30th August 2015                                                                                                                     

Galatians 6: 1 – 10. Jane continued on the importance of the new commandment as a demonstration to the world of a community following Jesus’ example by mutual love. After a quick recap we focussed on the metaphor of “bearing burdens” – and lightening the load for one another when we began to stray from the path of following Jesus. Mutuality and love “for one another” is a clear New Testament teaching. Jesus moves beyond the narrow care of our own family and tribe to care for all but especially those who do the will of God: these are our brothers and sisters, mothers, grandfathers – our family of faith (Galatians 6: 1 and 10. Again the world will see this as the hallmark of Jesus’ followers. JTH

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

23rd August 2015                                                                                                             

John 13: 14 and also 34, 35. We continue to ask why Jesus gave a new commandment when the Jews were already rich in commandments and overloaded by their religious leaders. We looked at the practice and metaphor of foot washing and discussed what this means in practical love terms. We discussed loving others and letting ourselves be loved and served by brothers and sisters who also follow Jesus. Jane contrasted this with the world’s way of living. JTH

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

16th August 2015

Jane asked why Jesus added a new commandment to the already very extensive Law. John 13: 34 and 35 and also Matthew 22: 34 -40. We considered Jesus’ setting up of a new model society so that the world can see how followers of Jesus live in a mutually loving community. What is the hallmark of authentic followers of Jesus?
Notes will usually be available on the downloads section of the website

9th August 2015

 The talk from Geoff looks at the arguments over healings on the Sabbath that confronted Jesus and ingrained attitudes to the Sabbath. It then goes on to explore about finding rest in God and as we move from that rest to go out taking proper rest into a broken, hurting world. Jesus reached out to people who needed to know and experience the breaking in of God’s new creation and the delivering from old powers. To find the rest God promises. Sabbath rest isn’t just about time off to reflect, recuperate and restore but also actively taking that rest into a restless world.

 

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

2nd August 2015

Matthew 22: 34-40; John 13: 34, 35. Loving the world? The puzzle of the new love commandment. Having preached this sermon Jane says she’d like to preach it over again but better. The congregation participated by splitting into small groups to ask why Jesus added a new commandment for his disciples. We considered the new model society that Jesus was forming: calling disciples to follow him and become brothers and sisters. Authentic followers love one another as Jesus loved us. He will build a church – a new community that will be able to breakthrough and rescue others from hell itself.

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

26th July 2015 

Luke 9: 57 – 62. Loving the world: following Jesus forward. Jesus moves into the world to share the Father’s love. Jesus through the generations calls people to follow him into the world to show compassion: as was said last week we are called to be the heart, hands and lips of Jesus. Loving Jesus means we too will love the world with an ardent passion. The tendency is to begin to follow Jesus and then to stop. Hear again the voice of Jesus calling you by name to follow him. JTH

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

19th July 2015                                                                                                                          

 Matthew 14: 13 -21. Loving the world: God’s hands extended. Pastor Kurt Erikson of “church without walls” spoke of Jesus who sees, feels and heals. Speaking from his years of experience he spoke of the need for God’s people to Hear God’s voice call us, Everyone of us to play our part and be Available to use our Resources and with Thanksgiving. This talk is well worth listening to. JTH

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