On Sunday 1st May, Mr Simon Morgan of Aberdyfi took our service and he introduced "The Travels of Paul".

PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

CONVERSION (Acts 9)

"Take it all in all, I do not believe anybody on earth has a worse time than an Emperor penguin." (Apsley Cherry-Garrard – Terra Nova expedition 1910-13)

It is alleged that the following advert once appeared in a London newspaper:

"Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful."

It was signed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer. Amazingly, the advert drew thousands of respondents, eager to sacrifice everything for the prospect of meaningful adventure! Paul saw an advert a bit like that…..

FF Bruce: “What happened on the Damascus road is the most important event in the history of Christianity from Pentecost to our own day.”

AW Tozer: “Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ.”

Who was he? He came from Tarsus – a city of several hundred thousand people in what is now SE Turkey.

Spectacular conversion – are you envious?

CALLING (Acts 13): The Church breaks barriers!

Worshipping the Lord & fasting…..being sent out…

What is my calling? What is your calling? Or is that something in your past?

Straight to Cyprus: Elymas the Magician! [Re-run of Paul’s blindness experience!]…..and the governor believed!

The reading in Acts 13 hammers home the message: see v. 27. How come people did not hear the message? “But God raised Him from the dead” (v. 30 and then 38-41 & 42). And so, on to the Gentiles (NB after Peter’s experience). Here in Pisidian Antioch, a turning point in Bible history!

COMMITMENT (Acts 20. 13-38)

Following God’s plan, Paul had been involved in setting up new churches as he travelled – but as he returned the emphasis of his ministry changed to one of encouragement and building up of the church.

Starting from Antioch (then in Syria, now in Turkey) – one of 16 cities named Antioch!

• What a man! How do you view Paul? Tradition has it that he was not much to look at.

• What would we think if he were to spend time here building us up?

• What sort of person would he be – a whirlwind? Would we be willing? What if he expected us to spend more time with him – perhaps meeting up during the week?

Part of the answer lies in how much value we might think we get from meeting him. The church at Ephesus was convinced! And we know from all the letters that Paul wrote – to churches in Galatia, Asia, Macedonia, Greece and even Rome – that he knew there were important things to be said: some not pleasant to hear.

What he was doing was based on the Old Testament:

Watchman…Ezekiel 3.16-18 The Old Covenant – but the same God.

Ezekiel 3:17 - 19 (The Message)

"Son of man, I've made you a watchman for the family of Israel.  Whenever you hear me say something, warn them for me.  If I say to the wicked, "You are going to die," and you don't sound the alarm warning to tell them that it's a matter of life or death, they will die and it will be your fault.  I'll hold you responsible.  But if you warn the wicked and they keep right on sinning anyway, they'll most certainly die for their sin, but you won't die.  You'll have saved your life."

Paul was a watchman for the church and he took his responsibilities seriously.  In the next couple of weeks, we will hear about his letters and what he wasn't afraid to say.

Something of the same responsibility rubs off on every one of us - we are part of the one family of God's people and we too must look around us and warn those who ignore God that they do so at their peril.

Are we - with Paul - on the Lord's side?

This week's readings.................................

THE TRAVELS OF PAUL

76     The Road to Damascus                                          Acts 9:1 - 9:31

77     The First Missionary Journey                               Acts 13:1 - 14:28

78     The Council at Jerusalem                                      Acts 15:1 - 15:41

79     More Missionary Journeys                                    Acts 16:1 - 20:38

80     The Trip to Rome                                                     Acts 25:1 - 28:31

On Sunday 8th May, Dr Derek Munday took our service.  He introduced "Paul to the Churches". 

This week's readings.................

PAUL TO THE CHURCHES

81     More than Conquerors                                              Romans 8:1 - 8:39

82     The Fruit of the Spirit                                                 Galations 5:16 - 6:10

83     The Armour of God                                                     Ephesians 6:10 - 6:20

84      Rejoice in the Lord                                                     Phiippians 4:2 - 4:9

85     The Supremacy of Christ                                          Colossians 1:1 - 1:23

On Sunday 15th May, Rev Mary Turnock of Montgomery will take our service.  

She will introduce "Paul to the Leaders". 

WANTED: GOOD LEADERS  

1 TIMOTHY 3: 1 - 13

Reading for the congregation: 2 Timothy 3: 10 - 4: 8

 When I first read the scripture readings allocated to today's sermon I thought, "Turnock's drawn the short straw here!"  But it has done me good to go back to basics and consider my own calling and my own leadership within the Christian church.  I must say that I have been pleased with some parts of my ministry............ but there are numerous occasions more when I have fallen short and had to ask forgiveness and begin again!

Perhaps that's what we need to know about our spiritual leaders: they're just ordinary beings doing their best to follow the leadings of the Lord and to encourage his people.  Sometimes people ask too much of them;  sometimes they ask too much of themselves....... but the Lord only asks for what he knows they can provide!

That doesn't mean that following the Lord's way is easy..........it's very difficult on many occasions......... and if I read 1 Timothy 1 - 13 you will discover that the responsibilty of leadership is not to be taken up without thought.  Of course, when Paul wrote to Timothy he was writing within the culture of his day and we need to transfer his teaching into the culture of today without losing it's significance.

Reading     1 Timothy 3: 1 - 13

Paul sets the bar high - and rightly so.  Leaders are to be people of good reputation and character.  Now, I'm going to make a plea.  Don't sit there thinking about all the church leaders you know and compare them with this reading!  Rather look at yourselves because people around you know you 'go to church' and hold certain beliefs.  You too must adhere to the teachings about good leadership otherwise the people who know and watch you will have a distorted view of what it means to be a Christian.  We are all to be good leaders.

In the passage of scripture I read as the lesson this morning we learn, through the experiences of Paul, of the difficulties which Christians have to face and of how these are increased when in a leadership role.  It also encourages us to keep studying the scriptures and to abide by their teaching as they correct, rebuke and train us for the Christian life.  AND Paul was not unaware of how difficult the task would be in the future........2 Timothy 4: 3 - 5.  Again I would make an observation that that last line is a word to all of us, not just the recognised leadership.

Yet the recognised leadership has the specific role of teaching the truth, taking care of the congregation, working hard and setting an example.  Leaders at the frontline and their calling, their commitment and their lifestyle are weapons in the battle to save souls.

Leaders are given the responsibility of teaching the truth and taking care of the congregation.

This teaching is not 'scholarship', it is not an academic rehearsal of the events of Jesus' life or the story of God's creation and his plans for the future of this universe.  It's not like being in school and learning in order to be educated and obtain certificates or qualifications.  As a good teacher knows, education is much, much more than this.  It leads to a desire to know more, an ability to think things out, an ambition to gain greater knowledge.  And in terms of teaching the congregation, the leadership should be enabling the congregation to know what they believe, why they believe and the Person in whom they believe.

Not all teaching is done from the pulpit; not all teaching is done in Bible Study groups; not all teaching is done in one-to-one conversation.  Teaching encompasses all of these and also includes the way in which we conduct our lives.

It is no use a leader talking about compassion if he/she does'nt show it; no use talking about being kind and helpful if no aid is ever offered; no use talking about the things we should not do, or the things we should not say, or the events we should not be involved in, if he/she does not set a good example.  So the high bar that Paul sets is an absolute requirement of leadership and also of discipleship:  "those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus".  Paul also admonishes that we should "be diligent in these matters, give yourselves wholly to them so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them because, if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers".

What a task - for us all - but especially for our leaders.  So it is important that we hold our leaders in prayer before the Lord.  I know how discouraged leaders can be, how frustrated and how desirous of opening the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf.  I also know elated leaders can be when they see success in the Lord's work to the Lord's glory; yet it is a hard task to lead Christ's people and it cannot be done without the people's support, understanding and prayers.

Neither is discipleship easy; we need one another's prayers to keep us strong in faith and the practice of that faith.  As Paul wrote to the Thessalonians - "encourage one another and build each other up, just as, in fact you are doing".

This week's readings............................

PAUL TO THE LEADERS

86     Elders and Deacons                                                1 Timothy 3:1 - 3:16

87     The Love of Money                                                  1 Timothy 6:3 - 6:21

88     Good Soldiers of Christ                                          2 Timothy 2:1 - 2:26

89     All Scripture is God-breathed                                2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:8

90     The Coming of the Lord                                          1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 5:11

On Sunday 22nd May Mr Phil Allitt took our service and he introduced "The Apostles' Teaching".

The Apostles’ Teaching.

The letters of James, John, Peter and Jude found between the Pauline letters and revelation of John in our Bibles.

Uncertain authorship.

Some believe James to be brother of Jesus; others consider style of Greek to be too eloquent. James became a Jerusalem church leader. Could this be one of Jesus’ unbelieving brothers (John 7:5) who perhaps witnessed the risen Lord?

Peter- possibly an unknown first century author or even Simon Peter, who would have spoken both Aramaic and Greek.

Jude - perhaps a younger brother of James/Jesus.

 John- possibly the author of John’s gospel and the revelation, but styles of language vary considerably.

These letters were written just 10- 40 years after Jesus’ earthly life.

They give us a fascinating glimpse into the early Christian communities with teaching as relevant to us today as it was then. Christians living in a deprived and needy society, faced with polytheism, indifference and hostility towards the teachings of Christ.

The challenge is to live as Christians IN society, empowered by the Holy Spirit and holding firm to the truth. The letters offer direct instruction-no messing around! We are encouraged to love, care for and support each other as God loves and cares for us and to keep our minds focused on things that are eternal whilst living out our faith. 

This week's readings........................

THE APOSTLES' TEACHING

91     The Most Excellent Way                                          1 Corinthians 13:1 - 13:13

92     A New Creation in Christ                                         2 Corinthians 4:1 - 6:2

93     A Living Hope                                                             1 Peter 1:1 - 2:12

94     Faith and Works                                                         James 1:1 - 2:26

95     Love One Another                                                      1 John 3:11 - 4:21

So we are coming to the end of the Bible Reading Challenge, when on Sunday 29th May, Miss Gwen Hunter takes our service and introduces "The Revelation"

THE REVELATION

The Past:

John is in exile in Patmos for speaking about Jesus. A vision is given to him. Jesus speaks and reminds him that He is the one who died and who rose again and lives forever. He holds the keys and He is the first and the last.

We all know that in the beginning God created and Jesus was there with Him. We know that He holds the present in his hands and when all has been done and the time is right He will bring everything to its climax along with God the father. In this book of Revelation we are encouraged to remember that it all started with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. It continues with them and everything that has been spoken about and promised will come to pass.

The Present:

Jesus speaks to the churches and that means us. He starts off with words of encouragement pointing out what is pleasing to Him and then He tells the Christians what is wrong in their fellowship.

We can see aspects of ourselves and need to examine ourselves in the light of Jesus’ words. On the positive side – patient suffering, intolerance of evil, ready for martyrdom, constant improvement in life of Christ, obedience to Jesus, refusal to accept the works of Satan. On the negative side – You don’t love me or each other as you did at first ( turn back and work for me as you did when you first accepted – beware you may be removed from your fellowship with me ) you tolerate evil doers amongst you ( repent ! ) – you permit evil influence which leads people astray ( turn away and return to me ) – be careful of your reputation for being alive, yet you are dead ! ( wake up and strengthen what little remains – go back to what you believed at first ! ) – finally you are neither hot or cold ! be careful or I will abandon you.

Jesus tells the churches He knows that they are being persecuted, misunderstood, attacked, that they are suffering for Him. We should expect that. While He was on earth He told us about it and He went through the same experiences Himself. But He reminds us to remain firm, to stand up for the truth, to remember that the necessary strength will be given to us as needed. We must not fraternise with anything or anyone, which or who is dishonouring to God. It will not be easy but it is essential. Jesus will walk with us through these times.

The Future:

There is much in the book which is difficult to understand but we aren’t called to calculate or work out details – those are all in God’s time and hands. We need to remember that Jesus and God are in total control. God is working His purpose out so that the perfect creation He set in place so long ago returns to what He intended.

There will be a new creation where those who are faithful to God will live forever. Jesus is coming again and very soon but God’s timing isn’t like ours so we need to be alert to realise that we must always be ‘at the ready’. The new creation will be lit up by God’s presence. There will be no more sorrow, tears, pain or anything untoward. Let us keep ourselves totally pure because anything impure will not enter. Let us remain faithful in order to ensure our entry. Let us remember that Jesus promised to return – He has gone to prepare a place for us – and like all the saints, let us say “Come, Lord Jesus, come”.

This week's readings...................

96     A Voice and a Vision                                                     Revelation 1:1 - 1:20

97     Messages to the Churches                                         Revelation 2:1 - 3:22

98     The Throne of Heaven                                                 Revelation 4:1 - 7:17

99     Hallelujah!                                                                        Revelation 19:1 - 20:15

100   The New Jerusalem                                                      Revelation 21:1 - 22:21

So, you have met the challenge.............  Today is the last of the 20 Sunday Services which have introduced us to the Essential 100 Bible Readings.  Many of you have been following these since the beginning of the year.  We are grateful to all who have come to our church to preach each Sunday and lead us towards the weekly readings.  They have helped us to understand what the Bible is about.  We have all learnt a lot from these daily readings and have come to know Jesus and what he came to do a lot better.  It is well worth visiting some of the wonderful passages you have read while going through the series.