This is the rough outline I used for last thursday’s Alpha talk on “why did jesus die?” Just to make clear to anyone who thinks I am into the penal substitutionary view as an exclusive explanation of the cross, I have no problem with using the outline Alpha proposed (which is almost identical to this one) Why did Jesus Die?For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in him will not... Read more
The Zeffirelli TV Production on the life of Jesus is to be re-broadcast over this Easter weekend, I just wanted to (thoroughly) commend it to you all, and give broadcast times etc (but you will need some form of Digital TV to watch it) For any who may not know about this, it’s the definitive TV production on the life of Jesus – actually I’m sure I recall hearing Lew Grade say it was his proudest achievement (and in TV... Read more
Following on frompart 1 and part 2 I suddenly realised it was over a month on and I hadnt posted part three yet. Anyway, we left me receiving the holy spirit as a young child. My parents then allowed me to be baptised quoting the words Peter used about Cornellius as jusfication. Acts 10:47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? After receiving the Sprit and being baptised, very... Read more
Well, I was at a great concert on Friday by Daniel Bedingfield and ended up incorporating quite a bit of his stuff in this mornings sermon- here are the notes I preached from. Amazingly, following on from Thursday’s blessing, we also had a great blessing this morning with a significant number of responders and one making a public profession of faith for the first time!UPDATE:- Audio now available Dare we believe the dream giver? Josh 14 Crowds- do you like... Read more
I love this from The Narrow: “I’m just a nobody who wants to tell everybody that there is somebody who can save anybody.” Read more
This has been a great week so far. Despite having to travel when I wasnt expecting to and some logistical issues that arrose as a result, I have felt closer to God. I have felt a strength growing within me, a greater desire to know God more and my desire for holiness has been increasing. I have felt good, really good. So much so that I was starting to ask myself why. Then tonight when I felt the blessing of... Read more
There is a lot in the UK press today about the row that has suddenly engulfed our politicians. American readers need to understand that this is almost unprecedented. Religion and politics are bizarrely more separate in our nation than yours despite the fact that we have bishops sitting in our house of lords. Anyway, today the Independent says the last thing the election should be about is abortion and the BBC seems to imply agreement. Readers of the Telegraph and... Read more
Covenant Life Church quotes a gospel celebration which does a fantastic job of explaining the gospel. The church also has a great statement of faith which, like the somewhat less detailed new UK Evangelical Alliance statement of faith I would have no problem signing. The discussion of the simple gospel will never stop, for it is the gospel itself that saves but also, I do believe that the preaching of the gospel does good in a believers heart, and if... Read more
The UK Catholic church has officially welcomed Michael Howard’s statement that he would support a reduction in the age beyond which abortion is allowed in the UK. BBC NEWS quotes Blair on the other hand as saying : “‘However much I dislike the idea of abortion, you should not criminalise a woman who, in very difficult circumstances, makes that choice. ‘Obviously there is a time beyond which you can’t have an abortion, and we have no plans to change that... Read more
In the category of things that slip you by, the UK EA last month announced a new basis of faith. Things could get interesting around September time when this becomes active- it seems to me some of these items have been sharpened- I wonder how many people will struggle to affirm 3, 6, and for that matter 11. It seems strange that the EA have moved quickly to remove mention of the old basis of faith from their website- perhaps... Read more
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