23rd February 2014

 “Jesus and the prophets” continues in Revelation 1: 9-20 with John’s vision of Christ and examining the nature of prophecy building on themes from last week through the filter of the letters to the seven churches, of how Jesus chose to reveal himself to John and the significances of it particularly in deeply listening and hearing his voice. 

 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website .

 16th February 2014

 Continuing with “Jesus and the prophets”  the reading is from. Revelation 1: 1 - 8 and looks at the form of apocalyptic writing in the New Testament in Revelation (uncovering.) OT prophets were a wide range of types and personalities rather like a quilted counterpane with great variety but with many repeated themes. While on the whole OT prophets were generally more predictive in scope .there are eschatological prophets both in OT and NT detailing about the end times/ final things. The NT Apocalypse or Revelation is highly symbolic and John is clearly in this prophetic tradition: The talk highlights the points that the truth that Jesus reveals inspires the prophets and that the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophesy - who also remains the key to unlocking the true meaning and application. What did prophesy mean in NT church? The talk reflects on what relevance prophesying had to the church then and to us now, today, and the various views on the place of prophesy by modern commentators. 

 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website 

9th February 2014

 The reading is from 2 Peter 1:16-2:3 entitled “Spirit and sail- catching the wind?” After a brief introduction to the book the talk looks at Peter’s explanation of the nature of prophecy, the place of the Holy Spirit in interpreting prophecy and the hall mark signs around false prophets and teachers. The talk ends with utilizing the means God gives us to protect us from and avoid such teachers.

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website.

2nd February 2014 

 The reading is from Acts 2: 14 – 22 esp. verses 17 & 18. “Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. “The talk argues the point that this outpouring of the Spirit is not limited to a short period or dispensation after the resurrection and ascension. It is for the next generation of “sons and daughters” and Peter emphasizes that when he says: “this promise is for your children and your children children.” The church – each of us individually and as community- needs the presence and power of the Holy Spirit in and upon all of our lives. We are to go on being filled with the Spirit and expectant that this will result in the church being built in many and varied ways – including through the gift of prophecy.

 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the  website.

26th January 2014

  The bible readings are a selection from 1 Corinthians chapters 12 -14 looking at prophecy in the local church as part of “Jesus and the prophets.” The talk is quite detailed and referring to the download notes would help (see link below). The talk lays out some of the context in which prophecy is communicated in church life, including Paul’s teaching on how this is done in good order. Then the talk turns to asking the question what prophecy in the church is and concludes as to what it means in practice. 

Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website.