No.17 - Christ reigns

The joy of God's faithfulness, power and gift of his word.

Verse of the Week

“Lord, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below—you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way.

1 Kings 8:23

When one of the greatest kings of all time, Solomon, had finished building a temple for God, he used these words to address the Lord. There is nothing that comes close to our God, nothing in heaven, nothing on earth can compare. The amazing thing Solomon highlights here is God's incredible covenant love. The faithfulness God had and still has with his people is awesome.

He is the glorious creator God and we have turned our backs on him. He has every right to destroy us and start again, but instead, he shows incredible love towards us and makes mind-blowing amazing promises to bless his people and then proves time and time again that he is faithful and will keep his promises.

Encouragements

We spent a few hours going through some of church history this week at my bible college in Cambridge. It was so encouraging to hear about how much passion some of the reformers and puritans had for God and his church. Also it is due to some of them that we have the bible so easily available in our language. Praise the Lord!

I have been particularly encouraged this week by Christ's incredible power. Both from Mark 4/5 reflecting on the fact that King Jesus has power over our greatest fears, and from Psalm 2 seeing how everything belongs to Christ and he rules over the world in power. In Christ we can escape destruction, find refuge, safety and blessing.

I've also been involved in starting up a new bible study group which has been a real joy. God's word is wonderful and it has been a real privilege to share it with others.

A Little Update

Here are a few of the things we've been up to and some of what we've got coming up.

The Past Week

The Next Few Weeks

Prayer Requests

We would love prayer that:

• God would help us to keep the new creation in our minds and have peace.

• God would help us to keep striving to patiently listen to each other so we can better support each other's ministry.

• God would sustain our energy as we seek to serve the church this week, specifically at our member's meal and the 10am weekend at home.

  
  

The Lord will come in splendour and majesty to call his people home. How wonderful is it to know we will one day be feasting together with the Lord of all the universe in a perfect new creation forever.

Thank you so much for your prayers. It is a joy to partner with you as there is no better partnership than one centred on Christ.

Love and prayers to you all,

Joshua & Luci :)

P.S. - I have created another video sharing some of the ways I have been delighted by Christ over the last week or two. I find it really encouraging to think back over the week and delight in all the different things I've learned about God. So I thought I'd share my reflections here with you :)

P.P.S - If you would like to view some of the notes I've taken from my TEAM bible training course click the arrow below.

TEAM Notes

Bible Overview

Session 12: Solomon and the united monarchy

Solomon make king

• He is reminded to obey God

• Solomon is a wise King

The golden age

• Solomon build’s an amazing temple

• The idea is God will hear their prayers, show mercy and bless them when they look to the temple (Even after it’s destroyed)

• There is a warning that the temple will be destroyed if they don’t worship God

• It seems like all God’s promises have been fulfilled

Solomon’s failure

• He ended up doing everything God said not to

• Solomon’s heart turned from God

• God promised judgment

The kingdom divided

• After Solomon Isreal split in two

A future King must reconcile and reunite God’s people

The Reformation & the Puritans

The Reformation - Historical

• 16th Century, Throughout Europe

  • Opposing the divine Authority of the Pope

  • Opposing purgatory and paying for the dead

• Key figures - Martin Luther & John Calvin

  • Stood up against the corrupt Catholic church

  • Showed how their views were bible based

• The English Reformation 1521

  • Bible translated to English

  • Bibles in every church

  • 39 Articles written (Foundation Church of England documents)

The Puritans - Historical

• They really really wanted the church to follow the bible

• Focused lots on preaching, church discipline, baptism and the lord’s supper

• 1700th Century - Had the King James Version of the of the bible translated

• 100+ Theologians spend 6+ years writing a summary of the Christian faith - Westminster confession of faith, and other key documents

Great summaries of the Christian faith

• The Westminster Confession (1648).

• The Savoy Declaration (1658).

• The Baptist Confession (1689).

Key takeaways

• They really cared for the church

• They really enjoyed God

Theological beliefs

The bible is - Sufficient, Authoritative and clear

We are saved on by - Grace, Faith & Christ

Man’s chief end is to - Glorify God and enjoy him forever

A summary of some of Calvin’s beliefs

• Total depravity - Every part of us is sinful

• Unconditional election - In eternity before creation God choses a defined number of people to be saved not based on them but on his grace alone.

• Limited atonement - Christ died on the cross for those he had chosen – not for the whole human race. So he definitely accomplished salvation for his people.

• Irresistible grace - God irresistible calls his elect – makes them Christians

• Perseverance of the saints - Those God has chosen will persevere to the new creation, they won’t loose their salvation.

The Great Awakening to the Present Day

Historical overview

18th Century - key figures

• Johnathan Edwards - Justification by faith alone sermon

• George Whitfield - Clearly preaching repent and believe

• John and Charles Wesley - Hymn writing, organising

• Selena Countess of Huntingdon - financially supporting

19th Century missions - Key figures

• William Carey - India mission + sharing bibles

• Hudson Taylor - China mission

• William Wilberforce - abolished slavery

19th Century preachers and public figures

• JC Ryle - Great writer + Bishop of Liverpool

• Charles Spurgeon - Great preacher

20th Century - key figures

• JR packer - great Author

• Martial Loyd jones

• John Stot

• Billy Graham

The leaders above focused mainly on being converted and living a godly life

Workshops

My talk went well :)

The main purpose was:

Honour God by trusting his timing re meeting out needs

One application I found helpful was - trying not to worry when it feels like God hasn’t proved what you need. Instead remind yourself God has promised to provide for us and then think back over all the ways God provided for his people in the bible and has provided for you in you life.

Love and prayers,

Joshua