Posts Tagged "Suffering"
Bruised Reed
An update from Matt Chandler, including this quote from Richard Sibbes, The Bruised Reed:
Read MoreNay, after conversion we need bruising, that reeds may know themselves to be reeds, and not oaks; even we need bruising by reason of the remainder of pride in our nature, and to bt us see that we live by mercy; and that weaker Christians may not be too much discouraged, when they see stronger ones shaken and bruised. Thus Peter was bruised when he wept bitterly. This reed, till he met with this bruise, had more wind in him than pith. ” Though all forsake thee, I will not,” &c. Matt. xxvi. 35. The people of God cannot be without these examples. The heroical deeds of those great worthies do not comfort the Church so much as their falls and bruises do.
Matt Chandler
It was discovered that Matt Chandler had a brain tumour and needed immediate surgery, that happened on Friday. It sounds like since then he’s been making good progress… but keep praying.
You can find updates from The Village Church and on Twitter.
But whatever you do, go and watch the video he recorded before surgery… Christ is All.
Read MoreJames 1: 1-12
Good Morning etc. Today we start a new sermon series in the book of James…
…so this morning, I want to spend half our time looking at the book of James as a whole – what’s it all about? Then the rest of our time in Ch1: 1-12
Martin Luther – “Book of Straw” – not enough gospel
My hope… we would see Jesus, his grace
So what do we know about the book of James?
READ: James 1: 1
It’s an early LETTER
Written by James… an apostle, church leader in Jerusalem, and the brother of Jesus
It’s written to Jewish Christians (12 Tribes)
…who have been persecuted (scattered among the nations)
…Acts 8:1 (after Stephen)
A very PRACTICAL book
…short, punchy, to the point …often little explanation
…just do it!
BUT… we don’t do things to merit God’s love… we do because of God’s love
James 2 – “show me your faith without deeds”… faith leads to action
Famous Verse… James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
As church goers… We are in danger… we hear the word… but we must do what it says!
Let’s make that our prayer throughout this series on James (and any other time)… that we would HEAR the word and DO what it says.
Let’s pray that our hearts may be gripped and changed by the word!
PRAY
READ: James 1: 1-12
Were you thinking what I was thinking??
Did he just say what I think he said?
v.2 Consider it pure joy… ??
Wow!
Context: Religious persecution (v1) + Poverty (v9)
Wider Context: “Trials of many kinds” (v2)
Bereavement, Unemployment, Sickness, Loneliness
“Whenever” – expect them to come
BIG QUESTION – How do we move from trials to joy?
Follow James’ Argument…
Trials = Testing of Faith (v3)
(not Judgement for the Christian)
Testing develops Perseverance
Perseverance must finish it’s work so you may be Mature + Complete
This is Joy… being mature + complete in Christ!
But there’s a problem!!
v.4 – mature, complete, not lacking anything
…that’s joy!
But…
v.5 – If any of you lacks wisdom he should ask God
We need God’s wisdom to persevere through trials!
v.5 God gives wisdom to those who ask in Faith
What is wisdom??
Wisdom = Seeing things God’s way
Seeing… the BIG picture
God’s plan
Hope in despair
God’s sovereign hand at work
Seeing the Big picture takes us to verse 12
CROWN OF LIFE… a picture of Joy!!
I don’t know your trials…
But let’s persevere!
…and lets ask for God’s help, his wisdom
…and lets focus on the prize, the joy of knowing Christ now, and reigning with him forever!
Ballast in your boat
Read More“It is not my calling to help you to have chipper feelings while the whole of creation groans. My job is to put the kind of ballast in the belly of your boat so that when these waves crash against your life, you will not capsize but make it to the harbour of heaven – battered and wounded but full of faith and joy”
John Piper, Spectacular Sins [pg. 28]
2008 – You don’t always get what you want!
Andy Shudall works with students in New Zealand, for TSCF – I don’t know him, never met him, but I know he’s a friend of lots of friends (11 according to Facebook). Anyway he’s just written a great post summing up 2008 for him… sounds like he’s had a pretty rough year… I’d echo much of what he says…
1. God is good, sovereign and true no matter our experience.
3. Sinfulness is so ingrained in the human heart, soul and mind that weakness strengthens it and strength is laid low before it.
4. Seasons change and there is glory in every season.
5. Of all the things to treasure here friendship is of great value.
Read More“Goodbye 2008 – you weren’t what I asked for, but I’m confident that you are what I needed.”