Issue 19 - Day 4

2 Corinthians 13

2 Corinthians 13:11-14
11)  Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
12)  Greet one another with an holy kiss.
13)  All the saints salute you.
14)  The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

When in Italy I got very used to greeting people with a kiss. There is an etiquette to it however. For starters, it depends how well you know someone. For men kissing men this means only do it inside the family, inside the Christian family (the church), and sometimes with very close friends. For non-believers it would basically be family, and very close friends. this really emphasises at a cultural level that the body of Christ is a big family.

Here in the UK men would never kiss men, though it is becoming more common as a greeting between women. Sadly the growing acceptance of homosexuallity in society has had the effect of suppressing a close family greeting for fear it is misunderstood. Yet another case of distortion of the truth by sin.

Being of good comfort, of one mind, and living in peace are all more symptoms of us growing together as a wider family. Many physical families struggle with these same issues of course, but in both senses families are to be united, and we, as the body of Christ are to be united. How close are you to your brothers in Christ? Do you care for one another as if you were family? If not, then you are not living as God has instructed. Live a life of unity with each other, and live as one with God. It is a tall order, but it is to be our aim.

Issue 19 - Day 3

2 Corinthians 12

2 Corinthians 12:8-10
8)  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9)  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10)  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Strong men and women do not need help. The weak need all the help they can get. Paradoxically, the stronger you are, the less you are willing to ask for help, and when you can no longer manage on your own, still you try. The weak, on the other hand, know they cannot do it and so ask for help at the start. The truth is that in comparison to God we are all as feeble as mice, it is just that most of the time we don’t realise it. Therefore it is best when we realise we need his help. This only happens when we are weak. How many people do you know who say they do not need God, they as fine on their own, have no problems, and Christians are just needy people seeking an emotional crutch? They are deluding themselves. We all need help, but we don’t all see it.

How many times have you prayed and had no answer? Paul prayed three times that this problem would leave him, and it wasn’t until the third time that he heard an answer, which was “No”. I believe God answered him even on the first time, but he did not listen to the reply. After so many years of seeing miracles and healing happen instantly Paul just didn’t expect a negative answer. He did not listen to God, but just assumed swift healing would follow. Does that sound familiar? Finally of course Paul listened and understood.
Seek God earnestly and listen for the answer. Recognise your weakness and expect God to give you the strength to do his will.

Issue 19 - Day 2

2 Corinthians 11

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
13)  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14)  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15)  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Have you ever heard the saying, “too good to be true”? The bible is clear that people will more and more seek ministers who preach a nice message. Something soothing to the ears that makes them feel good. The bible is also clear that the task of any minister is to make their flock feel uncomfortable. We are to challenge for change so that the people under our care grow and become more like Christ, walking in his ways. Sadly, when selecting a pastor, most churches set the criteria to me, the man with the most pleasing preaching ability. If you find that man that sparkles in the pulpit the odds are that you have just found a minister of light, after the angel of light.

How do you spot a false apostle, or a deceitful worker? It is the same as how you spot anyone out for themselves only. It will become clear at every point of trial, are they in it for the money or the people? Equally, does the message hold true to the bible?

A while back I was in a church led by a false apostle, and I say this not to judge, for he was a man of God trying his best, yet for us he was false. I decided to take notes during every sermon, concentrating on challenges to change taken from the bible, and promises of blessing taken from the bible, whether relevant to me or not. When after a couple of months I still had not covered one sheet of A4 paper I knew that for us this was a teacher of vain words. However, pray for your leaders that they may stay true to God’s word.

Issue 19 - Day 1

2 Corinthians 10

2 Corinthians 10:7
7)  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

Complete the line of the song, based on the life of David. “Man looks on the outside, but God looks ….” We cannot help but look on the outward appearance of things and people. We are bound by the wavelengths of light that our eyes respond to. Sometimes God is gracious enough to let us discern what is in the hearts of those around us, yet to a great degree we are still influenced by the physical image. Of course, it is also true that what is in someone's heart is what comes out.

So, we trust that we are Christ’s. That is, we believe in him and try to follow him. Paul rightly reminds us to take a look at ourselves. It is easy to look at how people live, what they wear and so on, and make a judgement as to whether or not they are believers. Often we decide, in our arrogance, that any profession of faith this person in front of us made was just words. Time to look in the mirror. The song goes, “so when people see me, they see you.” Is this true? What do you see in the mirror? Does the way you dress say that here is a follower of Christ? Do your mannerisms and speech declare you to be walking in the ways of God? Does your chosen job look like the kind of work a true believer would do?

Having realised just what you look like to others, now take a step back and consider how judgemental you are. Time to look on the inside. Pray that God would let you see what is on the inside. Earnestly desire to see others as He sees them, and keep that mirror, the word of God, handy because it is only in the mirror of God’s word that we truly see see who we are.

Complete in Christ - Mysticism

How do you know if God is speaking to you? Listen Now

Issue 18 - Day 7

2 Corinthians 9

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
6)  But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7)  Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8)  And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Paul clearly knows the basics of investment. the bigger the investment the larger the return. We almost make verse seven into an excuse for our lack of generosity however. I can’t give more than this, we say, because I am happy giving this much. I am a cheerful giver. If I gave more I would not be cheerful about it so I won’t do it. God won’t like it.

When spelt our like this it is revealed as what it is. A feeble excuse based on a misinterpretation of scripture. In the context of this chapter, these people were generous. They did give in abundance, Paul just wanted them to do so now in the same way as they had done a year ago. This is where the grudging giving comes in. Each year we all make faith promises for missions. Each year we see the same pattern in giving. The first couple of months the promised amount is given, and sometimes over and above. By halfway through the year the giving levels have dropped 50%, and by the end of the year it is barely enough to make half of the promise averaged over the year. What was decided in our hearts with a true love of God a year ago, has become a millstone that we have to continue a year later. The problem is not in the giving, but in our attitude. What changed over the year? God didn’t so why do we?
Ask him to give you the same desire to serve him all year round. Pray that nothing would become a necessity, but that all would be done to his glory.

Issue 18 - Day 6

2 Corinthians 8

2 Corinthians 8:1-4
1)  Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;
2)  How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
3)  For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;
4)  Praying us with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

Sometimes when you read scripture you find yourself thinking it means one thing when it actually means another. Most often we look at this chapter in view of how we are to give, and it is spot on. We are to give to the work of the Lord to the limits of our ability. When we are facing trials in our lives God will bless us and give us grace. How much he gives us is dependant on how much we are prepared to give to him. I don’t mean that God’s blessing is given as one minute of blessing for every pound you put in the offering on Sunday morning. No, God blesses us in direct relationship to how much we open our hearts to him. It is like turning on a tap. Turn it full on and everything in its path will be washed away, when we often want to keep that stuff. So we only let in a trickle and complain about the lack of water.

However this chapter is mostly about supporting pastors. Paul reminds the church of how they supported him, begging him to feed them spiritually, and giving to him financially to enable that work. Now he is sending Titus to them, and they clearly had doubts. No, he has the same power and authority in the word, says Paul. Treat him the same, support him the same as me. Anyone willing to take on ministering to the spiritual needs of the body should be recognised and supported in that by the body.

Issue 18 - Day 5

2 Corinthians 7

2 Corinthians 7:8-10
8)  For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9)  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10)  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

What is your reaction to criticism? Most of us struggle with criticism, and will tend to retaliate unthinkingly, even when we know we are in the wrong. If there are any verses that back up Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians being a telling of, this is it, though there are others also. He rebuked them for their behaviour and they changed as a result.

Two school friends of totally equal ability failed to do their homework on time. When the teacher held them back after class and gave them an earful, and a detention they both went away sad, they would miss the football match for starters. Mervyn, thought about what the teacher had said, worked hard from then on, and having got good grades went on to University and ended up governor of the Bank of England. Brian, on the other hand, also thought about what the teacher had said and resolved never to do any work for that ungrateful … ever again. Who did he think he was anyway! So he failed the class, it affected his work in other classes, eventually leading to him leaving school at 16 with few qualifications to go and stack shelves in the local supermarket. He recently emigrated to Australia.
Attitude to criticism is the difference between success and failure. When God disciplines you, what is your reaction?

Jesus Forsaken

When we get to the last part of Jesus’ death having already seen all the pain and suffering up to this point; it is not surprising for someone to suddenly doubt God; but this is Jesus the Son of God.  So why would the Son of God use the words “Why hast thou forsaken me?”?  
The really answer to this lies in Psalm 22 where it is taken from and we may come to realise that in the pain and distress Jesus was physically in, this statement was more of a cry of faith rather than doubt.  
Matthew 27:45-46
Psalm 22
The first clue for us is the language used “MY God” not just “God” – many people cry out to God with no relationship and then blame God for forsaking them.  In Matthew 7:21 we are told that not everyone who cries out “Lord, Lord” will enter into the Kingdom of heaven – The language is more like meeting someone and saying “sir, sir” which shows respect but void of personal relationship.  Jesus and David both cry out MY God.  This shows the deep personal relationship they have with God: He is more than the almighty sovereign God, He is My almighty sovereign God.  
Once we see that the language of Psalm 22 is that of faith we see the prophetic picture it paints of Jesus on the cross:

“the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.... they look and stare upon me.....They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.” Psalm 22:16-18

So if we realise that this Psalm of David was not a Psalm in disbelief but a last cry of faith to God in time of need and then realise the prophetic application to Jesus; we then realise that Jesus’ last cry on the cross was in faith to His Father God to deliver Him.  
However even though this was not Jesus doubting God, the truth is that God the Father did forsake His Son on the cross.  He allowed Jesus to die so that we may have life.  Jesus was not merely just quoting some scripture He was in pain and anguish – the sins of the world were on His shoulders, he had been beaten, bruised, mocked, pierced in hands and feet and left by all who loved Him.  At the end of all this he cries out “My God My God why hast thou forsaken me?” – God is still the Father (My God) but Jesus knows this is the final rejection so we can come to Him through the grace of Jesus.  
Why these exact words?
1. They show the pain at that moment on the cross
2. They show the people standing that Psalm 22 tells them of Him.

By looking at the full crucifixion of Christ we have seen a man beaten and bruised beyond recognition to take on Him the sin of all.  We have seen a man mocked with sayings that were truth but not believed.  We have seen a man on the cross in complete agony that He cries out to His Father for deliverance.  And we have seen Jesus fulfil all prophecy regarding the messiah.  
Finally HE dies on the cross and the veil in the temple is rent in twain (ripped in half); so that we now can call out to God – My God My God.  The relationship has been restored we now need to live according to what the God the Father tells us remembering that we have been forgiven by the grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  

Ephesians 2:8-10

Issue 18 - Day 4

2 Corinthians 6

2 Corinthians 6:1-4
1)  We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
2)  (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
3)  Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
4)  But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

You have heard it said, “Do not take the name of the Lord in vain”, and this is a variant of the same, “Do not take the Grace of God in vain.” In the first case, the question to ask yourself is, am I calling myself a Christian, put living in such as way as to give Christians a bad name? In this case the question is, you have been freed by the grace of God, how then will you react in the trials that you face?

God gives us a promise, that if we separate ourselves and live for Christ he will be a father unto us. The prerequisite of fatherhood is being in constant communication with your children. I recently heard of a Christian man currently in jail and fighting what is said to be a wrongful conviction. He obviously missed his daughter’s 18th birthday because of this. In fact, for the last four years he has not been able to be a father to his children because he is not there. With us and God it is the other way round, we have to be following him in order to receive his fatherhood towards us.

It comes back to the same thing however, how are you living? What are you doing that makes God say, “What are you playing at! Are you not saved by the sacrifice of Christ?” Let us repent and live our lives for him.

Issue 18 - Day 3

2 Corinthians 5

2 Corinthians 5:18-20
18)  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
19)  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

What is your role with your friends? Are you the peace maker of the group? Are you the fun one, the brainy one, the annoying one? We know that as believers it is our job to shine the light of Christ in every situation, however the truth is that most of the time we just get on with life. Knowing therefore that our natural instinct is to keep quiet about Christ and try to fit in with those around us we need to find and effective way of witnessing habitually with our lives to back up what we say when we do get it together to speak up.

I just heard it said that, “cats are the epitome of cuteness”. We, it says, are ambassadors for Christ. As ambassadors, we are to be the epitome of Christ. We are to represent him, and be the essence of his message. At the height of the British empire anyone meeting the British ambassador to India would have instantly recognised him as British. Even in the depths of the jungle you could guarantee to find him dressed to perfection, speaking the Queen’s English, and enjoying tea with scones at four in the afternoon. He would be evidently British in every movement he made. As ambassadors of Christ we need to be evidently children of God right down to how we tie our shoelaces.  Maybe you won’t fit in anymore, but everyone will turn to you when they need that ministry of reconciliation. If it is not evident who you believe in by your very way of life, then it is unlikely your speech will differ. Instead, be Christ to all.

Issue 18 - Day 2

2 Corinthians 4

2 Corinthians 4:3-6
3)  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4)  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5)  For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6)  For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Light shining from faces is definitely the theme this week. Yesterday we read of the light shining from Moses’ face. Today we see the light shining from Christ’s face. The difference once more is that Moses represented the law, and so glowed with reflected light, physically, not the direct glory of God. Christ shone with a spiritual light, and it was a direct light for he was the glory of God in person!

The toughest part of our ministry is that the people who most need to head the word of God are those least likely to listen. Spiritually, they are blind, and the source of that blindness is not God, but the devil. He does not want anyone to realise that Jesus was, and is God. He does not want them to see that light. Christ came to shine the glory of God in the spiritual darkness that is this world. We in turn are to shine that light for others. As it says, we are a city on a hill, the light that cannot be hidden.

For this reason, do not preach God using your own ‘wise’ words and persuasion, but speak the words of God in power and truth. Whatever God has revealed to your heart, shared with others that they may know him also.

Issue 18 - Day 1

2 Corinthians 3

2 Corinthians 3:12-15
12)  Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:
13)  And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
14)  But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
15)  But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

Why did Moses put a veil over his face? He had just spent forty days in God’s presence, being given the law. This was the written word of God giving instruction on how the Israelites were to live their lives. The glory of God in that moment was so powerful that it was reflected out from Moses face even when he descended the mountain. It is interesting to note that Moses uncovered his face when he entered the tabernacle. One man was in there, Joshua the son of Nun. The only one interested in following God daily, was the only one who looked on the unveiled glory.

How different it could have been. God had wanted a nation of priests, every man coming before him and worshiping him. Of their own will they chose to give that honour to a chosen few so that they could continue their lives without God. This same choice meant that Christ, and the church age were hidden from Israel. From that point on they put a veil in front of the glory reflected in Moses, they put a curtain in front of the holy of holies, a barrier of religion in front of God, and a blockade against the truth in their hearts.

How many people are like that today? God is the answer, yet the barricades go up. Now the veil is torn in two by the power of God. Pray that that same Spirit breaks the bonds blinding our unbelieving friends.

Complete in Christ - legalism

What is your motivation. Do you desire to serve God or are you just ticking the boxes. Listen Now

Issue 17 - Day 7

2 Corinthians 2

2 Corinthians 2:4
4)  For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.

What is our motivation when we write to someone? These days it would be an email or a text, and it is far easier to say certain things in writing than it would ever be face to face. As one popular cartoon put it recently, “I’m a nice person and would never say anything rude, I just suffer from Email rage!” One gets the impression here that Paul received word that his first letter to the Corinthians, which was basically a long list of their errors, did not go down too well, so he is writing again, making sure it is clear what his motivation was. This is very similar to what Jesus says.

John 3:17
17)  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

We must take care, both in our written word and in our speech, to get our motivation across, and to make sure our motivation is right. However, more importantly remember that our position here on Earth is not to judge, for God will judge, but to love. When dealing with unbelievers they are judged already,
we must love them and so be a witness to them that they may come to salvation not condemnation. When dealing with fellow believers, it is right that we should help one another to walk according to God’s will, but let it be done out of love, not out of judgement.

Love one another, and so fulfill the command of the Lord. Also, let all things be done as unto the Lord. That will change how we word our Emails and Txts!

Issue 17 - Day 6

2 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1:3-5
3)  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4)  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5)  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Have you ever encountered a friend in trouble? Have you ever seen someone in desperate need of comfort, and wondered how to help them? It is rare indeed for someone to be a comfort to others if they have not received that comfort at some point in their lives also.

In the secular world there are many who are genuinely nice, loving, helpful people. Many times the daughters of loving mothers grow up to be caring loving mothers in their own right. I remember growing up, that some of my friends mothers seemed to be mothers to anyone who needed a shoulder to lean on. However, it is a little different for the majority of us. Many people grow up without that love and support from their parents, so how can they comfort and care for others in turn? The answer lies in our Lord Jesus Christ. He has loved us more than any other at any time. He suffered above and beyond anything that can ever happen to us. Indeed he took the sin of the world upon himself, such was his love for us.

When we have experience the love of God in our lives, it is far easier to then comfort and help others in turn. Whatever trials you are facing, give them over to God, and help others to do the same in turn. This is why our church motto is “Loving God, loving people”.

Issue 17 - Day 5

1 Corinthians 16

1 Corinthians 16:1-3
1)  Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
2)  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
3)  And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

Money is the one area of our lives that is hardest to give over to God. Our natural instinct says two things. Firstly, I worked hard for that money so why should anyone else have it? Secondly, I can’t afford to give any money away, I barely make it through the month as it is! Paul was in this case collecting money to help the churches of Galatia. At the time there was a famine in Galatia, and the churches particularly were suffering. This is much the same as us taking up a special offering to help a missionary in trouble.

The same principles shown here apply to all our giving, and there are two key principles shown here. Firstly, they were encouraged to give liberally. This was not a case of collecting £50 as a token gesture of support. They gave to meet the need, and more. Our attitude in giving should not be to give the minimum we can get away with, but rather the maximum we can manage. The second principle of giving is to give on the first day of the week as we have been prospered. Or, to put it in modern terms, give to God straight after pay day. For most of us this means every Sunday, or on the first Sunday of the month. If you wait until the end of the month you will never have anything left to give, whereas if you give at the beginning of the month God will always ensure you have enough for all your needs that month.

Give in abundance, give generously, and give first to God. He will bless you.

Jesus Mocked

When we think that by the time Jesus gets hung up on the actual cross he is already half dead having been scourged to the point he is physically unable to carry his cross.  It is a wonder whether the mocking that went on even was heard.  However the mockery was not really meant for Jesus to hear but everyone around.  Jesus has the power to reverse what is going on and say to all the mockers “I told you so” but he does not.  We then see that every single piece of mockery is actually a truth about Jesus and the irony is, if the mockers had listened to the truth of their words and believed they would have realised just what was going on.  
Matthew 27:27-44
Here are a few examples of Jesus’s Mockery.
Jesus was scourged but then the soldiers start the mockery
Jesus is KING of The Jews  - So they mock Jesus as King even though He is the King
Imagine Prince William going to a part of the commonwealth and rather than being treated with respect and honour – the people do not believe it is him and believe him to be a lookalike or a fake.  Instead of bowing down in honour they bow down in sarcasm and mockery to him.  They then have him hanged for impersonating the Prince but all the time he really is the prince.  Well here is Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords being reduced to a criminal who is not seen as the King but as an imposter.  All the time he is the king.  It is an outrage but the irony is that Jesus is King and the mockery confirms it.  If it was not for Jesus dying on the cross then he would not be King – Phillipians 2:8-11 tells us that God has elevated Jesus higher because Jesus made himself lower.  
So they mock Jesus as King even though He is the King
“Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. “
The people have heard what Jesus had said “John 2:19-21” but now they doubted His words.  Today we are mocked by our belief on God’s Word but the reason is the people have not understood it.  
The people passing now doubt Jesus as how can He do anything as He is about to die.  They want to believe that He is the Son of God so ask for a sign.
Jesus does destroy the temple and build it in 3 days and he does this by dying on the cross.  When he dies the veil is torn in two – we now have complete access to God through His Son.  After 3 days He rises again and we now know that it is the body that is the temple – Jesus was the temple of the Holy Ghost (The Spirit of God was definitely in Jesus – He was God) We are now the temple of the Holy Spirit as Gods Spirit dwells in us.  None of this was possible until Jesus died on the cross.  
Now the Chief Priests join in.  The chief Priests are not mocking out of dismay or doubt as the people were looking for a sign.  The Chief Priests mock in the sense of we have won attitude.  

“He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him.”

He saved others; himself he cannot save  - In this one act of dying on the cross Jesus becomes the saviour; so therefore by dying He saved others.  For Jesus to be able to do this he could not save himself from being crucified.  So the truth is that He did not save himself so that He could save others.  The chief priest mock Jesus with the very reason of why He is on the cross.  What is a greater irony is that He is dying to save the same people who are mocking Him.  

Today people still mock Jesus and anyone who trust in Him – The irony if only they would hear the truth behind the mockery and believe they would see Jesus as the Son of God, King of Kings, and Saviour of all.  We need to continue living for Him and trusting in God that one day we will be delivered and that God will have us.

Issue 17 - Day 4

1 Corinthians 15

1 Corinthians 15:51-54
51)  Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52)  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53)  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54)  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

How are you at mysteries? Do you read, or watch a mystery, trying to work out who done it (sic)? God is the world’s worst at suspense. For centuries the mysteries of God were hidden, though revealed in prophecy for those sharp enough. However, come the New Testament he could no longer keep it secret. The mystery of the church, the mystery of the Holy Spirit, the mystery of Christ and this the mystery of resurrection. We are reading the answers before the film has finished.

Two mysteries here. What will happen when we die, or at the end of time? Some will not die, but regardless, in that moment we will all be transformed, the dead will rise, and we shall all be re-united in him. Death has reigned over the Earth since the time of Adam and Eve, yet there will come a day when death will be no more, and even those dead will return. For this reason we have hope, and a hope of eternal life in Christ.
The second mystery is, what will we be like? We will have new bodies, recognisable as us to all that knew us, but spiritual in nature, as different
from the physical as an oak tree is from an acorn. That is worth waiting for!

Issue 17 - Day 3

1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:24-26
24)  But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
25)  And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
26)  How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.

The people of Corinth were wayward, and in need of telling off. They excelled in mess. These days we are stuck in the opposite rut. They had a problem in that everyone thought themselves a leader, where we often expect the one leader to do it all. They would argue over what songs to sing, whereas we often fail to sing at all. They would all testify in confusion when we struggle to say one word. Ten people would stand to preach, and the message becomes a mess.

We need to come to a point in the middle, for it is good to bring testimony, it is good that more learn to preach. It is also good if more are involved in leading the worship. At the same time, God is a god of order, not of confusion. Everything must be done to his glory, and to edify the body, or it were best not done.

What gifts do you have that could be used in the church? How could you become more involved, and as a result see people turn to follow Christ, for that is the reason for what we do. As a body, let us encourage one another. As individuals, let us listen to God and use the gifts he has given us. As believers, let us be a witness to the world, of our Lord, the one true god. Above all, let us worship God in everything we do and say.

Issue 17 - Day 2

1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:11-12
11)  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12)  For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Do kids have it easy? Remember when you were younger, how you used to think it not fair how you couldn’t have your own space, eat what you wanted, get up as late as you liked, and played that game as long as you wanted? Then you get older, and you have to pay for the food, the house, and so on. You have to go to work so you can pay, and all that freedom you never realised you had vanished like smoke. It is the same in our Christian walk. As young believers god puts things in our lives to help us grow. Some are childish. As we grow in him we start to eat spiritual meat, and have spiritual responsibilities. Our lives and behaviour change to be more like Christ.

The other thing that changes as we get older is that we understand issues more clearly. At five years old it is unlikely that we will understand the ramifications of electing a different lord mayor of London. I’m not sure most adults do either, but at least we come to understand the issues a bit more. Likewise with God. Everything is black and white. It is either right or wrong. there are no grey areas. there is only one way to correctly understand scripture. Unfortunately we cannot see clearly and need spiritual glasses. One day we will be face to face with God and all will become clear, however as we grow spiritually God does give us more understanding of his ways.

Pray that God will reveal more, and give you understanding. He has promised this in his word, and will do it by the power of his Holy Spirit in us.

Issue 17 - Day 1

1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:24-27
24)  For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25)  That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26)  And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27)  Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

One of the hardest things to understand, and even harder to implement, is the manner in which the church is a body. In the eighties a lot of church teaching went into moving Christians from their traditional understanding of church as the building, to seeing the church as the people. As such we have now gone too far the other way and forget we have a building so we can meet together as a body. The church is the people, but it is also a body which needs to be together. If you are never meeting with the rest of the body, it is very difficult to play your part in the body.

Paul reminds us that we are to suffer together, and rejoice together. To do that we have to be together, and we have to communicate. God has given us each other, and the weak more so that the strong. He has done this specifically so that we can be united, and care the same for everyone. When it comes to spiritual things there are no spiritual giants, even if we think so. In the Old Testament we read of one time when the king wanted to know what God was saying. He did not send for the high priest, as we may do, instead he called the temple launderette! This lady was low in the natural order of things, but known to be praying.
Pray for one another, communicate with each other, and spend more time together. We are a body, so let God form us the way he wants.

Complete in Christ - Traditions

Unfortunately this message did not record, however the gist of the message is this, from Colosians 2:8-15.
When we encounter traditions in the church, in the world and in our own lives, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Do you understand what and why you are doing this thing?
2. What act of God does it look back at?
3. What promise of God does it look towards?

If the answer is clear and known then continue in the way that God has given you. If not, then why are you doing this? Know what God has done for you, and know what you must do for him.

Issue 16 - Day 7

1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11:26-29
26)  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27)  Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28)  But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29)  For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

Sticking to the subject of food again this morning, having sorted the problem of eating food sacrificed to other gods, are you eating the food dedicated to Christ when you should not? The Corinthians had made the taking of communion into a feast similar to the debaucheries that happened at that time in celebration of other gods. They took the feasts they were banned from by Paul’s earlier command, and introduced their own, and in so doing removed the whole point of the meal.

Do you make a practise of examining yourself before coming to take communion? I am not talking of the few minutes we spend in silent prayer at the service, but in the week before. In Old Testament times there was a list of things that would stop you from entering the temple. Everything from disease, to having had slept with your husband or wife last night. You had to have lived your life righteously in preparation, not just on the day. The same is true of the Lord’s table. If there is an argument with a brother then sort it out on Saturday, and come ready to praise God together. If you have sin in your life repent of it on Saturday, or even earlier, then come to God with a clean heart.
His table is not for cleaning us, but a celebration of the cleansing he has already performed. His death cleansed us, and we remember until he returns.

Issue 16 - Day 6

1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:18-21
18)  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19)  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20)  But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21)  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

It seems this week the prevailing theme is against eating halal food, or anything sacrificed to other gods. It is true that we come together in communion and eat of bread and wine that has been prayed over, and dedicated to God. In fact in bible times before Christ this was the same as the priests taking their part in the drink offering and meat (which meant bread on the old testament) offering. Likewise we must be on our guard and not eat halal meat when others may think we are eating in agreement with muslims, and their beliefs.

The example of the Israelites goes far beyond this however. They would sit to eat with some other nation, end up marrying their sons and daughters, and before they could blink they were joining with them in their worship, “to keep the in-laws happy”. A few years later and half of Israel is worshiping another God, in preference to the true God. As Paul said, it was not a problem eating the food, it was the end result. We speak of “the thin end of the wedge”, and it says in scripture to avoid the appearance of evil. By the time you have slipped slowly into a sin you have also justified it to yourself and it takes a cataclysmic event in your life to wake you to the error of your ways.

Issue 16 - Day 5

1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:19-22
19)  For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20)  And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21)  To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22)  To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

We continually struggle with the question of how to reach people. Most often we are trying to reach a particular people group, and this passage explains why we are failing. However, we ask the same question of our own peer group, and that raises another issue.

The bottom line is simple, in order to reach someone you have to be where they are. You can’t witness to the queen if you stack shelves for a living, and you can’t witness effectively to the guys in your local pub if you live in a castle. The best person to reach Albanians is an Albanian, and the best person to reach a nurse is a nurse. Why is this? Well, as Paul says, in order to save some, you have to become like them, at least to a certain extent. He does say not to be totally like them, as I did at University, for then you have no witness at all. Be a witness, and understand where people are at.

Underneath all of that however, none of this is any good if you do not open your mouth and share the gospel. The word of God is given to us, not only to show us how to live, but in order to give it to others. It is good to hold God’s word in our hearts, but it must also come out through our mouths.

Jesus Beaten

Looking at Matthew 27 we firstly learnt that Jesus was Scourged – when we looked at what this meant we realised that he was beaten to being unrecognisable.

In Isaiah 53:5 it says
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

We learnt that he was “defiled for our transgressions” and “destroyed for our iniquities” and “by his stripes we are healed.”

Picture that by being scourged Jesus takes on our sin, the most perfect precious person that ever lived took was defiled by our sin and every time he was whipped he was taken on our sin – It made him unrecognisable in how much he was beaten.  Why? Because sin destroys that which is pure.  

God allows sin to be destroyed completely, the spotless lamb Jesus was defiled by our sin and then beaten to pieces for our sin.   Jesus was not a criminal: But we are! Like the bond women who has been defiled by the wrong man(Leviticus 19:20); we have been defiled by the wrong man – We are supposed to be Gods but we have bowed down to the lusts of the World and the god of it namely Satan.  We are defiled and need that sin beaten from us but Gods grace means He gives His only Son to take that punishment for us which results in the last phrase of Isaiah 53:5.
“By His stripes we are healed.”
Jesus is scourged, His flesh is ripped from Him and He is unrecognisable.  He has taken all our sin our defilement on Him and then destroyed it; so that we can be healed or made whole.  

Issue 16 - Day 4

1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8:4, 7-9
4)  As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

7)  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8)  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9)  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

Is this a problem for you? Do you even know it is a problem? Strangely it is a problem today in England, for all of us. It turns out that although major supermarkets have special halal ranges of meat, the majority of the chicken, and almost all the New Zealand lamb, even when not labeled as such, is actually halal.

Now this is not a problem, first because we know that there is only one true God so who cares what prayers people have made to false gods over the meat we eat. And secondly, because the process really only means a trained muslim performed the killing of the animal along with hundreds of others that day, muttering a couple of words of a set prayer. not exactly offered to idols in the classical sense. However it is a problem in the cultural melting pot that is London. We have many friends of other religions (do continue to pray for their salvation), and if they, or others, see us eating halal meat they will believe us to be influenced by Islam.
Be careful for the sake of others, impressions are often worse than reality.

Issue 16 - Day 3

1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:32-34
32)  But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
33)  But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34)  There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

As is often the case in scripture, statements of how the world is do not always match up with how we know the world to be. However, in all such cases we are presented with the world as it should be.

It should be that anyone unmarried looks first to please the Lord, and it should be that anyone married looks to please their spouse. Paul is in fact saying that it is always best to seek to please first the Lord, however in today’s society it is worth saying that if you are married you should seek to please your spouse. The biggest problem in this area of London is that people do not try to please their spouse, families are the consequence of lust fulfilling sex, and an inconvenience that gets in the way of whatever their primary goal in life is. What a twisted view of life and marriage! Pray that we can impact this area to change, and that the Lord would heal these broken families.

For us who believe, we should first serve God, yet one of the primary ways a married person serves God is by loving their spouse, and caring for their families. No matter if you are married or single therefore, seek to serve God with a pure heart. Look first to the direction of his will, and walk in all the ways of the Lord that you have learned from his word.