Archive for March, 2009

Kandiah: Luke 10

by Hugh on March 31, 2009 in Faith with 1 Comment

Krish Kandiah is a fellow blogger (see blogroll) and works for the Evangelical Alliance – I think. So he’s gonna speak on the parable of the Good Samaritan…

Where do you draw the line? Arts vs Sciences. Whites vs Blacks. Who’s in and who’s out? How do we decide who we care about?
‘Jesus: the end of the line’
Saviour vs Lord, Grace vs Obedience?

Krish tells a joke – Dont worry if you don’t know what eschatology is, it’s not the end of the world.

This parable isn’t about works, so v.25 the people are asking the wrong question – what must I do?

Who is my neighbour? The man tries to justify himself – but the real question is ‘who was a neighbour?’ in the parable. He’s a bit like the rich ruler who tries to justify himself against the law – but the standard is higher, to love God with all our heart. Being justified by doing good works is impossible, this isn’t about being saved by works! The parable draws us to our need for a saviour.

But, once you’ve been saved, what is the fruit that God is looking for in your life? The priest walks by, the Levite walks by, but it’s always the 3rd guy who matters, the Samaritan. Why does the Samaritan help? Not because he’s trying to merit favour with God, but because he’s a compassionate person!

2 Dangers of dividing Jesus as saviour and Lord
- preach half a gospel
- do half a mission

The gospel is personal but never private. Our relationship with God is shown in the way we relate to others. It’s not just about believing – belief should translate into action. You cannot be saved by good works – but if we don’t, is the love of God really in us?

What is God saying to you?
- you can’t earn eternal life
- you can’t pass by on the other side

Doctrine Matters NWA

by Hugh on March 31, 2009 in Faith with No comments

One of the great features about conferences is the seminars and NWA is no exception. I’m currently sitting in a marquee waiting for a seminar on Justification.

This year i’ll be following the two ‘Doctrine Matters’ seminar streams – sadly this means I’ll miss Vaughan Roberts on 1 Corinthians 1-7. The first session is by Mike Reeves, the UCCF theology guru, he’s looking at Martin Luther and the whole topic of Justification.

The next session will be all about engaging with culture – Dan Strange, a lecturer at Oak Hill college will be speaking. I’ll do some summary posts at the end of the series about these topics. Alright, cue Mike Reeves…

Cunningham: Luke 8

by Hugh on March 31, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Well I’ve discovered some limitations with the iPhone, I made it crash! Tonight Richard Cunningham, chairman of UCCF preached and was interviewed. He spoke about his vision for the future of NWA as a single-week, all age event that equips Christians for real life and unites Christians of different traditions.

RC spoke from Luke 8 on the parable of the sower. Jesus drew a crowd and spoke the parable – he divided people, some were hard some received the word. The disciples ask the key question in v.9 – what does this mean? That’s how we should come to God’s word, ask questions of it and listen, not to come with our own thoughts and feelings.

3 Marks of the Kingdom
Sowing, Growing, Harvet
The seed, God’s word is planted in the hearts of men. It grows, to maturity and to new believers – so keep going! The seed is planted, grows and produces fruit for a harvest.

Have ears to listens. Don’t harden yourself – cf. Hebrews.

Like I said the app crashed so I lost my notes!

New Word Alive 2009

by Hugh on March 30, 2009 in Faith with No comments

Well I’m here in Pwllheli after a long drive from Brighton, currently sitting in the main tent waiting for the evening celebration to begin. Stuart Townend is helping us with a new song and Richard Cunningham is going to speak later. The evenings are going to be looking at bits in Luke.

Hugh Palmer just got up to welcome us to NWA09. I’m going to be live blogging from the iPhone this week, let’s see how that goes, more to report soon…

Serve/Win, Run/Win

by Hugh on March 23, 2009 in Faith, Talks with No comments

Last night I had the privilege to preach my first ‘proper’ sermon… when I say ‘proper’ I mean at a main church service – the 8am communions with a congregation of 10 is a little bit different. I got to speak on 1 Corinthians 9, but choose to just look at verses 19-27. I put a shirt on for the occasion, but kept my un-ironed jeans and dirty trainers on… it’s all about becoming all things to all men… to the people who wear scruffy jeans I became like one who wears scruffy jeans!

I titled the sermon ‘Freed to Serve’… but have since changed it to ‘Serve/Win, Run/Win’… because I can.

You can listen to the audio here…

…and my preaching notes – maybe Josh Harris could add it to his preachers notes series… maybe not

Two points:

Serve to Win
Run to Win

Q: How do we live as Christians in Brighton & Hove?

A: We run, and we do everything we can to win others on the way!

Valley of Vision

by Hugh on March 23, 2009 in Arts, Books, Faith with No comments

Devil's Dyke I’ve just borrowed a little book of Mrs. Payne called Valley of Vision. It’s a collection of Puritan prayers – it’s mustard. Like a little devotion book – I’ve been using it this week to help me pray, in particularly in preparation to preach. The picture is my local valley, up at Devil’s Dyke – ironic to be preparing to preach and praying on a hill named after the enemy.

I’ve been meaning to get hold of the Sovereign Grace CD of this, some of the prayers put to music – Valley of Vision CD. You can get the book here.

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,
Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Mark 1: 9-20

by Hugh on March 5, 2009 in Faith, Talks with No comments

Mark 1:9-20

THEME:Jesus, God’s True King has come

AIM:Follow Jesus, God’s True King

1. Jesus: The True Son (v.9-11)

God confirms that Jesus is His Son.

Ps. 2:7- God’s Son is the King

Why is he baptised?

Heaven being torn open?

2. Jesus: The True Israel (v.12-13)

Jesus is tempted for 40 days in the wilderness – led there by the Spirit.

Parallels to Israel’s 40 years in the desert – Jesus was tested but didn’t sin!!

He’s the King – angels attend him!

3. Jesus: The True King (v.16-20)

Time is now-God’s King is here, he’s bringing his Kingdom

RESPONSE-Repent and Believe the gospel

Follow me-He has authority, He is the leader

RESPONSE- Immediately they left and followed (Jesus, God’s King)

Matthew 18: 1-9

by Hugh on March 2, 2009 in Faith, Talks with No comments

PRAY

READ – Matthew 18:1 – 9

Have you ever asked a friend to describe somewhere to you?

Perhaps where they’ve just been on holiday?

You’ve never been, so you want to know what it’s like…

For me it’s SYDNEY. I’ve never been, but knowing Ross was a great chance to find out! To ask someone who knows all about it!

This morning we meet the disciples asking Jesus about the Kingdom of Heaven they want to know what it’s like, and specifically “Who is the Greatest?”

Now I don’t think this question is coming from quite the same place as the request of James and John to sit at the right and left of Christ in the Kingdom, as recorded in Matthew 20, and Mark 10. I think it’s a genuine question, after all, this conversation comes just after the transfiguration where the disciples see Jesus having a chat with Elijah and Moses. So they know those are the Top 3 in the kingdom maybe they think they’ll sneak in in 4^th place perhaps.

Ok… so maybe the disciples weren’t vying for place in the Kingdom just yet, but Jesus nonetheless exposes their wrong thinking about what the Kingdom is like he goes on to give them some pointers as to what life in God’s Kingdom is like, more precisely, what the members God’s Kingdom are like…

1^stBecome like Children

v.3You can’t even get into the Kingdom unless you change and become like children

There’s two things they’re called to do-1) Change2) Become childlike

Change-that’s a heart change, a repentance of the ideas of what greatness is, and a change that they’d stop striving for what they think greatness in the Kingdom is and to start to follow Jesus way!

Become childlike-What status, what greatness does a child have in Jewish society? None whatsoever! This is a big rebuke for the disciples if you even want to be in the Kingdom, you’ve gotta become like this child, you’ve gotta become nothing!

v.4Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom

Humility is the mark of greatness. It’s the humble nature of the child that promotes him to Kingdom Greatness. God’s view of greatness brings down our own prideful views of what greatness is He mocks our arrogance with a child.

Jesus defines what Kingdom Greatness is, and he models it in his own life too

“I have not come to be served but to serve”

“Though He was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor”

“He made himself nothing, He humbled himself and became obedient to death”

2^nd Welcome God’s Children

v.5Whoever welcomes a child like this in my name welcomes me

The Kingdom is a place where children are welcomed.

What will motivate you to welcome children into the Kingdom

1) You welcome God the Father Father and child are - connected

Many of you are parents… how did you feel when your children were offended, or warmly welcomed by others??

2) A Humble view of yourself! If you are like a child you will - welcome others

How do you view yourself? How do you view others?

Do you welcome others, children, people who are nothing?

3^rdProtect God’s Children

v.6Don’t cause the children to sin

First. Jesus gives us all a warning. The positive message is that we should welcome children in his name, but a warning follows straight away. If you cause a little one who believes in Jesus to sin (or to stumble) you’d be better off dead! So serious is this deed of causing young Christians to sin, that it’s better to receive the capital punishment of the ancient world than what than to face God in judgement!

v.8-9Don’t let yourself be caused to sin

Jesus concludes with a personal warning to us all, a warning to guard ourselves. He uses some pretty extreme advice although it’s metaphorical. You see Jesus doesn’t want us to maim ourselves in an effort to sin less, but he does want us to be ruthless and practical in resisting temptation to sin.

The problem is that changing these practical things doesn’t get you into the kingdom, gouging out your eyes doesn’t save you it just makes you a condemned sinner with no eyes. It’s only a spiritual change that will ultimately save you.

The Test of Childlikeness-what are the members of God’s Kingdom like?

Do we recognise that in the eyes of God we have no status, we’re like children?

Do we recognise that we stumble into sin and cause others to as well?

Do we recognise that it is just and fair that we should be thrown into the fire of hell?

You see, Jesus isn’t asking you to be more modest, to be more apologetic towards God, he’s not saying try harder to avoid sinning. He’s saying you need a new heart! You need to humble yourself before God, because you have no status, you’re a sinner who deserves the fire of hell. Humbling yourself allows you to see what you’re really like, the mess that you’re in, and your desperate need for a saviour…

…and it shows you how great God is, so great that God himself would stoop down to our level, he’d make himself nothing to save us from the mess we’re in, to give us a new heart, to give us life, to make us people of His Kingdom.