TOTAL DEPRAVITY & TOTAL DELIGHT
By Not Known Some years ago I worked for a company that sold bulk industrial chemicals. I soon learnt the basic sales strategy of demonstrating a need (or creating one!) and then showing how my firm could meet it better than any competitors. We need to see our need of Jesus before we believe in him. Many will say ‘I’m not that bad, I can manage my own…
THE PLACE OF WORSHIP
By Not Known The word ‘worship’ can be used in several important ways. First up, there is our life-worship, in which all of all we are at all times is lived in thankful service to the Lord (Rom 12:1-2). Without this, no other worship makes sense. Secondly, there is the gathered worship as represented by our Sunday services (eg Acts 2:42-46; 1 Cor 14:26; Heb…
PROTECTION, BLESSING OR FORGIVENESS ?
By Not Known Many of our prayers ask God for blessings. And at this time of the year many are earnest to ask the Lord for protection. What do we mean by blessing and protection? Are they the heart of our human needs? By ‘blessings’ we usually mean things like health, wealth and other daily needs. A prayer for protection typically means we ask God to protect us…
THE CUP OF CARE
By Not Known I am the person who cares for your kids but can’t swim in your pool Who rides in the back of a truck to make your garden pretty Who sleeps in a dormitory while I build your home Who clears the table when you just walk off Who keeps your place safe, night and day Who sells you a ticket that I cannot afford Who drives the taxi to take you to a party Who…
All People Need The Lord
By Not Known Jesus told the first church leaders to make disciples from all peoples (Mat 28:19). We read that heaven’s church has members from all corners of humanity (Rev 7:9). Likewise Paul writes of his obligation to preach the gospel to all kinds of people and thus his desire to visit Rome so that he could also evangelise there (Rom 1:14). Paul also tells us why…
ROME EXISTS IN HER RUINS
By Not Known The Roman Empire was the monolith of New Testament times. All roads led to Rome, all power belonged to Rome and all revenue flowed to Rome. Other powers quaked and fell before her and Roman hegemony threatened to crush all before it. Many European countries have archaeological digs and museum projects to study and preserve the artefacts of the Roman Empire.…
FAITH WORKS
By Not Known The Christian faith has many puzzles that seem to raise ‘either / or’ questions. Is God three or one? Was Jesus divine or human? Is the Bible divine or human? Does God rule everything or are we responsible? Do we need faith or works? Many of these puzzles have ‘both / and’ answers. However, we need great care in the order and the…
The Other People of God
By Not Known We want to be the best. That’s common for nations, organisations, individuals and even for churches. We boast of our triumphs and define the contest so narrowly that we can all be the best at something. Tiny triumphs indeed! Let’s face it, most of us are not the best at anything much. We usually fit somewhere near the middle of a bell curve for…
ACTION or REACTION or DEVOTION?
By Not Known Most of us love to have a lasting and sustained relationship with God through Jesus. For some, keeping spiritual disciplines such as prayer and Bible-reading is quite in line with their almost regimental outlook to life. For others, serving where the needs could often keep them busily in touch with the church. Yet, there are others who struggle with both ends…
FACT OR FICTION?
By Not Known Many would remember the rock opera by Tim Rice and Andrew Llyod Webber, Jesus Christ Superstar. It shook the Christian world with the song that implied Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ lover. Then when Da Vinci Code came out, it stirred up once again the controversy that Mary Magdalene was married to Jesus. Of course, Dan Brown blurred the line between fact…