William Taylor, Rector of St Helen’s Bishopsgate, London, sermons ‘Christmas Just Around The Corner’
John 1:12 – available in audio and video: http://bit.ly/2gDw5iL
John 1:18 – available to stream or download: http://bit.ly/2gcFZnF
Read the Bible text: http://bit.ly/2gnKf7r
Download the English Corner PDF: http://bit.ly/2g0IbPb
We are less than a month out from Easter – that wonderful weekend of the year when we remember and celebrate the clearest demonstration of God’s love for his people – sending his son to the cross for those, like me, who don’t deserve this incredible act of grace.
The Easter weekend is also the weekend when the greatest number unbelieving folk walk into our gathering. Get that – they walk into Trinity City and 5pm Church under their own steam.
So how can you plan to make the most of this opportunity – not only for those that you meet that weekend at church, but also for those friends, family and colleagues who you might find will easily accept your invitation.
Here are some suggestions:
By Stephen George (Minister: Trinity North East)
Last week I saw the pre-release of the movie Risen, and as I walked out of the cinema I thought to myself, “I can’t believe we are about to let a massive evangelistic opportunity pass us by unnoticed”.
Let me give you the background story. I am a minister in the Trinity Network in Adelaide, Australia, and I had heard nothing of this movie until someone in my congregation sent me an email link to the trailer, along with an invitation to the pre-release. When I got that invite, I have to admit that my immediate thought was, “Oh great, another mediocre ‘Christian’ movie”. However, when I followed the link and saw the trailer I suddenly doubted everything I thought I knew about Christian movies. It was actually very good. So I went to the pre-release and, while I don’t think everyone is going to love everything about this movie, I think it provides a great opportunity for evangelism.
From Paul J (at 5pm Church)
As workers we spend more time with work colleagues that just about anyone else in given week. In many ways this is our biggest – time wise – and best opportunity to reach people with the Gospel. Many Christian workers can get into a mindset where we think on the things of God on a Sunday and during a midweek Bible Study but find our faith and its outworkings are essentially on cruise control during the bulk of the daytime work week. It’s important that we motivate and energize each other to share our faith.
Honest Evangelism – How to talk about Jesus even when it’s tough by Rice Tice with Carl Leferton (UK: Good Book Company, 2015).
Reviewed by Peter Blyth
I hope everyone has a great and wonderful new year and to pray for opportunities to share and be witnesses to Christ’s identity, mission and call to respond to him in faith.
I have be reading a short little book by Rico Tice (Associate Minister at All Souls Langham Place, London) and I think it is really helpful and offers some great tips to engage our family and friends with the good news of who Jesus is. There are simple yet effective ways of speaking Jesus into peoples hearts.
Following are some helpful hints summarized from the book:
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, a Partridge in a Pear Tree.
Now seriously, what good is that? Everyone knows that turkey goes much better than partridge for Christmas dinner!
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 2 Turtle Doves…
Now come on, if a Partridge is no use, then there is no chance two turtle doves will make the grade!
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, 3 French Hens…
Okay, now we’re getting somewhere – at least you can eat chicken – shame it has to be French!
Your ‘testimony’ is the testimony of Christ and what he has done in your life. As such for your christian testimony to be worth anything, it should be a testimony to Jesus using you as the example!
The Apostle Peter helpfully challenges Christians to be ready to speak about Jesus when he says:
‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have’ – 1 Peter 3:15
So some tips for writing your testimony…
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….
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where some obstacle gets in your way? Where your desire to get from one place to another is blocked by factors you find too hard to overcome. Normally this is not too great an issue. Just give up, or slowly find another way around the issue.
Increase the temperature. Imagine a life and death situation. A situation where the obstacle just has to be overcome because if not, you lose your life! The urgency will force you to take risks that you would not normally take.
Friends, I wonder whether we need to increase the temperature.
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