preservation, we can live confidently, becoming beacons of light.

The four characteristics of God mentioned by David in Ps 36:5-10 are the wellspring of life:

1. God’s love. David reminds us that God’s love reaches to the heavens (Ps 36:5) and although we cannot actually measure God’s love with a ruler, the Bible reminds us of its vastness (see also Eph 3:17-19). It is priceless (Ps 36:7) and ultimately forms the basis of the security of our relationship with God, since nothing can separate us from His love. (Rom 8:37-39)

1. God’s faithfulness. David goes on to focus on God’s faithfulness, using the same metaphor of height: God’s faithfulness reaching to the skies. Love and faithfulness are frequently linked together in the Psalms (see Ps 40:11, Ps 57:3, Ps 85:10 for example) and remind us that a key part of love is dependability. God promises never to leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5) and He who promised is faithful. (Heb 10:23) This brings security and stability to our lives, so that even if we are being buffeted by trials and temptation, we can still be sure of God’s faithfulness to us. (1 Cor 10:13)

2. God’s righteousness & justice. God will always do what is right (Gen 18:25) and we can trust Him to deal with the wicked! Habakkuk struggled to understand why injustice seemed to flourish (Hab 1-2); we often feel, like the child, ‘it’s not fair!’ Ultimately, however, we can leave justice to God because we know He is just.

3. God’s protection & preservation. The second half of verse 6 tells us that ‘You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.’ (Ps 36:6) David the shepherd knew what it was to care about the sheep; he fought the lion and the bear to protect the flock (1 Sam 17:33-35). His commitment to his flock and his care of them were simply a reflection of God’s commitment to and care of His people. Jesus, our good shepherd, gave His life for the sheep (John 10:11, 14-15) and we can find refuge under the shadow of God’s wings (Ps 36:7, see also Ps 91:1-2).

When we focus on these things, our lives are given hope and stability, security and joy.