Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Dates for the diary
Bible By The Beach, Eastbourne, 29th April - 2nd May 2011. Archbishop Greg Venables, John Lennox, R. Kent Hughes, Rico Tice and more! Resurrection people. Children's & youth programme, creche etc. Group discount for 12 places booked before 30th Nov.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Parable of the Sower Alliterations
God willing, I am going to preach on the so-called Parable of the Sower from Mark 4 for our harvest family service.
I might go alliteration-tastic with a look at:
The Sower = Jesus
The Seed = The Word of God
The Soils = Different groups of hearers, how they recieve and respond to the Word of God from Jesus
Satan, stoney, sidewalk (path), suckers (weeds), shallow (though that doesn't quite work), sound soil are all additional possible "s"s.
And then there are Vaughan Roberts headings which I reall from OiCCU days. Obviously alliteration can sometimes be memorable:
(1) The Problem of the Word
(2) The Purpose of the Word
(3) The Produce (or Power) of the Word
Or even:
(1) The Apparent Problem of the Word
(2) The Actual Purpose of the Word
(3) The Abundant Produce (or Power) of the Word
I might ask Mrs Lloyd to make up some pots of each type of soil and get some seed. The boy would enjoy "helping". And some pictures for the PowerPoint and Bob is a relative.
I might go alliteration-tastic with a look at:
The Sower = Jesus
The Seed = The Word of God
The Soils = Different groups of hearers, how they recieve and respond to the Word of God from Jesus
Satan, stoney, sidewalk (path), suckers (weeds), shallow (though that doesn't quite work), sound soil are all additional possible "s"s.
And then there are Vaughan Roberts headings which I reall from OiCCU days. Obviously alliteration can sometimes be memorable:
(1) The Problem of the Word
(2) The Purpose of the Word
(3) The Produce (or Power) of the Word
Or even:
(1) The Apparent Problem of the Word
(2) The Actual Purpose of the Word
(3) The Abundant Produce (or Power) of the Word
I might ask Mrs Lloyd to make up some pots of each type of soil and get some seed. The boy would enjoy "helping". And some pictures for the PowerPoint and Bob is a relative.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Extended Communion
It is worth noting that in a manner of speaking, every Communion is an extended communion. No one communes at exactly the same time and place as the President.It is all a matter of degree: how far away and how much delay are tolerable?
It is interesting to ask what difference being in the same building makes. What if there were an overflow of people to the church yard or church hall? Or down the road? Or if there were a video-link set up to those places?
Although I can see that people might dislike the idea, I wonder what possibilities modern technology might offer for extended communion e.g. for the housebound? Someone watching the service on a lap top would then recieve the elements in the same way as everyone else, only with a slightly longer delay? They would participate more fully in the corporate worship than at present. (They could down load service sheets and hymn words etc.) The same could be done for a sick family? Or for a congregation in another church?
(Admittedly, more presbyters would be a better solution!)
It is interesting to ask what difference being in the same building makes. What if there were an overflow of people to the church yard or church hall? Or down the road? Or if there were a video-link set up to those places?
Although I can see that people might dislike the idea, I wonder what possibilities modern technology might offer for extended communion e.g. for the housebound? Someone watching the service on a lap top would then recieve the elements in the same way as everyone else, only with a slightly longer delay? They would participate more fully in the corporate worship than at present. (They could down load service sheets and hymn words etc.) The same could be done for a sick family? Or for a congregation in another church?
(Admittedly, more presbyters would be a better solution!)
Friday, September 10, 2010
Jesus' promise, purpose, power, plan, project
DV, I'm going to speak at tonight's prayer meeting and Communion on Matthew 16:18 - Jesus said: "I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it"
I
will
build
my
church
and the gates of hell
will not overcome it
Each word / phrase deserves emphasis comment.
I
will
build
my
church
and the gates of hell
will not overcome it
Each word / phrase deserves emphasis comment.
The Sussex Parson
As you can see, I've attempted a bit of re-branding here.
Do you like the new (additional) title?
I'm not sure about the image. I'm afraid its not our house! Nor it is Sussex! It was taken at St Fagans, The National History Museum of Welsh life.
The "original" Sussex Parson was Edward Boys Ellman (1815-1906), Rector of Berwick, but as they want £20 for a used copy of his Reflections, I'm afraid I've never read them. They were reccomended at Initial Ministerial Education in Chichester Diocese once, I think!
Do you like the new (additional) title?
I'm not sure about the image. I'm afraid its not our house! Nor it is Sussex! It was taken at St Fagans, The National History Museum of Welsh life.
The "original" Sussex Parson was Edward Boys Ellman (1815-1906), Rector of Berwick, but as they want £20 for a used copy of his Reflections, I'm afraid I've never read them. They were reccomended at Initial Ministerial Education in Chichester Diocese once, I think!
Thursday, September 09, 2010
Lessons from Judges 1:1-2:5
God is in control and uses even the messy and the inexplicable.
God's power.
Victories come from God not ultimately from superior skills or numbers.
God's people can expect triumph when they do his will in his way.
God's work does not depend on any human being, not on our leaders or heros.
Total obedience to God's Word even when it feels hard or strange.
Don't think you know better than God. No pragmatism at the expense of principle.
No compromise with sin or with Godlessness.
The seriousness of sin and the reality of the coming judgement. The justice of God.
The need to throw in one's lot with God and his people.
God's blessing come when we work together in unity. Mutual help.
God is patient and merciful. He warns and stands ready to forgive.
Sin has painful sometimes disasterous sometimes unintended consequences.
Emotional repentance is good and fine as is expression of faith and devotion, but they must be real and lasting and applied in action.
We need new hearts, the power of the Spirit, forgiveness, rescue, a Saviour-King, Christ.
(With thanks to my homegroup, Dale Ralph Davis, Judges - Christian Focus - & The Good Book co., The Good The Bad and The Ugly).
God's power.
Victories come from God not ultimately from superior skills or numbers.
God's people can expect triumph when they do his will in his way.
God's work does not depend on any human being, not on our leaders or heros.
Total obedience to God's Word even when it feels hard or strange.
Don't think you know better than God. No pragmatism at the expense of principle.
No compromise with sin or with Godlessness.
The seriousness of sin and the reality of the coming judgement. The justice of God.
The need to throw in one's lot with God and his people.
God's blessing come when we work together in unity. Mutual help.
God is patient and merciful. He warns and stands ready to forgive.
Sin has painful sometimes disasterous sometimes unintended consequences.
Emotional repentance is good and fine as is expression of faith and devotion, but they must be real and lasting and applied in action.
We need new hearts, the power of the Spirit, forgiveness, rescue, a Saviour-King, Christ.
(With thanks to my homegroup, Dale Ralph Davis, Judges - Christian Focus - & The Good Book co., The Good The Bad and The Ugly).
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Ministers and Priests
One potential disadvantage in calling your minister or priest a minister or priest is that all God's people are ministers and priests. Its good to remember that. The minister or priest mustn't forget that the people are ministers and priests, and they should remember it too. They mustn't expect him to do all the ministering and priesting.
Perhaps Pastor helps to avoid this problem, thought of course we should pastor one another too. Maybe Elder or Presbyter would be the best title in this respect?
Perhaps Pastor helps to avoid this problem, thought of course we should pastor one another too. Maybe Elder or Presbyter would be the best title in this respect?
A bad argument
(1) Some Roman Catholics are bad or wicked or dangerous or wrong in some ways or something like that
(2) Some Roman Catolics use incense
(3) Therefore we must not use incense
Now, leave aside what you think about (1) for a moment. Just note that if were to grant this it would also prove:
(2a) Some Roman Catholics preach sermons using Bible texts
(3a) Therefore we must not preach (sermons using Bible texts).
As I said, a bad argument.
(2) Some Roman Catolics use incense
(3) Therefore we must not use incense
Now, leave aside what you think about (1) for a moment. Just note that if were to grant this it would also prove:
(2a) Some Roman Catholics preach sermons using Bible texts
(3a) Therefore we must not preach (sermons using Bible texts).
As I said, a bad argument.
"They're just not ready for it!"
What would your attitude be if someone said someone else wasn't ready for studying a certain portion of God's Word?
I was pretty unconvinced. It's all God's Word and useful and we all need it all, and so on.
But on reflection, I think I'm a bit more sympathetic.
Imagine the Bible as rich, varried food. All of it is good and life-giving, and we need all of it, and a balanced diet. But some of it might be best for breakfast, lucnh, or dinner, or for a snack. Some may be a fine feast. Some is daily bread. We will naturally like some bits more than others. Some bits will be more or less nutritious, or appertising, or digestable. Some might neeed cutting up or mashing, or lots of chewing, or a good long stewing. Some bits will go together with other bits well, or be a nice change. Some might not taste good or upset us. Some bits might be an acquired taste. Some of us will suffer from defficiencies which mean that certain portions would be best for us. We must eat our greens too and not just have suasages for every meal or over-eat on pudding. And so on.
We don't all have to be able to eat everything in one go.
I was pretty unconvinced. It's all God's Word and useful and we all need it all, and so on.
But on reflection, I think I'm a bit more sympathetic.
Imagine the Bible as rich, varried food. All of it is good and life-giving, and we need all of it, and a balanced diet. But some of it might be best for breakfast, lucnh, or dinner, or for a snack. Some may be a fine feast. Some is daily bread. We will naturally like some bits more than others. Some bits will be more or less nutritious, or appertising, or digestable. Some might neeed cutting up or mashing, or lots of chewing, or a good long stewing. Some bits will go together with other bits well, or be a nice change. Some might not taste good or upset us. Some bits might be an acquired taste. Some of us will suffer from defficiencies which mean that certain portions would be best for us. We must eat our greens too and not just have suasages for every meal or over-eat on pudding. And so on.
We don't all have to be able to eat everything in one go.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Resolved
When ever possible, when ministering I will take someone with me who might be more involved in that ministry in the future and chat with them about it before and afterwards. Next time, I might go with them and have them do it. Then they can go on their own. Then they can take someone else.
See one, do one, teach one is a good idea for multiplying ministry.
See one, do one, teach one is a good idea for multiplying ministry.
Monday, September 06, 2010
Blessed breasts
God willing, I am going to preach at our Mothers' Union Prayer Fellowship Communion on Thursday on Luke 11:27-28.
Vicar Wanted!
We'd like our old one back at Holy Trinity, Eastbourne, but failing that, you can find our Parish Profile here.
Have Bible Will Travel!
If you are after a preacher or speaker, you could do a lot worse than my old boss, The Revd John Cheeseman, who has just embarked on an itinerant ministry after 30 years of local church leadership. John is a Bible-believing, faithful, clear, courageous, passionate preacher keen on lively real-life application - and I'm no longer paid to say that. He'll be sound but not dull! I hear his rates are very reasonable! Try to get his wife, Joy, to come too!
John was called to the ministry while reading Classics at Oxford and trained for under Alec Motyer and Jim Packer at Trinity College Bristol. He is the author of The Grace of God in the Gospel / Saving Grace and The Priority of Preaching (Banner of Truth). His sermons on the life of Elijah are forthcoming.
A taster of John's sermons is available, I believe, from The Martyn Lloyd Jones recording trust. Many of his sermons from the last 2 years at Holy Trinity, Eastbourne, can be found on our church sermon page.
John was called to the ministry while reading Classics at Oxford and trained for under Alec Motyer and Jim Packer at Trinity College Bristol. He is the author of The Grace of God in the Gospel / Saving Grace and The Priority of Preaching (Banner of Truth). His sermons on the life of Elijah are forthcoming.
A taster of John's sermons is available, I believe, from The Martyn Lloyd Jones recording trust. Many of his sermons from the last 2 years at Holy Trinity, Eastbourne, can be found on our church sermon page.
Be There or Be...
... potentially misinformed, unenlightened, not encouraged, stretched, humbled etc. etc.
What would the 17th Century Reformed say to the 21st Century church? What would thrill or suprise or horrify them?
I hope to find out at The Faith of Our Fathers' Conference in Southgate, North London, Sat 2nd Oct.
See you there or comment to book a place in my car from Eastbourne.
What would the 17th Century Reformed say to the 21st Century church? What would thrill or suprise or horrify them?
I hope to find out at The Faith of Our Fathers' Conference in Southgate, North London, Sat 2nd Oct.
See you there or comment to book a place in my car from Eastbourne.
Visible "Word"
If we are going to say that the sacraments are Visible "Words" we will want to think long and hard about what words are.
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Marriage alliteration purposes
Marriage is for:
Charity (love), chastity and children.
Partnership, procreation, purity.
And a way of putting it that may have been new to me:
Society (including children), sharing, sexual pleasure, symbol (of Christ as bridegroom of the church)
Thanks to Revd Paul Clark at David & Sarah Wilks' wedding at St Helens, Bishopsgate yesterday for that.
Charity (love), chastity and children.
Partnership, procreation, purity.
And a way of putting it that may have been new to me:
Society (including children), sharing, sexual pleasure, symbol (of Christ as bridegroom of the church)
Thanks to Revd Paul Clark at David & Sarah Wilks' wedding at St Helens, Bishopsgate yesterday for that.
Incarnate Word
It seems to me perfectly acceptable and potentially very useful to compare the inacrnation of the Lord Jesus Christ in two natures (human and divine) with the inscriptuartion of the Word of God, which is both a human and a divine book.
Now, no doubt this is an analogy. We must avoid an illegitimate totality transfer. We need not think there is a hypostatic union between God and Man in the Bible to make use of it. All analogies break down - they are not totalities! They make points about relevant similarity. They invite us to compare and contrast and run thought experiments. They say something in a maybe new or interesting way. They need not say A is B or even the relationship between A and C is identical to the relationship between D and E in all respects. They might just say: hey, have you thought about this: is this a pattern? The incarnation seems to me to be one of the deep structures or paradigms of relatity. Of course it is unique and special in all sorts of ways, but it is also fundamental not accidental or incidental to everything else.
Further, it is no objection to the analogy as such to say that some people abuse it. For example, some people may want to assign stuff they don't get or like to the humanity of the Bible so as to be able to dismiss it. But here the true analogy can help us: Jesus and the Bible both have a perfect sinless humanity. There is no problem with the analogy here - the fault would be with the theology of the incarnation of those who argue thus.
Now, no doubt this is an analogy. We must avoid an illegitimate totality transfer. We need not think there is a hypostatic union between God and Man in the Bible to make use of it. All analogies break down - they are not totalities! They make points about relevant similarity. They invite us to compare and contrast and run thought experiments. They say something in a maybe new or interesting way. They need not say A is B or even the relationship between A and C is identical to the relationship between D and E in all respects. They might just say: hey, have you thought about this: is this a pattern? The incarnation seems to me to be one of the deep structures or paradigms of relatity. Of course it is unique and special in all sorts of ways, but it is also fundamental not accidental or incidental to everything else.
Further, it is no objection to the analogy as such to say that some people abuse it. For example, some people may want to assign stuff they don't get or like to the humanity of the Bible so as to be able to dismiss it. But here the true analogy can help us: Jesus and the Bible both have a perfect sinless humanity. There is no problem with the analogy here - the fault would be with the theology of the incarnation of those who argue thus.
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