Mexborough Baptist Church Sunday 9th May 2021
Welcome to our 60th email service! Wow! God has been so faithful to us as we've worshipped together every week by email while we've been scattered because of the coronavirus pandemic. We're longing for the time when we can worship together again in person - and it's not too far away. Book this date in your diary - Sunday 27th June 2021 - and look out for more details in the EXTRA.
Call to worship
Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling-place.
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.
Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling-place.
Ascribe to the Lord, all you families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due to his name; bring an offering and come before him.
Worship the Lord in the splendour of his holiness.
1 Chronicles 16:8-10, 23-25, 27-29
We respond by singing a wonderful hymn by John Samuel Bewley Monsell 'O Worship the LORD' click on the link
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Our call to worship includes the words 'great is the Lord and most worthy of praise' and so we sing together 'How Great Is Our God' click on the link
Family Corner
Today Merys is going to share with us about one of Jesus' followers, Philip, meeting an Ethiopian. This is what happened. Click on the link
The Ethiopian was reading the book of Isaiah which is in the Old Testament part of the Bible. It's always good to read your Bible as this song tells us - 'Read your Bible, pray everyday' Click on the link
Thank you to Merys as she shares with us about her chosen New Testament character....
The time when we are able to worship together at Mexborough Baptist is fast approaching. It is wonderful that we can think about what it will be like to see each other again and enjoy the blessing of shared worship. In thinking about our mission statement, ‘Go and make disciples‘ I was reminded of the story in Acts where Philip, a Christian worker, is called to go and make one very specific disciple.
Please Read Acts 8:26-40
The three things that struck me from this passage are:
Philip is first found in the account of the church business, specifically a disagreement between the Hebrew and Hellenistic disciples in Acts 6. He is one of the deacons appointed to supervise the daily distribution of food and money gifts within the new Christian communities. He was a trusted leader within the new Church.
This Ethiopian, sometimes referred to as the Eunuch, was a court official to the Ethiopian Queen Candace. It was a common practice in ancient times to castrate the men who were in charge of the king’s harems or worked in close contact with the queen, such as this man might. He was a high ranking member of the Ethiopian Court who was interested in the Jewish religion. On this occasion the eunuch may have recently attended a Jewish festival and is returning to his own country. He had in his possession a copy of the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint.
The Ethiopian was absorbed in his study of the Bible manuscripts when Philip approached him. Philip ran to his chariot as God had instructed him to and asked him if he understood what he was reading. In my head I hear the Ethiopian answer in a loud shout of frustration ’How can I understand if no one shows me?' But he may have said it in a quiet reflective way.
Please Read Acts 8:26-40
The three things that struck me from this passage are:
- Philip was doing exactly what God told him to do even though he wasn’t sure why at the time.
- When the eunuch says, ‘How can I know unless someone explains it to me?' I always feel his pain. He wants to know what he is reading but is frustrated because no one has shown him.
- Philip talks first about Jesus Christ, specifically about His sacrifice.
Philip is first found in the account of the church business, specifically a disagreement between the Hebrew and Hellenistic disciples in Acts 6. He is one of the deacons appointed to supervise the daily distribution of food and money gifts within the new Christian communities. He was a trusted leader within the new Church.
This Ethiopian, sometimes referred to as the Eunuch, was a court official to the Ethiopian Queen Candace. It was a common practice in ancient times to castrate the men who were in charge of the king’s harems or worked in close contact with the queen, such as this man might. He was a high ranking member of the Ethiopian Court who was interested in the Jewish religion. On this occasion the eunuch may have recently attended a Jewish festival and is returning to his own country. He had in his possession a copy of the Hebrew Bible, the Septuagint.
The Ethiopian was absorbed in his study of the Bible manuscripts when Philip approached him. Philip ran to his chariot as God had instructed him to and asked him if he understood what he was reading. In my head I hear the Ethiopian answer in a loud shout of frustration ’How can I understand if no one shows me?' But he may have said it in a quiet reflective way.
In Acts 8 he is reading an extract from Isaiah that we recognise as a prophecy of the coming of Christ and His sacrifice - Isaiah 53:7,8 (it's worth reading the whole chapter which is one of the Servant Songs of Isaiah). The Eunuch, with his knowledge of the Septuagint manuscript, was frustrated as he had not heard the Good News about Jesus. When Philip offers to help him he asks ‘Tell me please who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?'
Pause and think of a time when you have been in a position where you were stuck and needed someone to show you how to understand something. How did that feel? I have to call my son when he is out when I need to change the tv channel.
Complete spiritual understanding is a gift. We cannot know and understand without the Spirit to open our eyes and ears and heart and mind. The eunuch admits his need to understand, he is humble and teachable. He is hungry to take that first step to begin his journey to salvation. This reading shows us the way Philip was able to answer the specific question that the Eunuch had and the reading also shows that their time together allowed for more learning and discussion for by verse 36 the eunuch said, 'Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised?'
God in his mercy has provided not only the words but also an interpreter, a Spirit-filled teacher. The eunuch urgently, but politely, asks guidance and is moved to act when he is told the Good News of Jesus the redeemer. In Acts 1:4,5 Jesus commands His disciples to wait until they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. As we approach Whitsun when we pray for the Holy Spirit to guide and strengthen us may the Spirit also give us the opportunities, courage and words to reach out to others.
Pause and pray for one person you want to come to know Christ as their Saviour. Phillip had a massive result almost immediately. He was full of the power of the Spirit, he was on a direct mission from God and the eunuch was receptive and excited to give himself to Christ. It’s not always that easy!! Think of an achievable goal, a conversation you could have with someone, a person you could pray with, something you feel confident tackling and pray that God will give you the power through the Holy Spirit to achieve that goal to His glory.
The second reading is from Matthew 25:14-30, please read this now.
This is one of the lesser preached parables perhaps because it is deeply challenging. We know our God to be a just and compassionate God who protects and guides us, comforts and soothes us when we are dismayed. We also know that our God has set us work to do on this earth. This parable shows God as a just yet demanding master of three servants each of which is entrusted with protecting and nurturing his money while he goes on a journey. On his return he judges their efforts and responds accordingly. The servants who understood their responsibility and worked conscientiously according to what they knew their master would expect from them were rewarded with praise and a welcome into the master's presence. The foolish servant who had not realised the seriousness of the job he had been given was reprimanded most harshly and punished by being shut out from the master's presence.
This parable is meant to challenge us by focusing on what we have to offer in service to God. We, as disciples of Jesus, are urged to use our abilities and gifts to serve God without holding back and without fear of taking risks.
Tim Butler, life coach and speaker, in his blog July 1st 2016 - 5 lessons from the Parable of the Talents - says, '“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). The Master, in the parable, expected his servants to do more than passively preserve what had been entrusted to them. God expects us to generate a return by using our skills and abilities toward a productive end.
The second reading is from Matthew 25:14-30, please read this now.
This is one of the lesser preached parables perhaps because it is deeply challenging. We know our God to be a just and compassionate God who protects and guides us, comforts and soothes us when we are dismayed. We also know that our God has set us work to do on this earth. This parable shows God as a just yet demanding master of three servants each of which is entrusted with protecting and nurturing his money while he goes on a journey. On his return he judges their efforts and responds accordingly. The servants who understood their responsibility and worked conscientiously according to what they knew their master would expect from them were rewarded with praise and a welcome into the master's presence. The foolish servant who had not realised the seriousness of the job he had been given was reprimanded most harshly and punished by being shut out from the master's presence.
This parable is meant to challenge us by focusing on what we have to offer in service to God. We, as disciples of Jesus, are urged to use our abilities and gifts to serve God without holding back and without fear of taking risks.
Tim Butler, life coach and speaker, in his blog July 1st 2016 - 5 lessons from the Parable of the Talents - says, '“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). The Master, in the parable, expected his servants to do more than passively preserve what had been entrusted to them. God expects us to generate a return by using our skills and abilities toward a productive end.
The servant who received 5 talents had everything necessary to produce 5 more. The servant who received 2 talents had everything necessary to produce 2 more. The servant who received 1 talent had everything necessary to produce 1 more but, out of fear, he chose to do nothing.
Fear trumps faith, if we let it.'
Let us pray...
Dear God, our Father and protector, we come before you through no power of our own but because you allow us to come into your presence through the perfect sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ. Through this period between Easter and Whitsun we have time to reflect on the joy of salvation and how we can share the Good News that the sacrifice of the lamb led to slaughter is for everyone if they can only know of it. We all have people that we know whom we would love to bring into your loving embrace. Dear God help us to faithfully continue to pray for all who do not yet know You. Help us to be always sensitive to any opportunities to speak of You and open the hearts and minds of people who are ready to hear Your word.
Today I pray for Your strength. Give me Your eyes so I can see all I need to see. Give me Your ears so that I listen intently for every morsel of instruction. Give me Your heart, so that I may learn to be more compassionate. Thank you for Your grace and mercy which You hand out freely every day. Lord, wrap Your loving arms around those who need it most today and give them Your peace. In Your name I pray, Amen.
St David’s Diocese Year of Prayer.
Let us pray...
Dear God, our Father and protector, we come before you through no power of our own but because you allow us to come into your presence through the perfect sacrifice of your Son Jesus Christ. Through this period between Easter and Whitsun we have time to reflect on the joy of salvation and how we can share the Good News that the sacrifice of the lamb led to slaughter is for everyone if they can only know of it. We all have people that we know whom we would love to bring into your loving embrace. Dear God help us to faithfully continue to pray for all who do not yet know You. Help us to be always sensitive to any opportunities to speak of You and open the hearts and minds of people who are ready to hear Your word.
Today I pray for Your strength. Give me Your eyes so I can see all I need to see. Give me Your ears so that I listen intently for every morsel of instruction. Give me Your heart, so that I may learn to be more compassionate. Thank you for Your grace and mercy which You hand out freely every day. Lord, wrap Your loving arms around those who need it most today and give them Your peace. In Your name I pray, Amen.
St David’s Diocese Year of Prayer.
We sing our personal prayer of devotion to God - 'Take my life and let it be' click on the link
I was struck that Paul's message last week and Merys' this week are both saying the same thing. Isn't it wonderful that God has his ways of reinforcing his message to us. Reading Merys' message I was reminded of Romans 10:14,15 - 'How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”' And we have been sent. Merys quoted our church mission statement which is from the Great Commission Jesus gave to his disciples just before he ascended into heaven - Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20. We sing together 'Go Forth And Tell!' click on the link
Benediction
Go out into the world in peace. Have courage! Hold fast to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, help the suffering. Honour all people. Love and serve the Lord your God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be upon you always. Amen.
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