Sunday Message – 18th February
Written on February 19, 2012 at 4:46 pm, by andrew.clark
Sermon Series: The Way of Jesus
Theme: Feasting
Scripture: Luke 14: 16 – 24; Isaiah 25: 6 – 8
Alan Dunstone reminded us of the feast that we have enjoyed in recent years: a feast of biblical preaching, prayer, ecumenism, pastoral care, serving, worship and more. To participate in the life of the church is akin to taking part in a great feast not only for the here and now, but as a foretaste of all that is yet to come.
In opening up that parable from Luke, Alan reminded us that there may be some who although they are enjoying the feast of church, are still to accept the invitation of the Master to come and partake of the feast of salvation that Jesus offers to us. As in the parable, there are many who offer all sorts of excuses. Yet, God relentlessly offers us the invitation, although some may reject it now. But, there will come a day when the quest list will be closed and it will be too late.
Alan challenges us to continue to enjoy the feasts that God sets before us, even against any suggestion that feasting might be over…some say it is impossible for us to enjoy feasting in God’s presence, but with God nothing is impossible. As we follow in the way of Jesus, we are reminded that we take part in a Kingdom feast where all are invited and where all are welcomed.
For further study: Take an look through the New Testament and note the amount of times Jesus spends eating with others. What does his feasting communicate to them? He earned the title of ‘one who eats with tax collectors and sinners.’ If we are to follow in the way of Jesus, could that accusation stick to you?
Sunday Message – 5th February
Written on February 7, 2012 at 12:16 pm, by andrew.clark
Sermon Series: The Way of Jesus
Theme: Journeying
Scripture: John 1: 35 – 51
Summary:
Andrew Clark spoke about the simplicity of Jesus’ call to follow him and how so often we complicate our response. Jesus invites us on an adventure, a daring path of following which moves us out of our own safety zones to follow the wild messiah. We’re reminded that this path, however, is never an easy one. Jesus calls it a narrow and difficult path.
The question then is why we’d want to follow on this difficult path? Is it worth it? Is the teaching of Jesus too difficult? In John 6, Jesus delivers some difficult teaching and the crowd walk away. He is left with the 12 disciples and Jesus says to them ‘do you want to go too?’ In a moment of poignant brilliance, Peter says ‘Lord, where else can we go? You have the words of eternal life.’
The challenge to us is two-fold: firstly, we need to respond to the challenge to follow and not be those who say ‘Lord Lord’ and then not do what he asks. Secondly, we need to count the cost and recognise that although the road is difficult, the great and powerful reward is full life here and now and eternal life with him.
For further study:
Look at Matthew 8: 18 – 22. Is there anything that you put in place of following Jesus? What might the implications be of following a Jesus who had no place to lay his head?
Sunday Message – Sunday 29th January
Written on February 1, 2012 at 11:38 am, by Office Admin
Relationships, Unity & Today, Grace: a trinity of foundations on which we have built:
Matthew 16: 13-20 More…
Sunday Message – 22nd January
Written on January 27, 2012 at 12:04 pm, by andrew.clark
God the gift giver and gift limiter Ephesians 4
by Deacon Eunice Attwood
God the Activator – the gifts God gave
11 The gifts God gave……. were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
God given gifts. Body of Christ – ‘heartbeat is God’ You are a gift of God not God’s gift! God is the source of our giftedness God who is described by Paul as being in v6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all. Multi-dimensional, awesome God who brought the universe into being and cares about you and I – This is a God truly worthy of worship. More…
Sunday Message – 15th January 2012
Written on January 18, 2012 at 10:58 am, by Office Admin
Unity: so that the world may believe
Jesus prayed: May they be one so that the world may believe (John 17:23)
Ephesians 4: 1-7
Unity gave rise to Trinity: sufficient people in all three congregations said enough to ploughing lone denominational canoes and this congregation was born in 2000. Unity around the mission imperative, in our case the passion to transform our High Street community, gave rise to Trinity Project, and this dynamic seven day a week community was born.
