JOHN 17
It is the night before the Crucifixion. Jesus is with His Apostles at the Last Supper and is spending His last hours before going to the Cross.
In a few hours He will be dead so He is telling them He is going to leave them and they will be left to face life without Him. He then concludes with a prayer, which makes this one of the outstanding passages in the New Testament, telling His followers then, and by extension to those who follow Him through the ages, what they will have to face as Christians.
For Jesus, life was life with a climax and that was the Cross. When He spoke of the Cross as His glorification it had a deep significance. It is one of the facts of history again and again, that it was in death that some people’s greatness was recognised and they would never ever know how they influenced others.
I once took a funeral of a young man who virtually gave up his life by the way he lived, suffering from acute depression and a feeling of achieving nothing. Tributes were paid in the most sincere and outstanding words by men of his profession who went to considerable effort to do so, and it was sad to realise the young man never knew how much he was valued. We see this in the life of religious figures and in the world of music and art.
The Cross was the glory of Jesus because it was the completion of the work God had sent Him to do. God had given Him authority over every man and woman on earth; He had come to show the love of God and what He was prepared to suffer for mankind. In His glory He brings glory to God, and if He had not gone to the Cross, it would have meant His work was not completed; to stop short would have suggested there was a limit to that love. Jesus showed there was nothing the love of God was not prepared to do and suffer for us.
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus could have escaped the Cross by never going near Jerusalem. The Cross was proof that men could do their worst yet He could rise above their worst, and the Cross would not be the end, for the resurrection was to follow.
In verse 6, Jesus says ‘I have revealed you to those whom you have given me’. Jesus is here thinking of particularly of the Apostles with Him in the Upper Room; those who turned and followed Him in His ministry; those ‘kept the Word’, meaning they were obedient to the faith. But this also equates to all who would one day follow Him.
Then Jesus goes on to say He was not praying for the world, but for those who God had given Him. Jesus is teaching us that we are rescued from the world. The world means all who are opposed to God’s standards and way of life; those who live without reference to God.
This means there are two types of people in the world, which the gospel makes clear over and over again, those who are loyal and obedient to God and those who are not Jesus was always quite unequivocal, that we are either for Him or against Him, there is no neutrality or sitting on the fence. Jesus is firmly black or white in how you respond to Him
It is like being on a mountain top; you can keep to the laid down path and be safe, or make your own way which will likely end in disaster. Jesus spoke of two roads, one leading to eternal life, the other to destruction, so we have to decide our course in life.
Sometimes we feel buffeted by the storms of life, the stresses and strains, the problems of work and family, and personal relationships. We ask will I be strong enough to do the work God wants me to do. Jesus is praying here for all who believe in Him, and particularly for the difficulties to be faced.
In the Bible names mean not only how we are addressed, but also refer to people’s character. When Jesus says that God will protect us by the power of His Name, He means the power associated with God’s character that He will keep us and watch over us and guard us spiritually from falling from Him. The Bible makes it clear we need to obey the Word of God
In verse 11 Jesus prays that God will leave His disciples in the world and will protect them from the evil one, because like Him, they do not act to the world’s standards. He wants His disciples to be active in the world. God will rescue us from people who in rebellion are opposed to Him, but that does not mean we should gather in holy huddles out of contact from others, who need to hear about Jesus from us.
There are of course, religious orders that lock themselves away from the outside world. They are truly dedicated men and women who sincerely believe they are serving God. The kind of Christianity however, which shuts itself off in a monastery or convent, would not have seemed to Jesus to be Christianity at all. The kind of Christianity which finds the essence of the Christian life in prayer and meditation in a life secluded from the world, would have seemed to Jesus to be a sad version of the faith He died to bring to people.
It was Jesus insistence to be in the hurly burly of life that we must live out our faith. Christianity was never meant to withdraw men and women from ordinary people. It does not release us from problems, but equips us to deal with them. It offers not always peace, but triumph.
Jesus is saying He wants His people to be in the midst of the world, mixing with non believers. Just as a lifeboat is of no use set permanently polished in a station, but is needed to go out and rescue people trapped in stormy seas, so we need to be rescuing those dear to us, trapped in the perils of life in this world. Jesus was saying His people are not meant to be little ships which
stay in harbour, although it is much safer, that is not what ships are for, they are meant to be on the high seas.
Jesus prayed for the unity of His disciples, and that they would be one as He and His Father were one. There can be no divisions between Christians. If there are, the cause of Christianity is harmed and the prayer of Jesus is rejected. Jesus never considered different denominations which would be criticising one another, or considered one denomination could claim exclusive access. Jesus prayed we would be one, and there is no prayer of Jesus which has been so hindered from being answered by Christians
Jesus warned us of the hostility we face from a hostile world which hates Christians. If you find that hard to accept, just consider the violence, even murder, of Christians in Pakistan, Nigeria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia.
On a more subtle scale, in Australia and Canada; where Bible preaching is under threat and proposals have been made to ban parts of Scripture.
You may say well this is England it can’t happen here. Consider scientists, intellectuals, to whom the Bible is a form of hate literature, arty types, who have shown their dislike and contempt for the Christian faith.
We have people like Richard Dawkins and Polly Toynbee showing quite manic attitude to Christianity. Now we have our faith under threat from politicians and public servants who want to ignore Christian festivals, ban Biblical teaching. ‘Christian Concern’, the organisation which legally represents Christians suffering from secular repression, has undertaken many cases.
The world hates biblical truth, and if you take a stand publicly for the truth of the gospel, you will not be popular and are likely to be called narrow minded at best, and a bigot at worst.
Finally Jesus prayed that His people would be made holy by the truth, set apart for a purpose, and have the character necessary for he task. If we are Christians set apart through the death of Christ we must go into the world with the Word of God.
Remember Jesus words and be encouraged, for He has told us that we are protected by the Word of God who gives us the strength to be the kind of people He longs for us to be.
Saturday 27 May 2017
Friday 19 May 2017
I appreciate it is expected that the sermon will relate to one of the readings, but I also believe that it is necessary at times to consider issues which are of vital importance to the Church’ and by that I mean the wider community of Christians.
The most pressing problem facing the Church in this country at the present time is that of falling congregations. We have reached the position where less than 2% of the population attend Church on any regular basis. In the majority of Churches the congregation is of the older age range and predominantly female. (just look around)
In consideration of this I ask you to think for a few moments as I speak to you, ‘is the Church fit for purpose?’ I mean of course the Church nationally.
We must then define what we mean by ‘purpose’ in this sense.
The Church is here to worship God; to proclaim Christ as Lord and Saviour who died on a Cross to pay the price for mankind’s sins; and to be the nation’s conscience on ethical and moral issues. Are you sure it is adequately fulfilling that role?
Is it making disciples?
Is it leading people to worship?
Is it teaching that Jesus is the ONLY way to God?
Does it teach that Christians must live their lives according to the rules God has laid down in Holy Scripture?
Whilst there has never been a time when all people went to Church, the majority did especially in the villages where the Church was a central and important part of life. Now the residents have lovely homes in nice areas, free from the anti social behaviour which plagues other places, yet see the Church as just a place as a nice background for weddings and baptisms, plus it adds to the charm of an English village scene. If we were to issue a letter to each household here telling them this Church was closing, there would be uproar (how dare they close our church)
This morning, I want to turn with you to the smallest book of the Bible, the Letter of Jude, and the 3rd verse.
‘Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints’; every word matters. To ‘contend’ means literally to fight and defend the gospel; we are in a battle.
‘Faith’ refers to what all Christian true believers hold in common. We accept the Bible as God’s holy Word, the virgin birth of Jesus, his sinless life, his death and resurrection, his ascension in heaven, and his second coming to the earth. It includes following the doctrines of salvation, the Holy Spirit, godly living, and all the teachings of the Bible.
This faith has been ‘entrusted’ to the saints, the biblical name for Christians, and we are called to guard and protect the truth, for Christianity is in danger of being fazed out by secularists here and in other Western Countries.
It was given ‘once and for all’. It was not a temporary statement of faith, and it was not meant to be added to, amended or re-interpreted. It was based on the teaching of the Apostles, who were commissioned by Jesus to proclaim.
Christians in this country are now facing increasing harassment by people who are intent on preventing us from speaking out on moral and ethical issues. Street preachers are especially targeted, but people are losing employment for entries in support of their faith posted in personal social media sites. Even the Courts turn against us, when it was ruled in a Bristol Court that quoting verses from the King James Version of the Bible was offensive and constituted a criminal offence and fined two preachers over £2,000for doing so. We have reached a stage where it is open season to attack the Church.
The Church nationally has failed to speak out to protect and support harassed Christians. The silence of the Church is an affront to God; it is expected to be the voice for the nation in moral matters; we should be protesting loudly.
When legislation was enacted which is in direct contravention of Scripture, and that legislation is protected from people criticising it or passing any adverse comment, the Church could not even make its mind up whether to oppose or support, as some Bishops actually rejoiced. It was a national disgrace.
Bishops are keen to write to the papers about political issues, food banks and climate change, but have left faithful Christians to suffer for fidelity to their Church and faith.` One bishop incredibly called for all Christians to fast one day a month for climate change; it didn’t occur to him to put the Church as in need of prayer and fasting.
What must be a concern is that which troubled Jude; he found preachers within the Church who were preaching false doctrine and advocating a gospel which fitted within their personal desires. They taught that the grace of God would forgive any sin; just act as you wish God will forgive you. Jude saw this as rejection of God’s word.
This is why it is so relevant for us today, for we have to face an identical situation. There are godless men, (and women) who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny the clear teaching of Jesus Christ. Every so often someone pops up calling for a back to basics campaign, but no one knows what the basics are.
Unfortunately as society has turned its back on Biblical teaching, so an increasing number within the Church consider we should re-interpret the Bible to meet modern ideas of morality; this suggests that God has got it wrong and He should adjust to the age.
One of the biggest problems the Church faces is apathy, it is so easy in the times we live in to opt out, saying, ‘there is no point in fighting them’, it is the way of the world. Can you imagine what would have happened if Winston Churchill had have said in 1940, ‘we must give in the Germans are too strong for us.’ We would be speaking in German. (Ich wuerde Ihnen auf Deutsche spracken)
What people fail to recognise, is that if Christianity is displaced, a spiritual vacuum is created which will surely be filled by something else, and the certainty is that it will be something quite unpleasant.
Secular humanists have set out an agenda which is well organised and aggressively pursued with the aim of changing our culture by an attack on the family, the moral climate, and to faze Christianity right out of the public arena. Inroads have been made into ethical and moral values whereby there are no absolutes and all is relative, everyone just sets up their own standards.
I accept that Ministers have the primary duty of contending for the truth. There is a reluctance by some clergy to speak out for fear of being labelled as a bigot or being discriminatory. On ordination all priests are called upon to preach the pure Word of God and to banish all false doctrine, and vow to do so.
But all be Christians must be ready to stand up and be counted. This can be done by showing an example in the way we live, doing so worthily of our Lord, lives that are distinctive, standing apart from foul talk, gossip and conduct unbecoming.
We need to be contending for the faith, especially to any non believers in our families, and challenging those who mock. Show the same commitment as Muslims do for their faith. No one pushes them around or makes any demands upon them. Have you ever heard a Muslim cleric question the Koran?
Jesus saw the world as a decaying and dark place and needing a curative effect. Jesus said the world is in darkness and needs Christians to shine in the darkness. The world in its creative state is a wonderful world, but in reality is also a place of evil and suffering.
In God’s plan the people who have been touched by the gospel have a role in influencing the world, to be as salt and light. Salt to be a cleansing influence; light to shine in dark surroundings, in which we live and work; we are the moral disinfectant. We have to stand up for Biblical ideals. We must stand firm by the Cross. If salt is mixed with impurities it loses its effect and becomes rotten like matter around it. Jesus is the light of the world and we should reflect that light in our lives.
Let us remember there are Christians being persecuted in non Christian lands with violence, arson, and yes even murder. Hundreds have been killed in the last few months in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria; whole villages ransacked, yet they valiantly fight on for their Lord and Saviour. How pathetic if we let some vociferous secularists silence us.
If we had to face giving up our faith (as many in Islamic lands are being challenged to do) or give up our mobile phones, which do you think we would choose. The reason why we wouldn’t want to lose our phones is that they have become a part of our lives in a way, sadly, that our faith has not. You don’t willingly suffer for something that has little personal value to you.
Rather than contend for the gospel we can deny our Lord by denying we are Christians to avoid being mocked, or to avoid embarrassment. How many are prepared even admit they attend Church. The country is in spiritual death throes and in need of intensive care. This is why we must contend for the faith.
How God must weep when He sees the Church singing His praise, pretending to be holy, whilst countenancing and failing to speak out on moral issues and totally ignoring His written Word.
My friends, it is the duty of the Church to teach the gospel and not to budge from it. We are not to be blown by every new spiritual wind so that we drift from our moorings. We are not to be superficial believers. Hold fast to the gospel once given by the Apostles who were taught by the Master Himself.
You and I are called to contend for the truth. Do not let anyone tell you that you do not count. You count tremendously, so glory in what God has called you to do and be faithful to His command. Our Lord’s last great commission was to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations; let us not fail Him.
The most pressing problem facing the Church in this country at the present time is that of falling congregations. We have reached the position where less than 2% of the population attend Church on any regular basis. In the majority of Churches the congregation is of the older age range and predominantly female. (just look around)
In consideration of this I ask you to think for a few moments as I speak to you, ‘is the Church fit for purpose?’ I mean of course the Church nationally.
We must then define what we mean by ‘purpose’ in this sense.
The Church is here to worship God; to proclaim Christ as Lord and Saviour who died on a Cross to pay the price for mankind’s sins; and to be the nation’s conscience on ethical and moral issues. Are you sure it is adequately fulfilling that role?
Is it making disciples?
Is it leading people to worship?
Is it teaching that Jesus is the ONLY way to God?
Does it teach that Christians must live their lives according to the rules God has laid down in Holy Scripture?
Whilst there has never been a time when all people went to Church, the majority did especially in the villages where the Church was a central and important part of life. Now the residents have lovely homes in nice areas, free from the anti social behaviour which plagues other places, yet see the Church as just a place as a nice background for weddings and baptisms, plus it adds to the charm of an English village scene. If we were to issue a letter to each household here telling them this Church was closing, there would be uproar (how dare they close our church)
This morning, I want to turn with you to the smallest book of the Bible, the Letter of Jude, and the 3rd verse.
‘Contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints’; every word matters. To ‘contend’ means literally to fight and defend the gospel; we are in a battle.
‘Faith’ refers to what all Christian true believers hold in common. We accept the Bible as God’s holy Word, the virgin birth of Jesus, his sinless life, his death and resurrection, his ascension in heaven, and his second coming to the earth. It includes following the doctrines of salvation, the Holy Spirit, godly living, and all the teachings of the Bible.
This faith has been ‘entrusted’ to the saints, the biblical name for Christians, and we are called to guard and protect the truth, for Christianity is in danger of being fazed out by secularists here and in other Western Countries.
It was given ‘once and for all’. It was not a temporary statement of faith, and it was not meant to be added to, amended or re-interpreted. It was based on the teaching of the Apostles, who were commissioned by Jesus to proclaim.
Christians in this country are now facing increasing harassment by people who are intent on preventing us from speaking out on moral and ethical issues. Street preachers are especially targeted, but people are losing employment for entries in support of their faith posted in personal social media sites. Even the Courts turn against us, when it was ruled in a Bristol Court that quoting verses from the King James Version of the Bible was offensive and constituted a criminal offence and fined two preachers over £2,000for doing so. We have reached a stage where it is open season to attack the Church.
The Church nationally has failed to speak out to protect and support harassed Christians. The silence of the Church is an affront to God; it is expected to be the voice for the nation in moral matters; we should be protesting loudly.
When legislation was enacted which is in direct contravention of Scripture, and that legislation is protected from people criticising it or passing any adverse comment, the Church could not even make its mind up whether to oppose or support, as some Bishops actually rejoiced. It was a national disgrace.
Bishops are keen to write to the papers about political issues, food banks and climate change, but have left faithful Christians to suffer for fidelity to their Church and faith.` One bishop incredibly called for all Christians to fast one day a month for climate change; it didn’t occur to him to put the Church as in need of prayer and fasting.
What must be a concern is that which troubled Jude; he found preachers within the Church who were preaching false doctrine and advocating a gospel which fitted within their personal desires. They taught that the grace of God would forgive any sin; just act as you wish God will forgive you. Jude saw this as rejection of God’s word.
This is why it is so relevant for us today, for we have to face an identical situation. There are godless men, (and women) who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny the clear teaching of Jesus Christ. Every so often someone pops up calling for a back to basics campaign, but no one knows what the basics are.
Unfortunately as society has turned its back on Biblical teaching, so an increasing number within the Church consider we should re-interpret the Bible to meet modern ideas of morality; this suggests that God has got it wrong and He should adjust to the age.
One of the biggest problems the Church faces is apathy, it is so easy in the times we live in to opt out, saying, ‘there is no point in fighting them’, it is the way of the world. Can you imagine what would have happened if Winston Churchill had have said in 1940, ‘we must give in the Germans are too strong for us.’ We would be speaking in German. (Ich wuerde Ihnen auf Deutsche spracken)
What people fail to recognise, is that if Christianity is displaced, a spiritual vacuum is created which will surely be filled by something else, and the certainty is that it will be something quite unpleasant.
Secular humanists have set out an agenda which is well organised and aggressively pursued with the aim of changing our culture by an attack on the family, the moral climate, and to faze Christianity right out of the public arena. Inroads have been made into ethical and moral values whereby there are no absolutes and all is relative, everyone just sets up their own standards.
I accept that Ministers have the primary duty of contending for the truth. There is a reluctance by some clergy to speak out for fear of being labelled as a bigot or being discriminatory. On ordination all priests are called upon to preach the pure Word of God and to banish all false doctrine, and vow to do so.
But all be Christians must be ready to stand up and be counted. This can be done by showing an example in the way we live, doing so worthily of our Lord, lives that are distinctive, standing apart from foul talk, gossip and conduct unbecoming.
We need to be contending for the faith, especially to any non believers in our families, and challenging those who mock. Show the same commitment as Muslims do for their faith. No one pushes them around or makes any demands upon them. Have you ever heard a Muslim cleric question the Koran?
Jesus saw the world as a decaying and dark place and needing a curative effect. Jesus said the world is in darkness and needs Christians to shine in the darkness. The world in its creative state is a wonderful world, but in reality is also a place of evil and suffering.
In God’s plan the people who have been touched by the gospel have a role in influencing the world, to be as salt and light. Salt to be a cleansing influence; light to shine in dark surroundings, in which we live and work; we are the moral disinfectant. We have to stand up for Biblical ideals. We must stand firm by the Cross. If salt is mixed with impurities it loses its effect and becomes rotten like matter around it. Jesus is the light of the world and we should reflect that light in our lives.
Let us remember there are Christians being persecuted in non Christian lands with violence, arson, and yes even murder. Hundreds have been killed in the last few months in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria; whole villages ransacked, yet they valiantly fight on for their Lord and Saviour. How pathetic if we let some vociferous secularists silence us.
If we had to face giving up our faith (as many in Islamic lands are being challenged to do) or give up our mobile phones, which do you think we would choose. The reason why we wouldn’t want to lose our phones is that they have become a part of our lives in a way, sadly, that our faith has not. You don’t willingly suffer for something that has little personal value to you.
Rather than contend for the gospel we can deny our Lord by denying we are Christians to avoid being mocked, or to avoid embarrassment. How many are prepared even admit they attend Church. The country is in spiritual death throes and in need of intensive care. This is why we must contend for the faith.
How God must weep when He sees the Church singing His praise, pretending to be holy, whilst countenancing and failing to speak out on moral issues and totally ignoring His written Word.
My friends, it is the duty of the Church to teach the gospel and not to budge from it. We are not to be blown by every new spiritual wind so that we drift from our moorings. We are not to be superficial believers. Hold fast to the gospel once given by the Apostles who were taught by the Master Himself.
You and I are called to contend for the truth. Do not let anyone tell you that you do not count. You count tremendously, so glory in what God has called you to do and be faithful to His command. Our Lord’s last great commission was to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations; let us not fail Him.
Saturday 13 May 2017
John 14 v1/6
Jesus was speaking to His disciples shortly before going to the Cross, teaching and giving guidance, and that same teaching is passed down for the benefit of all Christians throughout the ages.
Jesus is here telling His Apostles He was going to leave them for He was going on a journey He had to take alone. The Apostles were devastated at the thought. So Jesus tried to comfort them and tells them. ‘do not let your hearts be troubled’. The heart is the seat of all our emotions and when that is upset it affects thoughts and actions and causes personal disturbance. Jesus wanted to reassure them He was not forsaking them. He told them they were to believe in Him as well as God. He was putting Himself alongside God and wanted them to trust Him
He said there were many rooms in His Father’s house, meaning there was room for all in heaven, and He was going to prepare a place for them. This meant there was the prospect of living for ever with Him in heaven being given to the Apostles, and by extension to those who are prepared to give their life to Jesus, who have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. through faith, and who one day will see Him face to face.
This passage is widely quoted in funeral services when people assume that everyone is automatically going to heaven. I have taken thousands of funerals over the years and there has never been doubt in anyone’s mind that the deceased is going to heaven irrespective of the life led. Nowhere in the Bible is this view upheld.
There is a grossly mistaken notion that as long as one is honest and a nice person one is assured of heaven. That is not what the Bible teaches. Many people who are atheists are honest and
nice people. There has to be a personal commitment to Jesus.
Jesus was very clear in His teaching that it certainly was not so. In parable after parable He spoke of two roads, of sheep and goats, of tares and wheat, of heaven and hell. The Church has not always given sound teaching on this and some misguidedly preach that Jesus was giving a blank promise for everyone when He is clearly addressing His followers, and if we do not follow Him our end will not be in the rooms of His Father’s house. The sad thing is that Church funeral liturgy perpetuates such belief, and is so therefore totally misguiding,
If we say to someone who has no Church commitment, has only a tenuous belief in Jesus Christ, never reads a Bible or prays, that they are going to heaven, then we are leading them astray.
It is like telling a blind person standing on the footwalk of a major road it is safe for him to cross when ready. Others say if you just follow your conscience you’ll be fine, but consciences become dulled and hardened. Taking the lead from politicians, people can look you in the eye and lie without any qualm of conscience.
In this passage before us He is talking to His followers, people who have made a personal commitment to accept Him as Saviour. This is why it is so important for each person to make his/her own decision whether to follow Jesus in His teaching, commands and demands He makes on us.
The Bible is all about commitment. We are reminded that less than 2% of people think God worthy of one hour per week to visit a Church. Yet if you were to ask people their religion, the vast majority would reply C of E and seriously consider they were Christians. They would be mortally offended if you suggested otherwise. Very few people seem bothered to think of Jesus, even less to do anything about it.
When Jesus said they knew the place where He was going, Thomas asked Him how they could know when they didn’t know the way. This brought forth from Jesus that profound immortal statement, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to he Father except through me.’
Jesus spent His entire ministry telling that we are separated from God through sin and only He could obtain forgiveness for us, so we have to make a choice whether to follow Him or face the consequences. Jesus is quite unequivocal. This is not generally liked as it is seen as being too restrictive, too bigoted and intolerant, and to be judgmental is not liked.
What exactly does Jesus mean when he says, ‘we can only come to the Father through Him alone’. Often we go on a journey to a strange place and without any idea how to get there. We have two alternatives, either to let a satnav guide us, or hope to find someone where we are going to take us, or we would never get to where we hope to go; that is what Jesus does for us. He says you can’t get to heaven on your own, but I will direct you, guide you, and take you myself. He is saying there is no other way. This is an exclusive offer.
The common belief these days is that all religions lead to God which Christians cannot accept. No other faith had a man who died on a Cross to grant universal forgiveness, no other faith had a man who rose from the dead. Our faith is not something someone has made up, it is God given.
Jesus said He was the truth. If a person is to teach moral truth that person must have an impeccable reputation and have no hidden misdoings. Only Jesus can claim moral perfection, which is why He can say ‘I am the truth’.
Jesus said ‘I am the life’, meaning the opposite of death. He is the source of life and gives life to His own. Just as death mean separation from God, so life means being in communion with Jesus.
Jesus claims exclusive way to God and since we are totally dependent upon Him for the understanding of truth and for eternal life, it naturally follows that no one can come to the Father other than by and through Him.
I cannot understand how we can share in multi-faith worship and maintain Biblical integrity. Whilst I believe we should respect other faiths and try to live amicably with them; but in view of the unique teaching of our Lord (here set out in verse 6 that He alone is the way to God) we cannot justify sharing in multi faith services when our beliefs are so different, and it is matter of recognising the unique authority of Jesus. Jesus warns us that there must be a clear acceptance of His teaching and total obedience to it
One of the biggest problems the Church faces is apathy, it is so easy in the times we live in to opt out, saying, ‘there is no point in fighting them’, it is the way of the world. Can you imagine what would have happened if Winston Churchill had have said in 1940, ‘we must give in the Germans are too strong for us.’
The silence of the Church is an affront to God; it is expected to be the voice for the nation in moral matters. Every so often someone pops up calling for a back to basics campaign, but no one knows what the basics are.
I find it hard to understand the ethics of holding meetings for LGBT people on Methodist premises whilst at the same time prohibiting alcohol to be used or kept. I have no personal interest as I am neither gay nor a drinker.
Jesus saw the world as a decaying and dark place and needing a curative effect. Jesus said the world is in darkness and needs Christians to shine in the darkness. The world in its creative state is a wonderful world, but in reality is also a place of evil and suffering.
In God’s plan the people who have been touched by the gospel have a role in influencing the world, to be as salt and light. Salt to be a cleansing influence; and light, to shine in dark surroundings, in which we live and work; we are the moral disinfectant.. We must stand firm by the Cross. If salt is mixed with impurities it loses its effect and becomes rotten like matter around it. Jesus is the light of the world and we should reflect that light in our lives. We have to stand up for Biblical ideals
Let us remember there are Christians being persecuted in non Christian lands with violence, arson, and yes even murder. Hundreds have been killed in the last few months in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria; whole villages ransacked, yet they valiantly fight on for their Lord and Saviour. How pathetic if we let some vociferous secularists silence us.
Rather than contend for the gospel we can deny our Lord by denying we are Christians to avoid being mocked, or to avoid embarrassment. How many are prepared even admit they attend Church. The country is in spiritual death throes and in need of intensive care. This is why we must contend for the faith. How God must weep when He sees the Church singing His praise, pretending to be holy, whilst countenancing and failing to speak out on moral issues and totally ignoring His written Word.
We need to be contending for the faith, especially to any non believers in our families, and challenging those who mock. .
You and I are called to contend for the truth. Do not let anyone tell you that you do not count. You count tremendously, so glory in what God has called you to do and be faithful to His command. Our Lord’s last great commission was to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations; let us not fail Him.
Let this be the faith we adopt and believe and not that now being re-interpreted to suit modern culture.
May God bless His Word to us and enable us to give our service to Him.
Be at Church each Sunday
Jesus was speaking to His disciples shortly before going to the Cross, teaching and giving guidance, and that same teaching is passed down for the benefit of all Christians throughout the ages.
Jesus is here telling His Apostles He was going to leave them for He was going on a journey He had to take alone. The Apostles were devastated at the thought. So Jesus tried to comfort them and tells them. ‘do not let your hearts be troubled’. The heart is the seat of all our emotions and when that is upset it affects thoughts and actions and causes personal disturbance. Jesus wanted to reassure them He was not forsaking them. He told them they were to believe in Him as well as God. He was putting Himself alongside God and wanted them to trust Him
He said there were many rooms in His Father’s house, meaning there was room for all in heaven, and He was going to prepare a place for them. This meant there was the prospect of living for ever with Him in heaven being given to the Apostles, and by extension to those who are prepared to give their life to Jesus, who have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. through faith, and who one day will see Him face to face.
This passage is widely quoted in funeral services when people assume that everyone is automatically going to heaven. I have taken thousands of funerals over the years and there has never been doubt in anyone’s mind that the deceased is going to heaven irrespective of the life led. Nowhere in the Bible is this view upheld.
There is a grossly mistaken notion that as long as one is honest and a nice person one is assured of heaven. That is not what the Bible teaches. Many people who are atheists are honest and
nice people. There has to be a personal commitment to Jesus.
Jesus was very clear in His teaching that it certainly was not so. In parable after parable He spoke of two roads, of sheep and goats, of tares and wheat, of heaven and hell. The Church has not always given sound teaching on this and some misguidedly preach that Jesus was giving a blank promise for everyone when He is clearly addressing His followers, and if we do not follow Him our end will not be in the rooms of His Father’s house. The sad thing is that Church funeral liturgy perpetuates such belief, and is so therefore totally misguiding,
If we say to someone who has no Church commitment, has only a tenuous belief in Jesus Christ, never reads a Bible or prays, that they are going to heaven, then we are leading them astray.
It is like telling a blind person standing on the footwalk of a major road it is safe for him to cross when ready. Others say if you just follow your conscience you’ll be fine, but consciences become dulled and hardened. Taking the lead from politicians, people can look you in the eye and lie without any qualm of conscience.
In this passage before us He is talking to His followers, people who have made a personal commitment to accept Him as Saviour. This is why it is so important for each person to make his/her own decision whether to follow Jesus in His teaching, commands and demands He makes on us.
The Bible is all about commitment. We are reminded that less than 2% of people think God worthy of one hour per week to visit a Church. Yet if you were to ask people their religion, the vast majority would reply C of E and seriously consider they were Christians. They would be mortally offended if you suggested otherwise. Very few people seem bothered to think of Jesus, even less to do anything about it.
When Jesus said they knew the place where He was going, Thomas asked Him how they could know when they didn’t know the way. This brought forth from Jesus that profound immortal statement, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to he Father except through me.’
Jesus spent His entire ministry telling that we are separated from God through sin and only He could obtain forgiveness for us, so we have to make a choice whether to follow Him or face the consequences. Jesus is quite unequivocal. This is not generally liked as it is seen as being too restrictive, too bigoted and intolerant, and to be judgmental is not liked.
What exactly does Jesus mean when he says, ‘we can only come to the Father through Him alone’. Often we go on a journey to a strange place and without any idea how to get there. We have two alternatives, either to let a satnav guide us, or hope to find someone where we are going to take us, or we would never get to where we hope to go; that is what Jesus does for us. He says you can’t get to heaven on your own, but I will direct you, guide you, and take you myself. He is saying there is no other way. This is an exclusive offer.
The common belief these days is that all religions lead to God which Christians cannot accept. No other faith had a man who died on a Cross to grant universal forgiveness, no other faith had a man who rose from the dead. Our faith is not something someone has made up, it is God given.
Jesus said He was the truth. If a person is to teach moral truth that person must have an impeccable reputation and have no hidden misdoings. Only Jesus can claim moral perfection, which is why He can say ‘I am the truth’.
Jesus said ‘I am the life’, meaning the opposite of death. He is the source of life and gives life to His own. Just as death mean separation from God, so life means being in communion with Jesus.
Jesus claims exclusive way to God and since we are totally dependent upon Him for the understanding of truth and for eternal life, it naturally follows that no one can come to the Father other than by and through Him.
I cannot understand how we can share in multi-faith worship and maintain Biblical integrity. Whilst I believe we should respect other faiths and try to live amicably with them; but in view of the unique teaching of our Lord (here set out in verse 6 that He alone is the way to God) we cannot justify sharing in multi faith services when our beliefs are so different, and it is matter of recognising the unique authority of Jesus. Jesus warns us that there must be a clear acceptance of His teaching and total obedience to it
One of the biggest problems the Church faces is apathy, it is so easy in the times we live in to opt out, saying, ‘there is no point in fighting them’, it is the way of the world. Can you imagine what would have happened if Winston Churchill had have said in 1940, ‘we must give in the Germans are too strong for us.’
The silence of the Church is an affront to God; it is expected to be the voice for the nation in moral matters. Every so often someone pops up calling for a back to basics campaign, but no one knows what the basics are.
I find it hard to understand the ethics of holding meetings for LGBT people on Methodist premises whilst at the same time prohibiting alcohol to be used or kept. I have no personal interest as I am neither gay nor a drinker.
Jesus saw the world as a decaying and dark place and needing a curative effect. Jesus said the world is in darkness and needs Christians to shine in the darkness. The world in its creative state is a wonderful world, but in reality is also a place of evil and suffering.
In God’s plan the people who have been touched by the gospel have a role in influencing the world, to be as salt and light. Salt to be a cleansing influence; and light, to shine in dark surroundings, in which we live and work; we are the moral disinfectant.. We must stand firm by the Cross. If salt is mixed with impurities it loses its effect and becomes rotten like matter around it. Jesus is the light of the world and we should reflect that light in our lives. We have to stand up for Biblical ideals
Let us remember there are Christians being persecuted in non Christian lands with violence, arson, and yes even murder. Hundreds have been killed in the last few months in Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia and Nigeria; whole villages ransacked, yet they valiantly fight on for their Lord and Saviour. How pathetic if we let some vociferous secularists silence us.
Rather than contend for the gospel we can deny our Lord by denying we are Christians to avoid being mocked, or to avoid embarrassment. How many are prepared even admit they attend Church. The country is in spiritual death throes and in need of intensive care. This is why we must contend for the faith. How God must weep when He sees the Church singing His praise, pretending to be holy, whilst countenancing and failing to speak out on moral issues and totally ignoring His written Word.
We need to be contending for the faith, especially to any non believers in our families, and challenging those who mock. .
You and I are called to contend for the truth. Do not let anyone tell you that you do not count. You count tremendously, so glory in what God has called you to do and be faithful to His command. Our Lord’s last great commission was to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations; let us not fail Him.
Let this be the faith we adopt and believe and not that now being re-interpreted to suit modern culture.
May God bless His Word to us and enable us to give our service to Him.
Be at Church each Sunday
Saturday 6 May 2017
John 10 v 1/10
There is no more loved image than the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd; this is woven into the imagery of the Bible.
In the Old Testament the leaders of the people were called shepherd and God was seen as the great Shepherd. In the New Testament Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, for He sees the people like sheep without any other shepherd.
We accept sheep as providing food and clothing, but in Palestine they were seen as not only providing wool, but also seen as rather like pets, and were kept alive, and some shepherds gave them names. In the evening the various shepherds would lead their flocks to a central pen which would be watched over by a gatekeeper, who would lock the door, and the next day the sheep would be collected.
Some sheep were left roaming and they would be gathered into an open field surrounded by walls where the sheep could go in and pass out, and someone hired would lie across the opening so the sheep would have to pass him.
Jesus said ‘I am the door’, meaning He would look after His sheep, and Jesus was indicating He was the only way to God, and later in the gospel would again say,’no one comes to the Father except through me’. I know this is totally unacceptable to an increasing number of people these days, but this is what the Bible states, so we should be prepared to accept Jesus’ words. The whole purpose of His life was to lead people to God, and made that possible by giving His life to do so. The only way into any enclosure is through a door, and Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Jesus also claimed to be the Good Shepherd, and as a good shepherd knew his sheep by name, Jesus knows us by name. Every time Jesus called someone in the Bible he did so by naming them. He was constantly teaching in His lifetime and we would do well to listen and act upon His words. All who have accepted Jesus as their Lord will have Him in their life to be a guard and a helper who will care for them
Of course there are now so many people who feel they can control their own destiny, fully able to stand on their own two feet, but they will take insurance out to provide cover for life after death. They will wait years for these policies to mature, but Jesus is offering maturity for eternity with immediate effect.
We all need security for peace of mind. I have met people whose homes were burgled and were not covered because they just didn’t get round to getting insurance. Despite the massaging of figures by the police and government, crime is still rampant. If someone breaks in to your house and ties you up it is more likely the burglar will be stronger and more ruthless than you. In theory you will send for the police, and again in theory they will come and assist you. (In practice these days it is more likely they will find some excuse not to attend) When you accept Christ you have the assurance of His help.
Jesus said, ‘follow me and you will find pasture and contentment whatever the circumstances. We can trust His word.
There is no more loved image than the picture of Jesus as the Good Shepherd; this is woven into the imagery of the Bible.
In the Old Testament the leaders of the people were called shepherd and God was seen as the great Shepherd. In the New Testament Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd, for He sees the people like sheep without any other shepherd.
We accept sheep as providing food and clothing, but in Palestine they were seen as not only providing wool, but also seen as rather like pets, and were kept alive, and some shepherds gave them names. In the evening the various shepherds would lead their flocks to a central pen which would be watched over by a gatekeeper, who would lock the door, and the next day the sheep would be collected.
Some sheep were left roaming and they would be gathered into an open field surrounded by walls where the sheep could go in and pass out, and someone hired would lie across the opening so the sheep would have to pass him.
Jesus said ‘I am the door’, meaning He would look after His sheep, and Jesus was indicating He was the only way to God, and later in the gospel would again say,’no one comes to the Father except through me’. I know this is totally unacceptable to an increasing number of people these days, but this is what the Bible states, so we should be prepared to accept Jesus’ words. The whole purpose of His life was to lead people to God, and made that possible by giving His life to do so. The only way into any enclosure is through a door, and Jesus is the only way to heaven.
Jesus also claimed to be the Good Shepherd, and as a good shepherd knew his sheep by name, Jesus knows us by name. Every time Jesus called someone in the Bible he did so by naming them. He was constantly teaching in His lifetime and we would do well to listen and act upon His words. All who have accepted Jesus as their Lord will have Him in their life to be a guard and a helper who will care for them
Of course there are now so many people who feel they can control their own destiny, fully able to stand on their own two feet, but they will take insurance out to provide cover for life after death. They will wait years for these policies to mature, but Jesus is offering maturity for eternity with immediate effect.
We all need security for peace of mind. I have met people whose homes were burgled and were not covered because they just didn’t get round to getting insurance. Despite the massaging of figures by the police and government, crime is still rampant. If someone breaks in to your house and ties you up it is more likely the burglar will be stronger and more ruthless than you. In theory you will send for the police, and again in theory they will come and assist you. (In practice these days it is more likely they will find some excuse not to attend) When you accept Christ you have the assurance of His help.
Jesus said, ‘follow me and you will find pasture and contentment whatever the circumstances. We can trust His word.
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