It only really struck me with force when I was actually preaching on Sunday. I guess it was because I was preaching specifically on this incident for the first time from Matthew’s Gospel, I’ve spoken on it many times from Luke’s Gospel but not from here. Matthew really brings out the hard hearted merciless ways… Continue reading When you want to prevent others from receiving forgiveness
Category: Church life
Sharing the Love of Jesus in a post-covid world
Here are some thoughts I put together on how we can move forward as churches as we come through the other side of the pandemic. Context Covid-19 led to churches having to close their buildings and many of their weekday activities. We were able to go online for some things and on the one hand… Continue reading Sharing the Love of Jesus in a post-covid world
Phoebe
Here’s our last clue when thinking about deacons. At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul greets a number of people in the church. First of all, at the head of the list is a woman named Phoebe. Rather than greeting her, Paul commends her. “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a… Continue reading Phoebe
Authority and Authoritarian
I’ve responded recently to Christian leaders complaining about authoritarian leadership by observing that there are plenty of people out there who are willing to complain that church leaders are authoritarian. What provokes this tends to be when Christian leaders give a clear exposition of Scripture with application that requires God’s people to respond to obligations… Continue reading Authority and Authoritarian
Getting through the next six months – some practicalities
In an earlier article I talked about how we respond to the frustration and disappointment of having at least another six months of lockdown measures. I focused on the big picture from Scripture, our hope in the Gospel and in Christ’s return. Here, I want to talk through some more detailed and practical application for… Continue reading Getting through the next six months – some practicalities
Recreating the home group and restoring the prayer meeting
Discussing with a few people the demise of the prayer meeting the other day, I was struck by a thought. The problem is with our home groups. One of the main reasons that you won’t seem many people at traditional prayer meetings is that they have been replaced by Home Groups. The problem is that… Continue reading Recreating the home group and restoring the prayer meeting
Demons
Last Sunday, I preached on Jesus casting out demons. I highlighted three points in reference to this. Demon possession is possible today though I suspect rarer than in Jesus’ day Christians cannot be demon possessed because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit The demon exorcisms in the Gospel help us to understand the wider… Continue reading Demons
Miracles
I love the account of Jesus calming in the storm in Matthew 8. It’s a fantastic story for telling children’s groups. There’s so much you can do to include the kids in the story, getting them to blow li the wind, using a parachute game to get the wave effect, settling the children down peacefully… Continue reading Miracles
Yes Advice changes!
You know how when you are driving through town, you get instructed by the road sign to drive at 40 miles per hour? It’s very frustrating when 5 minutes later those in charge of the road change their minds and tell you to drive at 30 miles per hour. Then to compound things you turn… Continue reading Yes Advice changes!
Who are deacons?
The first turn to Bible passage on deacons tends to be 2 Timothy 3. This is where Paul sets out the qualifications for both elders and deacons. In the first part of the chapter, Paul says that the role of elder/overseer/Bishop is a noble desire. He then sets out the qualifications for the role. Overseers… Continue reading Who are deacons?
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