John 20:1-3, 10-18
So from an ex-drugdealer to an MP who loves Jesus – he’s gonna read the passage.

The connection between the death and resurrection of Jesus is faith. The cross wasn’t enough to bring people to faith, because the people don’t get this act of love, but the resurrection triggered saving faith.

1. Faith rests in truth
Jesus said he would rise from death (that’s why they put guards on the tomb), but the disciples didn’t get it, it was the 3rd day! This defeats the chronological snobbery of modernists – these people didn’t believe in resurrections either! But they did believe, he convinced them by showing himself – at least 11 times, to over 500 people. The first witnesses are women! The evidence is powerful to break through any worldview. Christianity is true for everyone, and therefore fulfilling and relevant.

2. Faith comes by grace
Mary thinks she is utterly alone, but angels are in front of her, and Jesus behind her – if the resurrection happened then the Lord is close, even if it doesn’t feel like it. Who does Jesus choose? Mary is the first messenger – a woman with a dark past – it has to be about grace!

3. Faith works through love
Let the resurrection convince your mind and your heart. Do not hold onto me – Christ will ascend but he will dwell intimately with his people.

Started with a quick lookalike game if famous bald people who look like TK. Tim was interviewed and shared some stuff about Redeemer; how they started by simply preaching about who Jesus is, and aimed to be a church where Christians were edified and non-Christians could learn too. He spoke about the church growth post 9/11 and the significance of churches in cities and the importance of people comitting to being community in the city. He spoke too of his personal suffering and how that has changed and shaped him – suffering enables you to preach to change and to be a good witness.

Then we got to hear from an ex-drug dealer who loves Jesus – awesome! John 19:23-37, I spoke on this at Global Cafe last night… I think TK might do a better job!

1. How he died – in accordance with the Scriptures
Easy to over look, but John makes a point of reminding us. v.28 Jesus does what he does to fulfill the Scriptures. Jesus throughout his life relies on God’s word and does what he does so that it may be fulfilled. When you’re under stress the real, instinctive you comes out – his instinct is to go to the Scriptures for strength and direction. Bathe yourself in the word of God.

2. Why he died – to be our substitute
v.29 Why a hyssop? It’s how they spread the Passover blood. v.36 Not a bone broken – like a perfect lamb.
In the wilderness the Rock is struck and water comes out – like Jesus.
Jesus is the ransom – it is finished. The common theme is substitution!
All love is a substitutionary sacrifice – if you don’t have atonement you don’t have love. You can’t love hurting people without you giving them strength and you hurting yourself. What about the Fugitive? If you take them in you loose your safety and security. All love is substitutionary sacrifice. Refers to a sermon, Christ’s agony – Jonathan Edwards, the garden is where you see Christ’s love – this is the point he could have walked away, it’s them or you.

3. What he offers – the Water of Life
Thirst is a metaphor for agonizing spiritual emptiness. Everyone craves something at the centre of their soul, but anything other than God will leave you spiritually dry. Dying of dehydration is a little picture of hell, and Jesus takes that spiritual thirst on the cross (v.28). You know and experience this water, it changes you, it becomes the centre of everything.

4. How it changes
It is finished. Take Jesus’ pardon then move on, don’t add to his finished work. You’re welcome now! Let the cross change your attitude to yourself.You’ve been at the cross, that’s what you have in common, let he cross change your attitude to others v.26-27. Tale of two cities: Are you dying for him? Sidney is a sacrifice and gives courage to others.

Just seen a video about Slade Evangelical Church where Wes McNabb is pastor who is ‘dynamic and young’. He’s telling a few jokes about how unqualified he feels to be speaking… a bad joke sadly about baloons.

We’re looking at Matthew 14:22-33, Jesus walking on water. Key verse 33 – we need to be worshippers of King Jesus – Christian men, do you love Jesus, has he captivated your heart? Does your wife, kids, friends know that you love Jesus? Your community needs you to be caught up with Jesus.

1. King of Authority v.22-23
Jesus’ authority is staggering, thousands are ready to crown Jesus king, he’s just fed all of them, but he dismisses them. Authority of Satan and demons, authority over my life and on the last day authority over everyone.

2. King of Knowledge v.24-25
Jesus knows exactly where the disciples are, he knows where you are! We are his children, so it’s his business to know where we are, the storm may be bad, but never beyond his care. Jesus steps in to work powerfully. King Jesus knows!

3. King of Love v.26-31
The disciples are scared, but Jesus says take courage, don’t be afraid, it’s me king Jesus! Jesus says come, he knows Peter’s gonna fail but he still says come – he invites us to come and receive his love, to be saved. Do you remember when you cried ‘Lord save me’? Cry out again, take heart, he’ll catch you.

4. King of Power v.32-33
The wind died down. He made the sea! We’re weak and helpless, but King Jesus has the power, power that brings us to our knees to worship. Time to get back to our first love, to be taken up with Jesus, to worship him. I’m passionate about the power of Jesus to change peoples lives, to transform people into worship. Get music, get books, read the word, spend time with God, get friends who love Jesus and ask tough questions. Go and worship him like never before and share him with a dying world. Have we forgotten how great King Jesus is? There’s no one who comes close to Jesus!

This guy is good – Jesus – but also Wes McNabb. He’s from Lancashire and sounds a little bit like Les Dennis. Jesus is the King!

Richard Coekin introduced the 2009 convention with a word from Revelation about the risen Lord Jesus, and a joke about scrotums and sternums – just to break the ice as he talks about the eithiopian eunuch…

“Then Philip began with that very passage of SCRIPTURE and told him the GOOD NEWS about JESUS” – Acts 8:35

Richard Coekin called us to be like the eunuch in 3 ways:

1. We are men who want to learn from Scripture
2. We are men who want to understand the gospel
3. We are men who want to worship Jesus

Interesting little quote from Andrew Fuller about the objectivity and subjectivity of faith in refuting the Sandemanian heresy.

Today we are here, because we want to be men of Jesus – would we understand it and would our hearts be changed.

I think I’ve woken up. This excel place is massive. Stuart Townend is doing the music, a guy called Wes McNabb is about to speak…

Bible by the Beach is just 3 weeks away. If you live anywhere near Eastbourne why not come along for the May bank holiday weekend – 1st-4th May. There’s still places so book in now… just £50 for an adult, £15 for youths and students, and £1 for kids. You can also get day tickets.

Music from Stuart Townend and Phatfish, talks from Wallace & Lindsay Benn, Paul Williams, Bishop Ben Kwashi, Bishop Ken Clarke, Mike Ovey, Terry Virgo, Simon Vibert and Andrew Baughen.

There’s a youth programme running all weekend, and on the Sunday night there’s a special evangelistic youth event featuring Simon Brading and Stef Liston.

Would be silly to miss this! Watch this space for live blogs and details for 2010.

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