tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25856577658909017532024-03-13T10:05:03.163+00:00FAITH IN THE REAL WORLDSermons and reflections on life and faithAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.comBlogger598125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-13709140413910526012018-03-05T21:19:00.000+00:002018-03-05T21:19:31.281+00:00Living Temples<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Audio recording of sermon based on John </span><a class="yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_QaoFQK_MI&t=133s" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: var(--yt-formatted-string-endpoint_-_line-height); text-decoration-line: none; white-space: pre-wrap;">2:13</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">-22, Jesus' cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem, and its significance for us today.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-63841762246765521172018-02-26T18:13:00.003+00:002018-02-26T18:13:51.430+00:00The Problem of Lust<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-76037444393314072982018-02-26T18:12:00.000+00:002018-02-26T18:12:45.306+00:00The Problem of Anger<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-61265497118984019172018-02-26T18:10:00.000+00:002018-02-26T18:10:43.317+00:00Two Kinds of Wisdom: James 3:13-16<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-56704028016375448572018-01-29T20:45:00.002+00:002018-01-29T20:45:45.584+00:00Matthew 5:1-16 The Greatest Sermon <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-21195492522123428492018-01-29T20:44:00.002+00:002018-01-29T20:44:40.481+00:00James 3:1-12 Taming The Tongue<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-58709201642342170632018-01-29T20:43:00.000+00:002018-01-29T20:43:37.917+00:00James 2:14-26 Faith & Deeds<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-35127479962410533982018-01-29T20:41:00.003+00:002018-01-29T20:41:58.382+00:00James 2:1-13 Favouritism Forbidden<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-38948388016270847092017-12-11T19:29:00.001+00:002017-12-11T19:29:45.592+00:00James 1:19-27 Listening & Doing <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-18782890465973276582017-12-11T18:03:00.001+00:002017-12-11T18:03:54.212+00:00James 1:13-18 Temptation <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-43264137686931763762016-12-11T20:45:00.000+00:002016-12-11T20:45:38.435+00:00Romans 8:28-39 More than Conquerors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for more than conquerors" src="http://graceepc.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Sermon-Series-More-than-Conquerors-Web-Sermon-Audio-Button.jpg" /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Introduction</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, special occasion
celebrating baptism of Logan & Summer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are entrusting them
to God’s care, and praying that as they grow up they will come to know and love
God.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Famous Chinese proverb states “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today
marks the first step for Logan & Summer on the journey of faith. Our hope
& prayer is that as they grow up, they will discover for themselves the
love God has for them, and the plans and purposes He has for their lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>But what is a Christian?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many
people have the wrong idea about what it means to be a Christian, and how you
become a Christian. Being born in
Britain doesn’t make you a Christian, anymore than being born in a MacDonalds
restaurant would make you a hamburger. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some
people think a Christian is a good person, you might hear them say “I try to live
a Christian life” – but what they really mean is “I try to be a good person.”
But that doesn’t make you a Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some
people say a Christian is someone who goes to church, which although vitally
important, doesn’t make you a Christian. You can come to church & still not
be a Christian.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Others
would say if you’ve been baptised you’re a Christian, but although baptism is
essential for Christians, baptism itself doesn’t make you a Christian. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">No, a
Christian is someone who has a relationship with God the Father, through Jesus
Christ his son. It is someone who has
put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, and who has made an active decision
to follow Jesus. If we’re serious about following Jesus, it will affect every
aspect of our lives, our relationships, what we do with our time and money, our
priorities in life, and so forth. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">And if we want Logan
& Summer to grow in their relationship with God, then they’re going to need
support and encouragement in this. That is why in the baptism service, the
parents and godparents were asked will you pray for Logan & Summer, and
draw them by your example into the community of faith, and walk with them in
the way of Christ, and </span>help them to take their place within the life and
worship of Christ’s Church? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thinking back to the
idea of faith as a journey, if you’re visiting relatives with your child, you
don’t just put the baby on a bus or train by itself, and send them on their
way, hoping they arrive safely at their destination, you travel with them. The same is true in the journey of faith. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Not Alone – the Church</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But we’re not alone on
this journey. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have God’s family,
the church, which is why Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 talks about the church being
one body made up of many different parts. We each have a part to play in God’s
family, and every single member is important, from the youngest to the
oldest. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The point about a
family is it’s a place where you belong, a place where you are known, loved,
and supported. That’s why the church exists, so that we can encourage and
support one another on this journey of faith. Because like any journey, there
will be good times, when the going is easy, but there will also be times when
the going tough, and that’s why don’t live our Christian lives in isolation, we
are called to love, support and encourage one another. That is why the author of the letter of
Hebrews writes <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">‘do not giving up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but encourage one another.’ (Hebrews 10:25)</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also have God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Not Alone – God</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have the gift of the
Holy Spirit, dwelling with us. This is the presence of Jesus himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">There is an old
children’s song which goes <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">‘Jesus loves me! This I know,</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">For the Bible tells me so.’</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But as
Christians the knowledge that Jesus loves us, comes not just from the Bible,
but from the reality of God’s presence in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Revelation 3:20
Jesus says <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone
hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and
they with me.”</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we open our hearts
to Jesus, he comes and fills us with the presence of his Holy Spirit. And with
this comes the knowledge that we are loved, and forgiven, and the Holy Spirit
helps us to know God personally. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
And as we experience the presence of God in our lives, there comes the
reassurance that God is at work in our lives, and that NOTHING can ever
separate us His love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In All Things</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul in our reading
from Romans writes <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">“we
know that in <i>all things</i> God works for
the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”</span>
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is concerned with
your life and mine. He's not a distant
remote God, who stands from afar watching us as we struggle our way through
life. But he is active in the affairs of our lives. <i><u><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">In all
things</span></u></i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> God works for the good of those who love him.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God loves us, and cares
for us, and wants what is best for us. This doesn’t mean however, that we
always get what we want. As a parent, I don’t always give my children what they
want, because it is not always in their best interest, but I always try to do
what is best for them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Nor is Paul saying that
if you’re a Christian you’ll be free from troubles, and that life will be easy,
and that things will always work out the way you want. Life doesn’t work like
that. We will still face disappointment, rejection, tiredness, sickness, loss,
and death just like everyone else. In fact Jesus warned those that would wish
to follow him to expect opposition<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">. ‘A
servant is not greater than his master.’</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">If
they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.’ (John 15:20)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">But what Paul writes, is that </span><span lang="EN-US">all
situations and circumstances of our lives, both the good and the bad, God is
not working to make us happy, but fulfilling his divine purposes for us &
his world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Life is like a jigsaw puzzle, we often only see a small
part of it, and the bit we do see doesn’t always make much sense. But God sees
the big picture, He has an eternal master plan which he is working towards,
which includes us.</span><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God can even use the
bad and difficult situations we face for good. For example, in the OT we read
about Joseph. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Joseph was
betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, then rises to a position of
responsibility, only to be falsely accused of something he hadn’t done, and
thrown back into prison and forgotten about by everyone but God. But even in
this difficult and dark times, God was at work, and put him in a place where he
was able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, which resulted in Joseph being given a
position of responsibility that made him the most important person in Egypt
after Pharaoh, so that ultimately God could use Joseph to save the lives of
hundreds of thousands of people, including his own brothers. Although Joseph
experienced kidnapping, slavery, false accusations, wrongful imprisonment,
rejection & famine, God was at work in his life.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And because God works in all things, he is able to take and
redeem our mistakes, the things we regret, the things we're ashamed of, and use
them for good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Examples:<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Yvonne Garbett</span><span lang="EN-US">
- experience of alcoholism, now helping others with alcoholism.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Justyn Rees Larcomb</span><span lang="EN-US"> - seemed to have everything, a great job in the city with
a big salary, a lovely home, wife and children. But he got sucked into gambling,
it started with a simple £5 online bet, but quickly got out of control,
becoming a £10,000 a day addiction. He hid his problem from his family and his
colleagues, but in the end lost his dream house, his job, his family & his
reputation. He’d been a Christian for much of his life, but realized he'd neglected
God, and turned back to God, and started to get help for his gambling
addiction. Slowly, with help and
support from other Christians and charities that support people with gambling,
he has turned his life around, and now helps others who struggle with addiction
problems, including Gambling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Gill Beasley</span><span lang="EN-US"> -
death of daughter Rachel 20 years ago, led her to found the Walsall MacMillan
Cancer Group. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The promise that God
works for the good of those who love him, doesn't mean that all that happens to
us is good, but it means God is able to turn it around for good. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing Can Separate Us
From God’s Love<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul goes on to write
that for those who put their trust & faith in God, nothing at all will be
able to separate us from God’s love. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or
danger or sword? <sup>36 </sup>As
it is written:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“For your sake we face death all day long;<br />
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28-39#fen-NIV-28153b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">b</span></a>]</sup><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">37 </span></sup><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">No, in
all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved
us. <sup>38 </sup>For
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,<sup>[<a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%208:28-39#fen-NIV-28155c" title="See footnote c"><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">c</span></a>]</sup> neither the present nor the
future, nor any powers,<sup>39 </sup>neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Conclusion</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little
boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He
dived into the cool water, not realising that as he swam towards the middle of
the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">His mother in the house was looking out of the window and
saw the alligator bearing down on her son. In utter fear, she ran toward the
water yelling to her son as loudly as she could.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and
started swimming toward his mother. But it was too late. Just as he reached
her, the alligator reached him. From the dock the mother grabbed her little boy
by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible
tug of war between the two.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother
was much to passionate to let go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A farmer happened to drive by, and hearing her screams
raced from his truck with his shot gun, and shot the alligator. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remarkably the little boy survived, but his legs were
extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the alligator, and on his arms, were
deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort
to hang on to the son she loved. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A local newspaper reporter came to interview the boy and
asked if he could show him his scars. The boy lifted up his trousers, and then
with obvious pride, he said to the reporters. "But look at my arms. I have
great scars on my arms too. I have them because my mum wouldn't let go."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars
too, not from an alligator, or anything quite so dramatic. But the scars we
have picked up through life, the hurts, disappointments, rejections, failures,.
Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some
wounds, my friends, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your
struggle, He's been there holding on to you. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nothing can separate us
from the love of God. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-58168087477656976162016-12-11T20:37:00.000+00:002016-12-11T20:38:39.168+00:00Mark 3:20-35 - Dealing with Criticism & Opposition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for criticism" src="http://media02.hongkiat.com/give-constructive-criticism/criticism.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Introduction</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tonight I want to focus on the topic of dealing with
opposition & criticism.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There will be times in our lives when we face opposition
and criticism.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In fact Jesus promised those that follow him they’d face
opposition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: rgb(253 , 254 , 255); color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: rgb(253 , 254 , 255); color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not
greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.”
(John 15:20)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="background: rgb(253 , 254 , 255); color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a right way and a wrong way to deal with opposition
& criticism. So tonight I want us to explore how to handle opposition & criticism by
looking at the example of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jesus
faces opposition <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Jesus’
ministry grew & developed, so did the opposition he faced. B<span style="background: white;">y the time we reach the beginning of chapter 3 of
Mark’s Gospel, the religious leaders were ‘looking for a reason to accuse
Jesus.’ (Mark 3:2). So when Jesus heals a man in the Synagogue on the Sabbath, “the
Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">how they might kill Jesus.” (Mark 3:6)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">The Pharisees & the Herodians were not natural allies, it was an
unlikely alliance. The Herodians were a Jewish political party that supported
King Herod, who was the King put in place by the Roman Empire, to rule over
Israel. The Herodians, by supporting King Herod, were supporting Roman rule of
Israel, which brought them into conflict with the Pharisees who were opposed to
Roman rule. This made it difficult for the Herodians and Pharisees to unite and
agree on anything, but one thing did unite them—opposing Jesus. Because King Herod
himself wanted Jesus dead (</span><a href="http://biblia.com/bible/esv/Luke%2013.31" target="_blank"><span style="background: white; border: 1pt none; color: black; padding: 0cm;">Luke 13:31</span></a><span style="background: white;">), as did the
Pharisees.</span><span style="background: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The reason
Jesus faced so much opposition & hostility in his ministry, is because he
challenged the authority of the ruling religious and political elite, and
exposed their proud attitudes and dishonourable motives.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why we face
opposition<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are many
reasons why we might face opposition & criticism. Jesus faced it for doing
what was right, even when that meant making himself unpopular amongst certain
sections of society. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If we’re going
to face opposition and criticism, let’s make sure it’s for doing the right
thing, not the wrong thing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mark 3 –
Family Conflict<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In our reading
tonight we see that Jesus faced opposition not only from the teachers of the
law, but from his very own family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Jesus entered
a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even
able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him,
for they said, “He is out of his mind.”’ (Mk 3:20-21)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mark doesn’t
tell us where this event takes place, but it is likely to be Capernaum, and
possibly Peter’s house. Jesus gets falsely accused of being “out of his mind”
by his own family, in other words they accuse him of being deluded, crazy,
mentally unstable. Even Jesus’ own family were slow to understand who he was
and what he had come to do. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Criticism
& opposition from family in my experience always hurts the most, because
they are the ones we are closest to, the ones whose opinions usually matter the
most, and therefore their criticism always cuts the deepest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And one of the
most difficult places to be a Christian witness, is amongst our family, because
they know us the best, and because they know what areas of our lives fall short
of Christ’s ideal, and get to see us at our worst when our guard is down. And
for those with husbands, wives or children who are not Christians, it is
challenging, especially if they are actively hostile or opposed to your
Christian faith. Family members require the most patience. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is something Jesus had to face. In the Gospel of John, we read that
at the start of Jesus’ ‘even his own brothers did not believe in him.’ (John
7:5). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When faced by hostility or opposition from your family members towards
your Christian faith, it’s important to stay true to your faith, and don’t
respond negatively to the attacks that may come. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Christians we
are being changed to become more and more like Jesus every day. In Col 3 Paul
talks about taking off the old sinful self and putting on the new godly self.
This new godly self is characterised by patience, love, kindness and so on. So
pray that <span style="background: white;">they
will see something of Christ in you, particularly as you become more like him.
The hardest thing to argue against is a changed life!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Show them what it
means to be a follower of Christ by the way you live, through the love and care
you show them, in the way you treat others, and your attitude to work and
recreation, <span style="color: #333333; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">and especially in the way </span>you handle conflict within your family.
Families do fall out from time to time, and have their disagreements. Learn to
handle disagreement well. Take time to listen, Paul in Ephesians writes “<span style="background: white;">In</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><em><span style="background: white;">your anger do not sin” Ephesians
4:26. <b> </b></span></em>Seek to be a peace maker. Listen to your
family, discuss things reasonably, try where possible to come to agreement, and
above all demonstrate God’s love and compassion, and when you get it wrong be
prepared to say sorry and to seek forgiveness. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And when you do
have an opportunity to speak about Christianity be gentle and gracious rather
than confrontational. Ask God to give you the right words. It is far better for
you talk about your own experiences and understanding of Christianity than to
challenge them about their understanding of Christianity. Remember - you are
not the one whose responsibility it is to convince them of the gospel - that’s
God’s. Your responsibility is to present Christianity in the most compelling
way you can.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although Jesus
faced problems with his family, they did eventually come to recognise him for
who he truly was. <span style="background: white;">In Acts
1:14 that the followers of Jesus joined together ‘constantly in prayer,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">along with the women and Mary the mother
of Jesus, and with his brothers’, and James the brother of Jesus would go onto
become one of the leaders in the church in Jerusalem. So if you face conflict or misunderstanding
from your own family, don’t despair & don’t give up.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Religious
Conflict <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As well as
difficulties with his family, Jesus was also accused by the teachers of the law
of being possessed by Beelzebub. “By the prince of demons he is driving out
demons” they claimed (Mark 3:22). They couldn’t deny his miracles, they were
evident for everyone to see, so they tried to attack him personally by
discrediting. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How we respond
to criticism<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How do we respond when face opposition or criticism, or
are accused of something we haven’t done?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Angry “How dare you say that…”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Defensive “That’s not true…”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Go on the attack “That’s rich coming from you….”</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Winston Churchill was attending a state dinner with Lady Astor,
who was compelled to listen to Churchill talk on a great number of subjects,
all of them at variance with her own strongly held views. Finally, no longer
able to hold her tongue, she said, “Winston, if you were my husband, I would
poison your coffee.” To which Churchill immediately replied, “Madam, if I were
your husband, I would drink it.”</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Withdraw
into self/get depressed – people who seem to accept criticism rather well on
the surface while internally beating
themselves to a pulp – putting yourself down & being overly hard on
yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quit “Why
bother…?”</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Revenge –
looking for an opportunity to get your own back on the person who has upset you</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acceptance
“That’s fair…” – you might feel put down by the remarks, but you accept them, <span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a;">and may want to seek further
clarification. </span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #1a1a1a;"> </span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How does Jesus
respond?<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Learning how
to handle criticism well is very important.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be open</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No one likes
to be criticised, but sometimes we need to listen to what is being said.Even if it
hurts, we need to ask ourselves is there any truth, or justification in what is
being said about me or to me? Constructive
criticism intended to help & encourage is important and necessary. It gives
us the opportunity to learn something about ourselves and to grow. <i><span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Imagine what would have happened if when
learning to drive I never listened to the instruction that my driving
instructor gave because I felt I didn’t need to listen to him. I wouldn’t have
passed my test & would be a danger to myself & others on the road. </span></i>I am
grateful for those who have taken me to one side, and <u style="color: #333333;">out of love</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> (VERY
IMPORTANT) have told me things that at the time might have been hard to listen
to, but helped me to grow.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try to
understand</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sometimes we
can be attacked or criticised for no apparent reason, or it comes out of
nowhere – someone suddenly snaps at you, and when that happens it hurts. But it helps
to try & understand the other person. For example I’ve
come to realise that when I am tired or stressed, I get very irritable &
impatient, and I tend to take this out on my family. When others
criticize us, think about what they’ve gone or are going through right now,
because they might be anxious or hurting. For example
when Jesus’ family accused him of being “out of his mind” – this might have
been an expression of their concern for Jesus. <span style="background: white;">Maybe they feared that as his fame and
popularity grew it was bringing him into conflict with powerful and influential
people and they were worried about the situation getting out of hand, so they
wanted to try and protect him. Or maybe they were concerned that with the
pressures ministry was placing on Jesus, he wasn’t taking care of himself, not
finding time to eat and this was affecting his mental stability. </span>Sometimes the criticism we receive, says more about the person doing the
criticising than the one being criticised. For example, it might be that the
person criticising you is worried and anxious about something, they are fearful
about loss or failure, or feel insecure, or feel threatened in some way.</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Focus on facts, not personalities</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doen’t
denigrate those who attack him - <span style="background: white;">Be completely
humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2</span>When Jesus was being accused of being “out of his mind” by his family, and
when he was told they had come for him, his response is to redefine what it means to be part of
his family. “<span style="background: white;">Whoever does God’s will is my
brother and sister and mother.” (Mk 3:34) </span>Jesus is not excluding or rejecting his earthly family, or saying they
are not important, but teaching that a relationship with him is open to all
people. And that when we become followers of Jesus, we are given another
family, a spiritual family, and the relationships are ultimately more important
and longer lasting in this family than those formed in a physical family. And when Jesus is accused of being possessed by “Beelzebul” by the
religious leaders – Jesus’
doesn’t get drawn into a personal slanging match, but focuses on the heart of
the issue, exposing their faulty logic and the truth of his own source of
power. <span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">“How can Satan</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">drive out Satan?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">If a kingdom is divided against itself,
that kingdom cannot stand.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;"> If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;"> And if Satan opposes himself and is
divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.” (Mark 3:23-26)</span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Keep to the issue, don’t get side tracked.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think Before You React</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“My dear brothers and sisters,<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">and slow to become angry” (James 1:19-20)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Doesn’t
get pulled into unnecessary arguments – sometimes the best response is no
response. When Jesus was on trial before Pilate he made no reply (Mark 15)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Respond Gently <span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">A gentle answer</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.</span></span><span style="background: white;"> (Prov. 15:1)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Put your life and
reputation in God’s hands.</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s
easier to do this when life is going well and you have no problems, no worries,
and everything is right in your world.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><em>It’s a lot harder to put your life in God’s
hands when you feel the pressure of constant criticism</em>. But that’s when we most need God’s
help. “To this you were called, because
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his
steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they
hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no
threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(1 Peter 2:21-23).</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus when
unfairly accused:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">didn’t
hurl insults.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">didn’t retaliate.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">didn’t curse and swear.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">made no threats.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What was
his secret? The answer lies in the final phrase of verse 23-<strong>“He entrusted himself to him who judges
justly."</strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">F. B. Meyer wrote: “We
make a mistake in trying always to clear ourselves. We should be wiser to go
straight on, humbly doing the next thing, and leaving God to vindicate us….
There may come hours in our lives when we shall be misunderstood, slandered, falsely
accused. At such times it is very difficult not to act on the policy of the men
around us in the world. They at once appeal to law and force and public
opinion. But the believer takes his case into a higher court and lays it before
his God.”</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Forgive</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7wffHBQKq74/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7wffHBQKq74?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #272727;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Questions</span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #272727;"><o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think to a time when you have faced opposition, criticism
or been falsely accused. How did it make you feel?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why do you think Jesus faced so much opposition to his
ministry?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">How you normally respond to criticism & opposition?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ways that we can better respond to criticism &
opposition:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be open</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try to
understand</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Focus on facts, not personalities</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Be completely humble and gentle; </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">be patient, bearing with one another in
love. Ephesians 4:2</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think Before You React</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“My dear brothers and sisters,<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">and slow to become angry” (James 1:19-20)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Don’t get
pulled into unnecessary arguments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Respond Gently </span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">A gentle answer</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.</span></span><span style="background: white;"> (Prov. 15:1)</span>Put your life and
reputation in God’s hands.“To this you were called, because
Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his
steps. ‘He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.’ When they
hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no
threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>(1 Peter 2:21-23)</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Forgive</span></li>
</ul>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-34236441925578458232016-11-24T19:58:00.001+00:002016-11-24T20:00:30.982+00:00Making the Most of Advent<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The
four weeks running up to Christmas are known as Advent, starting on Advent
Sunday, which this year was November 27<sup>th</sup> and which officially marks
the start of the new church year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Traditionally
in the church the season of Advent is set aside as a time for reflection and
prayer as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, and as we look
forward to the day when Jesus will come again.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However,
the weeks leading up to Christmas happen to be amongst the busiest and most
hectic time of the year for many of us, and we don’t benefit as much from the
season of Advent as we could. If used
properly, Advent gives us an opportunity to create space in our busy lives to
focus again on the important things in life, especially upon Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here,
in no particular order are some things you can do to make the most of the weeks
leading up to Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1. Be
careful not to treat Advent as just another busy time of the year: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">During
Advent life is supposed to be different, find time every day to relax, pray and
reflect on the wonder that is Jesus, God’s gift to us all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.
Avoid the frenzy: <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Try
not to add to the craziness of this season by being frantic yourself about last
minute shopping, entertaining or decorating.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3. Make
time to read the Bible & pray every day:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hopefully
this is something as Christian’s we’re already doing, but Advent is an
excellent time of the year to familiarise yourself again with the Bible’s
stories that lead up to the birth of Jesus.
Use Bible reading notes, which give you a short passage to read each
day, with a commentary (you may find some of the suggestions in the article
‘Apps for smart phones & tablets’ in this magazine helpful). <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.
Make time for regular exercise:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Avoid
the temptation to over eat, and watch lots of TV, instead make time for regular
exercise because this is good for body, mind <i>and</i> spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5. Do
not over do your schedule:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Learn
to say “no” to some of the demands or events that may beg for your presence,
however enjoyable or good they may be. Know your limits. As the saying goes,
“Too much of a good thing is still too much.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">6. Do
not overdo gifts:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In
Britain we spend more than £20bn a year on credit and debit cards in the run up
to Christmas, and many people find they get themselves into debt. This year consider giving smaller, more
thoughtful items. It is important to
remember that the gift-giving of Christmas is supposed to spring from and be a
sign of our gratitude to God for giving us the gift of his son Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">7. Do
not expect the culture to follow your lead:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A
truly Christian approach to Advent will inevitably be counter-cultural. Our
spiritual health depends on our resisting the cultural message that we need to
get out and “shop till we drop.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">8.
Help those less fortunate than yourself:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Remember
that the real Christmas story is not set in a warm and cosy house, tastefully
decorated and filled with more gifts than can fit under the tree, however
wonderful that all may be. The real Christmas story is set amidst those who
know enduring poverty and danger. What more loving witness could you offer than
to seek out some opportunity to identify with the poor and downtrodden as God
does?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For
example you could make a reverse advent calendar. </span><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Reverse
advent calendars work by taking a box and filling it every day with an item of
food that can then be taken to a food bank (such as the one we run at St James)
or clothing that can be donated to charity in order to help those less
fortunate that are struggling at Christmas time. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for reverse advent calendar" height="400" src="http://30dayadventures.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Dinner-With-Julie-reverse-Advent-Calendar-boxes.jpg" width="288" /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
<br />
<span style="background: white;">If you have children, it is a good way of
involving them in preparing for Christmas, and teaching them about the
importance of helping others and seeing the bigger picture at Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Things
that could go in your reverse advent calendar include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0cm;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rice<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pasta<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tinned tomatoes<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tinned potatoes / dried mash<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tinned vegetables<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soup<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tuna<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tea<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coffee<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tinned spaghetti<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Baked beans<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jam/spreads<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Squash<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">UHT / Long life milk<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tinned fruit<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Tinned meats (chilli, pie, curry, chicken, hot
dogs)<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Breakfast cereals<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Biscuits/chocolate<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Shampoo/conditioner<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Soap/shower gel<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Toothbrushes/Toothpaste<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Washing up liquid<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Loo rolls<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sanitary items<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Nappies, powdered milk, wipes etc<o:p></o:p></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let’s
try and reclaim Advent and make the most of this time of expectant waiting and
preparation, so that we can prepare for the coming of God into our world and in
our lives once more this Christmas. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God
bless<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simon</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-75170263889212693982016-11-24T19:51:00.000+00:002016-11-24T20:07:21.662+00:001 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The Coming King<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Intro</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Experience of having to wait for something.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Advent</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Advent Sunday - marks start of the new
church year.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The word Advent means "coming" or
"arrival." <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Season of Advent is a time of eager
anticipation and preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus at Christmas, but
also a time of looking ahead to the day when Jesus will return in power and
glory to </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But unlike his first coming, born as a tiny
infant to a young teenage mother into poverty in an obscure little town in
Israel, an event that went largely unnoticed by most people, when Jesus comes
again it will be an event that the whole world will notice.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mark 13:26 <span style="color: red;">At that
time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and
glory. </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And when he comes again it will be to judge
the world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Matthew 25 Jesus said <span style="color: red;">“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels
with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered
before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd
separates the sheep from the goats." Mt 25:31-32<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The coming of God to
judge the world is something to be eagerly looked forward to. Tom Wright former
bishop of Durham, writing in <i>Surprised by
Hope</i> says:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“. . . God’s coming judgment is a good thing, something
to be celebrated, longed for, yearned over. It causes people to shout for joy,
and indeed the trees of the field to clap their hands. In a world of systematic
injustice, violence, bullying, arrogance and oppression, the thought that there
might be a coming day when the wicked are finally put in their place and the
poor and weak are given their due is the best news there can be. Faced with a
world in rebellion, a world full of exploitation and wickedness, a good God
must be a God of judgment.” (p. 137)</span></span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">People have tried throughout history to
predict when Jesus may return - most notably the Jehovah Witnesses, who
predicted his return in <span style="background: white; color: #252525;">1878,
1881, 1914, 1918, 1925 & 1975</span>.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And more recently Ronald Weinland gained a
lot of attention when predicted the end of the world on Pentecost Sunday, May
27<sup>th</sup> 2012. But don’t worry you didn’t miss it, he has now changed
this date to Pentecost 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scripture
& the Second Coming<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Scripture is clear however that no one ones
when Jesus' return will take place - all we do know is that it will happen one
day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Matthew 24:36-44 - Jesus talking about his
return said:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“But about that day or
hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the
Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son
of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they
knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all
away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be
in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding
with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know
on what day your Lord will come… because
the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The first Christians clearly expected the
return of Jesus to be within their own lifetime, and so when fellow believers
started to die, it caused worry and concern. What would happen to these
believers? Will they miss out on the resurrection? What about those of us who
are alive when Christ returns?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">That is why Paul writes <span style="color: red;">Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed
about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of
mankind, who have no hope. <sup><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span></sup><span style="background: white;">For we believe that
Jesus died and rose again,</span></span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: red;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: red;">and so we believe that God will
bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">1 Thess 4:13-14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Paul wants the
Thessalonians to understand that death is <i>not</i> the end. When Christ
returns, all believers, dead and alive, will be reunited, never to suffer or
die again. Therefore he says </span><span lang="EN-US" style="color: red;">'do not
grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.'</span><span lang="EN-US"> Notice that he doesn't forbid us to grieve. Mourning over
the death of a loved one is natural and healthy, even Jesus wept at the grave
of his friend Lazarus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When those we love die, it can often feel
as though part of us has died with them. And working through the grief can take
a very long time. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span lang="EN-US">BUT</span></i><span lang="EN-US"> as followers of Jesus, when we grieve, especially for fellow
Christians who have died, there is a difference. Our grief is not a hopeless
one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A Real
Hope Not Wishful Thinking<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we use the word ‘hope’ it’s often
without any sense of assurance. It’s more like saying ‘I don’t know what’s
going to happen, but this is what <i>I hope </i>for.’
For example, I might say 'I hope it's sunny tomorrow', or 'I hope my football
team does well in the match next week', but it’s more wishful thinking, it is
hope without any guarantee of certainty. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whereas the hope that Paul writes about is
a real, cast iron, solid assurance. It's a hope based not on what WE DO, but on
what has been DONE FOR US by Jesus on the cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is why Paul writes <span style="color: red;">'We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe
that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep.'</span> (4:14) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our hope is based on the Resurrection. Because
Jesus came back to life, so will all believers. All </span></span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Christians, including those
who have already died when Christ returns, will live with Christ forever. This
is the great assurance, all believers throughout history will stand reunited in
God's very presence, safe and secure.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So therefore when a loved one dies, or when
world events take a tragic turn, or the future seems all uncertain, we should
not despair as those who have no hope. God will turn tragedy to triumph,
poverty to riches, pain to glory, and defeat to victory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The question we need to ask ourselves is
where do we place our hope? Because there is no hope apart from Christ. If you
put your hope in your church, you will be disappointed. If you put your hope in
your family or friends, they will fail you. If you place your hope in your
money you will be disillusioned. Only Christ can provide hope in a hopeless
world. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Death<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Notice how Paul describes those Christians
who have died, as having ‘fallen asleep’ in verses 13, 14, 15, Sleep has often
been used as a euphemism for death, but in a Christian context it takes on a
different meaning. Namely that death is only temporary. As sleep is followed by
an awakening, so death will be followed by resurrection. That is why when
Lazarus died, Jesus said <span style="color: red;">'Our friend Lazarus has fallen
asleep; but I am going there to wake him up' (John 11:11) </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On the cross, Jesus took upon himself the full horror of death so that he could
transform it into no more than 'sleep' for his followers – which is why the
Bible only uses the term ‘asleep’ or ‘sleep’ in reference to believers. We
still face physical death, but the moment we die, we go to be with Christ. That
is why Jesus was able to promise the thief on the cross that <span style="color: red;">‘today you will be with me in paradise’ </span>(Luke 23:42) And why Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:8 wrote <span style="color: red;">‘to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.’</span> That’s the wonderful thing, as Christians the very moment
we die, we go to be in the Lord’s presence. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Coming of the Lord<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Christians our hope is founded on the
knowledge that Jesus will one day return to earth, and when he does His reign
of Justice and Peace, will be fully established on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the mean time we live in the tension of
now and not yet. The Kingdom of God has broken out in the world, that is why
Jesus declared <span style="color: red;">'The Kingdom of God is near'</span>
(Mark 1:15) but it is yet to be fully established. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's like seeing the first snow drops in
winter, it's a sign that spring is on its way. So when Jesus restored the sight
of the blind, made the deaf hear, and the lame walk, and cast out demons, restored
relationships it was a sign of God's kingdom breaking out in the world. But
when Jesus returns in glory, the waiting will be over, all creation will be
transformed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And when Jesus returns to earth, it will be
heralded by a shout from heaven, the voice of an archangel and the trumpet of
God (4:16) Christ's return will be unmistakable. No one will miss it, neither
the living nor the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Prepare<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So what does all of this mean for us?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A friend of mine was had a cup which had on
it <i>Jesus is coming, quick look busy.<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Church we often use this great
acclamation of faith:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Christ
has died<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Christ
is risen<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Christ
WILL come again<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you had a call to say the Queen was
going to visit you, you would make sure everything was ready in time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Scouts have a slogan, ‘Be
Prepared’. We need to live in readiness
for the return of Jesus. A question to consider is, if you knew without a
shadow of doubt that you were going to see Christ face to face in a month’s
time, would you change anything about the way you live now?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If the answer is yes, what are you going to
do about it? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus could return at any moment, or we
could be called home to him, what might need to change in our lives to prepare
to welcome Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pray<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Secondly we need to pray. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the birth of Jesus, God stepped into
the world, and became one of us. He came
to bring hope, and light, and peace, to a dark and fragmented world. And the
Spirit of God continues to do this through the lives of God’s people.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world today desperately needs Christ.
And so we need to pray for Jesus to come and fill our lives with his presence,
fill the church with his presence, fill nation and our world with his presence.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Partner<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally we need to partner with God in
bringing the reality of his reign into our world. That is why we pray ‘Thy
Kingdom come, thy will be done, ON EARTH, as in heaven’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each one of us is called to play our part
in shaping the world around us for the good of all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">As the quote attributed to John Wesley
says: <span style="background: white; color: #222222;">“Do all the good you can, by</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">all</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">the means</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">you
can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">, in</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">all</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">the ways</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">you can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">, in</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">all</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">the places</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">you
can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">, at</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">all</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">the times</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">you can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">, to</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">all</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">the people</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">you
can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">, as long as
ever</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">you can</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #222222;">.”</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let’s use this Advent season to look
ahead with expectation & anticipation at the return of Jesus who will bring
peace, justice and righteousness to the world, and let’s welcome his presence
afresh into our lives. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-6294356704227576612016-11-20T21:44:00.000+00:002016-11-20T21:56:00.028+00:00The Calling of Levi Mark 2:13-17<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Introduction</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Election of Donald Trump surprised many & caused a
great deal of uncertainty about what </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">he will do as President.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Therefore a lot of focus this week has been on the people
Trump is appointing to key positions in his administration, to try &
determine what his priorities will be, and what he plans to do during his term
in office. Like Trump's own election, there have been some surprises and some
concern about a few of his appointments.
Particular the appointment of <span style="background: white;">Stephen Bannon as his chief strategist, who is accused of making
homophobic, racist and sexist comments. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus choice of disciples also must have surprised many
people, and it is this that I want to focus on tonight, especially in the
context of the calling of Levi the tax collector. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Calling of Levi 2:13-17<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Levi, who is better known as Matthew, and who many
scholars believe is the author of the Gospel of Matthew, was a Jew who worked
for the Romans as a tax collector.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He collected taxes from citizens as well as from merchants
passing through Capernaum, which was an important customs post on the caravan
route between Damascus to the north east and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">No one enjoys paying tax, but Israel at the time of Jesus
was occupied and controlled by the oppressive, corrupt, pagan Roman Empire, and
the taxes that were being collected were going to Rome and the Emperor, and
thereby financing the Roman occupation. Imagine how you'd feel if Britain was
occupied by a foreign power and you were being forced to pay money to the very
people who were oppressing you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Any amount that the tax collectors collected over and
above what Rome required, they could keep for themselves. But many of the tax
collectors exploited the system for personal gain, effecitively stealing from
people & pocketing the profits for themselves. Therefore understandably tax
collectors were hated by most Jews, and were excommunicated from the synagogue
and seen as traitors and thieves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That is why in Luke 3:12, when tax collectors came to be
baptised by John in the Jordon and asked him "Teacher, what should we
do?" His response was "Don't collect any more than you are required
to." And when Zacchaeus came to faith in Christ, he said "If I have
cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back 4 times the amount."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Capernaum although an important and prosperous town
wasn't a particularly large place, with a population of only around 1,500
people, and subsequently Levi would have been a well-known, albeit unpopular
person. And because much of Jesus'
ministry was based in and around this area, Jesus would have known who Levi
was, and observed him before, they may have even talked to one another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Think how quickly news can spread around a town like
Carlisle. Imagine therefore what it must have been like in a place like
Capernaum, everyone would have known who Jesus was, including Levi, who may
well have been one of the people in the crowds who flocked to hear Jesus speak,
and seen him perform miracles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For example when Jesus healed the paralysed man in
Capernaum, it is possible that Levi was amongst the crowd, or would certainly
have heard about it. People were drawn to Jesus, and I suspect Levi was also
drawn to this young, charismatic, preacher and miracle worker, Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But Levi, could never have guessed what would happen
next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Because Jesus walked up to Levi and said "Follow
me" and Mark tells us that Levi got up </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and followed him, just like that.
In that moment Levi's life changed forever.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><b>Calling to be a Disciple<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus was not the only person to have disciples. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But how Jesus chose his disciples was very different to
how disciples were normally chosen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The aim of a disciple was to become like their master, to
be able to do and say the things their master could do and say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Therefore only the best of the very best were normally
chosen to be disciples.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When a child reached the age of about 6 that is when
their formal education began, going initially to Bet Sefer between the ages of
6 and 12. Bet Sefer means House of the
Book. There they would study the Hebrew Scriptures (the OT), in particular the
Torah, the first 5 books of the Bible, and would learn to read, write and
memorise the sacred text. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">At the conclusion of this boys would undergo a bar
mitzvah, which they were welcomed into the community as a full-fledged male
member. Usually at this point, the boy would begin to learn the family trade.
That would have been the case for most of Jesus' disciples, few if any would
have gone onto further study. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In first century Judaism higher education beyond Bet
Sefer was for boys alone, and only the brighest and most promising boys would
continue in their studies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For the best of the best they would go onto Bet Midrash
between the ages of 13 and 15, where they would study (and memorize) the entire
Old Testament. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After Bet Midrash, there was Bet Talmud which went from
the age of 15 to 30, which only the very best were able to pursue. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">To participate, they had to be chosen by a Rabbi. The way
this would work is that they would go to the rabbi they wanted to follow, and
see if he would accept them. The rabbi would question their prospective
disciples, to determine their scriptural knowledge. He would ask questions
about the prophets, search their understanding of scripture and various laws. Ultimately
the rabbi would be seeking to answer just one question. That is.... can this
potential disciple, really become just like me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And then, only if they passed all these tests would they
be accepted, and be called a 'talmid' or in English, disciple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There was a saying 'May you be covered in the dust of
your rabbi', they would literally follow in the footsteps of their rabbi, being
a disciple was a way of life. They would seek to emulate their rabbi and become
like him. They would eat the same food in exactly the same way as their rabbi.
They would go to sleep and awake the same way as their rabbi and, more
importantly, they would learn to study Torah and understand God the exact same
way as their rabbi.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When a disciple took on the teaching of a particular
rabbi, they were said to take on the yoke of the rabbi. That is why Jesus in
Matthew 11:28-30 said </span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Come to me,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">29 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Take my
yoke upon you and learn from me,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><b><sup><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">30 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">For my
yoke is easy and my burden is light. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If after all this questioning, the rabbi felt the person
had the potential to become one of his disciples by learning to think and act
like he did, and become like him, and spread his yoke to others, then he
would say to them Come follow me. But if they didnt meet the necessary
requirements, he would send them home to continue to learn the family trade or
business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This is significant because when Jesus called his disciples,
and they were at work, Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishing, Levi was
sitting at his tax collectors booth. <span style="background: white;">There
is nothing to suggest that these were the top students from the graduating
class of Jerusalem Theological Seminary. </span> Therefore they werent the best of the best,
they hadnt made the cut, they werent the obvious first choice.<span style="background: white;"> Put bluntly, it would appear that Jesus
was settling for the rejects.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And crucially JESUS CHOOSE them, not the other way
around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">That is why in John 15 Jesus said <span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">You did not choose me, but I chose you
and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last.
(John 15:16)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Levi, and the other disciples were not the obvious first
choice. If you were looking through human eyes and considering natural
abilities, they didnt measure up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Dear Sir:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Thank you for submitting the resumes of the
twelve men you have picked for managerial positions in your new organization.
All of them have now taken our battery of tests; and we have not only run the results
through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them
with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">The profiles of all tests are included, and
you will want to study each of them carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">As part of our service, we make some
general comments for your guidance, much as an auditor will include some
general statements. This is given as a result of staff consultation, and comes
without any additional fee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">It is the staff opinion that most of your
nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the
type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We
would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in
managerial ability and proven capability.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and
given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The
two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest
above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would
tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew
had been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau; James,
the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they
both registered a high </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">score on the manic-depressive scale.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">One of the candidates, however, shows great
potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a
keen business mind, and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated,
ambitious, and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and
right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">We wish you every success in your new
venture.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: blue;">Jordan Management Consultants</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus, when he called Levi to follow him, wasnt making
His choice based on natural human reasoning, or the abilities of Levi or any of
the other disciples. His choices were made using much different criteria. He
saw the potential that exists within them and within us all to become like
him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>So what?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What does this mean for us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In calling Levi, and the other disciples, Jesus demonstrated
that this movement is everyone, and not just for the elite. It was for the rich
& poor, old and young, men and women, educated and uneducated. This Jesus movement was for anybody and
everybody. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This story reminds us that GOD DOES NOT CALL THE
EQUIPPED, HE EQUIPS THE CALLED.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We may be sitting there & thinking how can God use
someone like me, but he can and he does. And if God can use someone Levi, and
someone like me, with all our failings and short comings, then he can
definitely use someone like you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Paul in 1 Corinthians writes ‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brothers and sisters, think of
what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human
standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. <sup>27 </sup>But
God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the
weak things of the world to shame the strong. <sup>28 </sup>God chose
the lowly things of this world and the despised thingsand the things that are
notto nullify the things that are, <sup>29 </sup>so that no one may
boast before him.’ (1 Cor 1:26-30)</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Unlikely People<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Our lack of experience or perceived lack of ability,
or past mistakes is never an obstacle to being used by God.</span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Throughout Scripture we see that God uses the
most unlikely, and often deeply flawed people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If God could use people like Noah who was a
drunkard, Abraham who was an old man, Moses who was a stutterer, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rahab who was a prostitute, David who was an adulterer & murderer,
Jonah who ran away from God, Matthew a tax collector, a young boy with a small
picnic of five loaves & two fishes, or Saul who persecuted the church, then
he can certainly use people like you and me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Call to follow Jesus<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">As Jesus called Levi to come and follow him, so Jesus
calls us to come and follow him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The question for each of us to ponder is in what way do
we sense God is calling us? It may be that God has something very specific in
mind for you, and maybe youve been wrestling with that sense of calling, like
an itch that wont go away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Or it may be that the call is recommitting yourself to be
faithful to God where hes already placed you, as a husband, wife, mother,
sister, friend, neighbour, work colleague.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Maybe the call is for you to recognize that what you are
doing now matters to God, and that is where God wants to use you, as an agent
for transformation and change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Or it might be a realisation that you have drifted away
from God, and that Jesus wants to call you back to himself, to recommit to
following him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So some questions to consider - in our daily lives what
does it look like to be a disciple of Christ?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What would it mean for us to be covered in the dust of
our master Jesus?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Levis Response<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just as extraordinary as Jesus call on Levi, is Levis
response to Jesus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Levi got up and followed
him. (Mark 2:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He literally left everything behind, to follow Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Levi was probably very wealthy, being a tax collector was
a lucrative occupation, but he left that all behind, realizing that material
wealth was nothing when compared to the spiritual wealth of knowing Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But what he lost was far outweighed by what he gained in
following Jesus. Because he discovered acceptance, forgiveness, a new family to
belong to, and new direction and purpose for his life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And the same is true for us. There is a cost in following
Jesus, that is why Jesus talked about taking up our cross & following him
(Matthew 16:24). Putting him first in our lives, is not always easy, but it is
the path that leads to everlasting life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The other important thing Levi discovered in Jesus was
here was someone who believed in him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We talk about the importance of believing in God, but do
you know that God also believes in us too. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In Rob Bells book, Velvet Elvis, he writes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The entire rabbinical system was based upon the
rabbi having faith in his disciples </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A
rabbi would only pick a disciple who he thought could actually do what he was
doing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Notice how many places in the accounts of Jesus
life that he gets frustrated with his disciples. Because they are incapable?
No, because of how capable they are. He sees what they could be and could do,
and when they fall short, it provokes him to no end. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It
isn't their failure that is the problem; it is their greatness.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">They
dont realise what they are capable of.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>So at the end of his time with his disciples, Jesus
has some final words for them. He tells them to go to the ends of the earth and
make more disciples. And then he leaves. He promises to send His Spirit to
guide them and give them power, but Jesus himself leaves the future of the
movement in their hands. </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">And he doesn't stick around to make sure they dont
screw it up.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He's gone. He trusts that they can actually do it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God has an incredibly high view of people.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">God believes that people are capable of amazing
things.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been told that I need to believe in Jesus,
which is a good thing. But what I am learning is that Jesus believes in me.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have been told that I need to have faith in God,
which is a good thing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">But what I am learning is that God has faith in me.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>The Rabbi thinks that we can be like him!</b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What I love about the story of Levi is that the very first
thing he does after Jesus calls him, is to throw a party for his friends, people
like him, considered outsiders, people who weren't considered good enough,
people who hadnt made the grade, so that they too could meet Jesus. Levi
discovers in Jesus, someone who loves him, and believes in him, and more than
anything else he wants others to know this to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And this for me embodies what the Christian faith is all
about, it is one beggar telling another beggar where he found bread. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Jesus tonight calls us to follow him. To leave behind our
old life, and discover a new life with him. And in calling us, he says to us I
believe in you. And through the empowering of my Holy Spirit, you can become
like me. To even do the things I did.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>How are you going to respond?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Questions:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">None of Jesus' disciples were the obvious choice, what
lessons can we learn from this?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What did Levi have to leave behind in order to follow
Jesus, and what things might you have to leave behind?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What did Levi gain in following Jesus?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do you respond to the idea that Jesus believes in you,
and that you can become like him?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Jews had a saying 'May you be covered in the dust of
your rabbi' - what might that look like for you as a Christian?</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does it mean for you personally to respond to Jesus'
call to "Follow me"?</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-86552345320505745542016-11-13T16:21:00.000+00:002016-11-13T16:28:12.083+00:00Colossians 3:1-17 Rules For Holy Living<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instructions:</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On packaging for a iron:<br />
<i>Do not iron clothes on body.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a Japanese food processor:<br />
<i>Not to be used for the other use.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a child's Superman costume:<br />
<i>Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a Swedish chain saw:<br />
<i>Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Emergency safety procedures at a US
summer camp:<br />
<i>In case of flood, proceed uphill. In case of flash flood proceed uphill
quickly.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a Harry Potter wizards broom:<br />
<i>This broom does not actually fly.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Rules on a tram in Prague:<br />
<i>Beware! To touch these wires is instant death. Anyone found doing so will be
persecuted.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a 500-piece jigsaw puzzle:<br />
<i>Some assembly required.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a blowtorch:<br />
<i>Not used for drying hair.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On a toaster:<br />
<i>Do not use underwater.</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">New Life With Christ<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First two chapters of letter Paul has
focused on what Christ has done. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now in chapter 3 the focus shifts, onto more
practical matters – onto how we should live as Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul writes <span style="background: white;">"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on
things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds
on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now
hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you
also will appear with him in glory." (Colossians 3:1-4)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or as The Message puts it:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">“So if you’re
serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ,</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">act</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">like it. Pursue the things over which
Christ presides. 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</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">his</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">perspective.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First thing to note:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">You have been raised with Christ (v1)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Extraordinary statement – of earth
shattering significance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we become Christians, we move from
death to life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ILL. Popular TV series, Walking Dead,
about world following a <span style="background: white;">zombie apocalypse – they
are literally the walking dead. But we were the walking dead, before we came to
faith in Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">Paul makes
clear </span><span lang="EN-US">before we came to Christ, we were dead in our
sins, but now through faith in Jesus we have been raised to new life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Paul in Ephesians (2:1-2, 4-5) writes ‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As
for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, <sup>2 </sup>in which you used to live
when you followed the ways of this world… But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy, <sup>5 </sup>made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by
grace you have been saved.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Christ has led us from death to life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Christians we share in both the death
& resurrection of Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: #FDFEFF;">Paul in
Romans 6:3-4, 8 writes ‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">don’t you know that all of us who were
baptised into Christ Jesus were baptised into his death? <sup>4 </sup>We were therefore buried
with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised
from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life…. </span>Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will
also live with him.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ILL – paper in Bible<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Through baptism & faith in Christ,
our lives become one with Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So that when Christ died on the cross,
we died with him. When Christ rose from the dead, we rose with him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is why in Col 3:3 Paul writes “<span style="background: white;">For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ
in God.”</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Significance, Security, Acceptance<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What every person in life is looking for is <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Significance<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Security<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acceptance<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world teaches us that:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Significance comes through performance +
accomplishments</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Security comes through status + recognition</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acceptance comes through appearance +
admiration</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But these equations don’t add up. Only Jesus can provide the significance,
security and acceptance, we are all looking for. That is what it means for our
life to be hidden with Christ in God.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://extravagantlyloved.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Emily Harmon</a>, writing in a blog about
what it was like to come to faith in Jesus said that before she came to faith
in Jesus she didn’t feel good about herself or her life. But when she became a
Christian, things started to change. She writes:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;">My life finally had meaning… And I began to
realize how important it was for me to continually stay centred on [Jesus},
because without him as my focus, everything falls away. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background: #FFF9EE;">My identity is found in Christ… I know where
my meaning comes from. I don't have to go looking anywhere else to find it.
Anything else I may try to hold up as something to complete me is always
disappointing, because it can't define me. Only Jesus can. And as bad as things
may seem sometimes, I can truthfully tell you that I have an amazing life. Even
when it seems like everything is falling apart, I still have a peace inside of
me, because those things can't ruin me. Even if my whole world fell apart,
Christ would still be there. And he tells me who I am, not anything or anyone
else. For this reason, I am joyful.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what it means to have your life
hidden with Christ in God, knowing where your significance, security &
acceptance come from, and that no person, or no event can take that from you.
As Paul writes in Romans (8:39) nothing can ‘<span style="background: white;">separate
us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ </span> <i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Set your mind on things above<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Because we have been raised with Christ,
Paul appeals to us to ‘</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">set your hearts on things above, where
Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things
above, not on earthly things.’ (Col 3:2-3)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We are to set our hearts AND minds on
the things above. Literally to seek after Christ, make him the focus for our
lives, our families, our relationships, our jobs, our communities, our church.
To ‘set your heart on things above’ is also about viewing life from God's
persepective and seeking what he desires.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ILL: Richmond Mission Week 1996-standing
in railway station <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Often we reduce
the message of the Gospel to how do we get to heaven when we die. But it’s so
much more than this. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dallas Willard - The Gospel is less
about how to get into the Kingdom of Heaven, after you die, and more about how
to live in the Kingdom of Heaven before you die.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we set our heart & mind on the
things above, we begin to understand God’s vision of bringing heaven down on
earth. That is why we pray ‘Your Kingdom
come, your will be done, ON EARTH, as in heaven.’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our calling as Christians, is to help bring
heaven down to earth. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">Josh Ross in
his book ‘Bringing Heaven to Earth’ writes “The gospel is more about this world
than the next. It is the story of God’s work in restoring a broken world and
broken people…. Christians have asked this question for far too long: If you
were to die tonight, where would you go? We need to start asking, if you wake
up tomorrow morning, what will you live for?”</span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span lang="EN-US"> <span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our focus needs to be the things above,
the things that matter to God. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CS Lewis in Mere Christianity
wrote: <i><span style="background: #FAFAFA;">If
you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present
world were just those who thought most of the next. The Apostles themselves,
who set on foot the conversion of the Roman Empire, the great men who built up
the Middle Ages, the English Evangelicals who abolished the Slave Trade, all
left their mark on Earth, precisely because their minds were occupied with
Heaven. It is since Christians have largely ceased to think of the other world
that they have become so ineffective in this. Aim at Heaven and you will get
earth “thrown in”: aim at earth and you will get neither.<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Set your heart and mind on things above.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Sexual Sins</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul goes on to write…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">THEREFORE (always important word in
Paul’s letters)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘Put to death,
whatever belongs to your earthly nature.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The earthly nature, refers to the sinful
nature, the old self, which Paul calls us to put to death.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Although we have died and be raised to
new life with Christ, we are still a work in progress, and still face
temptation. As Paul himself wrote “<span style="background: #FDFEFF;">I do not do
the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do--this I keep on doing.”
(Romans 7:19) <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To ‘Put to death, whatever belongs to
your earthly nature’ it the conscious daily decision to live according to God’s
value’s & rely on the Holy Spirit’s power.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul lists two sets of sins, the first
five refer to sexual sin, ’<span style="background: white;">sexual immorality,
impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">Sex is a
tremendously important part of life, it is given as a gift of God, but to be
used within the context of marriage between husband and wife. But like all gifts, it can be misused. </span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Greek word that Paul uses for sexual
immorality is porneia, where we derive the term ‘pornography’, which refers to
any form of illicit sexual relationship. Paul considered any sexual relationship
outside marriage to be sinful. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The world we live in, is very similar to
the world that the Christian in Colossae were living in, in terms of its
attitude towards sex. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Results published in The Lancet as part of the National Survey of Sexual
Attitudes and Lifestyles found</span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People are having sex at a young age</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People are having more sexual partners
(this has doubled from 3.7 in 1990 to 7.7 in 2013)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More people cohabit</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attitudes towards sex, sexuality &
marriage are changing</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">This change in attitude is also taking
place amongst Christians.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Then there is pornography.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Research by NSPCC revealed that 53% of 11-16 year olds had <span lang="EN-US">seen explicit material online, almost all of them before the age of 14</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pornography is a huge industry worth
billions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is having a massive impact on people.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It distorts reality </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It damages sexual relationships within
marriage </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It portrays people as objects to be used</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It devalues sex, as God intended it</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It can promote sexual violence towards
women. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s an issue that affects many
Christians. Research by <i><span style="background: white;">Premier Christianity</span></i><span style="background: white;"> magazine </span>suggesting <span style="background: white;">Four in ten practising Christians in the UK say they
have a 'porn addiction' and over 50% admit viewing adult content online on a
monthly basis.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Just as you would remove a diseased limb
from a tree, so these sinful practices need to be cut off, to be put to death.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sins of Anger<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US">Paul goes on to say </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">you
must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice,
slander, and filthy language from your lips.’ (Col 3:5-8) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul makes it clear that the sins of
anger need to be taken just as seriously as sexual sins, and can cause untold
damage to people and to churches, destroying unity, breaking down trust,
tearing down relationships, and leading to conflict. Gossip, lies, back biting,
outburst of anger, crude talk, swearing, and so on, have no place in the life
of a Christian or the church.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Take off the old, put on the new<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Paul goes on to talk about taking off
the old & put on the new (verses 9-10).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ILL When my
children come home after playing outside, and their clothes are covered in
dirt, before they put on new clothes, they first have to take off their old
dirty clothes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is what we
are to do. We are to take off the old self, the life we had before we came to
faith in Jesus, with its harmful habits, attitudes & actions, and put on
the new self given to us by Christ, and guided by the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ILL Imagine
you’ve spent all your life where the same old rags. They’ve been patched up
time after time, they’re hanging limply off your body, there are holes
everywhere, and it smells. And then one day, someone offers to take these rags
from you, burn them, and give you a new beautiful set of clothes, ones that
will not spoil, will not fail. You would be mad to refuse such a wonderful
offer. This is what Jesus has done for us.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Clothe yourself<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Each morning
when you get up, you make a decision about what you are going to wear. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the uniform that we are God’s
people are called to clothes ourselves with:<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Therefore, as
God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. <sup>13 </sup>Bear with each other and forgive one another if any
of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.<sup>14 </sup>And over all these
virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col
3:12-14<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When you wear a
uniform, it says something about who you are and what your identity is. When we
clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness & patience,
we identify ourselves as belonging to Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As new men and
new women in Christ, every day we need to deliberately put on these qualities
of life every single day, because you are a new men and women in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Compassion - is what we would call a
"heart of pity." Have genuine sensitivity and heartfelt sympathy for
the needs of others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Out of compassion comes kindness – the
outworking of compassion - a smile, a kind word, a pat on the shoulder, an
invitation to lunch, an offer of help.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many centuries ago, a certain young man
from a rural setting went to live in a large city and fell in with the wrong
crowd He lived a wild and life, becoming involved in many hurtful things which
almost destroyed him. But he heard a preacher one day and though he did not
particularly appreciate his preaching, he was struck by the man He went to hear
him again, and soon that preacher was able to lead him to Christ. That young
man was St Augustine. This is what Augustine wrote of Ambrose, pastor of the
cathedral in Milan: "I began to love him, not at first as a teacher of the
truth, which I despaired of finding in the church, but as a fellow creature who
was kind to me " What an open door kindness can he!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The third quality is "humility."
CS Lewis said “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of
yourself less.” We are not to consider
ourselves in any way as superior to others. A modern proverb puts it well, we
are to remember that "all of us are made in the same mold, only some are
moldier than others!"<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fourth quality is
"gentleness," which is sometimes translated as “meekness” which is
not weakness, but "strength under control." Jesus described himself
as being ‘gentle & humble in heart’ (Matt 11:29) Gentleness is the exact
opposite of rudeness and abrasiveness.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The fifth quality is "patience.”
Literally, long suffering. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The last quality is "forgiving one
another"---"Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Our model, is Christ's
treatment of us. That is what he did when we came to him. The first step to
forgiving others, is understanding how much God has forgiven us. Corrie Ten Boom
said ‘Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment & the
handcuffs of hatred.”<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And other all these virtues we are to
put on love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Love like a belt holds everything
together. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">As Jesus
himself said, <sup> </sup>‘A
new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love
one another. <sup>35 </sup>By
this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.’
(John 13:34-35)</span><span lang="EN-US"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We cannot practice all the other
virtues, if there is no love. Without love we are nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">CS Lewis said “Don’t waste time
bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbour; act as if you did. As soon as we
do this, we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you
loved someone, you will presently come to love him.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Do all things
for Christ<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Finally Paul
writes ‘whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the
Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.’ (Col 3:17)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">As Christians
we represent Christ at all times – wherever you go, whatever you say. Our
calling is to seek to bring honour & glory to Christ in everything we say
& do, and to do it with a spirit of thankfulness. </span><span lang="EN-US">Ruth
Graham had for years a sign over her kitchen sink that said, "Divine
services held here three times a day." Washing the dishes can be an act of
worship if you do it in the name of the Lord, as unto him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white;">ILL – Brother
Lawrence - </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #252525;">a 17th-century </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">Carmelite</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background: white; color: #252525;"> </span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="background: white; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;">monk</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you love someone you will do things
for his or her sake that you do not particularly like doing. That is the point
here. If we love the Lord we offer to him the activities of our day; we do
everything with a view to his glory. Fill out your income tax forms with that
in mind! Meet with your boss, or your employees, "in the name of the Lord
Jesus." Buy your groceries in the name of the Lord. Do your homework in
the name of the Lord Jesus. Thus, you are labouring, not for the world or its
benefits, but for Christ. What a glorious picture this gives of the whole of
life under the Lordship of Christ.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-1814145802388160792016-11-13T16:09:00.001+00:002016-11-13T16:09:28.706+00:00Acts 10: Cornelius <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Introduction</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meeting Beata 1996
– life changing encounter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+10" target="_blank">Acts 10</a></u> is story about a <u>life changing encounter</u>
between two men <u>Peter & Cornelius</u> – which was to a turning point in
the history of the church & a pivotal moment in the history of the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">If it weren't for Acts
chapter 10 Christianity might have remained simply a minority sect of the
Jewish religion. But because of Acts chapter 10 Christianity is now a worldwide
faith of people of every race under the sun, numbering </span><span style="background: white;">billions </span><span style="background: white;">of followers. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, right
from the beginning it was G<u>od's intention that the whole world should know
him</u>. So in Genesis chapter 12, at the dawn of history, God says to
Abraham <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="REF_0">I will make you into a
great nation and I will bless you... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through </a>you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again, at the
beginning of the book of Acts we see God's recommitment to this promise when
the last thing Jesus says to the disciples before he ascends to heaven is <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="REF_1">you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the eart</a>h (Acts 1:8). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, up to
this point in the book of Acts Christianity was still a Jewish phenomenon, all
the apostles were Jewish, and all the converts so far in the story of the early
church have been Jewish by race or Jewish by conversion. Not a single
gentile—that is, a non-Jew—has been converted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It seems that
the gospel has got stuck in the Jewish world. Jews did not mix with gentiles. Jewish
culture forbade the Jew even to enter the home of a gentile, and all their
traditions kept them apart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It would therefore
take a miracle for God to achieve his promise to bless the whole world through
Abraham's descendant, Jesus Christ. Acts chapter 10 is the story of that
miracle. It recounts the story not only of the conversion of the first gentile,
but in some sense the conversion of Peter as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning I
want to look at three things in particular Acts 10, the importance of faith, </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">prayer & obedience. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cornelius <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Caesarea, was a
city located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, 32 miles north of Joppa. It
was the largest & most important port city on the Mediterranean, the
capital of the Roman province of Judea, rebuilt by Herod the Great & named
after Caesar Augustus. Dominating the city was the grand temple
dedicated to Caesar Augustus and the goddess Roma perched on a hill overlooking
the harbour. Caesarea represented all
that the Jews hated, it was a showpiece for Roman culture & economic &
military might.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And living in
this city was Cornelius an officer in the Italian Regiment of the Roman army,
which consisted of volunteers from Italy, and considered the most loyal of
Roman troops. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornelius’
Faith<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a
Roman soldier, the occupying oppressors, it would have been natural for the
Jews to hate someone like Cornelius – he represented all they were opposed to.
But we read in verse 22 that he
was someone who <span style="background: white;">was </span><span style="background: white;">“respected by all the Jewish people.”</span><span style="background: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">The reason for this is
indicated in verse 2 which says that Cornelius & his family were </span>‘<span style="background: white;">devout and God-fearing’ </span><span style="background: white;">and
who ‘gave generously to those in need and prayed to God
regularly.’ </span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"> God fearing is a term
used to describe someone </span></span>who worshipped the God of Israel, prayed in the Synagogue, and followed
Jewish religious practices, but was not circumcised and therefore still considered
a gentile. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornelius’ faith should be a challenge to us all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all we see that God was already at work in Cornelius’ life,
even before he came to know Jesus. A reminder that God can work in the lives of
other people, even before they know him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cornelius was a gentile, neither Jewish nor yet a Christian, and yet he clearly
loved God, and demonstrated this by the way he lived. As a Roman soldier he
should have been despised by the Jews, but he wasn’t, because of his faith
& the way he lived his life. There was an authenticity about him, which
people could see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can the same be said of us? Does the way we live, reflect what we say we
believe? Do our actions back up our words?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, if we say we love God, do we demonstrate that in the way we
treat others? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we say that forgiveness is important, are we people who are willing
to forgive those who have wronged us, or do we hold onto grudges &
resentment? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we say that the truth is important, are we people who are
trustworthy, and can be relied upon to do the right thing? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Apostle John wrote <span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">Whoever
claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does
not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom
they have not seen. (1 John 4:20)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">So if someone goes to church
faithfully on Sunday morning to worship God, but then on Monday morning goes
into work and shouts and bullies their staff, spread false rumours about their
competitors, and fiddles their expenses & tax return, then there is clearly
a lack of authenticity, a disconnect between what they claim to believe &
how they live. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">There is a saying ‘</span><b><span style="background: white;">Be careful</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b></span><span style="background: white;">how
you live. You may be the only</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b></span><b><span style="background: white;">Bible</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b></span><span style="background: white;">some
person ever reads.' </span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">Ultimately
our claim to know & love God will be judged by the way we live. Our
beliefs, need to connect with how we live. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Cornelius’
Prayer Life</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
other thing we see in this text, is the importance of prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is
clear that both Cornelius & Peter were people who prayed regularly. And it
was whilst they were both praying that they received their visions (Cornelius
v3 & Peter v9). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Regular pattern
of prayer vitally important in nurturing our relationship with God. Many of us feel
guilty that we don’t pray enough, but we need to find pattern & routine
that works for us </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- Pray as you can, not as you can’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God can speak to
us in many different ways, but prayer is often one of the main ways God
communicates with us, and it is because Cornelius & Peter developed the
habit of prayer that they were able to hear from God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Forming a good prayer habits is vitally important. In the
opening chapter of the book of Job, it describes Job as being blameless and upright; he feared God and
shunned evil… and whenever his sons held a feast, he would go & sacrifice a
burnt offering for them, and it says ‘This was
Job’s regular custom.’ (1:5) Because Job
developed this habit of prayer & worship when things were going well, it
enabled him to continue to pray & worship God, when everything was taken
from him, so that he was able to say <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and naked I will depart.<sup> </sup>The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">gave and the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">has taken away; may the name of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">be praised.” </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Forming the habit of regular prayer is
important.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we were as faithful as
Cornelius in our praying and our giving imagine what God could do with us! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Obedience <o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The other lesson
we learn from Cornelius & also Peter in Acts 10 is the importance of
obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as
Cornelius received the vision from the angel, telling him to send for Simon
Peter, he <span style="background: white;">‘called two of his
servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants… and sent them to
Joppa.’ </span><span style="background: white;">V8 There was no delay, as a Roman
officer, he was used to giving and receiving commands. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Learning to be obedient to
God is at the heart of the Christian faith. Obedience is vitally important,
Jesus said “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">will enter the kingdom of heaven,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">but only the one who does the will of my
Father who is in heaven.” (Mt 7:21) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our obedience to God
should flow from our gratitude for what he has done for us & should be
rooted in trust. I can obey God because I know He is trustworthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">But we shouldn’t be surprised
if we find obedience difficult. We follow the one who ‘become</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><b><span style="background: white;">obedient unto death</span></b><span style="background: white;">, even the death of the cross.’ (Phil 2.8)</span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Calling to come to Carlisle –
challenging<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We never know where obedience
to God can lead, but it is the pathway to blessings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was a lesson Peter
learn.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">In </span>v10 we read that Peter <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="REF_5"><span class="ref">fell into a trance, and he saw heaven opened and
something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It
contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth
and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and
eat."</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a good Jew, all his life
Peter has maintained a strict division between clean and unclean foods. Even to
touch the carcasses of unclean animals was to become unclean oneself. This will
have been drummed into Peter every single day since childhood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So Peter, with his years of
ingrained teaching, is appalled by the command in the vision.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="REF_7"><span class="ref">"Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I
have never eaten anything impure or unclean"</span></a> v14<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three times Peter had this
vision, and three times God says <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="REF_9"><span class="ref">Do
not call anything impure that God has made clean</span></a> v15 and as Peter was still
wrestling with the meaning of the vision the messengers from Cornelius arrive
and suddenly Peter understands what it was all about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is not so much concerned
that Peter considers no<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>animals<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>unclean as that he considers no<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>people<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>unclean. Peter comes to understand that he must overcome
his deeply, deeply rooted prejudices and no longer consider the gentiles to be
beyond the pale. And we see that he does this by <a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="REF_10">inviting </a><span class="ref">the men into his house to be
his guests</span><span class="ref">. </span>An act which would have been unthinkable for him just a few
hours before, and then the following day he journeyed with them to Caesarea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through obedience Peter experienced
blessings he could never have imagined possible, as God poured out his Holy
Spirit on Cornelius & his family, and as Peter came to realise the full
scope of God’s mission. The good news of
Jesus was not just for the Jews but for all people. V34-35 <span class="text"><span style="background: white;">“I now realize how true it is that God does not
show favouritism</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does
what is right.”</span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the obedience of
Cornelius & Peter, everything changed. With the apostles' prejudices broken
down they are now free to obey the call to take the gospel to the very ends of
the earth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who in the world would you
least like to have sitting next to you in church? Whose arrival at church would
make you get up and walk out, or at least cause you to get up and sit on the
other side?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, the message Peter came
to understand here, and the other apostles accepted later on, is that there is
not a single person in the world whom God would not welcome into his church if
he or she came in sincere faith and repentance. No one, absolutely no one, is
beyond God’s grace. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peter could
never have imagined God calling him to witness to gentiles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are the fruits of the obedience of Cornelius &
Peter. We would not be here were it not for them hearing & responding to
God’s call. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A
question for us all to consider, is who are the people God is calling us to
witness to? Like Peter – we may be in for surprises! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Peter went
with the three men to Caesarea, he had no idea what the impact of this visit
would be. And when we witness to others about Jesus, we have no idea what the
impact it can have.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Albert McMakin</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hands up who
knows who has heard of <span style="background: white;">Albert McMakin</span>?<span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because of Albert
McMakin well over 2.2 billion people have heard the Gospel, and there are
Christians in church here today because of him, but chances are you’ve never
heard of him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Albert
McMakin was a twenty-four-year-old farmer who had recently come to faith in
Christ. He was so full of enthusiasm that when he heard an evangelist was
coming to town, he filled a truck with people and took them to a meeting to
hear about Jesus. There was a good looking farmer’s son, whom he was especially
keen to get to a meeting, but he was hard to persuade – this young man was more
interested in chasing girls, than going to hear about Jesus, and he didn’t seen
at all interested in Christianity. But eventually, Albert McMakin managed to
persuade his friend to go by asking him to drive the truck. When they arrived,
Albert’s guest decided to go in and was ‘spellbound’ and he went back again and
again until one night he went forward and gave his life to Jesus Christ. That
man, the driver of the truck, was Billy Graham. The year was 1934. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Since then
it is estimated that </span>over 2.2
billion people have heard Billy Graham preach, in stadiums, and via radio and
television broadcasts – and countless thousands of people have been brought to
faith in Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We cannot all be like
Billy Graham, but we can all be like Albert McMakin – seeking to bring others
to Jesus. And when we do that, like Peter when he visited Cornelius, who knows
what the impact will be.</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-34401704856059036602016-11-13T15:59:00.002+00:002016-11-13T17:08:51.680+00:00I believe in angels<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Image result for angels in bible" src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/cms/CW/faith/28485-angel-statue-1200.1200w.tn.jpg" height="334" width="640" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Introduction</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Richard Dawkins author of ‘The God Delusion’ would have us
believe Britain is becoming a more secular society. But evidence proves he is
wrong.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is true that the proportion of the population who
identify themselves as having no religion has increased to 48.5% in 2014, up
from 25% in 2009. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But at the same time as people are turning their backs on
traditional forms of religion, interest in what may be termed ‘spirituality’ is
increasing. People are more likely now to say they are spiritual than
religious. Decline in traditional church attendance, doesn’t necessarily equate
to decline in belief. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For example research published by Christian think tank <a href="http://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2013/10/17/britons-still-believe-in-miracles-angels-and-spiritual-forces-ai-study" target="_blank">Theos</a>
in 2013, found that 59% of people believed in some kind of spiritual being or
essence.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One example of this is belief in angels. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Study by <a href="https://www.ipsos-mori.com/Assets/Docs/Polls/guardian-angels-press-briefing-with-further-data.pdf" target="_blank">MORI</a> 1998 31% of all adults in GB believed in
guardian angels, in 2009 this had risen to 46%, although other surveys indicate
this figure is much higher.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Robbie Williams ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luwAMFcc2f8" target="_blank">Angels</a>’ one of most frequently requested
songs at funeral. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Quick search on internet brings up thousands of pages devoted
to angels, there are endless books which instruct people on how to contact
‘their’ angel, and lots of stories of apparent encounters with angels, but most
of this is from a non-Christian perspective. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I’ve not knowingly encountered an angel (unless you count my
wife!), although the author of Hebrews writes, “<span style="background: white;">Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">for by so doing some people have shown
hospitality to angels without knowing it.’ (Heb 13:2)</span> <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have however, met people who have claimed to have seen angels,
and there are lots of stories about encounters with angels. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For example, John
Paton, who was born in Dumfries, went to serve as a missionary in the New
Hebrides Islands in the Pacific. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><img alt="Image result for John Paton missionary" height="300" src="https://principlesforlifeministries.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/2.png" width="400" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One night the
house he was staying in was surrounded by hostile natives, intent on killing
John and his wife. John and his wife prayed during that night that God would
deliver them. When daylight came they were amazed to see their attackers leave.
A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Christ. Remembering what
had happened, John asked the chief what had kept him from burning down the
house and killing them. The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those
men with you there?" John answered, "There were no men there; just my
wife and I."</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the chief argued
that they had seen many men standing guard - hundreds of big men in shining
garments with drawn swords in their hands. It appeared that God had sent his
angels to protect John & his wife.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Encounters with
Angels in the Bible</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Angels figure a
lot in the Bible – and are referred to between 294-305 times (depending on the
translation of the Bible). </span><span style="background: rgb(242, 242, 242);"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Image of Angels</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ask anyone what
an angel looks like, we think either of chubby little flying cherubs, children
dressed up in white robes with tinsel around their head, or majestic winged
creatures. We have very few descriptions in the Bible of what angels actually
look like, but one of the common responses we find in Scripture when people
encounter angels is one of fear. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Archangel Gabriel
& Mary & the shepherds & the women at the tomb “Do not be afraid”
(Luke 1:30, 2:10, Matthew 28:5)<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Gospel of
Matthew we read:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">An angel</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb,
rolled back the stone</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">and
sat on it.<sup> </sup>His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes
were white as snow.<sup> </sup>The guards were so afraid of him that they
shook and became like dead men. (Matthew 28:2-4)</span></span><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear may be an
understandable reaction to seeing something as extraordinary as an angel. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Moses’ face shone
as a result of being in the presence of God, so much so that the Bible says ‘</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">When… the Israelites saw Moses, his face was
radiant, and they were afraid to come near him.’ (Ex 34:30)</span></span><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If that was the
reaction with Moses, no wonder the reaction is even greater when people
encounter angels, who stand in the very presence of God, and reflect His light
& radiance.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What are angels?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Created beings</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Angels are
spiritual beings, but also created. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Paul writes in </span><a href="http://www.sermoncentral.com/bible/NIV/Colossians-1.asp?passage=Colossians%201%3A16&ScrptureHover=sermon-77744-I%20Believe%20in%20Angels"><span style="background: white; color: black; text-decoration: none;">Colossians
1:16</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">“For by him [Jesus]
were <i>all things</i> created, that are in
Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and <i>invisible</i>.”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333;">This includes angels. </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white;">Psalm 148:1,5 </span></b><span class="text">Praise
him, all his angels; praise him, all his heavenly hosts... <b><sup>5 </sup></b>Let
them praise the name</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">,
for at his command</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">they were created,</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Messengers</b></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Angels are God’s
servants. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Word angel –
comes from Greek word aggelos, meaning ‘messenger’. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">They come to
declare or announce God’s will.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">Angel – </span></span><span style="background: white;">appearing to Gideon “</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">When the angel of the</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">appeared to Gideon, he said,
“The</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="small-caps"><span style="background: white; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">is with you,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">A</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;">ngel appeared to Mary to
tell her she was going to give birth to a son.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Angel who told
Philip where to go in his travels so that he could meet the Ethiopian eunuch
and lead him to Christ. (Acts 8:26)</span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">The book of
Hebrews calls angels “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit
salvation” (Heb. 1:14)</span><span class="text"><span style="background: white;"> We see in
Scripture how God uses angels to minister to his people. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Provision</span></b></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">After Jesus
tempted in wilderness, says the a</span><span style="background: white;">ngels came and attended him (Mt 4:11) </span><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">In 1944, the
penniless wife of a pastor and evangelist in Switzerland, Susie Ware prayed,
“God, I need five pounds of potatoes, two pounds of pastry flour, apples,
pears, a cauliflower, carrots, veal cutlets for Saturday, and beef for Sunday.”
A few hours later, someone knocked on the door, and there was a young man
carrying a basket, who said, “Mrs. Ware, I am bringing what you asked for.” It
was precisely what she’d prayed for–down to the exact brand of pastry flour she
wanted. The young man slipped away, and even though Rev. and Mrs. Ware watched
at the window to their building, the man never exited. He just disappeared.</span><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Guidance</b></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">An angel
appeared to Joseph in a dream and instructed him to take Mary as his wife and
to name her baby Jesus. (Matthew 1:20-21)</span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Encourgament</b></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">When Paul and
his shipmates were caught in a horrible storm and faced shipwreck, an angel
appeared to him, assured him that not a life would be lost, and that he would
live to stand trial before Caesar. (Acts 27:23)</span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Protection</span></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Daniel 6 tells
the story of how an angel shut the mouths of the lions when he was thrown into
their den.</span><span class="text"><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Worship</b></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Main activity of
angels is worshiping God.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: #fdfeff;">Revelation
7:11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and
the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and
worshiped God.</span><b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Real angels always serve & point to God, but the danger in our
society is that rather than looking to Jesus for a real spiritual encounter, people
increasingly look to angels, as illustrated by the huge range of books and
seminars that are available on the topic of angels. But when people start trying to pray to
angels, or worship them or seeking guidance or special knowledge from angels,
that is where danger lies, because we can end up being deceived & led
astray. The Bible event tells us that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of
light (2 Cor 11:14).<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Jesus the
Fulfilment of all our longings</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: #fdfeff;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A sign exists
to point the direction, a street lamp exists to illuminate the path, they are
not intended to be objects of fascination in their own right. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: #fdfeff;">Angels exist
to serve & glorify Jesus. They point to him. </span>A genuine encounter with a holy angel will always glorify God, not the
angel, and they will never contradict what we know of God in the Bible. Therefore <span style="background: #fdfeff;">our focus shouldn’t just be on angels, but on Jesus.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: #fdfeff;">The author of
Hebrews<b> </b></span>makes it clear that
Jesus Christ is greater than the angels.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘By his Son, God created the world in the beginning,
and it will all belong to the Son at the end. This Son perfectly mirrors God,
and is stamped with God’s nature. He holds everything together by what he says!
After he finished the sacrifice for sins, the Son took his honoured place high
in the heavens right alongside God, far higher than any angel in rank and
rule.’ (Hebrews 1:2-4 The Message)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="text"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It is not angels that answer our prayers, it is God. It is not angels that protect us, it is God,
when angels proclaim an important message it is not their own words, but
God’s. Therefore <span class="text">angels
shouldn’t be our object of devotion, Jesus should.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To worship angels rather than God is like buying a cheap
imitation of a Van Goff painting done be a child - it is not the real thing and
never can be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">St Augustine said, ‘My soul is restless until it finds its
rest I thee.’ There is only one person who can satisfy that deep need for
longing, identity, acceptance, sense of significance, love and forgiveness that
every person craves, and that is Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-39679973308828037972016-11-13T15:42:00.000+00:002016-11-13T15:42:23.456+00:00No Greater Love - Remembrance Sunday Talk 2016 (John 15:9-17)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Memorial Arboretum<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two monuments:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Armed Forces Memorial</b> – opened by
Queen in 2007.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Honours
those members of the Armed Forces who were killed since WW2.</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p> </o:p><img alt="Image result for Armed Forces Memorial" src="http://rbs.org.uk/images/uploads/artists/4364/irb-armed-forces-memorial-1.jpg" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Shot at Dawn Memorial</b></span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Commemorates
the 306<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">British Army and </span><span style="background: white; color: black;">Commonwealth </span>soldiers
executed after<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black;">courts-martial</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">for</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black;">desertion</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">and other
capital offences during</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black;">World War I</span><span style="background: white;">.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain Julian Bickersteth –
served as Chaplain During WW1, was mentioned twice in dispatches & awarded
Military Cross in 1918 for <span style="background: white;">“distinguished
service in the Field". </span>He
wrote a moving letter to his mother about spending a night in a prison cell
with a soldier who was going to be shot at dawn for desertion</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Image result for shot at dawn memorial" height="424" src="https://gcgosling.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/shot-at-dawn-statue.jpg" width="640" /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He sat down heavily on a chair….
I took a chair and sat next to him. 'I am going to stay with you and do
anything I can for you. If you'd like to talk, we will, but if you would rather
not, we'll sit quiet.' … Suddenly I hear great heaving sobs and the prisoner
breaks down and cries. In a second I lean over close to him, as he hides his
face in his hands, and in a low voice I talk to him…. How can I reach his soul?
I get out my Bible and read to him something from the Gospel. It leaves him
unmoved. He is obviously uninterested and my attempt to talk a little about what
I have read leaves him cold…. I get out an army prayer- book, which contains at
the end about 130 hymns, and handing him the book, ask him to read through the
part at the end, so that, if he can find a hymn he knows, I can read it to him.
He hits on Rock of Ages and asks, not if I will read it to him, but if we can
sing it… and we sat there and sang hymns together for three hours or more… Oh!
how we sang — hymn after hymn…. All night I sat by his side…. At 3.00 a.m. I
watched the first beginnings of dawn through the window. At 3.30 a.m. I heard
the tramp tramp of the Firing Party marching down the road…. While his
breakfast was being brought up, we knelt together in prayer. I commended him to
God and we said together the Lord's Prayer… 'Is it time to go?' he said. `Yes,
it is time. I will stay close to you.'… I held the prisoner's arm tight for
sympathy's sake. Reaching the house, the police immediately hand-cuffed the man
and the Doctor blindfolded him… I said a short prayer and led him the 10 or 12
paces out into the yard, where he was at once bound to a stake. I whispered in
his ear `Safe in the arms of Jesus', and he repeated quite clearly 'Safe in the
arms of Jesus'…. In three or four seconds the Firing Party had done their work.
Poor lads — I was sorry for them. They felt it a good deal and I followed them
out of the yard at once and spoke to them and handed them cigarettes… we took
the body in a motor ambulance to the nearest cemetery, where I had a burial
party waiting, and we gave his body Christian burial. (Taken from '<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bickersteth-Diaries-Ella/dp/0850524881" target="_blank">The Bickersteth Diaries 1914-1918</a>')</span></blockquote>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In 2007 the Armed Forces Act 2006
was passed, pardoning posthumously the 306 soldiers shot during WW1.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These monuments, like war
memorials up & down the country help us to remember the cost of war, and
for us to not take for granted the freedoms we enjoy today.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remembering is important.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the people of Israel crossed
the Jordan River into the Promised Land, God instructed Joshua to choose <span class="text">twelve men, one from each tribe,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> and take a stone
from the Jordan River </span><span class="text">and
put them down at the place where they were to spend the night. In order to
serve as a sign. So that</span></span></li>
</ul>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">‘when your
children ask you, “What do these stones mean?”<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="text">tell them that the flow of the
Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><span class="small-caps"><span style="font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span></span><span class="text">. When it crossed the Jordan, the
waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the
people of Israel for ever.”’ (Joshua 4:6-7)</span></span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pile of rocks, was to remind
the people of Israel how God had delivered them from slavery in Egypt and brought
them to freedom in the promised land.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the heart of the Christian
faith stands an even greater, more powerful symbol of God’s love for us, and
that is the cross.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our reading from John’s
Gospel, Jesus said “<span style="background: white;">Greater love has
no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That is what Jesus did for us,
when he laid down his life for us on the cross.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apostle John wrote ‘<span style="background: white;">This is love: not that we loved God, but
that he loved us</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.’ (1
John 4:10)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul writes ‘<span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); color: #001320;">God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still
sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Romans 5:8)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through his death on the cross
& his resurrection Jesus has led us:</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from slavery to sin to freedom in
Christ</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from darkness to light</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from despair to hope</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from alienation to reconciliation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from death to life</span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As the words of the song Amazing
Love, expresses it:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Lord, what love is this</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
That pays so dearly</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
That I, the guilty one</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
May go free!</span></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amazing love, O what sacrifice</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
The Son of God given for me</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
My debt He paid, and my death He died</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
That I might live, that I might live</span></span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
That I might live!</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>How do we respond to such love?</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all we need to
remain in God’s love.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">“As the Father has loved me,</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">so have I loved
you. Now <b><u>remain in my love</u></b>.”
(John 15:</span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">9)</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What does this mean exactly?</span></li>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all it is about
knowing & loving God</span></li>
</ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">When
Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment of all, he answered. </span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255);">'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind.’ (Luke 10:27)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You
cannot love someone you don’t know, so knowing God should be our first priority,
and the way we get to know someone is by spending time in their company. And
with God we do this through study of His word, and through prayer & worship.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But
it doesn’t end there.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus makes it clear, to
remain in his love is also about <b style="background-color: white;">OBEDIENCE.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“If you keep my commands,<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white;">you will remain in my love…. </span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white;">My command is this: <b>Love each other </b></span></span><span class="woj"><b><span style="background: white; color: red;">as I have loved you</span></b></span><span style="background: white;">” (John 15:10, 12)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jesus commands us to love one another. That is why Jesus after
saying we should love God, goes on to say love your neighbour as yourself.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love starts with God, but then moves out to those
around us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Apostle John said this: <sup><span style="background: white;"> ‘</span></sup><span style="background: white;">If anyone boasts, “I love God,” and goes
right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If
he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The
command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve
got to love both.’ (1 John 4:20)</span></span> </li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Jesus Our Model</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As Christian’s, we look to Jesus, who is our role
model, and guide. <span style="background: white;">Love each
other <u>AS I HAVE LOVED YOU</u>.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we are serious about loving people like Jesus, it will be costly,
because Jesus is the one who called us to ‘<span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); color: #001320;">love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ (Matthew
5:44) And he is the one who laid down his life for us, out of love for us.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Divided World</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We live in a very divided society and divided world.
We’ve seen this in this country following the Brexit vote, and in America with
the presidential election, and the tension and fear that exists between
different people.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As God’s people, we are called to commit ourselves
to the task of peace, in our church, in our community, amongst our family &
friends and in the world at large.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If we want to see peace in our lives & peace in
our world, then we need to take seriously Jesus’ instruction to love one
another.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mothering Theresa said <span style="background: white;">'Not</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b></span><em><b><span style="background: white;">all</span></b></em><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b></span><span style="background: white;">of us can</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background: white;"> </span></b></span><em><b><span style="background: white;">do great things</span></b></em><span style="background: white;">.
But we can all do small things with great love.'</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was an old man who used to walk along the beach every morning.
Early one morning, walking along the beach after a big storm had passed, he
found the beach littered with star fish as far as the eye could see, stretching
in both directions. Off in the distance the old man noticed a small boy who
would bend down, pick up an object and throw it into the ea. As the boy came
closer the old man called out “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are
doing?” The young boy paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into
the ocean. The tide has washed them up onto teach and they can’t return to the
sea by themselves, and when the sun gets high, they will de unless I throw them
back into the water.” The old man replied, “But there must be tens of thousands
of starfish on this beach. I’m afraid you won’t be able to make much of a
difference.” The boy bent down, picked up yet another starfish and threw it
back into the ocean. Then he turned and smiled and said “It made a difference
to that one.”</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do we make a difference in the world? Loving one person at a time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let us commit ourselves to
responsible living and faithful service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us strive for all that makes
for peace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us seek to heal the wounds of
division.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let us work for a just future for
all humanity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And let us do this, by following the example of our crucified saviour who
calls us to love one another, as he has loved us, knowing as Julian reminded
the soldier, that we are ‘Safe in the arms of Jesus’. </span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-9791200005238368542016-06-09T15:08:00.001+01:002016-06-09T15:09:29.914+01:002 Chronicles 1:1, 7-13 - Queen’s 90th Birthday Talk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Talk to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday, a lot of the talk was taken from Mark Green's article in '<a href="http://www.premierchristianity.com/Past-Issues/2016/June-2016/The-Servant-Queen-Celebrating-90-years-of-Christian-witness" target="_blank">Christianity'</a></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If you could have anything you wanted –
what would you ask for?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When King Solomon succeeded his father David, <span style="background: white;">God said “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Solomon could have asked for absolutely
anything, power, money, fame, victory over his enemies, anything at all, but
what does he ask for?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I
may lead<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>this people.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">He didn’t seek personal gain, but put
the needs of his people first. He realised that the ability to make wise
decisions in the service of the people of Israel, was the most valuable asset
he could have as King. In the book of Proverbs, composed by King Solomon he
says ‘<span class="text">Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels;</span></span><span class="indent-1-breaks"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">nothing else
compares with it.</span></span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">’ (Prov 3:15)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">The Bible teaches that wisdom ultimately
comes from God – </span><b><sup><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> ‘</span></sup></b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be
given to you.’ (James 1:5)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today we are celebrating the life and
reign of Queen Elizabeth II. Like
Solomon, Queen Elizabeth has demonstrated great wisdom throughout her many
years of service to the people of this country and the Commonwealth, and has dedicated
her life to serving others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 2.4pt 0cm 18pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On her 21st birthday in 1947 Princess Elizabeth made a
radio broadcast from Cape Town in South Africa: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin: 2.4pt 0cm 18pt; text-align: center;">
<img src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7173/6830997749_ea0f2c328b.jpg" /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 14pt; text-align: left;">
<span lang="en-GB"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great Imperial country to which we all belong…God help me to make good my vow and God bless all of you who are willing to share it.</span></span></blockquote>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 19.5pt; margin-bottom: 18.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 2.4pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Over the years she has been faithful in
fulfilling this vow. As this video illustrates:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/CRRKfXR9GLs/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CRRKfXR9GLs?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<h1 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; vertical-align: top;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></h1>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Just as faith in God was at the centre
of Solomon’s life, so it is also at the heart of Queen Elizabeth’s life. As one
royal biographer put it, </span><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">‘Two things stand out – the Queen’s
constant sense of duty and her devotion to God.’</span></b><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">The Queen has been the adviser and
confidante to twelve British Prime Ministers, and knows personally many world
leaders, but always demonstrates great discretion</span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">, she is careful to keep her own personal views
private. But when it comes to her belief in Christ and his impact on her
life she is uncharacteristically open, d</span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">escribing
Jesus as ‘an inspiration’, a ‘role model’ and ‘an anchor’ in her life.</span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; line-height: 12.45pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 12.45pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Christmas 2000 she said </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="background: white;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, the teachings of Christ and my own
personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to live
my life.</span></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In her Christmas speech in 2002 Queen
Elizabeth said:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I
know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and
the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life
is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all
that the day brings, and to put my trust in God… I draw strength from the
message of hope in the Christian gospel.</span></span></blockquote>
<h4 style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="eztoc_2_1_1_1"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="eztoc_1_1_1_1"></a>Sacrifice<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.9pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sacrifice is at the heart of the Christian gospel – Jesus
giving his life for ours, and in response we are called to take up our cross
daily to follow him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But sacrifice is also intertwined with service. We no
longer live for ourselves but for God and others. And this helps us to
understand the Queen’s own understanding of service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At her Coronation on the 2<sup>nd</sup> June 1953, there
was one important part of the ceremony that wasn’t televised, because it was
considered too sacred to show.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e6/b5/03/e6b50358faa97c5f2c9a889a5d3ea8f5.jpg" width="371" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Handel’s anthem <i>Zakok
the Priest’ </i>was sung<i>, </i>the symbols
of the Queen’s status were removed, her velvet robe, the diamond diadem, the
coronation necklace, and wearing a simple white dress the Archbishop anointed
her with holy oil over her hands, chest and head, to show that she was being
set apart to serve and love her people in all her actions, with all her heart
and with all her mind. The Royal biographer William Shawcross wrote that it was
the moment of anointing with oil, which was of supreme importance for the
Queen, indeed it was the most solemn and important moment of her entire life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.9pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In this ceremony it was a reminder of Christ, who was
also set apart not to be served but to serve.
This was something that the Queen reflected on in her 2012 Christmas
address, when she said </span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is the time of the year when we remember that God sent his only Son “to serve, not to be served”. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And for Queen Elizabeth II her life has been one of
unstinting service, to the people of this nation, the commonwealth, and God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.9pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She may be our Queen, but our Elizabeth knows that she
serves an even greater King, whose name is Jesus. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">St Paul said “</span><span style="background: rgb(253, 254, 255); line-height: 115%;">Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1).
We could do well to follow the example of the Queen, who throughout her life
has demonstrated </span><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">what it means to be a
whole-life disciple of Christ, through her consistency of character, a
commitment to service, a concern for others and a clear dependence on Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-bottom: 7.9pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we celebrate her life, lets pray
that our nation see her for the godly woman she is; see Christ in her; learn
from her and come to know the Christ she points to and honours in all she
does. Amen.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-46161735607407102382016-05-18T13:38:00.000+01:002016-05-18T13:38:44.899+01:00Discerning God's Will: Acts 16:9-15<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;">When Lucy
entered the wardrobe, she was looking for a place to hide, what she discovered
was the magical land of Narnia.</span><span style="background-color: #fdfeff; color: #001320;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="background: #FDFEFF; color: #001320;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes
God opens doors for us that lead us to people & places we would not have
expected to go to. This is exactly what happened to Paul & his companions
in Acts, but not before two other doors had closed to them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul was on his second missionary <span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">journey 49-52 AD, travelling with Silas & joined by
Timothy in Lystra & later on Luke – who wrote the Gospel & the book of
Acts. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;">In Acts 16:6-7 we
read <i><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">‘Paul and his companions travelled throughout the region
of Phrygia</span></i></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">and Galatia,</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching
the word in the province of Asia.</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><b><i><sup><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></sup></i></b></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to
enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">would not allow them to.’</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes
God opens doors, and sometimes he closes them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #006600;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vicar visiting parishioner –
leaves note with Rev 3:20 written on it ‘<span style="background: #FDFEFF;">Here
I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the
door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ Later that
day same card pushed through Vicarage door with Genesis 3:10 written on it
"I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I
hid."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Luke doesn’t
tell us how the Holy Spirit stopped Paul & his companions from entering
both the province of Asia & Bithynia, or how they felt about it. Maybe they sensed that it wasn’t the right
place to go to, or maybe there </span><span style="background: white;">was something that prevented them from going like
illness or opposition, or maybe they received a word of knowledge or prophecy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When God closes a door, it can be hard, we can be left feeling dejected
and disappointed, especially if it was something we had our heart set upon,
something we felt called to, and something we’d been praying about. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: red;">Applying for
jobs – Ambleside </span><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But a closed door can be as much an answer to prayer as an open door. It
might be God’s way of saying:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not the right way for you<i>.
OR<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s not the right door to pass through right now, but maybe later.<i> OR</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are things I want to deal with in your life first, before I allow
this door to open. <i>OR</i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes a closed door can be a real blessing, it can be God’s way of
saying “I have something different, something better in stall for you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ruth Graham (late wife of Billy
Graham) once told an audience once, “God has not always answered my prayers. If
He had, I would have married the wrong man—several times.” <span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">When God close a door, it’s often to enable another door to open. This is what happened to </span><span style="background: white; color: red;">David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary
and explorer who first tried to go to China, but prevented by outbreak of First
Opium War in 1839, & was led instead to Africa. He is known as "Africa's greatest
missionary, & became an anti-slavery crusade & through his influence
the East African slave trade was brought to an end. He wrote a letter to the
editor of the New York Herald </span><span style="color: red;">“if my disclosures
regarding the terrible… slavery should lead to the suppression of the East
Coast slave trade, I shall regard that as a greater matter by far than the
discovery of all the Nile sources together.”</span><span style="color: #252525;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">It’s also what happened to Paul & his companions. <i><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">‘</span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">During the night Paul had a
vision</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">of a man of Macedonia</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">standing and begging him, “Come
over to Macedonia and help us.”</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">After Paul had seen the vision,
we</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">got ready at once to leave for
Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel</span></i></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></i></span><span class="text"><i><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">to them’.</span></i></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul was clearly open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. <b>How do we discern the will of God for our
own lives?<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1) Walk with God.</b><span style="background: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to
know God’s plan for your life, then you must learn to walk with God, to develop
a relationship with Him. Christianity is all about relationship rather than
just religion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And so you
must cultivate your relationship with God. You must seek to know
Him and not just seek to know about Him. Jesus said: </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sheep listen to my voice; I
know them, and they follow me. John 10:27</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Spend time in His Word</b> - many people want to know what God’s plan
is for their lives, but they overlook the fact that God has already shown us
what His will is, on so many issues through Scripture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Take time for prayer</b>. When you pray – give space for God to speak
to you in the silence. Write down the question(s) you want to ask God, and
listen to God’s spirit to see what comes. Write it down, and compare what
you’ve written to what Scripture teaches us about God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Seek wise Christian counsellors. </b>Share it with other Christians who know you
well, and who know & love the Lord & ask them what they think of it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;">Proverbs 11:14: </span></span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in
the multitude of counsellors there is safety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Get involved in
church and join a small group, go on retreat, take every opportunity you can
find to nurture your relationship with God & get to know his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Proverbs 3:5-6: </span></span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not
on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct your paths.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2) Surrender your
will to God’s.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many times when we
say we are seeking God’s will, what we are really wanting to say to God is
this: “OK, God, here’s what I’m planning to do. Now I need you to rubber stamp
this, all right?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you want to
know what God’s will is for your life, you must be committed to doing whatever
it is that He desires for you to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: yellow; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: black;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/search/?t=niv&q=ro+12:1-2">R</a>omans 12:1-2: </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">Therefore, I urge you,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">brothers and sisters,
in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">holy and pleasing to
God—this is your true and proper worship.<b><sup> </sup></b>Do not conform</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">to the pattern of
this world,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">Then you will be able
to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span class="text" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow; font-size: 12pt;">and perfect will.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we surrender
to Him, that is when He really begins to direct our steps.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3) Listen to your
heart.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: black; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-themecolor: text1; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.biblestudytools.com/psalms/">Psalms</a></span></i></b><b><i> 37:4-5</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">Delight yourself also in the LORD, and He shall
give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in
Him, and He shall bring it to pass. (NKJV)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we are close
to God, He begins to shape our desires so that you desire the things that He
has already called you to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>4) Take a look at
your circumstances.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Look out for
God-incidences – <span style="color: red; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">appointment to Carlisle.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The closing of the
door to Asia & Bithynia & the vision Paul received, were God
incidences. God often uses closed doors to show us clearly what He does NOT
want us to do. And He also uses open doors at times to show us what He DOES
want us to do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes the only
way to know if a door is one God wants us to pass through, is to test it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We never know what will happen when we go
through a door God opens. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the case of
Paul & his companions, it resulted in the Gospel being taken to Europe for
the very first time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It resulted in the
encounter with Lydia in the city of Philippi. Lydia was clearly an important
& influential person in the city, a seller of purple cloth, she was also a worshipper
of God, in other words a Jew. But on
hearing Paul speak, she gave her life to Jesus, and she and her household were
baptised, and they became the first Christian converts in Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It marked a
turning point in the spread of the Gospel, spreading for the first time ever
into Europe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This would not
have happened, if God hadn’t closed certain doors to Paul, and opened
another. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Open doors are not
always the easiest doors to pass through. If God opens a door, it doesn’t
necessary mean it will be the easy path to take, but if God has opened it, it
would foolish not to walk through it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Think about your life at the moment. Is God closing some doors, and
opening others? What might he want to
say to you about this? If you are
sitting there thinking, I have no idea if God is opening or closing doors in my
life, then pray about it. Ask him to show you how he might wish to use you, and
the people He is leading you to, just as He led Paul to Lydia. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Questions to Consider:</b></span></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you think of a time when God opened or closed a door in your
life? </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is there a door you would like to see opened, but it’s not? What might
God be saying to you through this?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is God opening a door for your now? How can you test whether it is from
God or not?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all called to be God’s witnesses, who might God be wanting you to
share your faith with? </span></li>
</ul>
<br />
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Do:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray this week that God may open a new door to you - what could it be?</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pray that God may lay on your heart one person He’d like you to share
your faith with this coming week – who might this be?</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-40718144069529728062016-05-18T13:27:00.002+01:002016-05-18T13:27:33.214+01:00EU Referendum – A Christian Response<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<img height="240" src="https://media.guim.co.uk/0299604bd8258ef3b8056ec148bc4d6f60ac16eb/0_38_2200_1320/master/2200.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In just over
four week’s time, the country will decide whether it wants to stay in the
European Union or leave. Coming to an
informed decision on how to vote is not easy, especially when you hear
conflicting and contradictory messages coming from the rival ‘Vote Leave’ and ‘Britain
Stronger in Europe’ campaigns. As Christians what should our response be to the
EU referendum vote?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There isn’t
a simple answer to this question. We can’t
ask ‘What Would Jesus Do?’ as if we could determine how he would vote, and
there isn’t a single ‘right’ way to vote as Christians. In St Martin’s there will be those who think
Britain will be better out of the EU, and those who think we are better staying
in (a helpful website exploring different Christians positions on this issue
can be found at <a href="http://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk/eufocus/">http://www.christiansinpolitics.org.uk/eufocus/</a>).
But I do believe there is a Christian approach that we should all take as we
think about how we are going to vote on June 23<sup>rd</sup>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Reject
politics of fear<o:p></o:p></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First of all
we need to reject the politics of fear, which both ‘Vote Leave’ and ‘Britain
Stronger in Europe’ are guilty of. Basing
decisions from a position of fear is never wise. The Lord says to Joshua ‘Be
strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord
your God will be with you wherever you go.’ (Joshua 1:9) Instead we need to….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Look
for facts </b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">No one
really knows what the impact will be if Britain chooses to leave the EU, but it
is worth taking time to consider the benefits and draw backs of belonging to
the EU. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Full Fact</span><span style="color: #333333; line-height: 115%;"> (</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://fullfact.org/europe/">fullfact.org/europe/</a>)
is a very helpful independent, non-partisan, fact checking charity that seeks
to provide the public with the best information possible without the political
spin! If you are confused by the claims and counter claims made by the various
groups in the EU referendum debate, then this website can be extremely helpful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Ask
questions<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;">Very often when it comes to making decisions, the question we
ask ourselves is ‘How will this affect me?’ However, as Christians we need to
think outside of ourselves and consider others. Paul writes in Philippians 2:3 ‘Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"> Rather,
in humility value others above yourselves.’ And Jesus calls us to ‘love our
neighbours as ourselves’ (Mark 12:31)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So with the EU referendum we need to think about what impact
leaving the EU may have on others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some important questions to consider include:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">What
financial impact would Brexit have, especially on the poorest within society?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Would
the nations of the EU be more prosperous, more just and more secure with
Britain inside it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">What
impact would it have on the current migrant crisis?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">What impact would Brexit have on the future
of the United Kingdom re. </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Scottish independence?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">o<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Will
it lead to isolationism? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b>Conduct
debates with respect</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> There is a
lot of mudslinging and personal attacks that go on in politics, and it’s ugly
and </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"> unnecessary. As Christians we need to always show respect and understanding
to those we are debating with, even if we don’t agree with them. As the Apostle
Peter instructs: ‘Show proper respect to everyone’ (1 Peter 2:17).</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">Pray!<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayer should underpin everything we do as Christians,
and we need to be praying about the EU referendum, and if you are still undecided
on how you are going to vote then pray about it! The Church of England has released the
following prayer for the EU referendum campaign:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="background: white; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God of truth,</span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">give us grace to debate the issues in this referendum</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">with honesty and openness.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Give generosity to those who seek to form opinion</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">and discernment to those who vote,</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">that our nation may prosper</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">and that with all the peoples of Europe</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">we may work for peace and the common good;</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord.</span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Amen.</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-28920747071615512332016-05-15T22:08:00.000+01:002016-05-18T13:31:28.713+01:00Pentecost Sunday 2016 Acts 2:1-20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Introduction</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Pope was on a visit to
New York. At the airport he was picked by a limousine. Looking at the beautiful
car the Pope turned to the driver and said, "You know, I hardly ever get
to drive. Would you please let me?"<br />
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
The driver was hesistant and said, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I'm
supposed to do that."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But the Pope persisted, "Please?" Eventually the driver said
"Oh, all right, I can't really say no to the Pope."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So the Pope took the wheel, and put his foot on the pedal, 20, 30, 40, 50,
eventually he gets up to 100 miles an hour in a 45 mph zone. A policeman soon notices and pulls him
over.<br />
The policeman walks up and asks the Pope to roll down the window. Startled and
surprised, the young officer asks the Pope to wait a minute. He goes back to
his patrol car and radios the chief.<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cop: "Chief, I have a problem."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chief: "What sort of problem?"<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cop: "Well, you see, I pulled over this guy for driving way over the speed
limit but it's someone really important."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chief: "Important like the mayor?"<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cop: "No, no, much more important than that."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chief: "Important like the governor?"<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cop: "Wayyyyyy more important than that."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chief: "Like the president?"<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cop: "More."<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Chief: "Who's more important than the president?"<br /><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Cop: "I don't know, but he's got the Pope driving for him!" </span><br />
<br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">------<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The question I want to ask today is who is in the driving
seat of your life? Who’s in control of your life? You or God?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As Christians it should be God who is in control of our
lives. And the way we do this is by surrendering our lives to God, but because
I’m a back seat driver & like to be in control, the decision to surrender
my life to God is one I have to make afresh every single day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If we want God to be in the driving seat of our lives, then
we need to be filled with his Holy Spirit. This isn’t a one of event, but
something that needs to happen every single day. When Paul tells the Christians
in Ephesus to be filled with the Holy Spirit (5:18) he uses the present continuous
tense, in other words he is saying “Go on being filled over and over and over
again.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today I want to talk about who is the Holy Spirit, what does
the Holy Spirit do, and how we can be filled with the Holy Spirit. And then I want to give people the opportunity
to receive the Holy Spirit. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Because I believe that more than anything else, this is what
God wants to do today. Just as He poured out his Holy Spirit on the Day of
Pentecost, so I believe God wants to pour out His Spirit on us today.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Who is the Holy Spirit?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Spirit of God</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In Gospel
reading Jesus says </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“I will
ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with
you for ever.”</span></li>
<li><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Word the NIV
translates as advocate in Greek is </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parakletos</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> (John 14:16). It means ‘one called alongside’ – a </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Counsellor</span></i><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Comforter</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">or</span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white;">Helper.</span></i></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Who is the Holy Spirit for?<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit is for all of us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In our reading from Acts, Peter quoted from the prophet
Joel who said </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘In the last days, God
says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.’ (Acts 2:17)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit is given to everyone who turns to Christ,
irrespective of sex, age, background, race, colour or rank.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Holy Spirit
is the presence of God in us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Every Christian has the Holy Spirit within them. Paul
writes to the Corinthians </span><span style="background: yellow; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">“Do you not know your
body is a temple of the Holy Spirit.” (I Corinthians 3:16)</span><span style="background: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When we give our lives to God, God’s spirit comes and dwells
within us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there is a difference between having the Holy Spirit
living within us, and being FILLED with the Holy Spirit. Just as there is a
difference between</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">having two glasses
one containing a drop of water in it and one being filled to the brim.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God wants us to be FILLED with His spirit.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>What does
the Holy Spirit Do?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s
through the Holy Spirit that we encounter & experience God’s presence in
our lives. He helps us to worship & glorify God.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Holy
Spirit equips us for service, giving us special gifts. </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">‘</span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are different kinds of gifts, but
the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the
same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in
everyone it is the same God at work. </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now to each
one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Holy
Spirit helps us to become more like Christ. Paul describes this as the Fruit of
the Holy Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and
self-control.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>How can we
be filled with the Holy Spirit?</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We ask for
it!</span></li>
<li><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jesus
said <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“So I say to you: Ask
and it will be given to you;</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">seek
and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><sup><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">For
everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks,
the door will be opened.</span></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><sup><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">“Which
of you fathers, if your son asks for</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">a
fish, will give him a snake instead?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><sup><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">Or
if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><sup><span style="background: yellow;"> </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">If
you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children,
how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him!”</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God wants us
to receive this gift.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But there
can be some barriers to receiving the Holy Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sin –
creates a barrier between ourselves & God, like a blocked drain pipe, the
blockage first needs removing. This is called repentance - </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">not only
acknowledging the wrong we have done, but literally turning away from it. T</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">rue repentance should result in a change of actions. </span><span style="background: yellow; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 John 1: 9 </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: yellow;">If we confess
our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify
us from all unrighteousness.</span></i></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fear – people fear what the Holy Spirit may do, but Jesus
says just as it is unthinkable that we would give our children a snake if they
asked for a fish, so God is a loving Father, he’s not going to give us anything
bad. He wants the best for us.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Inadequacy - If
you’re anything like me, you may feel a sense of inadequacy, and so you think “</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I ask I’m not going to receive, because
God knows what I’m like, and I don’t deserve it. I can understand why holy people would
receive this gift, but I don’t think God would give the Holy Spirit to me.</i><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">”</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">What Jesus says is not how much more will
your father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to really holy people who’ve been
Christians for a very long time.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">He
says, “</span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How much more will your Father in
heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” </i></li>
</ol>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-2722222625199865062016-03-19T14:55:00.000+00:002016-03-19T15:05:54.940+00:00Good Friday Hour At The Cross Service<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Good Friday Hour At The Cross 2016<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<a href="http://www.premierchristianity.com/The-Stations/The-Stations-Images-and-Stories" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-R-ThAx_b_nk/Vu1qqBvO6_I/AAAAAAAACAo/WmItobtLmiklsCuG6j0vEAx6bvu9ZNkNg/s640/Picture21.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>This is the service for An Hour At The Cross that we'll be using at St Martin's on Good Friday 2016. This year we are using images of refugees by Marksteen Adamson called 'The Stations'. I am indebted to <a href="http://ashawebsite.co.uk/asha-people/founding-partners/marksteen-adamson/" target="_blank">Marksteen Adamson</a> and <a href="http://www.premierchristianity.com/" target="_blank">Christianity Magazine</a> for making these <a href="https://www.premier.org.uk/Lent/The-Stations/Church-Resources-and-Response" target="_blank">images</a> available for use by churches. There are 14 images in total, but I haven't used them all, simply because the service is meant to last only one hour. I know the pressures clergy face in getting services ready for Holy Week and Easter, so if this outline is of help to you then please borrow and use as much or as little of it as you like. To download all the images from 'The Stations' please visit </i></span></o:p><a href="https://www.premier.org.uk/Lent/The-Stations" target="_blank"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>https://www.premier.org.uk/Lent/The-Stations</i></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i> </i></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome & Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Welcome to
our service of prayer and reflection for Good Friday. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today Europe
faces the largest migration of
people since the Second World War, as hundreds of thousands of people flee
poverty, war and persecution. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The stations of the cross are a series of images which tell
the story of Christ’s crucifixion. Today
in our service we are going to be using <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">an artistic re-interpretation of the traditional
'stations of the cross', using </span>images and stories of refugees taken in
Lebanon, Calais and the UK, to help us reflect on Jesus’ death on the </span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">cross. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So let us
begin our service….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“For God so loved the world that
He gave His only Son….” </span></i><span style="font-size: 13pt;">John
3:16<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">gather round</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
I have a story to tell</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of one who reached inside himself</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and took a handful of love</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">like a pile of stardust</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
and said: </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">this is for you</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it is all you need</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it is all you will ever need</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">there is enough here</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">to change the whole world</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">take it</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">many laughed at him</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">mocked him</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and ignored the invitation</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
but some dared to take it</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and those who did</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">noticed something about this love</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they found they could do </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">what the gift-giver could do</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they could stand with the lost</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">welcome the refugee</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">eat with the hungry</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they found themselves doing what the man first did to them</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">give something of themselves to others</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">they became like the man</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">offering themselves</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and as they offered themselves</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">others took the invitation</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and many still do</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and many still trust</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">it is enough to change the whole world</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Hymn </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">There is a green hill</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Matthew
26:36-46<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;">36 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then Jesus went with
his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Sit
here while I go over there and pray.”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24092" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">37 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">He took Peter and the
two sons of Zebedee</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">along
with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24093" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">38 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then he said to them,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“My
soul is overwhelmed with sorrow</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">to
the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span id="en-NIV-24094" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">39 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Going a little
farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed,<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“My Father, if it is
possible, may this cup</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">be
taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24095" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">40 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then he returned to
his disciples and found them sleeping.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Couldn’t
you men keep watch with me</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">for
one hour?”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">he
asked Peter.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24096" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">41 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Watch
and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span id="en-NIV-24097" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">42 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">He went away a second
time and prayed,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“My
Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it,
may your will be done.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24098" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">43 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">When he came back, he
again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24099" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">44 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">So he left them and
went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24100" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">45 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then he returned to
the disciples and said to them,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Are
you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">has
come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners.</span></span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24101" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">46 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Rise!
Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”</span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paEL4ybYVwA/Vu1lKtjI0dI/AAAAAAAAB_I/mf8k3V1r0BMMF3ZjOvyacOO5lfX-io5vw/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paEL4ybYVwA/Vu1lKtjI0dI/AAAAAAAAB_I/mf8k3V1r0BMMF3ZjOvyacOO5lfX-io5vw/s640/Picture2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> Matthew
26:47-49</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">47 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">While he was still speaking, Judas,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">one of the
Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent
from the chief priests and the elders of the people.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-24103" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">48 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">Now
the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man;
arrest him.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-24104" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">49 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">and kissed him.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">
Matthew 26:57, 59-66</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;">57 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Those who had
arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">the
high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled… </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> 59 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">were
looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24115" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">60 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But they did not find
any, though many false witnesses</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">came
forward.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Finally
two</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">came forward</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24116" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">61 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">and declared, “This
fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three
days.’”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24117" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">62 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then the high priest
stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony
that these men are bringing against you?”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24118" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">63 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But Jesus remained
silent.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">The
high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">by
the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">the
Son of God.”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span id="en-NIV-24119" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">64 </span></sup></b></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“You
have said so,”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Jesus
replied.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“But I say to all of
you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the
Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;">65 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then the high priest
tore his clothes</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">and
said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now
you have heard the blasphemy.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24121" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">66 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">What do you think?”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“He
is worthy of death,”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">they
answered.</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Matthew
26:69-75 <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="font-size: 13pt;">69 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Now Peter was sitting
out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus
of Galilee,” she said.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24125" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">70 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But he denied it
before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24126" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">71 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then he went out to
the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there,
“This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24127" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">72 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">He denied it again,
with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24128" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">73 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">After a little while,
those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them;
your accent gives you away.”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24129" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">74 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then he began to call
down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Immediately
a rooster crowed.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24130" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">75 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then Peter remembered
the word Jesus had spoken:</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Before
the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">And he went outside
and wept bitterly.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycjxwQj1Ibg/Vu1l3h4Fs3I/AAAAAAAACAQ/7HbTWioSaOgFYEJvWqPkr5HQq3y74kHgQ/s1600/Picture8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ycjxwQj1Ibg/Vu1l3h4Fs3I/AAAAAAAACAQ/7HbTWioSaOgFYEJvWqPkr5HQq3y74kHgQ/s640/Picture8.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Hymn </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">O sacred head, sore wounded</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Matthew
27:1-2, 11-18, 20-26<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="chapter-2" style="background: white; line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="chapternum"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">27 </span></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Early in the morning,
all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have
Jesus executed.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span id="en-NIV-24132" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">2 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">So they bound him,
led him away and handed him over</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">to
Pilate the governor.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span id="en-NIV-24133" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">11 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> Jesus stood before
the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="woj"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“You
have said so,”</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Jesus
replied.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24142" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">12 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">When he was accused
by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24143" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">13 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then Pilate asked
him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24144" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">14 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But Jesus made no
reply,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">not
even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24145" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">15 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Now it was the
governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24146" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">16 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">At that time they had
a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Barabbas.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24147" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">17 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">So when the crowd had
gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus
Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24148" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">18 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">For he knew it was
out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span id="en-NIV-24149" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">20 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But the chief priests
and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus
executed.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24151" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">21 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Which of the two do
you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Barabbas,”
they answered.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24152" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">22 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“What shall I do,
then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Pilate
asked.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">They
all answered, “Crucify him!”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24153" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">23 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">“Why? What crime has
he committed?” asked Pilate.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">But
they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 18pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 7.5pt;">
<span id="en-NIV-24154" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">24 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">When Pilate saw that
he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">was
starting, he took water and washed his hands</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">in
front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">he
said. “It is your responsibility!”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span id="en-NIV-24155" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">25 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">All the people
answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span id="en-NIV-24156" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">26 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then he released
Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">and
handed him over to be crucified.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> Matthew
27:27-31</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">27 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">and gathered the
whole company of soldiers around him.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-24158" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">28 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">They
stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-24159" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">29 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his
head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and
mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-24160" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">30 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the
head again and again.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-24161" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">31 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and </span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;">is love unknown<span class="text"><span style="background: white;"> put his own clothes on him. Then they led
him away to crucify him.</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="text" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">Bible
Reading</span></b></span><span class="text" style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> John
19:16-17</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">So the soldiers took charge of Jesus.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-26843" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">17 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">Carrying
his own cross,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">he went out to the place of the Skull</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">(which in Aramaic</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">is called
Golgotha).</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Luke 23:26</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">26 </span></sup></b><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon
from Cyrene,<span class="apple-converted-space"> who was on his way in from the country, and put
the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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15:22-23 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">They brought Jesus to the place
called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24850" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">23 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Then they offered him
wine mixed with myrrh,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">but
he did not take it.</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span id="en-NIV-24851" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">24 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">And they crucified
him. </span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Hymn </span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"> My song is love unknown<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Bible Reading </span></b><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Luke 23:44-46<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text"><b><sup><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">44 </span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land
until three in the afternoon,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-25981" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">45 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">was torn in two.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span><span class="text"><b><sup style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"><span id="en-NIV-25982" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;">46 </span></span></sup></b></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">Jesus called out with a loud voice,</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> <span style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span class="woj"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">“Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;"> </span></span><span class="text"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt;">When
he had said this, he breathed his last.</span></span><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13pt;">Hymn </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;"> When I survey the wondrous cross</span></div>
<b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Closing Prayer<o:p></o:p></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Most merciful God
your blessed son, our Saviour, was betrayed, whipped, and his face spat
upon. Grant us grace to endure the sufferings of the present time, to
remember those who suffer, especially refugees, and to overcome all that seeks
to overwhelm us, confident of the glory that shall yet be revealed; through
Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. Amen.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 13pt;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">May
Jesus Christ, who for our sake became obedient unto death, even death on a
cross, keep you and strengthen you, now and forever. Amen.</span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2585657765890901753.post-51684132619299982492016-02-22T17:28:00.001+00:002016-02-22T17:31:29.124+00:00Getting Into God's Word<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><sup><span style="background: white;">‘</span></sup><span style="background: white;">Everything in the Scriptures is God’s
Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting
them and showing them how to live.’ (2 Timothy 3:16 CEV)</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let’s be honest, we all know that as Christian’s reading the
Bible is something we should do every single day, but the reality is that many
of us don’t. Research conducted by the <a href="http://www.biblesociety.org.uk/uploads/files/our_work/taking_the_pulse.pdf" target="_blank">Bible Society</a> revealed that 35% of
Christians claim to read the Bible daily, and 25% several times a week, but that
still leaves 40% of Christians unaccounted for! For a small but
significant number of Christians, the only time they get to read the Bible is
when they attend a service in church. It’s important to remember that the
Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fortunately with modern technology, it has never been easier
to have access to Scripture. You can now <a href="https://www.youversion.com/" target="_blank">download for free numerous differentversions of the Bible onto your tablet or smart phone</a>, many of which come with
helpful reading plans. Then there are helpful apps such as ‘<a href="http://www.pray-as-you-go.org/home/" target="_blank">Pray As You Go</a>’
(click here for the <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=pl.foxcode.prayasyougo" target="_blank">android app</a>, and here for <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pray-as-you-go/id865934048" target="_blank">iOS app</a>) which provide a daily reflection on a passage of
scripture, and for children there is the excellent ‘<a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bible.kids&hl=en" target="_blank">Bible App For Kids</a>’.
There are also numerous Bible reading notes available, which you can have
posted directly to your home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">To enrich my own study of the Bible, I have recently
purchased the complete NIV Audio Bible narrated by David Suchet (available from
<a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Complete-Audio-Bible-International/dp/1444786407" target="_blank">Amazon</a>). This 80 hour recording comes on six MP3 CD’s, which you can transfer
onto your computer, smartphone, MP3 player, or tablet, so you can listen to it
when and wherever you like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We’re used to the Bible being divided into chapters and
verses, but that wasn’t how the Bible was written. Chapters were only
introduced in the thirteenth century and verses in the sixteenth century. Rather than listening to the Bible in small bite size chunks (a few verses here
and there), I’m using the audio CD’s to listen to longer sections of the Bible.
This I find is giving me a new appreciation of scripture, and opening up the
word of God in a new and wonderful way. It’s not taken the place of reading
the Bible by myself, but I find it complements my study of scripture, and it is
something that I would commend to others, especially if you are someone who
finds reading the Bible difficult.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However you read the Bible, the important thing is that you
do it, and remember that the primary purpose of reading the Bible is not to
know the Bible but to know God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">God bless<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Simon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08941171920948123325noreply@blogger.com0