There have been further reports of churches defying the current lockdown regulations in England, including one in the Observer. Now, as I understand it, we have three possible options in terms of how we view the current regulations. We can accept that the regulations must be obeyed on the basis that this is the LawContinue reading “Opening churches against lockdown rules”
Tag Archives: persecution
Is it ever okay to run away?
What should Christians do when they face opposition and persecution? Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? Christians are to persevere, to stand their ground and to suffer. Paul talks about how we learn endurance and faith in suffering whilst Peter tells slaves that it is a good thing to suffer for doing good. So when persecutionContinue reading “Is it ever okay to run away?”
Don’t Be Afraid (Matthew 10:16-42)
There are fewer and fewer people alive who can remember the horrors of the Second World War, what it was like to live through the Blitz, how to survive on rations etc. We do sadly have men and women who have served in recent wars, many have suffered terrible injuries as well as PTSD. ThisContinue reading “Don’t Be Afraid (Matthew 10:16-42)”
No the church did not roll over during COVID
There’s an insinuation going around in some circles at the moment that because churches closed down buildings and started to meet online during the COVID-19 lockdowns and are currently conforming with face mask and social distancing rules that this makes us wet cowards. The narrative is that COVID regulations are some kind of authoritarian attackContinue reading “No the church did not roll over during COVID”
Happy People – The persecuted
Our final beatitude talks about those who are persecuted. Paul tells us that: 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived[1] Now remember two things here. First, that the blessing is for those who are persecuted forContinue reading “Happy People – The persecuted”
Plagues (Revelation 15-16)
The crowd are singing noisily “Going up, going up, going up.” Then against the break of play, the opposition striker gets through, one on one against the keeper, he calmly slots the ball into the bottom left corner.” Silence falls on the ground. Then the away fans begin to chant “You’re not singing anymore” andContinue reading “Plagues (Revelation 15-16)”
Witnesses (Revelation 10 – 11)
Chairman Mao’s cultural revolution saw the expulsion of missionaries from China, a crack down against the underground church and the closer of official churches. For many years, we were really in the dark about what was happening in China. Then when Deng Xiao Ping began to open up again, we were amazed to see thatContinue reading “Witnesses (Revelation 10 – 11)”
We are not being discriminated against
There must be some sense of irony that in the week that the death of George Floyd with a policeman’s knee to his neck led to mass protests, a number of prominent Christians wrote proceedings here in the UK about perceived discrimination against the church.[1] Those who are involved believe that the Government should recogniseContinue reading “We are not being discriminated against”
