Mexborough Baptist Church Sunday 14th February 2021
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! There are various Valentine cards on social media at the moment reminding us that the greatest love is the love of God; this one is on Pinterest
We celebrate God's wonderful love for us as we sing together 'How Great Are You Lord' followed by 'I Love You Lord and I Lift My Voice' click on the links
Take a little time to tell the Lord in your own words how much and why you love him. Amen.
Let us continue to pray in our intercessions...
Almighty God, as we approach the period of Lent, we ask you to encourage all Christians to draw close to you for their strength and comfort. We particularly remember those Christians who suffer persecution as a result of their faith.
God of love, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, we ask you to pour out your Holy Spirit on our church, so that we can show your love for each other and the local community. We pray for all who bring comfort, care and healing. We give thanks for human love and friendship and for all that enriches our daily lives.
In a moment of silence, please ask God to show each one of us the part that he wants us to play in our church life.
God of love, hear our prayer.
Creator God, as we pray for your world, we ask that you take from us all hatred and prejudice. Give us your spirit of love for all people whatever their race or creed and give the same spirit of acceptance to all world leaders that, through mutual understanding and common endeavour, peace and prosperity may be increased throughout the world.
God of love, hear our prayer.
Father God, we thank you for all those who help our local communities to run smoothly because of their jobs, voluntary work or neighbourliness. Help us to be supportive and encouraging and to step into situations where we can serve. Bless our neighbours and strengthen those who are working in your name in order to bring healing and comfort to those in need.
In a moment of silence, please pray for any aspect of your local community that is on your mind today.
God of love, hear our prayer.
Loving God, we pray for all who are affected with illness, grief or despair. Bring healing to every broken life, relief to all who are in pain, hope to the dying and strength to all who care for them.
In a moment of silence, please pray for one person that you know who is in particular need of God’s help today.
God of love, hear our prayers. Amen.
Family Corner
Three weeks ago Trevor told us about a man in the New Testament who was given the nickname Barnabas 'son of encouragement'. Last week Trevor and Judith shared about Zacchaeus and how his name meant 'pure', though the people of Jericho would have called him something very different! Later Paul is going to tell us about the names of two brothers and the nickname they shared and what those names said about them.
Why did your parents give you the name you have? Why not ask them? Where does your name come from and what does it mean? Maybe you have a name bookmark like this one that was given to Paul.
We're having a half-term competition for our children to design and make your very own name bookmark. The rules are:
your bookmark must have your name on it (obviously!), some words about what you are like as a person and some pictures of your favourite things.
Your entry must be received by 5.00 p.m. on Friday 19th February. Ask a grown-up to send a photo to paul55lancaster@gmail.com
As it's a competition, there is a prize for the bookmark our independent judge likes the most.
Before Paul shares with us about his chosen New Testament characters, we have a song about the best and greatest name ever - "Isn't the Name of Jesus" click on the link
James and John were the sons of Zebedee and partners with Simon and Andrew in their fishing business on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. All four of them were the first people Jesus called to follow him (Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:10).
Later, when Jesus chose 12 of his disciples to send out ahead of him, these four are named first (Matthew 10:1-4).
Peter, James and John were the disciples who were closest to Jesus. They were the ones Jesus took with him to share some of the most special times in his ministry - the raising of Jairus' daughter from death (Luke 8:51), the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2), Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33).
James and John are both anglicised versions of Hebrew names - James = Jacob meaning 'supplanter, one who follows' and John = Yohanan meaning 'God is gracious'. Both names are apt, as we'll see shortly. Jesus also gave them a nickname. I wonder if there is any significance in the fact that Jesus only gave nicknames to the three disciples closest to him? To Simon he gave the nickname Peter - the rock, and to James and John Boanerges, sons of thunder (Mark 3:17). What did he see in them that led him to that name?
The name suggests that they were strong and energetic. Boanerges is Greek and apparently comes from two words - bous meaning ox or bull and energeia energy; so Boanerges could mean 'strong as an ox'. James and John may have been strong energetic men, but they also had some serious character flaws.
They were intolerant (Mark 9:38-40). Someone they didn't recognise as a disciple of Jesus was casting out demons in Jesus' name so they told him to stop. Jesus told them they shouldn't have because that person was in his way honouring Jesus.
They were vindictive (Luke 9:52-56). As Jesus set out from Galilee on his last journey to Jerusalem, he planned to stay at a village in Samaria but the people of the village didn't want him there. James and John were very indignant on Jesus' behalf and wanted to call down fire from heaven and destroy those people. Jesus rebuked the brothers and moved on to another village.
They were ambitious (Mark 10:35-45). They wanted the top positions of power and authority in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus asked them if they were able to go through what he was going to go through; he'd just told his disciples that he was going to be betrayed, mocked, flogged, and killed (10:32-34). They said they could, and Jesus said they would. Because of their faith in Jesus, James, 'one who follows', was among the first Christian martyrs (Acts 12:2); John was exiled on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9).
Pause and think. What nickname would Jesus give you? Would Boanerges fit? How tolerant, forgiving, humble and servant-hearted are you?
It is significant that the nickname didn't stick to James and John. Simon became known almost exclusively as Peter and who remembers that Barnabas' real name was Joseph? Boanerges is mentioned only once in the whole New Testament. We don't hear much about James but it seems that John's character changed. It is generally accepted that the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 13:23, 19:26, 21:7,20) was John. Certainly Jesus, at his crucifixion, trusted John enough, more than the other disciples, to take care of his mother Mary. And the risen, ascended Jesus in heaven trusted John enough to give him the vision of the end times that we know as the book of Revelation. John also wrote John's Gospel (John 21:24) and three letters which are all about love. John - God is gracious - experienced the grace of God in the three years he spent with Jesus and it changed him.
Pause and think. How have you experienced the grace of God in your life? How is the time you spend with Jesus changing your character and your attitudes to other people?
As we read the Bible, the Word of God, and share our insights and experiences with each other, we can learn what God wants us to be like and how he wants us to behave. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to live in us and help us not just to learn but to change and become the people God wants us to be. Our closing hymn is a prayer that we may become more like Jesus - 'May the mind of Christ my saviour' click on the link
Benediction
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy - to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Jude 24,25
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