What we are

A Vineyard Church is an ‘Empowered Evangelical Church’.  This means we are first and foremost evangelical, embracing Christianity as taught in the Bible and expounded upon in the great creeds and confessions of the historical church.  

For this reason the Vineyard also embraces the power of the Holy Spirit known to the church since its inception as signs and wonders.  We believe that every disciple of Christ, from the moment of salvation, is baptized in the Holy Spirit and has been given spiritual gifts for the purpose of advancing God’s kingdom and the service of the saints (Romans 8.9).  

This point distinguishes Empowered Evangelical churches (like the Vineyard) from Pentecostalism (a twentieth century doctrine with a heavy emphasis on tongues and a belief in a post-salvation baptism of the Spirit).  In other words, a Vineyard Church is not a Pentecostal Church in doctrine or church culture, but we do embrace the present ministry and manifestation of the Holy Spirit, making us both a Word and Spirit church.

The Vineyard is both a teaching church and an experiential church.  We believe that the Word of God is powerful, living and active (Hebrews 4.12) and that it is divinely inspired making it useful for correcting, rebuking and equipping the people of God for every good work and ministry (2 Timothy 3.16).  We hear teaching from the Bible that explains the meaning of Scripture while bridging those ancient words to practical, real-world situations of people living today. 

We encourage Spirit-led ministry, giving people an opportunity to respond to the message and to experience the power of the Holy Spirit. We encourage people to seek and receive prayer, and there is an expectation that there will be gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

We also believe in praying for the sick, release from oppression and bondage , and other manifestations of the Holy Spirit’s power. However, we do not believe in making a show or treating the work of the Holy Spirit as something for church amusement.  We believe all ministry should glorify God more than the ones administering it.

The Vineyard is not a denomination per se, but we do share a common set of values, a statement of faith and a philosophy of ministry.  The Vineyard movement began in 1977 as a single Vineyard Christian Fellowship within the Calvary Chapel denomination.  As more Calvary Chapel churches adopted the Vineyard name a new leader emerged among the churches by the name of John Wimber. John was a musician, and a part of the Righteous Brothers before coming to Christ.  His early Christian experience and ministry as a pastor was among the Friends Churches (Quaker).  Later he served as part of the faculty of at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California, and as the director of the Fuller Church Growth Institute.  

That loose network developed into an association of over 600 churches in the USA and over 2,000 Vineyard Churches worldwide. The association has continued to maintain its loose affiliation of autonomous churches linked by a shared statement of faith, philosophy of ministry, values, and through cooperation, rather than a system of trans-local government and oversight.

Vineyard churches share and seek to model five core values;

     1. Theology & Practice of the Kingdom 

     2. Experiencing God

     3. Reconciling Community

     4. Compassionate Ministry

     5. Culturally Relevant Mission

We endeavour, by God’s grace to let these values color our character and activities as a church beginning with the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ primary message in his earthly ministry was the Kingdom of God (the kingdom of God is upon you, the kingdom of God is near you, you are not far from the kingdom, the kingdom of God is like . . .) and his teaching was accompanied by the works of the kingdom, both natural and supernatural. As this was the focus of Jesus’ earthly ministry we seek to also make his teaching and practice of the kingdom our focus as well. 

We believe that the Kingdom is not just the future universal reign of God, or simply the Christian Church. We believe that the kingdom of God is the rule and reign of God (Βασαλια) both in its present manifestation (salvation, deliverance, healing, etc. Mark 12.34, Matthew 12.28, 9.35) and it its final manifestation (the new heavens and new earth Revelation 21).

Experiencing God is not just our commitment to know about God, but to know him intimately, encounter him through worship, prayer, salvation and the present manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers, and in divine guidance (dreams, visions, prophecy, words of knowledge, words of wisdom, discernment and much more).  

To reveal the Father heart of God to those who do not know God, and to come into a full knowledge (heart, mind and soul) of his great love for humanity, and for the individual.

We believe also that the church of Christ is meant to be a reconciling community in as much as Jesus reconciled us to himself by taking on himself our sin and not counting our sins against us as we deserved and gave to the church the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5.18-21).  In this way we have been called to share this gospel of reconciliation by pointing others to this same forgiveness and reconciliation with Christ, and by demonstrating this same spirit of forgiveness by forgiving others and by not harboring bitterness and resentment in our hearts toward others.  As well, Jesus put to death the enmity that exists between male and female, Jew and Greek, slave and free through his body so that we might be one (Ephesians 2:14-21).  We are called to be a people of peace and reconciliation and not to contribute to the sectarianism of the world.

Fourth, we believe it is not enough for us to be right or even what we say to be true, but our actions must reflect Compassionate Ministry.  The works of the church should be filled with compassion even as the Father heart of God is filled with compassion. Jesus did not come to the earth simply because he was duty bound, or it was the right thing to do.  He was not compelled by the law or anything greater than himself, but the love of the Father for the world, that no one should perish but through faith in Jesus Christ they should have everlasting life (John 3.16).

Finally, we believe that ministry should be contextual, treating every place the gospel is preached as an outpost of the kingdom of God, translating the good news into the vernacular of the recipients. This means having a Culturally Relevant Mission Mindset.  

Life is constantly changing.  What was culturally relevant a few years ago is no longer relevant today.  As well, in as much as we have been saved and set apart, we no longer think like the people like those who belong to the world.  We recognize that our values are different, our worldview is different, and our priorities are different.  Therefore even in the place that once was our home we must be like missionaries, learning afresh how to speak the language of our city, the next generation, and the people of this world.  This should never mean compromising the truth, lowering the standards of right and wrong, or messing with the message.  It should mean that we go afresh to the old, old story, and think through what is culture and what is the Word of God. That which is culture can be rethought, and repackaged.  That which is Scripture must be held onto and fought for without change or compromise.  We don’t mess with the message, but we do adjust the medium by which we share the message.

These five core values are central to our identity and define the way that we do ministry, and how we understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Our highest priority is worship; not just music, but the all-encompassing concept that everything we do should be a spiritual act of worship (Romans 12.1).  For this reason we begin most every meeting with a time of worship, in praise to God. It also means that the focus of our lyrics is directed to God more than singing about God to one another.  In our songs, we seek to directly exalt the Lord!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Originally posted by BNORMAN8 on NOVEMBER 13, 2017 Citrus Vineyard

Of sausages and saviours

Once upon a time there was a ‘pie company what done good’ They had a wonderful selection of all things pie and pasty related…. and a lot more besides. We are happy, it would appear, to regularly pay this company for the privilege of walking the streets advertising the greatness of their pies.  We do this ever so subtly (but proudly) by displaying the tell tale crumb trail from face to feet via our tracksuit. A badge of honour for us and great product placement for the purveyor of pies and assorted other pasties and pastries.  A win win for sure.

However, we had no idea what was to come…. It was truly breathtaking. The aforementioned pie emporium had been sitting on a secret for over 2000 years but decided, during our lifetime to reveal this ‘mystery of the ages’. This is certainly  ‘the greatest story never told’ and it is a story, the revelation of which the world had been waiting for while holding its collective breath. What privileged times we live in.

Little had we realised that some of the greatest feats of human goodness, some of the wisest teachings in the world, the motivation and driving force behind world transforming activities and initiatives were inspired by a 2000 year old ………….. sausage roll, 

Who knew?

In light of this truly overwhelming revelation I propose we make some minor amendments to the greatest book in the world …..

John 1

In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through him. Nothing that has been made was made without him. Life was in him, and that life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness. But the darkness has not overcome the light.

…….and, the Word became a …….

sausage roll…………..

There was a stunned silence in heaven….. until one brave angel tapped God on the shoulder and said

 ‘ Good job big yin, we didn’t see that one coming, it takes left field to another level!’ How’s it going to work then?

‘Or, maybe’, saith the Lord, ‘there is a company who are great with pastry but terrible with history and maybe they did holdeth a meeting to find out who was the least creative, least imaginative, least innovative marketing agency they could find and then they did engageth this company … who did bloweth it big time.

‘However’, saith the Lord, again, ‘they have unwittingly provided a great opportunity to put the historical record straight….. we have unearthed evidence that shows the gospel according to St Greggs has strayed into error due to an unfortunate, although perhaps understandable, mistranslation of the original Greek.  

Where the record states that the giver of life changing teaching, of hope, a future, inspiration, the demonstrator of God’s love and power was Ιησούς Χριστός (Jesus Christ) they thought it said ‘sausage roll’…. Who hasn’t made that mistake before?

However, they’ve ‘fessed up’ and they have unwittingly provided great opportunities to talk about Christmas and Jesus, despite not because of their inept marketing advisors… so, all’s well and all of that. Happy CHRISTmas.

What money cannot buy

This is a devotional reading I read based on Acts 8:18 - Simon the Sorcerer and it is fully credited to Annette LaPlaca ( also referenced at the end)


I was reading a new book by a Christian author who pointed out how often we use the language of finance when we talk about relationships. We “value” a friend. We “invest in” a relationship. The author went on to say that we commonly use our love in the same way we use money: to get what we want.

I had to stop and check my own marriage relationship: Do I give/withhold courtesy, attention or affection to/from my husband, depending on whether David’s behavior pleases or upsets me? In all honesty, I had to admit that sometimes my love is conditional toward him. Sometimes I do use love like money.

This is not the way of grace and mercy. This is not Christ’s way. This is not kingdom behavior. God’s love does not depend on my good behavior; there’s no way I can earn his approval or salvation. Jesus gave his life for me, and God accepts me and welcomes me into his family because I trust Christ’s work on my behalf.

Simon the Sorcerer failed to realize that some things in life are priceless. When he saw the powerful effects of the apostles’ prayers, Simon wanted to buy what was in their “bag of tricks”: “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19). Peter’s response was to rebuke Simon sternly, saying, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!” (verse 20). Simon the Sorcerer hadn’t figured out that the gifts of God are given by God’s grace and goodness alone; they cannot be earned or bought.

I’m afraid my attempts to freely offer love and kindness to others, as Jesus would, will be a lifelong challenge for me. My consumer mentality seems too deeply rooted. But I want to love others without considering what they might think of me or what they might “owe” me. At home, that means choosing to love David through all my actions and attitudes, whether or not I think he’s “earned” my affection.

Many times when one spouse behaves with grace and love toward an undeserving spouse, the spouse reciprocates with a renewed attempt to be gracious and loving, but there are no guarantees. In the end, I must choose to give my love freely, not in an attempt to manipulate my husband or get him to treat me well, but only because I want to please the Lord.

Money can’t buy lasting love, and I don’t want to use my love like money. In the end I’ll be more gratified in receiving David’s love and affection if I know I haven’t manipulated his attention with a bag of tricks or with strategies of conditional love. My goal is to love him freely, the way God has loved me.

—Annette LaPlaca

Taken from NIV Couples’ Devotional Bible


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Apples of Gold

(Taken from a devotional reading on YouVersion)

In the 1950s, Mary grew up knowing she was different from other kids . . . and she hated it. Because she had a cleft palate, she had learned to steel herself against the jokes and stares of children who teased her about her misshapen lip, crooked nose and garbled speech. Mary was convinced that no one outside her family could ever love her . . . until she entered Mrs. Leonard’s class. Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face and beautiful brown hair. All of the children liked Mrs. Leonard, but Mary grew to love her.

In those days, teachers administered a hearing test in the classroom. Unfortunately, Mary not only had a speech impediment due to her cleft palate, she was also partially deaf in one ear. Determined not to let the children have something else to tease her about, she thought of a way to cheat on the hearing test: She could pass the “whisper test” by covering her bad ear and turning her good ear toward her teacher. On the day of the dreaded hearing test, surely God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard’s mouth that changed Mary’s life forever. When it was time for Mary’s “whisper test,” she clearly heard the words: “I wish you were my little girl.”

Solomon called these kinds of words “apples of gold in settings of silver.” They are words that can erase years of pain and sorrow. They are words filled with love and acceptance. They are words that are priceless to those who hear them.

If someone listened in on your conversations, would their lives be changed for better or worse? Would they hear you speaking about the character flaws of others as if they were physical defects or would they hear that you consider others as beautiful in God’s eyes? Ask yourself if your words build up or tear down. Do your words push others away from you or draw others near? Most important, do they draw others to God?

It’s never too late to dispense apples of gold in settings of silver. Seek someone who is downcast and whisper a word of encouragement. You never know who needs to hear the words, “I wish you were my friend.”

Why I don't consider myself to be a Christian

In my opinion, the biggest life changing question asked in the Bible can be found in Matthew 16:15, Jesus arrives in the region of Caesarea Philippi. He asked who the people thought He was. The disciples said John the Baptist returned, Elijah, Jeremiah or another prophet. Clearly the people thought whoever this Jesus person was He was under the authority of God. The reality was He was not recognised for who He really was, the Son of God and The Saviour of the World. 

 

Jesus then turns to His disciples and in Matthew 16:15 says, "who do you say I am?" At this point Jesus is recognised as Messiah and Son of the living God and on this foundation Jesus said, "I will build my church". This question at this point changed everything,  Jesus' suffering on the cross and His resurrection was close and that God's Kingdom was ever closer.

 

This question is as powerful  today as then. "Who do you say Jesus is?" And that's why I struggle to call myself a Christian, as I learn more about Him. Christian for some people is used to describe someone who loves and follows Jesus. For others it is more a label used to describe a life style, a type of person, a type of music, something ticked on a demographic form or a type of insurance. I remember a musician talking about a particular conference and describing it as very 'Christian'. Almost as you would describe the Motorshow being very automotive. The funny thing is, I went to that very conference the following year and ran into the same chap and I have to say it was very 'Christian'. It's very surreal being sold Christian motor insurance!

 

The point I'm trying to make is that this word Christian seems so far removed from that moment when Jesus asked that question to His disciples, "who do you say I am?" It's not enough to stick a label on ourselves and call ourselves a Christian, but do we know and acknowledge who Jesus is. He wants to have a 'real' relationship with us and see our lives changed so that we can live life to its fullness.

 

I am Andy Mitchell and I am learning to follow King Jesus.

Going on an ADVENTure

“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.”

Luke 2:25 NIVUK

I have just started a new 25 day reading plan about preparing for Christmas, as an addition to my regular reading plans and it has got off to a great start... well for me it has.

After the reading and some devotional words, each day has sections that encourage you to spend some time that day doing things based on the reading. These sections are things like 'Exploration, Expression, Experience and so on.

Today, day 1' the Exploration section invited me to consider how my life, or our lives, can reflect the kind of anticipation that we see in Simeon and Anna in our reading from Luke.

They had both experienced and heard from the Father, they both knew what the nation needed and what God had promised and they were waiting for Him and preparing themselves for Him. They were way ahead of the rest of the people who really were 'singing from a different hymn sheet' 

Odd, is it not, that they had all read and been taught the same scriptures and they had all heard the same prophetic warnings, promises and encouragement. 

But then of course we need to layer onto this the agendas of those who did the teaching, the willingness of people to believe without exploring ( or sometimes even thinking) for themselves, the personal and cultural agendas that we are often blind to ourselves but which massage the message to suit our personality and desires and probably other stuff we are unaware of! Nonetheless, God showed, through Simeon and Anna, that none of this stuff need actually prevent the powerful, life changing 'truth that sets us free' from breaking through our self constructed or 'others imposed' barriers and filling us with Holy anticipation. 

Simeon and Anna not only knew what Gods word said, they knew what it meant, they knew what it meant for them, what it meant for the nation and what it meant for the world.

When they saw Jesus, even as a baby, they saw in Him the entire hope of the world - this is the One they had been anticipating and, on seeing Him, they knew that God was among them.

So, how on earth do or should or can we even begin to match anticipation like this?

Firstly, read Gods word and seek not only to know what it says, but to understand what it means. Then, viewing the world through the filter of Gods Word, expect to see Jesus in your circumstances and situations today.... not simply looking forward to tomorrow, but expect and anticipate that you, and through you, others, will come face to face with Jesus, today. Watch out for Him in your everyday - anticipate Him and be excited at the prospect.

Hope in Hard Times

I read this devotional today that contains a lot that is perhaps hard to accept but nonetheless seems to get to the heart of grace and faith......

I suppose there has never been a marriage between two honest, self-examining people that at some time has not reached a seemingly irredeemable low point. There have been moments in my own marriage when the wall between my wife and me seemed too high to hurdle, too thick to break. We found it hard to muster hope. It was not easy to be confident that somehow the barriers blocking our oneness could be removed. . . . Too many unhappy spouses claim promises that God never made as their foundation of hope. They trust that if they do all they can, God will change their spouses into the loving Christians they should be. But a reason to live never consists of a guarantee that “Things will get better” or that “God will save your husband and help him stop drinking.” The hope of the Christian is far deeper than a mere change in someone else. The hope of the Christian is inescapably bound up in the grace of God.

It would be easy to quote a few verses from Hebrews (especially 6:18–19), and speak glowingly about the sure hope in Christ that serves as an anchor for our souls. But if you are plagued by chronic despair that results in a “Why bother” attitude, then prayerfully consider the following.

The Lord has not promised to put your marriage together for you. The hope of the Christian is not that one’s spouse will change or that one’s health will improve or that one’s financial situation will become good. God does not promise or rearrange our worlds to suit our longings. He does promise to permit only those events that will further his purpose in our lives. Our responsibility is to respond to life’s events in a manner that pleases the Lord, not to change our spouses into what we want. Even if we respond biblically, we have no guarantee that our spouses will respond in kind. Though they file for divorce or continue to drink or nag all the more, there is reason for us to persevere in obedience.

Certainly if both partners build on the foundation of hope and strive earnestly to live biblically, even the worst marriage can be turned around. Either way, there is reason to hope. This reason is bound up in the grace of God.

In God’s presence, there is never cause for despair. Our spouses may not do what they should to restore our marriage to happy, fulfilling relationships. But if we remain faithful to God, pouring out our emotions before him, renewing our commitment to seek him, trusting him to guide us in our responses, then he will sustain us through our trials and provide rich fellowship with him. There is reason to go on. There is hope. God’s grace is sufficient.

—Dr. Larry Crabb

We had a dream!

God speaking through a dream




Dare to dream.....but be prepared for some unexpected outcomes.

Following the very powerful prophetic dream that was shared with us at WAVC yesterday I was, once again, challenged by the quality of our relationships within the church generally.

Matthew 5 is always a challenge :

“‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:23-24 NIVUK
http://bible.com/113/mat.5.23-24.nivuk

But when we realise the extent to which a real sign of the quality of our relationship with Jesus is our attitude towards, and relationship with, others it opens up new and challenging areas for us.

Attending worship, reading the bible, prayers and other Christian paraphernalia become secondary if we are not striving for God honouring relationships and doing what is within our power to fix them when they are broken.

In our series on the Letters to the 7 Churches in Revelation Jesus spoke some very hard truths to His Church. Many of these were extremely hard to swallow. It would have been very easy in the face of these to throw your dummy out of the pram and go elsewhere, somewhere easier.

However, and this is where it gets harder, the only avenue Jesus presents to the people, on every occasion where He highlights a weakness, sin or failing is........ acceptance of His words and repentance!

After our worship service I was reminded by someone of words I had said in church ( and this person was reminded of them by their non Christian partner who happened to be there when I spoke) , " it's easy to love the loveable " so that is never the test of our obedience! I am always challenged by the words of Glen Kaiser ( former lead of Rez Band) - " the person we love the least is the full extent of our actual love for Jesus".

Like the dream that was shared at church, this quote does not give the option of hiding behind so called 'spiritual activities' whilst leaving broken or breaking relationships untended.

I am so thankful that, following extremely tough words from Jesus in the letters, there is always a way back to the experience and reality of His awesome grace - through the doors of:
1. Repentance
2. Sorting it out ( the fruit of repentance)

"Let them who have ears, hear what the spirit is saying to the church."


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The doing or being balancing act....

“After Rehoboam’s position as king was established and he had become strong, he and all Israel with him abandoned the law of the LORD.”
2 Chronicles 12:1 NIVUK

How accurately this statement reflects a weak tendency in us that has remained constant over the generations?

When we want or need something or feel weak or fearful we 'turn to God' but when we have what we want or feel content we begin to form an identity based not on intimacy with our Father but based on what we do ( yes, even what we do in the church) or we subtly shift our confidence away from God to 'things' or even to our own abilities.

How often do we hear ' she or he has 'never been closer to God' than when they have hit a crisis point? On one level that is great and God promises to meet us whenever we turn to him with integrity and in repentance or in genuine need. However we must let that experience beg questions of what was going on in our walk with Him before that point....

There will usually have been symptoms that were ignored, excused or brushed under the carpet. Things like less and less fellowship in house groups, less desire to pray together with fellow Christians, less reading of the bible and often, ironically more work for the church or God as we like to persuade ourselves...

When we do this then even our so called 'Christian work' becomes like 'filthy rags' because it tends towards idolatry. It begins to replace God in vital areas of our lives. The growing void created by the distance in our intimacy with Him is filled by fine sounding 'good works'

Do we spend more time or place a greater priority in DOING FOR God rather than BEING WITH Him?

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Form or substance? Or the third way.....

Unfortunately, some of our beliefs and practices can become “fossilized” over time. We think that we are relevant and full of truth - which we can be.......... WHEN the outer form flows from the inner substance. 

We can so easily drift into celebrating the form but forgetting the reality behind it. How we love our worship and our Christian music (nothing wrong with that) but how easily our lives or our character contradict that which we celebrate and enjoy. 

How often do we hear people, maybe even ourselves, when we have acted or spoken in ways that blatantly fly in the face of the bible, make excuses: "That's just the way I am..." , "If God hadn't wanted me to be like this He would have made me different" , "Yes, but that was written 2000 years ago .." These are all real examples I have heard recently......

Statements like these ( and there are many similar) are a signpost that we have stepped, or are about to step, over the line where the outer form is no longer linked to, or flows from, the inner substance.

In this scripture from Zechariah it has happened.

“‘Ask all the people of the land and the priests, “When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves?”

Zechariah 7:5-6 NIV

Their fasting appeared meaningful but had no inner substance. When this or something similar happens, a worship activity or Christian witness becomes an empty ritual or, even worse, a ritual with the wrong meaning attached to it. Often this can occur as a slow erosion of values, or a spirit of pride that, when the crunch comes favours self over substance. 

As is often the case, Jesus put it in such a way that it could not fail to have impact:

“‘ “These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.”

Matthew 15:8 NIV

I'd love to say I have never been there, but it would be a lie..... Lord help us to see the warning signs and step back from crossing that line.

Jesus wants us to have substance AND form - working together to His glory.

How are you going?

Jesus saw ten people, together, with Leprosy who asked Him to have pity on them.

“When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.”

Luke 17:14 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/luk.17.14.nivuk

With God it is so often in the 'as we are going' that stuff happens.

Although we may agree with this based on our knowledge of many examples from scripture there are implications for our own lives that may well keep this as theoretical knowledge rather than life changing encounters with Jesus.

In this story, these ten people all met Jesus and they heard Him - but that is not where there lives were changed. It is only as they obeyed and set off on the journey that they were healed.

How often, when we ask Jesus something and His reply asks something of us or require us to set off doing something new or going somewhere, do we hang around waiting for further 'confirmation'? 

The confirmation, and consequent blessing, so often comes in the doing or the going, not in the hanging around waiting for Him to confirm what He has already made clear. When we do this it may genuinely be a caution on our part or it may be a way of spiritualising our reluctance or fear of 'doing what Jesus says'

There is also a twist in this particular tale. 

Of the 10 , all of whom were 'cleansed' only one returned to give thanks to Jesus.

The cleansing they received was a physical healing that enabled them to return to normal life , in community, after the priests had pronounced them 'clean' - that's pretty amazing in itself. However, when one of them returned to acknowledge Gods activity in his life and give thanks he received far more than 'just' physical healing. He was made whole - given a deep new experience of God and life - this did not just change his physical condition it changed his whole relationship with God. He exercised faith and he acknowledged God in thanksgiving. These two elements brought physical healing AND wholeness.  

“Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”

Luke 17:19 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/luk.17.19.nivuk

How are you going?

Jesus saw ten people, together, with Leprosy who asked Him to have pity on them.

“When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.”

Luke 17:14 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/luk.17.14.nivuk

With God it is so often in the 'as we are going' that stuff happens.

Although we may agree with this based on our knowledge of many examples from scripture there are implications for our own lives that may well keep this as theoretical knowledge rather than life changing encounters with Jesus.

In this story, these ten people all met Jesus and they heard Him - but that is not where there lives were changed. It is only as they obeyed and set off on the journey that they were healed.

How often, when we ask Jesus something and His reply asks something of us or require us to set off doing something new or going somewhere, do we hang around waiting for further 'confirmation'? 

The confirmation, and consequent blessing, so often comes in the doing or the going, not in the hanging around waiting for Him to confirm what He has already made clear. When we do this it may genuinely be a caution on our part or it may be a way of spiritualising our reluctance or fear of 'doing what Jesus says'

There is also a twist in this particular tale. 

Of the 10 , all of whom were 'cleansed' only one returned to give thanks to Jesus.

The cleansing they received was a physical healing that enabled them to return to normal life , in community, after the priests had pronounced them 'clean' - that's pretty amazing in itself. However, when one of them returned to acknowledge Gods activity in his life and give thanks he received far more than 'just' physical healing. He was made whole - given a deep new experience of God and life - this did not just change his physical condition it changed his whole relationship with God. He exercised faith and he acknowledged God in thanksgiving. These two elements brought physical healing AND wholeness.  

“Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”

Luke 17:19 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/luk.17.19.nivuk

How are you going?

Jesus saw ten people, together, with Leprosy who asked Him to have pity on them.

“When he saw them, he said, ‘Go, show yourselves to the priests.’ And as they went, they were cleansed.”

Luke 17:14 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/luk.17.14.nivuk

With God it is so often in the 'as we are going' that stuff happens.

Although we may agree with this based on our knowledge of many examples from scripture there are implications for our own lives that may well keep this as theoretical knowledge rather than life changing encounters with Jesus.

In this story, these ten people all met Jesus and they heard Him - but that is not where there lives were changed. It is only as they obeyed and set off on the journey that they were healed.

How often, when we ask Jesus something and His reply asks something of us or require us to set off doing something new or going somewhere, do we hang around waiting for further 'confirmation'? 

The confirmation, and consequent blessing, so often comes in the doing or the going, not in the hanging around waiting for Him to confirm what He has already made clear. When we do this it may genuinely be a caution on our part or it may be a way of spiritualising our reluctance or fear of 'doing what Jesus says'

There is also a twist in this particular tale. 

Of the 10 , all of whom were 'cleansed' only one returned to give thanks to Jesus.

The cleansing they received was a physical healing that enabled them to return to normal life , in community, after the priests had pronounced them 'clean' - that's pretty amazing in itself. However, when one of them returned to acknowledge Gods activity in his life and give thanks he received far more than 'just' physical healing. He was made whole - given a deep new experience of God and life - this did not just change his physical condition it changed his whole relationship with God. He exercised faith and he acknowledged God in thanksgiving. These two elements brought physical healing AND wholeness.  

“Then he said to him, ‘Rise and go; your faith has made you well.’”

Luke 17:19 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/luk.17.19.nivuk

Where do we focus?

“‘Come,’ Jesus said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came towards Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’”

Matthew 14:29-30 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/mat.14.29-30.nivuk

I think Peter is often very hard done to in the way many people remember this story and the conclusions they come to.

For many of us the focus so easily becomes about Peter sinking through fear and lack of faith. Maybe that's a peculiarly British thing  - spotting the negative straight away!

Yes Jesus said to Peter "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

That was not judgemental or negative , it was a fact and a lesson. A lesson about what could be achieved with simple obedient faith even in the face of the seemingly impossible. 

The two things that tower in this story for me - and give me great encouragement and inspiration are:

1. The immense faith of Peter who heard an invitation from Jesus that, in human terms, was asking the  impossible, and to 'just do it' without hesitation. That is great faith and rock solid obedience. Give me more of that Lord...

2. OK, so he saw the the wind and waves and for a moment thought 'what on earth am I doing'. He faltered slightly and nature took its course - but Jesus was with Him. He reached out and took hold of Peter. There is a lesson that Peter needed to learn to encourage him in future heroic steps of faith.

Did Peter fall and fail again ? Yes, no doubt more times than we know.

Did Peter take awesome steps of faith again ? Yes, probably more times than we know!

Was Jesus with Him at every step of the way - in the failures and the triumphs?

Absolutely yes.

Was Peter a person just like us? Yes.

Was Peter heroic? Yes!

So what do you focus on in the story?

You do it......

“As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so that they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’ Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’”

Matthew 14:15-16 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/mat.14.15-16.nivuk

There is a really interesting dynamic at work here that many of us Christians either have not yet grasped or have not really 'dared' to act upon.

The disciples had seen the obvious need, they had understood there was an issue that would need some sort of action. 

They were in a remote place with a lot of people and 'the people will need something to eat' The disciples pragmatic solution was that Jesus should send the people away to buy food locally. 

There was nothing wrong or unworkable about their proposed solution....except that Jesus had a different idea. Jesus said :

                          ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’

OK guys well done for spotting the need, but I have a different solution - You do it!

Up pops the very understandable pragmatism - 'but we don't have enough food, in fact, we barely have enough to feed ourselves!'

Then, one of the most important things Jesus ever said ( in terms of how we 'do' ministry ) - 

He said: 'just bring me what you have got' after which the expectation was that the disciples would simply trust Him no matter how crazy or impossible things looked or sounded.

Jesus took what they had ( blessed it) gave them back what appeared to be EXACTLY what they had just given Him - ie totally insufficient resources for the task, then said - 'Now you go and feed them all'

And they went and did it and everybody ate and was satisfied.

So, the principle was:

1. Spot the need

2. Take your meagre resources to Jesus

3. Then, when He gives you back exactly the same as you have just given Him...!!

4. Go and minister to the need

5. See God work

SIMPLES.......

Too simple to be satisfying?

Matthew 13 contains a number of pretty well known parables, starting with the parable of the sower. 

We probably think of parables as (generally) pretty simple little stories that are not too complicated.....  This is probably true for the most part BUT it would seem that there is far far more to them than meets they eye. We would do well to dwell on them for longer than it takes us to merely gain a superficial understanding of what they are saying.

Why do I say this?

The final verse of Matt 13 gives us the clue:

“Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: ‘I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.’”

Matthew 13:34-35 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/mat.13.34-35.nivuk

This is dynamite!

These 'simple little stories' contain truths ".....hidden since the creation of the world.’!

Surely this qualifies them for a prayerful re-read? 

Most of them are parables about the Kingdom which means we are reading truth that give us Kingdom insight that no one before Jesus had even begun to grasp. The pursuit, practice and application of these truths in our lives and the life of our communities has life and community changing capability.

But, let's not assume such power lies buried in complicated layers of hidden meaning that requires human scholarship and immense brain power to figure out. Quite the opposite in fact. This is how religious leaders have hidden Gods word from ordinary people for generations - robbing them of life challenging & life changing Kingdom encounters. 

No, Jesus told simple stories to ordinary people and 'hid the meaning in plain sight'. These Kingdom truths had remained hidden not because they were too hard to find or understand but because they were so everyday and simple that people almost thought 'that can't be right, it's too easy, there should be more to it than that'! 

Their eyes, ears and hearts missed the obvious that was right in front of them and went off searching for something that was 'a more satisfying understanding'. 

It's a bit like the king in the old testament story who was told that his leprosy would be cured if he would simply dip himself in the Jordan river. He was incensed and nearly missed out on life changing healing because the method was too simple for him, not to his liking - he had expected something more 'elaborate'.  (2 Kings 5:1-19)

Fortunately (for him) he had wise and simple counsel who said 'just go and do it'

Let's re-read the parables and ask the Holy Spirit to show us the simple truths that are there in plain sight and to enable us to apply them and make them part of our personal and community Kingdom experience. 

Seeing,hearing or drifting?

Reflecting on my own journey I have a number of observations that I know to be, but wish were not, true.

There are times when I just seem incapable of seeing or hearing God's self evident truth. This is usually for one of two reasons which always ultimately lead back to sin and/or unbelief. 

In either of these cases there are usually one of two root causes at work. 

The first is because I have made choices that are consciously and intentionally about what I want rather than what God wants. 

Second,and in some ways more serious, my heart, which so often struggles under the burden of self deceit, has persuaded me that I am in the right and that what I am doing or why I am doing it has Gods blessing or enjoys Gods favour.

 Paul, in Corinthians, urges disciples to have times during which they 'test themselves' with regard to ACTUALLY being in the faith rather than just thinking or saying we are. This requires a depth of honesty and openness that can be difficult and may require us to seek counsel from mature Christians.

If this goes according to Gods plan for us, rather than our own, it will often result in the 'Godly sorrow ' about which Paul also talks to the Corinthians.

There are two simple biblical principles to begin to understand where we are 'in the faith':

1. How is our relationship with God (really)? Do we regularly set aside and spend regular quality time with Him - reading His word, being in His presence and listening to Him? This is NOT about doing things FOR HIM it is about the thing that is so close to His heart for us - being with Him in intimacy.

2. How is our relationship with His church (God's people) - Hebrews reminds that we 'should not give up meeting together as some of you are doing. This is the worship and fellowship test. What are our relationships like - do we include ourselves or have we become self excluded?

This is an important part of our 'spiritual audit' and Jesus warned of the dangers of not being honest with, and about, ourselves. 

One of those warnings is:

“In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: ‘ “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.””

Matthew 13:14-15 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/mat.13.14-15.nivuk

I spent a number of years in the spiritual wasteland that results from not heeding such warnings. Years when I spent so much energy going through the motions, trying to persuade myself that things were OK when it was so obvious to those around me that I was not... It's not worth it - 

Do the test, turn and be healed.

So,

Hard or healed - which are we?

Bitterness or blessing - which flows from us?

Godly sorrow or earthly sorrow - which do we practice?

Godly determination or self imposed drifting - which best describes where we are?

So where's the evidence?

It is interesting that when John was in prison and he heard about 'the Messiah' he sent some of his followers to ask Jesus 'Are you the one or should we expect someone else?' 

Was this not the same John who baptized Jesus, who saw the Spirit descend, who heard the voice of Father say 'this is my son, listen to Him' and who said himself 'Behold the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world' - Yes, we are talking about that John! 

Now here he was, in prison, probably at a 'low ebb' was he doubting ? needing reassurance? Maybe prison had never featured in his 'personal life plan' and he just needed to know it was about something real? He would, no doubt, have been aware of the many other people (around 400 we believe)  who were claiming to be 'the Messiah' . To be honest, we don't really know why he had reached a place where he felt that he needed to ask the 'are you for real' question about Jesus.

However, what is important is Jesus attitude and answer. There was no hint that Jesus was in any way affronted, upset, surprised or disappointed that his cousin, John, had expressed what, to many people, sounded very much like doubts. 

Jesus simply pointed out that what was promised was actually happening. Jesus had indicated right at the beginning of His ministry that His sole purpose was to let people into 'the good news of the Kingdom' He was in 'the Kingdom advancing business' and that this 'good news' would include, among other things, the work of the enemy being destroyed. Some of the very tangible indications of this were healing and releasing people from oppression and the power of the devil. 

When faced with John's question Jesus, without hesitation, points to the demonstrations  of Gods Kingdom bringing life and freedom to ordinary people. Here was the evidence - the promise of the advancing Kingdom being worked out and fulfilled day by day.

“Jesus replied, ‘Go back and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.”

Matthew 11:4-5 NIVUK

http://bible.com/113/mat.11.4-5.nivuk

We know that there are other tangible demonstrations of the advancing Kingdom that Jesus also pointed to . Firstly the depth and quality of love that begins to be lived out in the lives of those who follow him and the ultimate 'work of the enemy' death and the fear of death, being defeated on the cross.

If we are in a place where we have questions that may sound like doubts or like disillusionment or disappointment or dissatisfaction with God - ask them and He will meet us in them. He will not judge but will reveal to us what we need to move on and join Him in the 'Kingdom advancing business' 

And there is more- remember Matt 10? Jesus gave authority & power to those who follow Him to be able to demonstrate the answer to those in our communities who have the same honest and understandable questions as John.

Give it away....

Following previous blog about what Jesus has given us, we continue in that same brilliant chapter,  Matthew 10, and read:

“Freely you have received; freely give.”

Matthew 10:8 NIV

http://bible.com/111/mat.10.8.niv

Basically Jesus says

'Here's how it works: I give you authority and power, you totally give away the benefits of all you have received to others - and don't hold anything back!, now off you go and be "me" to the world'

What?

'Demonstrating and declaring the Kingdom of God' 

Why?

'To bring light and life to people and communities'

He gave them......

“Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority ......

It is well worth stopping mid sentence here... For our purpose it is almost irrelevant what the second part is about. 

A transaction happened between Jesus and His disciples... He gave them something that they previously did not have and it revolutionised their understanding and practice of what it meant to be a Jesus follower.

He gave them AUTHORITY (to ........)

What is the nature of what He gave them?

Why did He give it to them?

What are the implications for us ( modern day disciples?

He gave them authority ( exousia is the Greek word) which means He gave them the power that is normally associated only with a person in a particular role. In other words the centurion has a power over a group of men that was not available to any Tom,Dick or Harry. A police man or women possesses certain powers that go along with that position of authority, and so does an earthly King. People who have the RIGHT to, and PRIVILEGE of, exercising  power. More than this, they also have a responsibility to actually exercise it - it is not just theoretical power. If things are going to operate as intended for the good of other people the power not only must be used, it must be used correctly and for the right purposes.

Here we have the King of Kings (who possesses ALL power and authority) giving the right and privilege of using some of this power specifically for the good of others (and the demonstration and advancing of His Kingdom part of which is the destroying of the works of the devil)

This is big stuff!

This transaction happened so that they could DO things that they could not previously do and that nobody can do in their own strength. 

Interesting, exciting and challenging that followers of Jesus were expected, yes expected, to do things as a matter of course that are ordinarily impossible for human beings! This totally requires a relationship with the King and a willingness to accept what He gives ( impossible as that is to comprehend). Then to step out beyond the boundaries or our own limited experience, faith and comfort zones into the privilege and right of exercising the power He gives for the benefit of others.

In this case it was.......to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”

Matthew 10:1 )

So what about us?

There is nothing in scripture subsequent to this that even hints that such authority is not given to those who are His disciples. In fact everything that follows, particularly following His death and resurrection and Pentecost, screams out that the giving of such power to His followers and so much more are the 'Kingdom norm'. 

Nothing demonstrates this better than the history of the birth and growth of the church in Acts and the teaching in Romans, Corinthians and Ephesians regarding the gifts of the Spirit (the tools of the trade for Christians).

The simple message is :

Keep close to Jesus (disciples have committed to follow Him)

Receive what He gives (by faith)

Step out and begin to use what He has given (by choice, in faith)

Demonstrate the Kingdom - give light and life to people and communities.