Dear Friends
I have been back at work for a year now! (Yes, incredibly, it was October 2010 when I started back, albeit very part-time, at HBBC.) Yet it was only today, whilst sorting out some e-mail, that I stumbled across this blog. I forgot it was here! I thought it had been deleted. So while I am hesitant to make promises, I will try to get back to blogging--at the very least posting sermon outlines, copies of handouts and any follow-up thoughts to this site.
Blessings,
Darren
Tuesday, 18 October 2011
Friday, 23 April 2010
Serants of God (part 1)
As I was reading Titus 1 yesterday, I was arrested by the first few words, words which I have probably read dozens of times, but never really “seen”. Well yesterday, by the grace of God, I saw them. Paul writes, “ Paul, a servant of God” ( Titus 1:1 ESV). I was reminded of both the splendour and the humility of being a gospel worker.
As to humility we are servants, nothing else. Indeed the Greek word could just as well be rendered 'slaves'. I may go by the title 'Pastor', have Rev in front of my name, and even have letters after my name, but when all is said and done, I am a servant—nothing more, nothing less.
As to the splendour, I am a servant of God. When I worked as an engineer, I was told that Japanese business cards were rather different than ours. Our business cards carried our names (and titles) in big, bold letters. However, with the Japanese, their names were often printed in much smaller type. It was the business or company that they worked for that was printed in big, bold letters. It was the company that was important, the company that gave the worker his sense of honour. So it is with us, and what an honour it is. Servants, yes, but of God Almighty. Mere slaves, most certainly, but what a Master we serve, oh what an Owner we belong to. In this lies our dignity, our honour, our glory.
As to humility we are servants, nothing else. Indeed the Greek word could just as well be rendered 'slaves'. I may go by the title 'Pastor', have Rev in front of my name, and even have letters after my name, but when all is said and done, I am a servant—nothing more, nothing less.
As to the splendour, I am a servant of God. When I worked as an engineer, I was told that Japanese business cards were rather different than ours. Our business cards carried our names (and titles) in big, bold letters. However, with the Japanese, their names were often printed in much smaller type. It was the business or company that they worked for that was printed in big, bold letters. It was the company that was important, the company that gave the worker his sense of honour. So it is with us, and what an honour it is. Servants, yes, but of God Almighty. Mere slaves, most certainly, but what a Master we serve, oh what an Owner we belong to. In this lies our dignity, our honour, our glory.
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
Some Things You Just Have To Do Yourself
I have been reading JC Ryle's little booklet, 'A Call to Prayer." It is a challenging essay, written in a previous century, but just as applicable to today's believer. One thing that Ryle says that really struck me was this;
No man can eat, drink or sleep by proxy. No man can get the alphabet learned for him by
another. All these are things which everybody must do for himself, or they will not be
done at all.
Just as it is with the mind and body, so it is with the soul. There are certain things
absolutely needful to the soul's health and well-being. Each must attend to these things
for himself.
Each must attend to these things for himself. It suddenly occured to me why it is that so many Christians never grow. One can go to church every Sunday; one can listen to great preaching and enjoy wonderful worship; one can join a homegroup and attend every week, and still never grow as a Christian. Why? Because all these things are done for you and to you. Someone else preaches, someone else leads the worship and plays the music, and someone else runs the Bible study. But there are other things, very important other things, that one must do for oneself. No-one else can do our praying for us; read, memorise and apply Scripture to the particulars of our life for us. And there-in lies the rub. There are far too many Christians who hover around in the hinter land that is half-hearted commitment, hoping that someone or something else will make them spiritual. But it doesn't work like that. No-one else can do holiness and commitment for us; not the Pastor, not the deacons, not the friend that sits next to us on Sunday--Each must attend to these things for himself.
No man can eat, drink or sleep by proxy. No man can get the alphabet learned for him by
another. All these are things which everybody must do for himself, or they will not be
done at all.
Just as it is with the mind and body, so it is with the soul. There are certain things
absolutely needful to the soul's health and well-being. Each must attend to these things
for himself.
Each must attend to these things for himself. It suddenly occured to me why it is that so many Christians never grow. One can go to church every Sunday; one can listen to great preaching and enjoy wonderful worship; one can join a homegroup and attend every week, and still never grow as a Christian. Why? Because all these things are done for you and to you. Someone else preaches, someone else leads the worship and plays the music, and someone else runs the Bible study. But there are other things, very important other things, that one must do for oneself. No-one else can do our praying for us; read, memorise and apply Scripture to the particulars of our life for us. And there-in lies the rub. There are far too many Christians who hover around in the hinter land that is half-hearted commitment, hoping that someone or something else will make them spiritual. But it doesn't work like that. No-one else can do holiness and commitment for us; not the Pastor, not the deacons, not the friend that sits next to us on Sunday--Each must attend to these things for himself.
Tuesday, 13 April 2010
It's Catechism Time...
Some time ago I handed-out a copy of Luther's shorter catechism. This was a simple document that the great Reformer produced to teach his flock the basics of the Christian faith.
I had intended for ages to go through it with the whole church family, young & old together, however I thought it best to wait until the Passion for Life Mission had come and gone. So starting this Sunday, I hope to catechize the church! Sounds painful, but it simply means to teach the foundations of the faith in such a way that people are able to remember them.
Catechisms have been part of Christian tradition for nearly as long as the church has existed. Often they consist of a series of questions and answers. However, in his Shorter Catechism, Luther put together The Ten Commandments (how we are to live), the Lord's Prayer (how we are to pray), and the Creed (what we are to believe.)In the meantime, before Sunday, check out Luther's Wikipedia entry to get a feel of the great man. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther
Tuesday, 6 April 2010
Is It Worth It (or Have You Ever Felt Like Giving-Up)?
Outline of Palm Sunday Sermon
Do you ever wonder if it's worth it? All the church arguments & splits; the unfriendly churches; the times other Christians hurt you; the seemingly unanswered prayers; the onslaught against Christianity in the media and the sciences?
Why do we keep going? Because...
1. We Believe It Is True
John 6v67
2. Persevering Builds Godliness
Jam 1v3f, Rom 5v3f
3. You've Got to Follow Someone or Something
Luther's great insight--the human heart requires us to obsess and worship something. If not God, then who or what? Our problems? Money?
4. The Lost Are Really Lost
Peter "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved".
5. It Makes Sense of Life.
An accident? All by chance? Really?!!
6. It Makes Sense of Our Experience
The strange juxtaposition of beauthy and violence, order and chaos, goodness and evil, is explained by the Bible's doctrines of Creation and the Fall. Yes, the world was created good. Yes, we fell, and as a result all creation is under the curse of God. (Gen 3)
7. It's Historical Event, Not Theory.
Christianity based on actual, real historical events. There really was a bloke called Jesus, He really died on a cross, He really rose again.
8. The Reward That is Promised If We Do Carry On
The 7 Letters to the Churches in Rev--"to he who overcomes", 2v7,11, 17,26
Churchill's speech to the boys of Eton during WWII "Never give-up. Never give-up. Never, ever, ever, ever give-up."
Do you ever wonder if it's worth it? All the church arguments & splits; the unfriendly churches; the times other Christians hurt you; the seemingly unanswered prayers; the onslaught against Christianity in the media and the sciences?
Why do we keep going? Because...
1. We Believe It Is True
John 6v67
2. Persevering Builds Godliness
Jam 1v3f, Rom 5v3f
3. You've Got to Follow Someone or Something
Luther's great insight--the human heart requires us to obsess and worship something. If not God, then who or what? Our problems? Money?
4. The Lost Are Really Lost
Peter "There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved".
5. It Makes Sense of Life.
An accident? All by chance? Really?!!
6. It Makes Sense of Our Experience
The strange juxtaposition of beauthy and violence, order and chaos, goodness and evil, is explained by the Bible's doctrines of Creation and the Fall. Yes, the world was created good. Yes, we fell, and as a result all creation is under the curse of God. (Gen 3)
7. It's Historical Event, Not Theory.
Christianity based on actual, real historical events. There really was a bloke called Jesus, He really died on a cross, He really rose again.
8. The Reward That is Promised If We Do Carry On
The 7 Letters to the Churches in Rev--"to he who overcomes", 2v7,11, 17,26
Churchill's speech to the boys of Eton during WWII "Never give-up. Never give-up. Never, ever, ever, ever give-up."
Monday, 5 April 2010
Pastor's Easter Epistle
Dear Friends
Just a quick blog update from me to wish you all a very happy Easter, albeit a day late. After the hecticness of Holy Week & Passion for Life, I hope you will find some time for rest and recreation over the coming week.
Speaking of Passion for Life, may I say a BIG thank you to all those who helped with the mission. A particular thanks are due to those who helped run the Mission Cafe each day. And if you invited a friend or loved-one to any P4L event, whether they came or not, then please accept my thanks--you are the star of the show, for without people like you inviting others, Passion for Life would be a waste of time. So thank you again to all of you.
I am on holiday this week. I will be about to lead Sunday morning, but I shall not be out on Sunday evening. Gabi is also on Annual Leave, so if you need to contact someone, please contact one of the deacons.
When I return from holiday, my mind will turn to 'what's next?' Already I have some initial thoughts. There will be the follow-up to Passion for Life, with ten to fifteen people having indicated that they wish to do "Christianity Explained". We have our Church Anniversary with Stephen Gaukroger to look forward to in June. We will also begin preparations to launch our Mentoring Scheme for young people and young Christians. We hope to start our Discipleship Night--one evening a week (Tuesday?) we will be running short courses to help people grow in their faith. These will include everything from "How to Read (& Understand) the Bible", to "Basic Pastoral Care".
There are two other things that are occupying my mind at the moment. One is the issue of worship. By and large you are all a good natured and kind people; there are the mumbles and grumbles about worship, but nothing nasty. However one group is definitely struggling at the moment, the children & young people and their leaders. The children are finding the first 20-30 minutes very difficult (not to mention boring). Also the teachers struggle with the fact that some services finish at 11.40 while others finish at 12.05!! We should remember what a stirling job our teachers do, and that it is not easy to the hold the attention of young people in our internet and computer game age. So I am wondering whether the time has come to have a complete rethink of Sunday morning worship, and ask what we can do to make it more meaningful for our youngsters.
Also, I have been haunted by that video we saw in church about children and young people called "Will You Make a Difference." It kept focusing on where these children would be in 10 years time. I keep asking a similar question, where will HBBC be in 10 years time? I have been here four years now. I feel I have settled-in. Perhaps it is now time to look ahead? This is 2010, perhaps it is time that we as a church answered the question "where will we be in 2020?"
So as you can see, lots to think about, and (hopefully) lots of good things ahead. I hope you have found reading some of my thoughts about the future helpful.
As a final thank you, may I return to Easter. At 7am on Easter Morning a brave band of pilgrims gathered in the driving wind and rain to celebrate Christ's resurrection. They were led in worship by our own Worship Group, fingers wet and cold, who did a grand job. So congratulations to all those who survived Easter Sunrise 2010!
Happy Easter
Your Pastor
Darren
Just a quick blog update from me to wish you all a very happy Easter, albeit a day late. After the hecticness of Holy Week & Passion for Life, I hope you will find some time for rest and recreation over the coming week.
Speaking of Passion for Life, may I say a BIG thank you to all those who helped with the mission. A particular thanks are due to those who helped run the Mission Cafe each day. And if you invited a friend or loved-one to any P4L event, whether they came or not, then please accept my thanks--you are the star of the show, for without people like you inviting others, Passion for Life would be a waste of time. So thank you again to all of you.
I am on holiday this week. I will be about to lead Sunday morning, but I shall not be out on Sunday evening. Gabi is also on Annual Leave, so if you need to contact someone, please contact one of the deacons.
When I return from holiday, my mind will turn to 'what's next?' Already I have some initial thoughts. There will be the follow-up to Passion for Life, with ten to fifteen people having indicated that they wish to do "Christianity Explained". We have our Church Anniversary with Stephen Gaukroger to look forward to in June. We will also begin preparations to launch our Mentoring Scheme for young people and young Christians. We hope to start our Discipleship Night--one evening a week (Tuesday?) we will be running short courses to help people grow in their faith. These will include everything from "How to Read (& Understand) the Bible", to "Basic Pastoral Care".
There are two other things that are occupying my mind at the moment. One is the issue of worship. By and large you are all a good natured and kind people; there are the mumbles and grumbles about worship, but nothing nasty. However one group is definitely struggling at the moment, the children & young people and their leaders. The children are finding the first 20-30 minutes very difficult (not to mention boring). Also the teachers struggle with the fact that some services finish at 11.40 while others finish at 12.05!! We should remember what a stirling job our teachers do, and that it is not easy to the hold the attention of young people in our internet and computer game age. So I am wondering whether the time has come to have a complete rethink of Sunday morning worship, and ask what we can do to make it more meaningful for our youngsters.
Also, I have been haunted by that video we saw in church about children and young people called "Will You Make a Difference." It kept focusing on where these children would be in 10 years time. I keep asking a similar question, where will HBBC be in 10 years time? I have been here four years now. I feel I have settled-in. Perhaps it is now time to look ahead? This is 2010, perhaps it is time that we as a church answered the question "where will we be in 2020?"
So as you can see, lots to think about, and (hopefully) lots of good things ahead. I hope you have found reading some of my thoughts about the future helpful.
As a final thank you, may I return to Easter. At 7am on Easter Morning a brave band of pilgrims gathered in the driving wind and rain to celebrate Christ's resurrection. They were led in worship by our own Worship Group, fingers wet and cold, who did a grand job. So congratulations to all those who survived Easter Sunrise 2010!
Happy Easter
Your Pastor
Darren
Thursday, 11 March 2010
Mother's Day & Mary
Now that our series with 1 Cor 13 is over, it is back to normal on this blog. As a special treat, here is a first look at what I plan to preach this coming Sunday, Mothers' Day. I doubt that I'll preach all six points...but you never know.
First mention of Mary is in Matthew 1v16 – that long list of names.
That list is important for several reasons, but two I particularly want to highlight this morning;
- God uses people; ordinary, everyday people.
- God plans.
So here is this young lady Mary, possible only 15 years old (although we do not know), finding herself unexpectedly caught-up in the plan of God. We find this spelt out in Luke 1 v30 “But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.” Literally in Greek that reads “you have found grace with God.” Of course you don’t find grace…it finds you!
So what can we learn from Mary about the sort of person God is wanting to make us:
1. Mary had an Obedient Heart
Literally she says “Behold, the slave of the Lord .” v38 & then “Be it done to me according to your word.”
2. Mary had a Heart of Humility
Mary comes from the same Hebrew root as the name Miriam and it means ‘Exalted’. Indeed, what did the Angels say, “Favoured one”.
V46 “Mary [Exalted] said, ‘My soul exalts the Lord…’”
V48 “From now on all generations will count me….blessed.”
Why? “…for the Mighty One has done great things.” (v49)
3. Mary had a Heart full of Praise
Luke 1 v46-56 The Magnificat
Now whatever else this passage is, it is most certainly a great hymn of praise and worship to God.
Mary says:
- She exalts the Lord (v46) & rejoices in God (v47)
- He is the Mighty One (v49), the Lord (v46) and God her Saviour (v47)
- He is Holy (v49), Merciful (v50 & 55), & Faithful (v54bf)
- He intervenes in the affairs of mankind, performing acts of social & political justice (v51-53).
4. Mary was well versed in the Scriptures
Her prayer is modelled on that of Hannah in 1 Sam 2v1-10, which accompanied the dedication of her young son Samuel to the Lord’s service. Mary’s hymn of praise also seems to borrow from or reflect no fewer than a dozen other OT passages. Of course, all this may have been solely by the direct inspiration of the Spirit. But it is just as possible that when the Holy Spirit wanted to inspire to such praise, He had a rich treasury of God’s Word hidden within Mary’s heart to draw upon.
Now if a humble, teenage girl can read, treasure, and remember Scripture, what about us?
5. Mary had a Reflective Heart
“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2v19
“But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.” Luke 2v51b
6. Mary had a Believing Heart.
“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" Luke 1v45
“They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Acts 1v14
But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.” Gal 4v4f
Even Mary needed a Saviour. And so do you…and so do I.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
