The Lord’s Prayer – 7th August Carole.
Most of us know that Jesus really did not mean it to be prayed as a whole prayer, although that’s fine if you want to do that, but as a framework, a model for our prayers and relationship with Father God.
OUR FATHER
I think it is really interesting the Lord is instructing us to begin our daily relationship with God by referring to Him as ‘Our Father.’ He could have said, Our God, Our Lord, Our Saviour, Our Creator, but I believe He wanted to emphasise the precious relationship we have with Him as our Father. Jesus came to lead us back to the Father heart of God. Also I believe He was underlining the fact that we are embraced into this relationship with Jesus. He is our Father – not my Father or your Father but our Father. Jesus says, ‘All the Father has given me he has made available to you.’ WOW. I think it is wonderful to know that the Father loves me as much as He loves Jesus!
HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME
Even though He is our Father and we are always encouraged to have an intimate relationship with Him, we are to revere and honour Him and hold Him in very high esteem and fear Him in the right sense. (Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the way to revelation – Proverbs tells us.) One of the Ten Commandments is to honour our Father and Mother so that we may live long in the land – the only command with a condition. If we want wellbeing we need to honour our parents in so far as we can – so how much more do we need to honour our heavenly Father.
YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.
God’s Kingdom is very different to the one we experience in the world. Satan is in charge of this world for now. Father God wants to bring His Kingdom and his will here on earth. He has placed Kingdom – bringing power on the inside of us by His Holy Spirit once we give Him charge of our lives. When God created Eden He blessed and empowered Adam and Eve to fill the earth and spread Eden throughout it. Adam gave the authority away when he sinned, but Jesus won it back for us by shedding His blood. God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews tells us) and He still wants us to take Eden with us wherever we go and to allow it to usurp what the enemy has done on our patch. ‘As it is in Heaven’ – there is no recession or economic crisis, illness or lack of any kind in Heaven and our Father wants to see that on earth and so fulfill His original desire.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD.
That is our physical, spiritual and emotional needs. We are told so many times, ‘Do not fear, but ask.’ When God sent manna it was a day at a time. In Matthew 6 Jesus tells them, ‘Don’t worry about your daily needs, but seek first my Kingdom and my righteousness. In other words, ‘Make sure you’re on my side and doing things my way and all your needs will be met. He wants us to trust Him for tomorrow and live by faith.
FORGIVE US OUR SINS AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO SIN AGAINST US.
This is so fundamental to the Christian walk. God has forgiven us so much, the least we can do is forgive each other. Sometimes we have to grit our teeth to do it, but God sees our heart and, however hard we find it, if we are willing to let Him soften our hearts and ask Him to help us He will. Often it is a process, but all God asks for is our willingness to let Him take us that way.
LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
Of course, as James 1 :13 tells us, God never tempts anyone. That isn’t what Jesus means. I think this is a request for guidance so that we can be delivered from evil. Jesus prayed in John 17, ‘ I don’t pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. We need to line up our prayers with His and keep out of the enemy’s clutches. God is still in the deliverance business.
FOR YOURS IS THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY, FOREVER AND EVER, AMEN.
I think of this as a mighty crescendo with angel trumpets blaring, lots of clapping and and joyful praise and worship. After all, we are to live in the eternal now with our amazing Father, the creator of the universe and who loves us far, far above anything we could imagine.
And all God’s people said, ……….. ‘AMEN.’
The Meaning of Forgiveness - 17th July Tanya
Intro: Looking at Forgiveness and my first question is – what is it? Dictionary definition “cease to blame or hold resentment against. To pardon”
I looked at many quotes and one said forgiveness is “Easy to receive and hard to give”. I wonder what you think of that ? I can relate to the “hard to give” but I’m not sure about the “easy to receive” bit. I often find it hard to accept that God can forgive me. Sometimes I ask again and again for forgiveness for the same thing – forgetting what Jesus has done on the cross. I/We have to accept His forgiveness and also forgive ourselves. So forgiveness is about receiving and giving pardon.
Pauline, a lady on the Alpha course that’s now running said, “Forgiveness is the most beautiful part of Christianity”. I thought that was such a lovely quote and it’s what I want to explore this morning.
What does the Bible say?
Colossians 3 v13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” And-
Matthew 18 v 21 to 22 “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times ?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times. But seventy-seven times.”
So we forgive because Jesus tells us to and He gives us a strong message about forgiving as we have been forgiven, and to forgive without limit. Note how the Lord’s Prayer specifically mentions forgiveness.
Result: So what’s the result of forgiveness? Sticking to the bible – Luke 6 v 37 “Forgive and you will be forgiven”
How: The all important question – how ? This book - “The Hiding Place” gives us the answer – it is the story of Corrie Ten Boom a Dutch, Christian lady who, following her release from a Nazi concentration camp went on to give talks all over the world about forgiveness (she had a lot to forgive!). About forgiveness she said:
“Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realise the prisoner was you”
She was able to forgive but, and here is the crux of it, only in God’s strength – after giving a talk about forgiveness she is confronted by one of her former SS prison guards. The guard talks to her about how grateful he is for the message of forgiveness. She is filled with anger towards him and finds herself unable to shake the hand he is holding out to her. She reminds herself that Jesus died for this man and asks God to forgive her – she prays:
p 220 “Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness”. At that point she is filled with love for this man. God gave her the command to forgive but also the love with which to do it.
So remember – We forgive because God forgives us: We should forgive without limit: If we forgive, we will be forgiven and, We forgive in God’s strength.
Next time you say the Lord’s Prayer – think about the words “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”
Thankyou.
Quiet times 19th June 11 Phil
Not here to tell you to do them, that’s your decision.
I’m hoping to convince you, if you don’t already, to do them.
What is a Quiet time?
Why have a QT?
We are often told to do as Jesus did
When have a QT?
Where to have a QT
How long to have a QT
What to do in a QT
How to have a QT – I would suggest:
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit 5th June 2011 Richard L
In the Beginning -The Spirit of God hovered over the water; everything was made through the Jesus – team effort.
Who Appears Where;
What They Say of Each Other.
The Gospels’ Commentary
Jesus Conceived : Luke 1:35 - ’The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.’”
Jesus Baptised: ”As soon as Jesus Christ was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and landing on him. And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’”
Jesus Said - “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19
Stepped into his calling when he was anointed.
I have been sent to do the will of He who sent me.
All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me.
BUT
The Holy Spirit
We receive inwardly,
Paul
2 Corinthians 13:14
Paul said “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all”
Nicene Creed
One God, the Father, maker of all things. One son, begotten, one with the Father, through whom all things were made. For our salvation, came down from heaven, incarnate by the HS and the Virgin. Crucified, died, buried, ascended on the third day.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son], who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
Trinity
Scripture Memory 15th May 2011 Joan
Scripture – the dictionary definition is ‘ the holy writings of religion’.
The ‘Sword of the Spirit’ (Eph 5) – by this we mean the Bible which is God’s word. Ps 33v4 says that ‘the word of the Lord is right and true – He is faithful in all He does’. 1 Tim 3v16 says that ‘all scripture is God breathed’.
Why is it important to commit memory to scripture?
This is a list of most commonly used Bibles in the English language.
Although the wording may be different, there is no difference in doctrine between the versions. (Beware of the New World Translation (Jehovah’s Witness version) – this is seriously flawed.)
It is impossible to get a ‘literal’ translation of the Bible because :-
New versions appear regularly as word meanings and culture change eg. the TNIV was completed several years after the NIV and is much more ‘PC’ especially in terms of gender-inclusive language
There are 3 basic methods of translation:-
FORMAL EQUIVALENCE – INTERLINEAR › NASB › ESV › RSV› KJV › NKJV › NRSV › NIV › TNIV › NLT › NIrV › GNB › LIVING › MESSAGE - PARAPHRASE
Which translation of the Bible is best for me ? Do you want serious Bible study? Interlinear – NASB
Do you want an easy to read Bible to get a good overview ? Message.
Do you want a compromise ? NIV
What is worship? In spirit and truth. - 3 April 2011 Nick
Worship is pleasing God and giving Him his worth. Declaring to God who He is and reminding us who we are. Putting God in his rightful place. Sometimes we do this together in a congregation and there is power when 2 or more people come together in His name. But most of the time we need to cultivate worship in our lifestyle.
Worship all the time…
In everything be pleasing unto God. “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.” ps 19:14. With everything we say and with everything we think we want to please God. “I can’t afford to have any thoughts that are not pleasing to god.” Bill Johnson.
Worship is a two-way thing. Relationship. We must be giving…. Have to live life with a desire to please him. It is important not to forget that even in worship god likes to communicate back! Don’t ignore the promptings
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Ie worship is from our spirit but also with our minds. To worship God in fullness there has to be something supernatural about it. It is not just a process for us, it is an engaging with God. Worship is not about believing or just doing good, it is the heart behind it that is key. Anyone can do good… For any motivation. Anyone can believe in god… Satan believes in God! Worship comes out of a heart – lifestyle choice – to please God.
So why songs?
• It’s is a platform for spirit and truth to collide and powerful way of unity. Even people who go to music festivals – Glastonbury – talk of spiritual experience of music. ‘music takes words to a place that words cannot go alone’. Toby mac.
• Music was front line of battles in old testament – worship is always present in battle. Victory is often found thru worship.
• Music also allows space… Space use our own way to express worship to god, space to declare what’s on our heart, and space to allow god to respond and interact with us.
• We ALWAYS have to enter into worship to please god, but it is never long before god just gets drawn in to us and turns it around to fill us with his spirit, give revelation, healing, release deems, keys to situations, shift spiritual things in our lives and those in our lives. God loves our worship and genuine love for him, but he also loves our open vessels ‘but we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us’. 2 cor 4:7 We are his children and he loves to equip us and fill us anew.
So every time we meet we can have high expectations.
How and why should I pray ?- 6th March. Mike G.
The following comments were gathered prior to Mike Gibbon’s Five Minute talk about How to Pray. They are from various Dayspring folk and those closely connected with its members. I hope you find them encouraging and a help as to How and Why you should Pray.
Helen F: Prayer is an essential part of a living relationship with father. Thought this quote was interesting too: God insists that we ask, not because He needs to know our situation, but because we need the spiritual discipline of asking. (K Marshall)
David Fr: It’s good to be in touch. Talk – Talk
Brian A: because I like to connect with myself, the divine and others and touching the bigger picture
Tiffy A: Lots of reasons. The main one is because it feels like an unusually safe place. I can say what I like and not get my fingers slapped.
Joan Fr: I pray because God died for me. Cares for me and wants to spend each day with ME.
Dennis B: In prayer I’m putting my hand in His to feel stability in my life. For me in prayer we seek to mine the divine seam that followed in the wake of Christ’s ascension through which the loving, ever creative heart of God delivers order to our fallen state.
Lawrie: To Whom else can I turn?
Tony R: (Hospital Chaplain) I pray because knowing Jesus is about having a relationship, and whoever heard of knowing someone without regularly having a chat?
Peter L: It’s my way of talking to God
Pat L : It’s second nature to me
Sheila G: To connect with a power that is greater than me but is also closer than a father or brother and wants to be my friend.
Mike G: Because I know He is listening out for me and that He will answer in His way not mine.
Robert H (Prison Chaplain ) To talk to Dad
Anthony D: God is my support.
Mike Fl Never thought about why! Just do it – It’s a natural conversation with a Friend.
This is the list gathered prior to sharing on Sunday 6th march. If you feel that you would like to add to this list of ‘Why I Pray’ as an encouragement to others in the Fellowship, please email Mike G.
The Church – 20th February 2011. Chris.
In the New Testament (NT) the Greek word used for church is ecclesia, which means a gathering of people. It’s never a building, clergy or a service. We don’t go to church; we are the Church.
The Church exists within, between and outside denominations and traditions. From the foundations of the Church in the NT we can also tell what this gathering of people (community) should be like.
1) The term church is mentioned 111 times in the NT but only 3 times in the Gospels. Luke doesn’t use the word at all in his Gospel but does so 18 times in Acts. Hence the church is a post-Easter phenomenon. Its existence requires the death and resurrection of Jesus and the empowering release of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. It is essential that the Church is Christ centred and God powered.
2) All NT writers call the Church to action – it’s not a passive organisation.
Jesus sums it up. He calls us to:
- love God and know Him better.
- share Him amongst ourselves.
- show Him to those who don’t yet know.
So the Church has to be both gathered and outgoing
The NT emphasises this by the names that it gives to the Church.
- The body of Christ (multitalented, sacrificially discipling).
- A holy nation (God-centred not self-centred: different from the world).
- A royal Priesthood (Ministering Jesus effectively to whoever we meet).
- The bride of Christ (something beautiful for Jesus.)
It became the most successful community on earth.
Are we managing to be the Church God called us to be? No, not yet.
Are we seeking to be what we should be? Yes, I believe there are signs that we are.
So keep pressing on to be the people that Jesus wants us to be.
How to read the Bible. 6th February 2011. Lee.
We need to read and take in the Bible – WE REALLY DO! It’s like food for Christians.
2 Tim 3:16 NIV “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness”
Let’s find new ways to make it happen (or just crack on and stop procrastinating) and see our life change for the better…
How to read the bible, some quick tips and resources…
Video:
Why the Bible? Ravi Zacharias - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHRP0I2SrVs
Bible in a minute - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar_k8JjVWQA&feature=related
Discuss a piece of it as a couple/family/cell/group
Get Word for Today delivered to your home or inbox for free - http://www.ucb.co.uk/word_for_today
Meditate (slowly read and wait) on God’s word using Lectio Divina - http://www.humilitymatters.com/lectio.html
Sit still/walk around while reading.
Act it out while reading.
Put a copy in the toilet!
Ask of a passage what did it mean then? Whats does it mean now?
Make the bible mobile – on your iphone/ipad/smartphone/blackberry etc etc http://www.olivetree.com
Read the bible as the first thing you see when you switch on your computer – set http://www.sacredspace.ie as your ‘homepage’
Sniff it!
Buy it as an audiobook for your ipod/mp3 player/computer the cheapest one is for ipod/mp3 player the whole Message Bible for £6.92 - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Message-Bible-Complete/dp/1598594567/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296832606&sr=8-1
Get the new testament podcast from The Bible Society - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/new-testament-audio-bible/id389568521
Listen to someone explaining it to you (but be careful -not everyone on the internet is helpful!) – try Rob Bell’s Mars Hill bible church maybe - http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/mars-hill-bible-church/id214057317?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Any more ideas?
Tell the hub at the office and we’ll put them up here :)
What is the Bible and how reliable is it? Chris. 23rd January 2011
The Bible is divided into different books, written over a period of more than a thousand years, by scores of authors from very different backgrounds and social standing and yet it has a common theme. Apart from its first three chapters, the Bible is essentially an account of God seeking to restore a relationship with humankind that we have chosen to break. It claims to be a record of God’s interaction with us. Primarily it encourages us to draw close to God and explains how we can in order that we may share Him with and show Him to others and thus begin to build the kingdom of God on earth. It also explains who we are, why we are here and what our destiny is.
It’s unique because, unlike the sacred texts of all other religions, it’s written mostly as a narrative located within history, geography and culture. But there are some illustrative stories (proverbs), hymns, prophetic revelations and it’s enriched with poetry. Much of it describes events by either using the direct testimony of witnesses or a compilation of eyewitness stories recorded by others. Sometimes God speaks; sometimes others speak on His behalf. Mostly it’s an account of His action and our response: God’s relationship with His people set within real life situations. It looks primarily like a factual and true historical account. But is it? What evidence is there to either support or discredit the veracity of scripture?
The reliability of the New Testament
- Writers agree on the essentials but not details.
- Derogatory remarks about some main characters.
- Story arises from the culture but it develops in an unexpected way.
- Follow up story commensurate with the plot.
- Support from archaeology and other independent accounts.
(Miraculous events questions its historicity but this can be counted by the fact that if God turned up on earth, that’s exactly what you’d expect).