Sunday’s sermon ‘Mission’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1XdlVUs
‘God is doing a work and he has a work to do in you.’ – David Smith
Category Archives: New Testament
The Lost Art of Inviting!
It is invitation time!
Christmas is coming, now the question is: who is coming to Christmas?!
For some of us the idea of inviting someone to celebrate Christmas with you is a no brainer. It is what friends do. If Christmas is important then it is important to have friends of all walks of life celebrating with you!
For some, this doesn’t feel so easy!
Here is a challenge – try to invite just five people to something for Christmas. (some would say, ‘just five’ – fine you invite more).
Inviting takes many forms and giving this some thought may actually present a myriad of possible ways to invite someone – and hopefully one of them at least would be manageable for you!
Want some tips….
Sermon: Discipleship (Matt 28:16-20)
Sunday’s sermon ‘Discipleship’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1MTJE0V
‘If we are to understand discipleship then we have to understand Jesus—the ultimate disciple maker.’ – David Smith
A Wrong Form of Devotion
Another horror week.
Suicide bombings in Beirut have killed 43 people and left 238 wounded. A suicide bombing at a funeral in Baghdad killed 19 people and left 31 wounded. And coordinated attacks in Paris have killed 129 people and left 352 wounded.
We are appalled, grieved and saddened.
There is something desperately wrong with an ideology which by direction or by implication can lead to the killing of one for the sake of another’s personal devotion.
Humble Ambition – Oxymoron?
Humble Ambition! Sounds like an oxymoron, but not when it comes to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
To be ambitious for the lost is demonstrated in a Christian who puts the needs of others before themselves. Paul says ‘in humility, consider others better than yourselves’ (Phil 2:3). This is not a statement of worth – it is a statement of purpose. As Christ did, the Christian can and should humble themselves in order to be a servant of others – even to the point of loss.
To be so captured by the gospel of Christ that you willingly sacrifice your own interests for the sake of others and the glory of God – is ambitious.
Let me offer five suggestions for putting this into practice at Church (thankful that so many in our Church family are shining examples of this principle)…
Sermon: By Whose Authority? (Matt 28:16-20)
Sunday’s sermon ‘By Whose Authority?’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1Qqzrio
The Sorting Hat Dilemma!
In J.K. Rowlings Harry Potter the new students at Hogwarts are sorted into houses by a talking ‘Sorting Hat’. Clever! If anyone has an issue, then don’t blame it on the faculty, blame it on the ‘Sorting Hat’!
On Sunday I received this anonymous question: ‘Can we please keep the same Home Group next year?’
Sure! Easy for me (Can’t believe we are already thinking about next year!). I love that you have enjoyed your Home Group so much this year that you would like more of that next year.
But before we lock that down, it may be helpful to consider some factors.
Sermon: The Grace Commission (Matthew 28)
Sunday’s sermon ‘Grace’ by David Smith is now available: http://bit.ly/1Q2DD8y
Fear of being Fake
I fear being fake.
I have been a Christian for over 20 years now and there have been times when I have felt I have just been going through the motions. Is that wrong?
It is a horrible feeling, but as I have often said it is difficult to control feelings (although it is possible to manage feelings).
Christians are real people. We serve a real God, who really loves us and who is really disappointed when we sin. At this I am ashamed. I don’t want to sin, and I do. I want to be serious and active in my faith and yet at times I feel as if I am just taking it all for granted.
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