We're just doing some work on publishing some videos online at the moment. Thought we'd put this one online to see how it looks.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Last Chapter of Acts
I love the last chapter of Acts.
Paul seems to be talking to the Jews...
You think you're near the end of a story...
but then Luke does something which can only be described as a piece of genius for the narrative of his book. Like every good story - it's the twist.
A twist in a Bible story?
You see, because, I reckon, in chapter 28 of Acts, Paul's not talking to the Jews (well he is, but in terms of the story), he's talking to you.
Will you really hear this story? Will you really see this story? Or is you heart hardened to it all.
You see the twist is that this whole time this has not been just a nice story about the beginning of the church, it has been as story about you, and whether or not Jesus' question in Acts 1:8 (to be a witness in the whole world) applies to you or not.
Acts is asking you to change, into a person led and driven by the Spirit of God as the people in the story have been.
This is not a novel, this is a challenge.
This is your life in this world - Not just their life in the ancient world
So what are you going to do?
If you don't know, I think you should read the book again, perhaps...
Paul seems to be talking to the Jews...
You think you're near the end of a story...
but then Luke does something which can only be described as a piece of genius for the narrative of his book. Like every good story - it's the twist.
A twist in a Bible story?
You see, because, I reckon, in chapter 28 of Acts, Paul's not talking to the Jews (well he is, but in terms of the story), he's talking to you.
Will you really hear this story? Will you really see this story? Or is you heart hardened to it all.
You see the twist is that this whole time this has not been just a nice story about the beginning of the church, it has been as story about you, and whether or not Jesus' question in Acts 1:8 (to be a witness in the whole world) applies to you or not.
Acts is asking you to change, into a person led and driven by the Spirit of God as the people in the story have been.
This is not a novel, this is a challenge.
This is your life in this world - Not just their life in the ancient world
So what are you going to do?
If you don't know, I think you should read the book again, perhaps...
Sunday, September 16, 2007
When did Paul become Political?
What's following Jesus all about?
Love, peace, the Kingdom of God...
...but politics?
I must admit, I generally think of the path of a Christian as non-political. But maybe that's because all of our recent displays of Political movement amongst Christians have been rather embarassing.
Do you notice how, often when the church moves politically, we end up looking slightly weird and not quite 'in touch' with the real world.
Furthermore, often the issues that seem to get christians up in arms are often 'non-issues' - more to do with christian comfort than restoring the world.
Is it just me that finds it hard to support christians angry at television bosses, when the church is largely silent on issues of human abuses (poverty, slavery, sexism etc) - the real stuff to protest.
So Christianity - generally not good on the political scene.
But Paul seemed to be an exception to that. In Acts 22 and 23, we find him moving and shaking the political scene like a master. He jumps between trial and tribunal, somehow always knowing what to say and when to say it, whether facing an 'angry mob' or the governer.
I'm realising that while Christianity, should probably keep its nose out of the politics of comfort - we do have a call to be able to influence in that arena.
So if you're an MP or the friend of an MP - should you be wondering how you can use your position to serve the kingdom of God?
Imagine if people of the United Kingdom were led by people of God's Kingdom.
But if we're going to influence the society and the leaders of society that we live in, we need to improve our savvy of all things political. We can't just hide away in a corner only asking God to help us. Maybe God wants us to do some things ourselves - like influence our environment ourselves.
But of course, if we want to influence our environment, you know what we have to do...
...We have to be there.
Love, peace, the Kingdom of God...
...but politics?
I must admit, I generally think of the path of a Christian as non-political. But maybe that's because all of our recent displays of Political movement amongst Christians have been rather embarassing.
Do you notice how, often when the church moves politically, we end up looking slightly weird and not quite 'in touch' with the real world.
Furthermore, often the issues that seem to get christians up in arms are often 'non-issues' - more to do with christian comfort than restoring the world.
Is it just me that finds it hard to support christians angry at television bosses, when the church is largely silent on issues of human abuses (poverty, slavery, sexism etc) - the real stuff to protest.
So Christianity - generally not good on the political scene.
But Paul seemed to be an exception to that. In Acts 22 and 23, we find him moving and shaking the political scene like a master. He jumps between trial and tribunal, somehow always knowing what to say and when to say it, whether facing an 'angry mob' or the governer.
I'm realising that while Christianity, should probably keep its nose out of the politics of comfort - we do have a call to be able to influence in that arena.
So if you're an MP or the friend of an MP - should you be wondering how you can use your position to serve the kingdom of God?
Imagine if people of the United Kingdom were led by people of God's Kingdom.
But if we're going to influence the society and the leaders of society that we live in, we need to improve our savvy of all things political. We can't just hide away in a corner only asking God to help us. Maybe God wants us to do some things ourselves - like influence our environment ourselves.
But of course, if we want to influence our environment, you know what we have to do...
...We have to be there.
Friday, August 03, 2007
This is your place too
For too long the church has been too far away.
Or at least - that's how we live.
Because every time we do anything, or start anything, or even have a good idea, we always look at the same question - 'How will we get people to come here?' Which I'm sure is the same question that the hotels are asking Madagascar, but it's OK for them, because they are far away, and most of us are not sure what it would take to make us go there, but surely church shouldn't be like that.
And when did Church become somewhere to go?
It's not like Church is some sort of southern African island that's worth a visit if you ever have a chance - this is the organisation, or vehicle, of God's plan to restore planet earth.
People were never meant to go to church. Amongst the first Christians, Christians got together and then took church where ever they felt like.
Did you spot that?
They decided...
It was up to the church, no hoping that people would visit, no more 'travel agent' syndrome, church went where ever it needed, felt like, or wanted. Because, for the first Christians - this was their home as much as anyone else's - and they wanted to ensure God restored it.
Church needs to spread itself out a little more, and while we may feel a little thinner, we'll realise that we reach more people, go more places and be more like church. What we'll also realise (as Paul did in Acts 16) that we begin working to our agenda (which should be God's too). So things happen as and when God wants them to, and not just if someone turns up.
Even if you're in prison.
Or at least - that's how we live.
Because every time we do anything, or start anything, or even have a good idea, we always look at the same question - 'How will we get people to come here?' Which I'm sure is the same question that the hotels are asking Madagascar, but it's OK for them, because they are far away, and most of us are not sure what it would take to make us go there, but surely church shouldn't be like that.
And when did Church become somewhere to go?
It's not like Church is some sort of southern African island that's worth a visit if you ever have a chance - this is the organisation, or vehicle, of God's plan to restore planet earth.
People were never meant to go to church. Amongst the first Christians, Christians got together and then took church where ever they felt like.
Did you spot that?
They decided...
It was up to the church, no hoping that people would visit, no more 'travel agent' syndrome, church went where ever it needed, felt like, or wanted. Because, for the first Christians - this was their home as much as anyone else's - and they wanted to ensure God restored it.
Church needs to spread itself out a little more, and while we may feel a little thinner, we'll realise that we reach more people, go more places and be more like church. What we'll also realise (as Paul did in Acts 16) that we begin working to our agenda (which should be God's too). So things happen as and when God wants them to, and not just if someone turns up.
Even if you're in prison.
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