Operation Holy Land 7 - Visitation

Are you doing enough for Christ to annoy people? If not, then you probably aren't doing enough, or saying anything. I am likely to be arrested for preaching Christ? I doubt it, because the authorities of London have no idea that I am even preaching! Of course it is not our aim to grow notoriety, but it is always true that if you say nothing then you will upset no-one.

Operation Holy Land 5 - Boldness

Some of us are bold in speaking, but don’t know what to say. Some are not so bold, and don’t speak. In the end who bears witness to the greatness of God?

Ephesians 6:18-20

18)  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19)  And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20)  For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

It was very much on Paul’s heart, the same issue. He desired to speak boldly, and more than that, we need not just to open our mouths, but to make known the gospel.

Operation Holy Land - Facing persecution

Acts 4:13

13)  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Change

Composition

Courage

Commitment

Can people see that you have been with Jesus?

Operation Holy Land 3 - God's power, Man's witness

On a spiritual level this man’s life is the same as every living person in history. From birth we come into the world crippled and helpless.

Day after day we face life without Christ. Sitting at the gates of the Temple (Heaven) but unable to enter. Some never even go near, but others are seeking God. Like this man physically did, sitting as close as he could get to God’s presence, yet he could not get in by himself.

It is not in our power to gain entrance into God’s presence.

Ephesians 2:8-9

8)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Unfortunately the last five minutes of this sermon did not record, however it is simply that the result was witness. Over five thousand were now in the church as a result of this demonstration of power.

Paul Davies - Cynical Unbelief

It is always a joy when Paul Davies (AEM) visits us. Here with news from Kosova, and a message from Mark 6. To quote Paul, "Jesus grew up on a building site", "as he returned home he faced cynical unbelief". What does this say about our witness?

Operation Holy Land - Peter in the pulpit

In our witness we must never lose sight of the fact that Jesus is central. We can, and must connect culturally to be heard, but it has to come back to the cross.

As Peter preached at the first ever outreach event of the church, let’s see what he said. It was certainly effective. 3000 people came to salvation that day. I don’t think any of us can say our witness has been that effective so we can learn a thing or two.

Operation Holy Land - The Plan

How did this group of fishermen, and whoever else had been following Jesus go from hiding in an upper room, to a group of bold speakers travelling worldwide spreading the gospel of Christ?

How do we go from being a small group of believers meeting each week in a hall in Bermondsey, to speaking the word of God boldly wherever he takes us?