When I was at university, the Christian Union ran a series of meetings entitled ‘Mine Was No Road To Damascus.’ In these meetings, students and staff members gave their testimonies, talking about how they had become Christians. Some, who had been brought up in Christian families, felt rather inadequate doing this, as they felt that they had very little to tell: theirs was not the radical about-turn experienced by Paul (or those whose conversions from alcoholism or drug addiction made for dramatic news.)

Conversions can be sudden and dramatic, like Paul’s, but they can also be gradual and apparently ordinary. Some people can pinpoint the precise moment they gave their life to the Lord (I became a Christian on 27^th October 1983 at the age of seventeen, and can vividly remember the battle that had gone on within me for days leading up to this as I wrestled with God); others can’t remember a time when God was not part of their lives. I don’t think the outward appearance of our encounters with God really matters, but I do think it’s essential that our lives are turned around by God. Without a conversion experience, we are dead in our transgressions and sins (Eph 2:1); we need to experience God’s mercy and love for ourselves and be radically changed as a result (Eph 2:3-6). As John Stott puts it, ‘We too can (and must) experience a personal encounter with Jesus Christ, surrender to Him in penitence and faith, and receive His summons to service.’

The hallmarks of conversion can be seen in Acts 9 and it’s worth considering these aspects of all encounters with Jesus:

1. God is working and is in sovereign control. He is the One who encounters us! Saul was not looking to meet Jesus, but Jesus knew the precise time to reveal Himself to Saul. We need to be convinced of the fact that God is wanting to meet with those who don’t yet know Him and be aware of God’s active role in evangelism.

2. We can’t be saved if we don’t recognise our own sin. Saul had thought he was doing by God’s will in persecuting the church and had to realise his own sinfulness before he could be saved. His three days of fasting and blindness vividly symbolise the fact we have to come to the end of ourselves and our own resources and ability to save ourselves before real change can occur. For many people, this becomes the stumbling-block, the wrestling-point. Salvation means a handing over of control to God.

3. Once saved, our spiritual sight is restored and we perceive life in an entirely different dimension! Jonathan Edwards’ hymn captures this beautifully:

“Heaven above is softer blue,
Earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue
Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o’erflow,
Flow’rs with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know,
I am His, and He is mine.” (“Loved With Everlasting Love”)

4. An encounter with Jesus will result in changed priorities and purposes. Saul described himself as ‘circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.’ (Phil 3:5-6) That was his life summary before encountering Christ. Afterwards, his purpose was defined by God: ‘This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.’ (Acts 9:15) He repeatedly taught others that our faith means radical and lasting change: ‘I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.’ (Eph 4:17) He urged Christians to examine themselves to see whether they were in the faith. (2 Cor 13:5) We cannot encounter Jesus and remain the same.

Conversion is the word used to describe a change, especially referring to religious beliefs. Its roots go back to the idea of ‘turning about’, and the conversion of Paul the apostle (described in Acts 9:1-19 and later in Acts 22:3-16 and Acts 26:4-16) is perhaps the most radical example of this turn-about (or ‘about face’, in French ‘volte-face’). Saul of Tarsus, as he was known then, was perhaps the most fiercely critical opponent of Christianity. We have already met him giving tacit approval to the murder of Stephen and at the start of Acts 9, he is breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples and doing his best to wreak havoc on the church, believing himself to be doing God a favour by rounding up followers of ‘the Way’ and throwing them into prison, regardless of gender (see Acts 8:3). A more unlikely candidate for conversion cannot be imagined, but this chapter reminds us that God can turn about even the most unlikely people! Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus revolutionised him and the whole world as a result.

The word ‘conversion’ itself is not mentioned in the story. What is mentioned, emphatically, is that Saul encounters Jesus as he is travelling to Damascus on his zealous mission to destroy the church. This encounter – accompanied by a blinding light and a voice from heaven which only Saul hears – forces Saul to confront the fact that his encounter with God is actually with Jesus and Jesus’s identification with His people is so great that Saul’s persecution of the church is equated with Saul’s persecution of Jesus. (Acts 9:4) This devout Pharisee, whose adherence to the Law is explained in other passages (see Phil 3:4-6), has all his ideas turned upside down by this encounter with Jesus and he is never the same again. Instead, he accepts his new mission (to be the apostle to the Gentiles, an irony of ironies!) and is welcomed into the church by a humble believer called Ananias, whose mission is to release Paul from his blindness and baptise him as a fellow believer. The adversary has become an advocate, in the words of Tom Wright.

Paul was later to become one of the greatest Christian missionaries, author of much of the New Testament and a profound influence on the church, not only in his lifetime but through to the present day. It all started, however, with this encounter with Jesus, where, as a persecutor, blasphemer and violent man, he encountered mercy, grace and glory. Later writings (e.g. 2 Cor 4:6) indicate that the blinding light he saw was never far from his thoughts; God’s light shining in the darkness was his new benchmark.

Alan gave us some more photos today from Wednesday’s party. As always, it’s fascinating to see the different aspects captured by different people.

Food preparation & layout

Arrivals

A new budding photographer?

Smiling faces (mainly!)

Hard at work!

Playing games:

After the children had found hidden money (a reminder that some things in life are worth seeking), Stephen spoke tonight about the difference God can make in our lives and how necessary it is to include Him in our everyday living. Matt 7:7 reminds us that God wants us to ask, seek and knock. This verse may seem like giving us carte blanche to a life full of ease, but the reality is not that God is a slot machine to be played but a Person who wants to be involved in every area and aspect of our lives.

Many of the people in the Old Testament demonstrated how to involve God in real-life situations, from Elisha whose prayer that God would blind the enemy army (2 Kings 6:18) helped save the day for Israel to David who enquired of the Lord before setting out in battle (2 Sam 5:18). Prayer is one way we can include God in our every decision, even if prayer means acknowledging only God knows what can be done in impossible situations (Ezek 37:3).

Including God in our lives means we acknowledge His supremacy and demonstrate a longing to be in His presence. (Ps 27:4) He is better than any business consultant, for He has all the answers even before we ask (Is 65:4; see also Ps 139). This new year may bring many challenges and situations which have to be faced, but when we include God in everything, we can be sure He will lead and guide us in every way.

Garry continued his series about Messianic prophecies, today looking at the prophecies which have yet to be fulfilled, chiefly looking at the subject of the Second Coming of Jesus. Early Christians anticipated this event within their lifetimes (Paul had to write to the Thessalonians not to misuse their expectation by not working), but expectation faded over time as this event has not yet happened. At the start of the 20th century, the rise of the Pentecostal movement led to a renewed interest in the subject and it’s true that though we have waited a long time since Christ’s birth in Bethlehem and do not know when Jesus will come again, this is still an important doctrine which shapes how we should be living our daily lives.

Jesus’s Second Coming is a definite event (see Mk 13:26-27, Acts 1:9-11). We may not know the date or time of this, but we know it will come unexpectedly (see Matt 24:36-37) and must be prepared (see Matthew 25:1-13). It will affect all people (including those who have died before this happens, see 1 Thess 4:13-18).

One of the chief images used concerning this ‘arrival’ (or ‘parousia’) is that of a Middle Eastern wedding. Marriages were arranged in those days, but the bride and groom gave consent. Then the bridegroom would go away to prepare the home (see Matt 22:1-2, John 14:1-5). This was a legally binding covenant (see Matt 1:18-19), with the bridegroom returning unexpectedly for his bride when his father deemed it to be the right time. The actual wedding ceremony involved a feast, and we are promised a wedding banquet when the Bride (the church) is reunited with the Bridegroom (Jesus.)

Practically, what does this mean for us? It means we must live with an awareness that this life is fragile and temporary, that we have here is not permanent. We live in the now, but we do not live for the now; we live with hope in an eternal future with Jesus. We must live in watchful anticipation of our Lord’s return, being vigilant, awake and prepared. 2 Pet 3:11 talks of us speeding His coming as we carry out His commission of making disciples of all nations. Our hearts cry out, ‘Maranatha!’ (‘Come, Lord Jesus!’)

I’m old-fashioned enough to still love getting a new paper diary or calendar and transferring important dates to these! Whatever your method of memory (digital, paper or other means), please put these dates somewhere you won’t forget them!

January 2020

1. We’re having our next Team Building Day with Sarah Davey on Saturday 18th January between 4 and 6 p.m. (followed by a takeaway if anyone wants to stay for one!) This is an opportunity to look at communication and vision in the church in a more informal and relaxed atmosphere, using team building games and thinking about the message of good news we have and how to take this to our local communities. Children are welcome at these sessions and we hope you’ll join us as we look ahead to what God has got planned for us in 2020.

2. Every Thursday in January (except 16th January), we’ll be having a prayer meeting or Bible study (looking at the book of Acts) at 7.30 p.m. On Friday 17th January at 11.30 a.m. we’ll be having a prayer meeting. We’d love more people to come along to these meetings which give opportunity to be actively involved in prayer and study.

3. We are also hosting home Bible study groups once a month in two locations for those who find it hard to get out on Thursday evenings, so please see us if you are interested in joining one of these.

4. Our ‘Churches Together’ prayer meeting is on Tuesday 21st January at GPCC. Join with Christians from local churches to pray for our local churches and communities, expecting to see God moving in our area in this new decade.

February 2020

1. Isla-Rose Jae Foreman will be dedicated at a special service on Saturday 1st February at 6 p.m. All welcome as we give thanks for Isla’s safe arrival and dedicate her to God.
   

2. The ‘Churches Together’ prayer meeting in February is on Tuesday 11th February at the Salvation Army at 10.30 a.m.

3. The Message Bus will be returning to our area for our ‘Churches Together’ Family Fun Day during the half-term holidays on Wednesday 19th February. If you can help with craft activities or being on the bus, please see Julie. We’ll be looking at the themes of trials and temptations, enjoying pancakes to eat and exploring the bus with its slide, climbing wall, X box games and Wii games at 3 locations.The bus will be at Houghton Road Centre in Thurnscoe (10.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.), GPCC in Goldthorpe (1.30 -3.30 p.m.) and St Andrew’s Parish Hall in Bolton-on-Dearne (4.15-6.15 p.m.)

4. For those interested in the Franklin Graham mission to Sheffield (which will take place on Saturday 6th June), there is a training day on Saturday 29th February (9.30 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.) at Maltby Full Life Church. If you are interested in attending the session or need help with transport, see Garry.