There is huge pressure today to be inclusive – not to draw boundaries. Not to tell someone they are wrong. At the same time, being totally inclusive can end up in a very confused place. There are realities that bring boundaries and exclusions. Yet we can find that exclusivism – that marking that things are right or wrong – often is rather ugly or arrogant. We see that particularly in area of politics at the moment.
That often feels like the choice – inclusivism that welcomes but ends up confused. Or exclusivism which has boundaries that might fit reality but is often harsh and ugly.
I think our passage tonight helps us with these issues of a confused inclusivism, or an ugly exclusivism.
Read moreThe Christian life is a journey from life to death to resurrection. That’s the shape - like the Nike swoosh!
Now what on earth is that all about? Life, death, resurrection.
Well the bible tells us in a hundred different ways
And our passage today from the depths of the Old testament - 600 years before the life of Jesus Christ - just so happens to trace this journey, this salvation for us.
Read moreI wonder what’s your attitude towards the Bible? Have you read all of it? Are some bits better than others? Old testament? New Testament? Is God the same God in each? Aren’t some bits in the Old testament a little extreme? The God of he Old testament. Is the God of the Bible really in charge of the world? No one believes that any more do they?
Well should they? That’s the first question we’re asking as we continue our series in the book of Kings. Who’s in charge?
Read moreThe book of Kings is a compelling case FOR the true God in an age of many gods and multiple spiritualities.
So who is the true God? What is he like compared with all the idols?
In this chapter we see the way that God deals with Elijah in his despondency and depression. Elijah feels that God has failed him; that he doesn’t know who God is anymore. But God comes again and he treats and corrects Elijah’s depression and in so doing He reveals his Glory.
Read moreGod in his grace will will not leave his people to suffer in bondage to mute idols. he will shatter our idols and show himself to be the true God. It will hurt us but it might just save us. How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.
Read moreIn these miracles we see the LORD God demonstrating in an Age of Unbelief that he is the living God who provides. He confronts Baal and ALL idols and he shows them to be impotent. False gods. lifeless. these are NOT the things that bring us life. Only God. Only Jesus brings life.
In these miracles we also see the courageous growing faith of Elijah. Growing because God is testing and training that faith in his servant as God always does with us to make us more effective for him in the adventures he calls us to
Read morewhat is truth? what impact does that have on what we believe and how we live?
Read morewhat is truth? what impact does that have on what we believe and how we live?
Read moreWe are a culture marked by suppressed fear. A reservoir under surface makes us very Fragile.
This is what makes this encounter in Luke chapter 8 so essential. Because here we do not find platitudes for feeling better; relaxation techniques - the Bible is not a a little book of calm. On the contrary this passage of Scripture is an encounter with God who drives out fear. If you come to know - better and better - the God of Luke 8. Then you will be able to say with the Psalmist even when your whole world falls apart - we will not fear.
Read moreThe solitude of crying in our rooms at night on our own seems desperately lonely and tragic. Sometimes this is needed, but it feels healthier to cry with someone close to us, someone who understands us and what we feel. The word, ‘cry’ has the sense of crying out, of expressing outwardly what is happening inside us. Tears are physical expressions of internal sorrow andthey literally flow out from within us. If we are fortunate we may have people close to us to share our pains and sorrows with. However, as a GP I know that many people can't or don’t do this...
Read more3rd Seminar from our weekend away 2016. Giles Fouhy, vicar of Saint Barnabas Dalston
Read more2nd Seminar from our weekend away 2016. Jon Kuhrt, Director of The West London Mission
Read more1st Seminar from our weekend away 2016. Alexandra Lilley, Curate at St Paul's, Shadwell
Read moreSometimes we are tempted to question whether the coming of Jesus has really made a huge difference. The world goes on just as it always has.. perhaps some things are better, perhaps some things are worse.
For many people this is reason enough to keep God at arms length, to reject him. If really came at all he certainly hasn’t done anything. He hasn’t solved our problems. He hasn’t done the thing we most need. The things we’d want him to do.
For others of us. We don’t reject God perhaps but the lack of seeming change in the world and in our own lives creates doubts. Has anything really changed? It’s not what we expected. Is Jesus really who he said he was. The long awaited Messiah. God’s King. God’s Son in human flesh, The Son of Man come to save??
These were the exact kinds of questions that John the Baptist had and that we’ve read about in our reading today.
Read moreWe in our culture are increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of authority aren’t we?
We don’t trust those in authority over us. Politicians, the police, church leaders. In too many places they have been shown up to be flawed or corrupt. Using power not for public service but for personal gain And so we have lost trust. So perhaps we are uncomfortable with the authority of Jesus..
And yet…
Recognise the way that Jesus exercises his authority. It is always actually as a servant. It is always to set the captive free. To heal the suffering.
Read moreAt the heart of what it means to be a Christian is active obedience to Jesus Christ. Willing submission to his rule. Jesus is not just Saviour, He is Lord.
I wonder how we instinctively feel about that? because obedience and submission, even authority are dirty words in our culture.
[David Cameron’s dressing down this week by astudent. “I’m an English literature student. I know waffling when i see it’’ she said.]
The supreme values of our culture now are self-determination and personal freedom. Why would you ever do what somebody else says? No-one else has the right to tell you how to live your life. Why would you obey or willingly be mastered by someone else? You’re not a dog! At best it’s demeaning at worst it’s sinister!
Read moreWe love to judge.
The comedian George Carlin observes a universal rule of the road: Everyone who drives slower than you is an idiot. And everyone who drives faster than you is a maniac.
To the speeding driver, everyone’s an idiot. To the slow driver, everyone’s a maniac. But one rule applies to all: My speed is always just right.
We love to judge.
Read moreOur culture is Big on love. Romantic love, sexual love; Family love - everyone likes the guy who loves his mum; Friendship love; Calvin Harris: Tell me how deep is your love? is it like the ocean?
christian love - is to be extraordinary in comparison to the way people usually love
- love those who hate you
- love those who can’t pay you back
- love as God has loved you
Read moreJesus’ kingdom is entered by grace alone. Crying out to Jesus. But it is also - Luke wants to tell us - a physical kingdom overturning this present reality. A kingdom of justice and peace where the first now will be last and the last now will be first. It’s a revolution. A great reversal.
Read more