Author: Administrator

Sunday 10th January, 2021

Recommended reading

1 Samuel 21:1-9; 22:6-23; Psalm 52:1-9

Introduction
“Mighty” men of history
Winners and losers
Setting
Psalm themes. Ps 51-53
Book 2 – Commitment to God’s Kingdom
The Title
Historical events matter
V1-4 The ‘Mighty’ man. The loser’s problem
Matt. 5; James 3: 1-11
V5-7 The ‘Mighty’ man. The loser’s judgement
Rom 12: 10-21
V8,9 The genuine ‘Mighty’ man. The winner’s refuge
Life and Fellowship in God. Psalm 1; Revelation 11; Zechariah 4.
Conclusion
Mighty in Jesus

Sunday 3rd January, 2021

Recommended reading

Psalm 25:1-22

Introduction – Is this a man we can learn from? David
Is he – One who is totally on top of everything, a triumphalist?
V1 Committed to a relationship with Yhwh?
V2 One who has experience, not just theory?
V3 One who has a good understanding of Yhwh?
V4,5 What is David’s priority in the midst of distress?
Cf Paul’s prayer Colossians 1:9-11
V6,7 David’s understanding of Yhwh affects his prayer
V8-10 David’s understanding of Yhwh
V11 David seeks pardon
V12-15 cf John 14:21 The intimacy of this relationship
Living in the real world – the need
V16-18 Knowing the Comfort of God’s forgiveness 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 9
Knowing God’s Protection Ephesians 6:10-12
Not just self-focussed V22 Prayer Amened for the church

Sunday 27th December, 2020

Recommended readings:

Exodus 15:1-18; Romans 8:18-25; Psalm 98:1-9

Introduction: why we sing
1-3 God’s people: praise his faithful love and salvation
4-6 All the earth: praise your true king
7-9 All creation: praise the righteous judge
Conclusion: salvation and judgment bring joy to the world

Christmas Day – Thursday 25th December, 2020

Suggested readings:

Micah 5:1-15; Matthew 2:1-12

Sunday 20th December, 2020

Recommended readings:

Proverbs 3:11-12; Hosea 12:7-14; Luke 12:35-40; John 14:1-7; John 14:23-24

A (14) To the Angel of the Church in Laodicea…
B (14) The words of… the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the
beginning of God’s creation.
C Praise…
D (15-17) Criticism & warning… I know your works… I will spit you
out…
E (18-20) Command… get ‘rich’, get dressed, attend to your sight,
repent, listen and open the door
F (21) Promise for the conquerors… divine enthronement
G (22) He who has an ear

Sunday 13th December, 2020

Recommended Reading

Isaiah 43:1-7; Isaiah 22:1-25; Revelation 3:7-13

7a To the messenger of the Church in Philadelphia
7b The words of him: the one holding the key of David
8-9 I know your good works: you have not denied my name
But, I have this against you:
10-11 Hold fast: faithful endurance
12 To the one who conquers: bear the name of God
13 He who has an ear:

Sunday 6th December, 2020

Recommended readings:

Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 Isaiah 61:1-3, 10-11; Matthew 10:26-33

V1. To the Angel of the Church in Sardis
V1. The words of him… who has the seven spirits of God (1:4; 4:5; 5:6;
Is 11:2-3) and the seven stars (1:16, 20)
V1. I know your works… reputation: alive, reality: dead
Vs 2-3. Commands… (i) wake up; (ii) remember; (iii) repent
V3. Warning… I will come like a thief
V4. Praise… a few are worthy
V5. The one who conquers… (i) clothed in white garments; (ii) name
indelibly recorded; (iii) name confessed in heaven
V6. He who has an ear…

 

Sunday 29th November, 2020

Recommended readings:

Psalm 2; Daniel 3:1-30; Revelation 2:18-29

Introduction
Psalm 2; Daniel 3:1-30; Revelation 2:18-29
18a To the Angel of the Church in Thyatira:
18b The words of him: the Son of God (Daniel 3)
19 I know your works: excelling in good works
20 But, I have this against you: tolerating ‘Jezebel’ the false prophetess
21-25 Repent and be faithful: repentance or mega-tribulation
26-28 To the one who conquers: rule of the nations (Psalm 2; Num. 24)
29 He who has an ear;

 

Revelation is a letter from Jesus to equip his people (then and now) to conquer satanic threats. The seven letters to the churches all deal with problems that could potentially affect any church in any place or time. Even ours! For the church in Ephesus, the threat was loveless orthodoxy, being concerned for truth but without love. The second of the seven churches was Smyrna, threatened by fear of suffering. The third church is Pergamum facing the temptation of compromise. If Jesus’ message for Ephesus proved that truth without love is bad, his message for Pergamum shows that he still wants his churches to put a very high value on gospel truth. The challenge of compromise faces all Christians and churches. We all want to fit in, to belong and not appear too odd. So, do we belong to the world under the rule of the devil or to the kingdom of God to be revealed in its fulness when Jesus returns. Where is our loyalty?”

The following aspects of a worship service are included as a suggested guide to worshipping as a household for Sunday 15th November, 2020

Consider What is wise and foolish in our culture?

Pray Praise and confession in light of Isaiah 32:1-8

Sing along Praise To The Lord – Lyrics

Read John 12:44-50

Pray for each other | our church | our nation |our world
using the above reading for (reflecting on, why do people hate Jesus?)

Sing along In Christ Alone – Lyrics

Read Revelation 2:12-17

Listen to the sermon Audio

Pray in response: With God’s help what must we now do or not do?

Sing Along There Is A Higher Throne – Lyrics

Read Revelation 1:5-6

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Steve Messer Wisdom/Job talks (6 of 10) now available

Steve has graciously agreed to re-work his Job series for us.

Given his own personal difficult circumstances this is a book that he has thought about deeply and we look forward to his presentation of the wisdom to be found in that book as we consider our own circumstances.

There will be a series of 10 talks and they will be available on our website. Click on the Owls to jump to the Job web page where they can all be found.

As a city, Smyrna had metaphorically once been dead, but now had sprung back to life. It was a proudly pagan city, intensely loyal to Rome and Rome’s gods. The Church suffered real tribulation for remaining faithful to Jesus. Jesus, who had literally once died, but now is truly alive, speaks to His suffering people to encourage them. Their faith in Him even unto physical death is unquestionably worthwhile, since in Jesus they are absolutely immune from humanity’s real enemy, the second death.

The following aspects of a worship service are included as a suggested guide to worshipping as a household for Sunday 15th November, 2020

Consider What do we not need to fear?

Pray Praise and confession in light of Isaiah 44:6-8

Sing along On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand

Read Daniel 1:1-16

Pray for each other | our church | our nation |our world
using the above reading for (reflecting on, why do people hate Jesus?)

Sing along By Faith

 

Read Revelation 1:9-20  &  Revelation 2:8-11

Listen to the sermon Audio

Pray in response: With God’s help what must we now do or not do?

Sing Along We Belong To The Day

Read Revelation 1:5-6

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Steve Messer Wisdom/Job talks (6 of 10) now available

Steve has graciously agreed to re-work his Job series for us.

Given his own personal difficult circumstances this is a book that he has thought about deeply and we look forward to his presentation of the wisdom to be found in that book as we consider our own circumstances.

There will be a series of 10 talks and they will be available on our website. Click on the Owls to jump to the Job web page where they can all be found.