I’ve recently been putting together an analysis of Bethel’s theology and culture. I’m not so keen on engaging with a specific church, however Bethel is representative of particular themes and influential in sharing them that are not unique to Bethel. In fact much of my own pastoral experience involves caring for and discipling people who… Continue reading What I do want to learn from Bethel?
Author: faithrootsdw
Let my people go
Moses and Aaron now go to address Pharoah, as instructed, they tell him that YHWH-God commands him to let the Israelites go a three-day journey into the wilderness to celebrate a feast. The king’s response is that he has not heard of this YHWH and he has no intention of letting his slaves off their… Continue reading Let my people go
Romans 1:17-23 (notes)
The Gospel has power to save because it reveals righteousness. This righteousness is “from faith to faith” or we might say “is all about faith”. In other words, you can’t add anything such as works to faith in order to gain righteousness. Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to back this up, “The righteous will live by… Continue reading Romans 1:17-23 (notes)
The neglected leadership gift of hospitality
I’ve been thinking quite a bit recently about what we are looking for in elders. You may have picked up on some things I’ve written as well as some videos I’ve shared .This arises out of a theme that if we lead, then it is not primarily to get a church to where we want… Continue reading The neglected leadership gift of hospitality
Application from the burning bush
There are lots of nuggets along the way in these two chapters. Particularly, I’m struck by the following. First of all, there is the example of Moses. It isn’t a good example here. He responds to God’s command and even to God’s promises with doubt and resistance. There is a particular warning for leaders in… Continue reading Application from the burning bush
Greater love hath no man than he lay down his friends for his life
This joke was originally told by Jeremy Thorpe, the Liberal leader about “the night of the long knives” when Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan sacked a number of ministers to save his own position. It’s entered the political lexicon as a go to response to leaders seeking to protect themselves by dismissing loyal allies. On a… Continue reading Greater love hath no man than he lay down his friends for his life
Romans 1:16 (notes)
There now follows a lengthy sentence, supporting the statement here in verse 16. The organising theme of this section is that Paul is “not ashamed of the Gospel.” Three reasons are then given as to why, all connected by the word γὰρ or “for”. Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel. Why? Because it is,… Continue reading Romans 1:16 (notes)
True love ways
I recently preached at our old Church, Bearwood Chapel on 2 Corinthians 11:1-15. As is often the case, a first preach leads to further thoughts about what you believe needs to be emphasised. So, I’ve recorded a two-parter that goes through the key teaching from the passage.
Zooming out from the burning bush
In Exodus 3-4, Moses finds himself in the very place that God is going to call him to lead the people out to. Moses must trace first the planned journey to Horeb or Sinai, there to meet the Lord God. He is the representative of his people. Horeb is described as “Holy Ground”. In other… Continue reading Zooming out from the burning bush
A sign and a sending
The Burning Bush Moses joins in taking responsibility for his father-in-law, Jethro’s sheep. One day, he is taken the flock to pasture near to Horeb or Sinai. The author identifies this as the Mountain of the Lord, foreshadowing what will happen years later when God will choose this place to meet Moses and to give… Continue reading A sign and a sending
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