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Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
2 Peter 3
New International Version (NIV)
The Day of the Lord
3 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2 I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Saviour through your apostles.
3 Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.
8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.[a]
11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.
17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
Footnotes:
- 2 Peter 3:10 Some manuscripts be burned up
- 2 Peter 3:12 Or as you wait eagerly for the day of God to come
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Training for Godliness:
Study 6: The Local Church
Jan-Feb 2020
A. The Battle Ground
1. God’s design of dependence
26 Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:26-28 ESV
- Dependence on God’s revelation
- Dependence on God for purpose
2. Satan, the disciple maker
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. 7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. Genesis 3:1-7 ESV
- Doubt God’s Word
- Doubt God’s Character
- Adam and Eve presented with two worldviews
3. How do people change?
43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” Luke 6:43-45 ESV
- “That’s not who I am”
- Sin originates from within (James 1:13-15)
“External changes that don’t follow internal changes of heart toward God always move a person further away from the Lord.” Jay E. Adams
True Discipling speaks to the heart!
“12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:12-13 ESV
B. In Your Group – Models of Discipling
1. Jesus Christ
13 And he went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him. 14 And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach 15 and have authority to cast out demons. Mark 3:13-15 ESV
From these verses, what do we learn about Jesus’ approach to making disciples?
Specifically think about
- The selection process
- What Jesus does with them
- What the goal of his discipling is
2. The Apostle Paul
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. Colossians 1:27-29 ESV
From these verses, what do we learn about Paul’s approach to making disciples? Specifically think about:
- The goal of discipling (how does this compare with our goal-setting?)
- How does Paul tell us he fulfils the task?
C. Being a Disciple-Maker
1. Our Shared Calling
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
2. Who will I disciple?
- Not a superior-inferior relationship
- Who has the Lord already placed in your life?
- Look at your home first!
- Men disciple men; women disciple women
- Look around your church – ask your leaders
- Don’t spread yourself too thin
3. What are my goals?
- Word-centred
- Real Life Focused
- Genuine Investment
4. What will I give?
- Time
- Preparation
- Prayer
- Myself
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
2 Peter 1
New International Version (NIV)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
Confirming One’s Calling and Election
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But whoever does not have them is near-sighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.
10 Therefore, my brothers and sisters,[a] make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Prophecy of Scripture
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. 13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, 14 because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15 And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 He received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”[b]18 We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.
19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Footnotes:
- 2 Peter 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
- 2 Peter 1:17 Matt. 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:35
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Psalm 119:49-64
New International Version (NIV)
ז Zayin
49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
51 The arrogant mock me unmercifully,
but I do not turn from your law.
52 I remember, Lord, your ancient laws,
and I find comfort in them.
53 Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
who have forsaken your law.
54 Your decrees are the theme of my song
wherever I lodge.
55 In the night, Lord, I remember your name,
that I may keep your law.
56 This has been my practice:
I obey your precepts.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, Lord;
I have promised to obey your words.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59 I have considered my ways
and have turned my steps to your statutes.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
63 I am a friend to all who fear you,
to all who follow your precepts.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
Sunday Feb 23, 2020
John 17:6-11 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Prays for His Disciples
6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.
Footnotes:
- John 17:6 Greek your name
- John 17:11 Or Father, keep them faithful to
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
Thursday Feb 13, 2020
Training for Godliness:
5. Evangelism
Jan-Feb 2020
A. The Commission
“16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshipped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20 ESV
Structure of the Commission:
a) Preamble (v18)
b) Command (vv19-20a)
c) Promise (v20b)
i) A Sure Foundation (v18)
- Jesus: Descendant of Abraham (Matthew1:2)
- Jesus: Immanuel – God with us (Matthew 1:23)
- Jesus has all DOMINION (cp. Genesis 1:28)
ii) An Enduring Command
- Going: A radical approach – going out, not sitting in.
- Baptising:
- Into the NAME
- Represents a new identity
- Teaching (come back next week!)
A commission given to eleven men…
…passed on to others….
…passed down to us.
B. In Your Group – What is Evangelism?
i) A Definition
“Evangelism is teaching the gospel with the aim to persuade”
Mack Stiles
Think through this definition – are there approaches to outreach that strictly speaking are not ‘evangelism’? What do they tend to miss?
Let’s think biblically about some of the terms in this definition:
ii) The Gospel
a) In your own words, what is the gospel? What does a sinner need to know to be saved?
b) Consider the following Scriptures, which offer something of a definition of the Gospel. Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-5; 1 Timothy 1:15; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Luke 9:23-24. Based on these (and any others) what are the key points of the gospel message?
iii) The Aim
This part of the definition challenges our motives –
a) Read Philippians 1:12-18 – what are the differing motives for preaching the Gospel that Paul highlights here? What bad motives can drive us to share the gospel? What good motives should inspire us?
b) The aim of evangelism should be to persuade. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (esp. take note of vv11, 14-15 & 20). What reasons does Paul give for trying to persuade people with the gospel?
c) Turn back to 2 Corinthians 4:1-6 – from this, what do we need to always bear in mind about persuading people to become Christians? How should this affect our evangelism?
C. Carrying Precious Seed
“22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for
“All flesh is like grass
and all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers,
and the flower falls,
25 but the word of the Lord remains for ever.”
And this word is the good news that was preached to you. (1 Peter 1:22-25 ESV)
- New birth is by the imperishable seed
“The seed is the word of God” Luke 8:11
How do I plant?
- Cultivate the Soil – have meaningful contact with people who aren’t Christians
- Plant the Seed – find ways of sharing the Gospel
- Reap the Harvest – challenge to respond to the Gospel
e.g. Acts 2
Suggested Resources:
Dever, The Gospel and Personal Evangelism, 2007
Greene, Fruitfulness on the Frontline: Making a difference where you are, 2014
I. Packer, Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, 1991
M. Pippert, Out of the Saltshaker & into the World, 2nd Edition, 1999
M. Stiles, Evangelism: How the whole church speaks of Jesus, 2014
Tice, Honest Evangelism, 2014
Monday Feb 10, 2020
Monday Feb 10, 2020
This podcast is the praises sung at our Encounter Service on 9th Feb 2020.
The sermon from this service is in a separate podcast which you will see immediately below this one.
God Bless you and enjoy the great music and uplifting sermon.
Sunday Feb 09, 2020
Sunday Feb 09, 2020
Sunday Feb 09, 2020
John 17:1-5 - New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Prays to Be Glorified
17 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed:
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.
Sunday Feb 09, 2020
Sunday Feb 09, 2020
We are very sorry, but due to a technical difficulty, we are unable to publish a Podcast for Big Night In #3.
We do hope that you will be uplifted by studying this podcast for Big Night In #4. If you are able to join us for Big Night In #5, which will be on Wednesday evening 12th Feb 2020, you will be very welcome.
Big Night In #4
Training for Godliness: Prayer (Part 2)
A. Definitions of prayer
“The chief exercise of faith” – John Calvin
“Calling on God to come through on his promise” – Gary Millar
- The first prayers in the Bible: “people began to call upon the name of the Lord” - Genesis 4:26
- The last prayer in the Bible (Revelation 22:20-21):
“20 He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” - Calling on God’s promise changes me before it changes my circumstances
Psalm 13
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me for ever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and day after day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
3 Look on me and answer, Lord my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,
4 and my enemy will say, ‘I have overcome him,’
and my foes will rejoice when I fall.
5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.
B. The Model Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
“9 ‘This, then, is how you should pray:
‘“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.”
Notice:
Jesus is more concerned with what to ask for than how to ask.
Priority is the PRESENCE of God (9-10) before seeking the PROVISION of God (11-13)
This prayer is a SHARED discipline:
“OUR Father…”
Verses 9-10 UNITE Christians in what they seek above all
Verses 11-13 makes us mindful of the needs of others
C. In your groups
- Was there anything in tonight’s talk you found surprising/helpful/challenging?
- Spend some time together in prayer.
Have the text of the Lord’s prayer open (Matthew 6:9-13
a. Bearing in mind what we’ve already thought about pray in your group through verses 9-10 – use this as a model of prayer, and feel free to use your own words. Remember, simple and to the point is something God loves to hear from his children
1. Worship God!
2. Pray for God’s kingdom to advance
3. Pray for God’s will to be done, in your life; in the life of BCFC
b. Take some time to share needs that you would like prayer for, or for someone you know.
c. Now use vv11-13 and the points from (b) as a basis for prayer for each other – don’t be afraid to pray by name.