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Behold: God provided a Saviour

Details: Published: Monday, 28 November 2016 23:58; Written by James Dean

The Jews knew the story well: God would provide a saviour.

We know the story well: God came to earth to redeem us from sin.

But what do we both have in common? We both take for granted that we know the story well! There is so much that we miss, that we assume, that we have absorbed from the culture around us and the traditional expectations of Christmas that we actually miss Christ himself.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14 ESV)

As we approach Christmas this year, let's look closer at the Bible and rediscover the wonder of God's word made flesh.

Great Resources...

Take a few minutes now to click through on the image above and watch a really well made short video from Logos which draws on the scriptures relating to Jesus' birth - it's brilliant. While you're there you can sign up to get a free guide & email reminders of scriptures readings for this advent season.

Sharing Christ is normal

Details: Published: Monday, 07 November 2016 23:55; Written by James Dean

"Why do you go to church?"

"Why are you a Christian?"

"Why do you read the Bible?"

I hope you're not put off by questions like that. In fact, I hope the opposite is true; that you long for someone to ask you those questions and more than that, I hope you know how you would answer them! Let me ask you something else: would you deliberately put yourself in a situation where someone would ask you questions like these?

That was one of the challenges we were challenged to consider during a seminar at last week's FIEC Leaders' conference. Rob Pickering, pastor at Selhurst Evangelical Church in South London gave some fantastically simply encouragement to just get out there and put ourselves in places where the community come together.

He wasn't the only one. I was also privileged to hear Graham Daniels speak about practical ways of reaching men with the gospel. His message: it's not really rocket science, just be normal! Of course being a Christian changes us from what the world might understand as "normal" but in essence we can - and must - share the very simple gospel message of hope in normal situations in normal ways through normal friendships. It's as easy as sharing your story - how Christ changed you.

That was a message that came over time and time again: we need to be in relationships, in friendships, in regular contact with people if we are ever going to reach them with the gospel. It's an obvious message because it is obvious... but we still miss it! God is the only one who can save; he is the only one who can change hearts but we are called to be "on mission" and actually open our mouths!

The conference's main speaker was Ed Stetzer, an American who was used to far larger audiences than us and certainly far more "glamorous" locations than Hemsby, but he "got us" and he helped us look through Luke 5:27-32 (I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance), Matthew 9:35-38 (The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few), Matthew 5:13-16 (let your light shine before others) - and he often brought us back to the words of Hebrews 10:23-25:

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

It was a huge encouragement to hear God speaking clearly from his word to so many leaders from churches just like ours - Bible believing, gospel preaching churches - and a wonderful reminder that we are not alone in this work. Yes the labourers are few, but the harvest is there and he has called us to pray that he would send us out. Let's go.

For His glory!

Reformation Day

Details: Published: Monday, 31 October 2016 23:49; Written by James Dean

I'm off to the FIEC leaders conference today and will be enjoying teaching and encouragement with over 500 other leaders from FIEC churches around the country. Last year both Nikki and I were greatly encouraged by what we heard and saw happening and I'm expecting more of the same this year.

But I want to leave you with something helpful to chew over; something that happened on this day nearly 500 years ago; something that changed the face of Christianity in this country and everywhere around the world.

Today the 31st October is celebrated as many things, but the one that I want to draw you attention to is "Reformation Day".

On "All Hallows Eve" in 1517, having read a copy of the Bible in Greek, a young monk by the name of Martin Luther realised that the Latin copy of the Bible that the church had been using up to that point was wrong, particularly Paul's letter to the Romans. He wrote his "95 Theses" - that is, 95 statements to be discussed by those in the church - and nailed them to the door of the church in Wittenberg, as was the usual custom at the time. However, what he wrote did far more than start a discussion; it started what we now know as the Reformation and we still enjoy the benefits of it today.

I hope that will whet your curiosity to find out more. Please take a few minutes to read Stephen Nichols' short blog post or if you prefer to listen, try to his 5 Minutes in Church History podcast on the same subject (I heartily recommend subscribing to that podcast anyway!). You'll find further links to dig deeper on the subject on both websites.

One little snippet: One of Luther’s 95 Theses simply declares, “The Church’s true treasure is the gospel of Jesus Christ. That alone is the meaning of Reformation Day."

If you missed any of the sermons from the last few weeks head over to www.bechurch.org.uk and click "Listen", we're all back up to date. Also, we're widening the podcast trial so if you'd like to try out a test of our sermon podcast - that is, automatically downloading sermons to your iPhone or iPad so you can listen on the go - drop me a note and I'll send you some instructions.

For His Glory!