1st April 2012

1^st April

A Palm Sunday service this morning, with Jane as the speaker, that looked at the area of hospitality. There is a third memory verse from Hebrews 13:2. The talk reflects on with whom and how Jesus spent his last few weeks before his arrest and looking at some of the homes and people he spent time with. To think about who comes to your home and asking discussion questions about why do you think they like coming what do you feel about when they go? That showing hospitality is a gospel virtue ( 1 Peter 4:9) , and that there are many different models and means of comprising households and home. Yet they all can be a great space to meet an essential need to know the love of God. We were reminded that Jesus began the longest journey of his life from a home.

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

25th March 2012

The reading stays with Luke 4:1-15 and this time looks at the last of the three temptations. Entitled “Be Ready “ Geoff examines how the wilderness experience was integral to the formation of the character of Jesus and the nature of his kingdom. How some forms of doubt can be a good thing and how other forms of doubt are very destructive of faith. In this “ training for righteousness “ the place of listening as “ heart food “ rather than just “ear food” is crucial for our preparedness to “Be Ready.”

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

18th March 2012

Continuing this short series on Christ and the temptations in the wilderness the text remains Luke 4:1-15 with a particular focus on verses 5 to 7 in Jesus facing the temptation of what sort of Messiah Christ was to be. Jane make the point we live in a world obsessed by having power and glory and looking at the related issue of idolatry. After a brief discussion and feedback within the congregation as to what people idolise today Jane suggested that greed is the root to much of what the bible regards as idolatry and then looked at the responses of Jesus to help us to recognise and combat this.

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

11th March 2012

The reading is from Luke 4:1-15 continuing to look at the temptations of Jesus in the wilderness. This week the talk looks at the middle temptation to take over the kingdoms of the world – what became a regular feature of various temptations- for taking a short cut to power, glory, influence and wealth. Although partly a test of loyalty it also represents what type of Messiah Jesus would be based around righteousness and justice. Churches, as well as individuals, need to decide just what they are compromising by gaining access to privileges and what strings are attached when accommodating with authorities.

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