The Book of Psalms was the hymn book for the people of Israel. Some are hymns of praise for God’s acts of creation and salvation. Some are hymns of personal thanksgiving; others are songs of lament or confession. Some Psalms were used in worship to…
Before and after. We thought last week about the difference Jesus makes, changing sinners from saints and atheists to missionaries, the transforming power of God which can save from the guttermost to the uttermost. When a person becomes a Christian they become a brand new…
Acts 9 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers. Encouraged by the Holy Spirit, comforted by the Holy…
Blessed is the one Depending on context Blessed can mean “under God’s blessing,” “happy or fulfilled,” or “intrinsically right.” All three meanings apply here. When we are doing right God’s blessing will fall and we will be happy and fulfilled. But we each have a…
There is a very important question many people spend a lot of time thinking about and many other people try hard to avoid thinking about. What happens when we die? Three score years, and then – what? The only way we can really know the…
In the book by Ronald Sider, ‘Rich Christians in an age of hunger’ are challenged to act justly, not only as consumers and campaigners, but also in their lifestyle in general. Rich Christians are challenged to consider the environmental impact of their lifestyles and to…
This was the message at the Induction of our dear friend Rev June Love as minister of Southwell Church. Being a Christian minister is just like juggling with live chickens. When I say “live chickens”, I am NOT thinking about Deacons or church members, however…
“Jesus wept.” At the graveside of his dear friend Lazarus, “Jesus wept.” It is a good thing that John 11:35 is there marked out for us as the shortest verse in the Bible, because it is so helpful in times of grief and mourning. Jesus…
In 2015 the World Bank estimated that 702.1 million people were living in extreme poverty, down from 1.75 billion in 1990: about 347.1 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa and 231.3 million in South Asia. In 2012 it was estimated that, using a poverty line of…
Tomorrow we celebrate Good Friday, the day when Jesus Christ was crucified. Tonight we celebrate the Lord’s Supper, remembering Jesus’s death with bread and wine as He commanded us to do. Why did Jesus die? The First Letter of Peter explains the mystery of God’s…
What was the most important hour of your life? Was it your wedding or the birth of a child? Perhaps it was an important exam or the interview for a new job? Maybe it was an operation which saved your life or a miraculous escape…
Dating from the 4th Century, in this very simple act of worship we reflect upon the shadows which fell upon Jesus Christ in the last week of His life. We begin by lighting again the Advent Candle we used to count down to celebrating Christmas.…
The Bible has a great deal to say about the need for justice in trade and challenges us to act justly as consumers, promoting products that benefit people and planet, rather than harming and exploiting them. As ethical consumers, we can make a difference. We…
“Hear O Israel, the Lord your God, the Lord is one.” Those words from Deuteronomy 6 formed the beginning of the Shema, the prayer every orthodox Jew has prayed every day for the last three thousand years. They have been at the heart of the…
There is a story about a group of pilgrims who were on a tour around the Holy Land. The guide was explaining how for thousands of years the shepherd would walk in front of his sheep leading them and they followed him, just as Jesus…
Being a shepherd in the Middle East in the time of Jesus was not an easy job! If your picture of a shepherd comes from Emmerdale or One Man and His Dog then forget it. Think instead of the cowboys in the Wild West. Pasture…
The Old Testament Jubilee laws show God’s concern for justice in society. We are challenged to loose the chains of injustice. Today, this may include tackling the root causes of poverty and the traps of debt, locally and globally. ‘Righteousness and justice are the foundation…
As Christians, we are challenged to love our neighbour in very practical ways. Our neighbours include those in most need in the poorest countries of the world. We can work together with them to help transform their communities. By working with other churches to do…
Have you ever wanted just to escape? To get away from everything and start life all over again? Just to be free? People sometimes come to me as a minister saying that kind of thing. I want life to be different. I want to be…
What does the Lord require of you? To Act Justly… A series of studies adapted by Peter based on material by Christian Aid. Session 1: A call to act justly Session 2: Social action Session 3: Drop the debt Session 4: Fair trade combined with…