Category: Bible Study

Irrevocable gifts and calling – the danger of out of context Bible verses

One of the biggest dangers to healthy life is our ability to rip Bible verses out of context and misapply them. One such example is this verse: 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable[1] I’ve heard this verse used by people to justify continued support for people who seemingly had a gifting or… Continue reading Irrevocable gifts and calling – the danger of out of context Bible verses

Served by the Gospel… Serving the Gospel Romans 1:8-15

We started Romans by asking “What is it that believers seeking to serve God in our cities need” and I suggested that we would find the answer in this letter, specifically the need for Grace and Peace. This is now reinforced by the next part of the letter.   A letter from Paul often seems… Continue reading Served by the Gospel… Serving the Gospel Romans 1:8-15

Women teaching men revisited – another look at 2 Timothy 2:12

One of the key verses in the debate about the role of men and women in the church, especially in relation to teaching, preaching and leadership is 2 Timothy 2:12 which says: “12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” There has… Continue reading Women teaching men revisited – another look at 2 Timothy 2:12

We need a way out of costly social distancing measures, not just lockdown (open letter to Boris Johnson)

Dear Boris, I’ve written open letters to you throughout the pandemic.  As we approach the end of what we all hope will be the last lockdown, I want to write to you again concerning some of the rumours and hints that are currently going around. Over the past few weeks, the narrative has built up… Continue reading We need a way out of costly social distancing measures, not just lockdown (open letter to Boris Johnson)

Gifting, discernment and abuse

This is the sermon mentioned in my article about spiritual abuse Worship is about                Glorifying and praising God                Encouraging one another up /being a witness                Hearing God speak to us? How do we know that it is God speaking? By Knowing our own limitations (v 1-2) A question about Spiritual things –… Continue reading Gifting, discernment and abuse

Grace and Peace (Romans 1: 1-7)

I have spent the bulk of my life living in three of the UK’s biggest conurbations.  I grew up in West Yorkshire, spent 4 years in London and then we moved to the West Midlands. This has given me a huge concern for the city. I am keen to see churches rooted and established on… Continue reading Grace and Peace (Romans 1: 1-7)

Kiss The Son (Psalm 2)

“I’ve learnt that it’s okay to be angry at God” “I have discovered that I need to forgive God first.” Have you heard statements like that?  They sound radical and edgy and I’ve heard these sorts of ideas put forward to help believers that are struggling with grief or emotional heartache. If they believe that… Continue reading Kiss The Son (Psalm 2)

Strength made perfect in weakness

In 2 Corinthians 12, Paul talks about an incredible vision he has had (although he talks in the third person, it is generally agreed that he is referring to himself), where he is caught up into heaven. However, alongside the vision he is given a crippling “thorn in his side.”  Just as people have speculated… Continue reading Strength made perfect in weakness

Hard Pressed (Psalm 3)

I’ve mentioned when talking about my experience of depression that whilst not everyone experiences suicidal thoughts, the same type of feeling can be experienced either as a desire to hit the self-destruct button or to run away and hide. That desire to flee can come of a sense of being overwhelmed, anxious and not knowing… Continue reading Hard Pressed (Psalm 3)