PARADISE GAINED (Luke 23:39-43)
By siteadmin in AM Service,Bible Book,Bill Bygroves,Luke,New Testament,Sermons
1) PAIN Jesus on the cross 2) PARDON “Lord remember me” 3) PEACE “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise”
1) PAIN Jesus on the cross 2) PARDON “Lord remember me” 3) PEACE “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise”
1. This is the Day! Spiritual Illumination 2. This is the Child! Light for the Darkness Life through His death 3. This is it! He is all I need
WHO IS JESUS? Saviour Christ Lord WHAT DOES JESUS BRING? Peace Reconciliation HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO JESUS? Listen Up and Look Up Urgently and Personally Rejoice that the Extraordinary is being offered to the Ordinary
Look what’s in the Priest’s Postbag … A) Something: Personal – (v68) Paying a Debt – (v68) Promised – (v69-70, 72-73) Powerful – (v71,74) Permanent – (v74-75) Prophesied – (76-78) Piercing – (v79) Peaceful – (v79) B) This wonderful and threatening Gospel demands a change in…
A) What is God Like? – Let Mary Answer: He is MINDFUL (v48) He is MIGHTY (v49) He is MERCIFUL (v50) B) How Should We Respond? – Let Mary Teach Us: With careful THOUGHT With growing FAITH With deepening WONDER
1. Joy in the Presence of Jesus In the womb In the women 2. Joy in the Promises of God Her story is wrapped up in His story 3. Joy in the Proclamation of the Gospel Hope for the hearers; blessing for the believers
Martha – “busy, busy, busy all the time, time, time.” Mary – “busy, busy, busy, BUT NOT all the time, time, time.” Martha is DISTRACTED Mary is DEVOTED 1. How does busyness distract us?: We DOUBT or UNDERMINE God’s goodness, grace and glory We FOCUS on self or others…
1. HIS PERSON ! Tender, Generous, Wise, Patient & Loving 2. HIS PARDON ! The God who loves to welcome sinners Seeking, running, kissing, deleting, clothing, rejoicing. 3. HIS PASSION ! Is to display His grace.
1. LOST! (v4) The Human Race is morally, spiritually, eternally and utterly lost 2. LOVED! (v4) He knows, seeks, sacrifices & saves 3) LIFTED! (v5) Into everlasting arms… Onto the shoulders of salvation… Into the joyous presence of God & His angels… Into everlasting union with Christ… Into life…
1. TWO OPPOSITES! A Pharisee and a tax collector 2. TWO OFFERINGS! One of pride, one of brokenness 3. TWO OUTCOMES! One satisfied, one justified
Dear friends,
Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support doing these uncertain times.
Please do continue to pray for wisdom and guidance as we seek to do what is best to care for those who are most vulnerable among us.
As per the latest government guidelines and on the basis of an expert medical opinion from within our congregation, from the NHS and from Public Health England, we want to offer this additional information:
We advise anyone with a weakened immune system or any underlying health condition to stay away from public gatherings indoors.
If anyone experiences even a minor new and continuous cough, fever or other cold-like symptoms, please stay at home for at least 7 days.
These steps will help to protect those most vulnerable to the virus.
Please do pray for those who are vulnerable and may feel frightened and isolated. We are working on a strategy to help in this area.
Please pray for those who are on the front line of dealing with those affected, nurses, doctors and other health and social care workers.
We will be doing our best to keep you informed as regularly and as promptly as we can and as seems wise.
-Thursday Club will be suspended until further notice.
-CAMEO the monthly ladies group will also be suspended until further notice.
-The youth and children's work will take place as normal for now. Any changes for next week will be communicated as soon as they are known.
At this time, there is no guidance to cancel services or events. We are constantly checking as this and will respond accordingly.
We are planning to meet together this Sunday, 15th, as usual until the NHS and Public Health England change their advice. We are currently thinking through different strategies should this change.
We will be doing all we can over the coming weeks to help minimise the risk, encouraging each other to minimise contact. We have asked the welcome team asked not to shake hands when you come through the door.
We are also looking to livestream the services and recording them to be available on the website afterwards. Depending on the rapidly changing situation and guidance, we may be altering our services to best respond and also to protect the vulnerable.
We are thinking through several scenarios and will keep updating you as things progress.
If you are aware of someone in need or at risk of increased isolation, please call this number for help: 0151 280 9716
Please see the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Public health England at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
This is a time for us as a congregation to trust God, act wisely and love one another!
With love
Ian
On behalf of the elders