Sep 14th

2 Samuel 10     Ezekiel 17     2 Corinthians 3     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

Earlier this week we read about how Jesus’ resurrection victory over death and sin is already in spiritual evidence in us.  In 2 Cor 3 Paul is continuing (from ch2) to explain how he and the gang are Ministers of the New Covenant, spreading the gospel authoritatively (2:17) and what the evidence of that authority is.  They don’t require a reference letter as proof of the validity of their message, instead their evidence is in the changed lives of those who’ve received the message.

The evidence of this New Covenant differs from the evidence of the Old Covenant in the way it is presented, the old is physically written on stone tablets and the new is spiritually written on the hearts and souls of those who have received it. (v3)

This difference in presentation is true in one of the big debates of our day too: Science vs Christianity.  They don’t necessarily clash, except in how evidence is presented for each.  Scientific evidence, on the whole, is written and recorded physically, on a computer for example, or on paper; whereas the evidence of the liberty of Christ is written spiritually on our hearts and in our souls (vv3,6).

God cannot be quantified, it’s folly to look for earthly evidence alone.  But as Christians, we know ‘the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.’ (v17)  It’s by the Holy Spirit that any person accepts Jesus as Lord of their life and it’s by the Holy Spirit that we grow to reflect the image of God in increasing measure. (v18)

When I introduce people to the gospel, I tell them the story, but so often forget to introduce them to the Holy Spirit.  I can’t convince someone of a spiritual reality with just a story or a formula but I can with the Holy Spirit shining through me. (ch4:6)

(lay member of staff)

Sep 13th

2 Samuel 8-9     Ezekiel 16     2 Corinthians 2     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

David is such a Godly man, just look at 2 Sam 7:18-29 from yesterday.  David’s prayer of gratitude, gives all glory and honour straight back to the Lord.  It’s easy to see why David is so often called a man after God’s heart.  2 Sam 8 gives a great account of David’s mighty success under God in battle and tells of how generous the Lord is with the spoils.  Nevertheless, David made a name for himself (8:13) whilst the Lord gave David his victories (8:14).

What an encouragement to see how David ruled, justly and with equity (8:15)!  He even restores the patriarchal lands of Saul to Mephibosheth (ch9).  And notice why he does this.  For the sake of Jonathan (9:1) and the covenant they had made back in 1 Samuel 18.  Despite the way David had been treated by Saul and despite the expectation that a new king would wipe out the old line, David still honoured his covenant with the late Jonathan by showing kindness to Mephibosheth (9:7).

David’s bond with Jonathan seems to have been stronger even than that of two brothers, as when they met they became one in spirit (1 Sam 18:1).  Despite the strength of bond, David’s example here is still a real challenge, he strives to be honourable way past the call of duty.

When you make a commitment, how deep does it go?  We can all learn a lot from this example of covenant — commitment after God’s own heart!

(lay member of staff)

Sep 12th

2 Samuel 7     Ezekiel 15     2 Corinthians 1     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

In my bible, this passage is cheerfully headed, “Jerusalem, a Useless Vine”.

What’s so useless about Israel?  Well, we’ll find out more tomorrow as we read the next chapter which uses the analogy of an unfaithful wife to reflect Israel.

Israel’s so faithless (v8) that God can do nothing to salvage them.  It’s not even possible to make even the smallest use of her (v3)

As God’s chosen people, Israel had the duty of being to God as a laden and fruitful vine is to the vineyard owner, but not only has Israel not been fruitful but the wood that surrounds her, the godless nations around Israel are more useful to God than Israel herself.  Twice God declares His intent to set His face against Israel, not just turn His face away, but set His face against her.  What a fearsome punishment that would be!

Take some time now to praise God for His redeeming work through Jesus, that though you and I can be fruitless, we never need to face the full wrath of God.  Thank Jesus as you think upon how it must have felt for Him, a vine heavy laden with fruit, the true vine, to be treated as less than worthless for our sake.

(lay member of staff)

Sep 11th

2 Samuel 6     Ezekiel 14     1 Corinthians 16     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

As we round off 1 Corinthians, there are two verses I’m drawn to.  Verse 13 sounds very militant and in our fairly politically correct world, it seems a little heavy handed, although we get some relief from the nice and comforting verse 14.

But we must read these two verses together as instruction on how we should live our everyday lives.

Being watchful

Watching for Christ return everyday, constantly looking toward it.

Standing firm in the Faith

We should remain confident of His return and as such stick to the life of righteousness which is now ours.

Be strong and courageous

Face the challenges of living as a Christian with strength and courage.  Christ will strengthen you enough to do all things.  (The Greek gives a hint of being a ‘real man’, rather than specifically courage.)

Do everything with Love

Looking back at 1 Cor 13 again we can recall the futility of any action without love, so in all things, we must seek to love.  And as God is love and Jesus’ death and resurrection is the ultimate display of love, doing everything with love must surely have something to do with sharing the Gospel?

(lay member of staff)

Sep 10th

2 Samuel 4-5     Ezekiel 13     1 Corinthians 15     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

If you ever want the gospel in a nutshell, Paul, in the first 8 or so verses of 1 Cor 15, gives us a great recap of the central points of Jesus’ mission.  Becoming a Christian is about understanding the identity of Jesus as the Son of God; understanding His mission, why He came, what He came to do and understanding the response that requires of us if we believe it all.  These three elements don’t make sense without each other.

Jesus died for our sins, fact.  The Scriptures predicted it, fact.  But for me the real kicker, the proof of the whole gospel is Jesus’ resurrection, that’s where we irrefutably know Jesus is the Son of God, that’s what validates the whole thing and requires a response from me.

As Christians we often focus our attention solely on the death of Christ — how as He died, He took our sin, so we needn’t die any longer, the ransom is paid.  We sometimes forget that whilst Jesus’ death took away the need for our death, it’s His resurrection where things really start hotting up.  Jesus’ death and coming back to life guarantees our resurrection too!  Boom!  We die in confidence, because it’s merely like being planted as a seed for a far greater tree to grow.

It’s like a physical enacting of what happens spiritually when we become a Christian, when we metamorphose from sinner into saint: as the old, sinful, Adam-like body dies, so the new, unimaginably better, righteous and Christ-like body is born.

Here’s the bit that challenges me most: you and I may be stuck with a sinful Adam-like body for now, but our sinful spirit has already been transformed into a saintly Christ-like spirit, the question is: has anyone noticed?  I need to start living fully in the reality that Sin is beaten, do you?

(former ministry assistant)

Sep 9th

2 Samuel 3     Ezekiel 12     1 Corinthians 14     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

1 Cor 14 is quite a biggie.  It’s not especially long, but it has in it some pretty big concepts.  I’m sure this passage has been the subject of many a discussion and maybe even a few falling outs amongst our brothers and sisters.  But is it really all that controversial?  As you read through the chapter, try to read as though it’s your first time and this is all new to you — don’t allow your preconceptions to colour how you interpret the text, just read what is written.

If I were to give this chapter an alternative title, it might be, “Worshipping Together — How Not To Use The Right Things Wrongly,” or something equally as confusing as that.  Spiritual gifts are pretty mind-blowing.  Paul asserts his delight in them in v5, but goes on to say in v6 that they are not always beneficial in isolation.  And beneficial is what we want, so Christ’s body can be built up, strengthening those inside and bringing people in from outside.

There’s a lot in this chapter, but for me it’s not just about which spiritual gift is better.  Instead this passage reminds me of our primary mission as a church — the unbeliever.  For an unbeliever confusion may make you feel excluded, which is what Paul is getting at when he quotes from Isaiah in v21.

In church, and wherever the unbeliever may be, we must seek to love them first, before indulging ourselves; hence, Paul’s commendation of prophecy over tongues for this situation.  As we work through how to do prophecy and tongues correctly in a church setting, Paul notes in v40 why some order is needed.  Our God isn’t the God of confusion. He is peace. (v33)  We must always have in mind those who don’t yet know Jesus and be seeking to do everything we can to bring them to know Him.

If vv34-35 are troubling you, then I’m sure you are not alone.  The key is in the historical context of the statement for this specific people and place. Sermons were being disrupted by the women who were uneducated, interrupting things by talking to their husbands. People differ over how this relates to our modern context. The answer lies in the last verse – do everything in fitting and orderly way.

(lay member of staff)

Sep 8th

2 Samuel 2     Ezekiel 11     1 Corinthians 13     (Click on the Reference to go to the passage)

I often wake up in something of a bad mood. I'm told that it isn't uncommon for me to ask any who invades my space early in the morning that they may be better off somewhere else. Indeed, it seems that I am not always exactly polite in the way that I do this. What is more unfortunate is that these words are mostly reserved for the ones I love the most. It's not uncommon for me to express one thing in words and quite another with my actions. Paul knows that this is a regular occurrence for many of us. His words are quite a challenge in the way we behave toward those around us.

It is right and appropriate for us to consider this passage in its most general sense but it would be remiss not to place it in context. Paul has just been talking about the body of Christ and teaching about the use of spiritual gifts. He has encouraged the Corinthians to use their gifts and to desire greater gifts such as prophesy. This chapter is primarily a guide to using spiritual gifts appropriately and a reminder that this means showing love.

Are you prepared to seek the gifts that God promises? Do you seek to use the gifts God has given you in love at all times?

There are times when many of us have invoked the name of God for our own purposes. We have prayed prayers squarely aimed at others; we have spoken words designed to undermine others. We have hurt when we should be healing and spoken when we should have stayed silent. God calls you to use the gifts he has given you for his kingdom and purposes. God calls you to love your neighbour as yourself. Today, will you commit before the Lord to do both of these things?

(lay member of staff)