Mexborough Baptist Church Sunday 31st October 2021
Welcome to our email service where it doesn't matter at all if you forgot to put your clocks back last night! We begin with a great song of praise - 'Now thank we all our God' click on the link
Prayer
What do you have to thank God for this week? Take a little time to bring your prayers of thanks to God.
The title of our next song is taken from Psalm 119:105 'Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path' click on the link
Bible reading - please read Ephesians chapter 4.
Now Paul shares with us some thoughts on this reading. Thank you Paul....
This week I’ve been thinking a bit about vision and strategy. What do you think of those 2 words? Do they excite you or leave you cold? They sound complicated. They sound like grand projects, things that governments and big businesses engage in. In September 1962 President John F Kennedy shared with the American people his vision of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade. The strategy was for the federal government to provide the money and NASA to do the physics, chemistry and engineering. And they did it! In July 1969, the vision became reality. In 2017 Elon Musk shared his vision of putting humans on Mars by the middle of this decade - a similar timeframe. Will he do it? That depends largely on the strength of his strategy.
I’ve been doing a little DIY project at home this week and I realised that we all engage in vision and strategy all the time, though we probably don’t realise it. There was something in our house that was not as it should be. I could see what it should be like. Then I worked out what I needed – the tools, materials and techniques - to change it from how it was to how I wanted it to be. That pattern is true of many things in our lives. We have a vision of being on holiday on a beautiful sandy beach or sharing a delicious celebration meal with family and friends or redecorating the lounge. Then we work out what we have to do to see that vision become reality. That is vision and strategy in a nutshell and it’s right there in Ephesians 4:22-24. Paul shows the Ephesians
• how things are – the former way of life, the old self corrupted by its deceitful desires.
• how things should be – the vision - the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness
• how to get there – the strategy - put off your old self, be made new in the attitude of your minds, put on the new self.
Then in vv25-32 Paul goes into the strategy in detail. It’s all very practical and needing conscious, deliberate action on the part of the Ephesians - and us. Our old ways of reacting to situations and relating to other people have to go – dishonesty, anger, thieving, unwholesome talk, unkindness. At every point we have to check ourselves and deliberately choose a different, better way – truthfulness, anger management, instead of getting for ourselves giving to others, wholesome talk that builds up and encourages, kindness and compassion. Not once or twice but every single time, putting off the old and putting on the new until the vision becomes reality and we become what God created us to be. And it’s not just in church; Paul usually says ‘brothers and sisters’ when he’s talking about the church, here he says ‘neighbour.’ As we are with each other in church so we must be outside with our neighbour - no Christian multiple personality disorder.
That’s not the only vision in this chapter. How about v13 - all of us united “in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” That’s not just Paul’s vision, it’s Jesus’ vision too. And the strategy is also Jesus’ vv11-12 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, (all speaking ministries) to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach” unity and maturity. We’re blessed in this church to have a number of able speakers. We probably wouldn’t claim to be apostles or prophets; maybe evangelists; pastors and teachers yes. Notice that they are all - including evangelists - given to equip God’s people for works of service. The evangelist’s work is not just out in the world, presenting the gospel to those who don’t know Jesus; it’s also in the church, teaching the rest of us how to share the gospel as well.
One of the groups in the vision and strategy morning had mentioned Bible Study and Prayer groups as one of our biggest opportunities. In the church meeting last week there was interest shown in such groups1, some people prepared to host them in their homes, others prepared to lead. So there will be groups starting up. But why? What is their purpose? Are they for equipping the people of God – giving us the tools to reach unity and maturity? Are they an evangelistic opportunity? Why affects how. The purpose determines the content and format. If we’re wanting to increase our knowledge of the Bible so that we can be better, stronger, more mature Christians, we will study different parts of the Bible in a different way than if we are inviting our friends and neighbours to share the gospel with them. How do Bible Study and Prayer groups fit into the strategy to make our vision a reality?
What is our vision for the church? We’ve probably all got one, and they may be quite different. Merys was talking about humility last week and that is important when we’re sharing our ideas and formulating our shared vision for the church and our strategy for seeing it become reality. God too has his vision and strategy for this church and we want to know what they are because his vision and strategy will quite possibly be different to ours and certainly better.
I’ve been doing a little DIY project at home this week and I realised that we all engage in vision and strategy all the time, though we probably don’t realise it. There was something in our house that was not as it should be. I could see what it should be like. Then I worked out what I needed – the tools, materials and techniques - to change it from how it was to how I wanted it to be. That pattern is true of many things in our lives. We have a vision of being on holiday on a beautiful sandy beach or sharing a delicious celebration meal with family and friends or redecorating the lounge. Then we work out what we have to do to see that vision become reality. That is vision and strategy in a nutshell and it’s right there in Ephesians 4:22-24. Paul shows the Ephesians
• how things are – the former way of life, the old self corrupted by its deceitful desires.
• how things should be – the vision - the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness
• how to get there – the strategy - put off your old self, be made new in the attitude of your minds, put on the new self.
Then in vv25-32 Paul goes into the strategy in detail. It’s all very practical and needing conscious, deliberate action on the part of the Ephesians - and us. Our old ways of reacting to situations and relating to other people have to go – dishonesty, anger, thieving, unwholesome talk, unkindness. At every point we have to check ourselves and deliberately choose a different, better way – truthfulness, anger management, instead of getting for ourselves giving to others, wholesome talk that builds up and encourages, kindness and compassion. Not once or twice but every single time, putting off the old and putting on the new until the vision becomes reality and we become what God created us to be. And it’s not just in church; Paul usually says ‘brothers and sisters’ when he’s talking about the church, here he says ‘neighbour.’ As we are with each other in church so we must be outside with our neighbour - no Christian multiple personality disorder.
That’s not the only vision in this chapter. How about v13 - all of us united “in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” That’s not just Paul’s vision, it’s Jesus’ vision too. And the strategy is also Jesus’ vv11-12 “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, (all speaking ministries) to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach” unity and maturity. We’re blessed in this church to have a number of able speakers. We probably wouldn’t claim to be apostles or prophets; maybe evangelists; pastors and teachers yes. Notice that they are all - including evangelists - given to equip God’s people for works of service. The evangelist’s work is not just out in the world, presenting the gospel to those who don’t know Jesus; it’s also in the church, teaching the rest of us how to share the gospel as well.
One of the groups in the vision and strategy morning had mentioned Bible Study and Prayer groups as one of our biggest opportunities. In the church meeting last week there was interest shown in such groups1, some people prepared to host them in their homes, others prepared to lead. So there will be groups starting up. But why? What is their purpose? Are they for equipping the people of God – giving us the tools to reach unity and maturity? Are they an evangelistic opportunity? Why affects how. The purpose determines the content and format. If we’re wanting to increase our knowledge of the Bible so that we can be better, stronger, more mature Christians, we will study different parts of the Bible in a different way than if we are inviting our friends and neighbours to share the gospel with them. How do Bible Study and Prayer groups fit into the strategy to make our vision a reality?
What is our vision for the church? We’ve probably all got one, and they may be quite different. Merys was talking about humility last week and that is important when we’re sharing our ideas and formulating our shared vision for the church and our strategy for seeing it become reality. God too has his vision and strategy for this church and we want to know what they are because his vision and strategy will quite possibly be different to ours and certainly better.
Intercessions
Loving God, we praise your name with all you have created. You are present in the whole universe, and in the smallest of creatures. We acknowledge the responsibilities you have placed upon us as stewards of your creation. May the Holy Spirit inspire all political leaders at COP26 as they seek to embrace the changes needed to foster a more sustainable society. Instil in them the courage and gentleness to implement fairer solutions for the poorest and most vulnerable, and commit their nations to the care of Our Common Home.
God of Compassion, bring healing and peace to the nations in conflict, where there is political instability and where Covid still rages through the population. Protect those who are poor and hungry and give them hope. Move those with plenty to share with those who have little and help all people to love their neighbour as themselves.
God of Justice, keep us from being preoccupied with worldly things. Help us to be mindful of the problems of others. Help us to demonstrate our love for you in our daily lives and in our wider community. Make us quick to forgive and slow to condemn and help us to strive for peace in our families, in our country and in the world.
Loving God, we pray for our children and young people, please protect them from the harmful influences on them from their friends, peers and social media, especially at this time. Keep them safe and by the power of your Spirit help them to be aware of your presence with them in all situations.
God of Healing, we pray for all who are suffering pain, bereavement, anxiety or depression. We pray that they will feel your arms of healing, love, comfort and compassion surrounding and holding them close. In a moment of silence please pray for anyone on your mind today. Amen.
God of Compassion, bring healing and peace to the nations in conflict, where there is political instability and where Covid still rages through the population. Protect those who are poor and hungry and give them hope. Move those with plenty to share with those who have little and help all people to love their neighbour as themselves.
God of Justice, keep us from being preoccupied with worldly things. Help us to be mindful of the problems of others. Help us to demonstrate our love for you in our daily lives and in our wider community. Make us quick to forgive and slow to condemn and help us to strive for peace in our families, in our country and in the world.
Loving God, we pray for our children and young people, please protect them from the harmful influences on them from their friends, peers and social media, especially at this time. Keep them safe and by the power of your Spirit help them to be aware of your presence with them in all situations.
God of Healing, we pray for all who are suffering pain, bereavement, anxiety or depression. We pray that they will feel your arms of healing, love, comfort and compassion surrounding and holding them close. In a moment of silence please pray for anyone on your mind today. Amen.
We believe that God has plans for this church, plans - as Jeremiah said - to give us hope and a future. He has His vision and strategy, not just for us, but also to build His kingdom and bring glory to His name. Our closing song is a reminder of this and a prayer that God will do it - 'For I'm building a people of power' click on the link
Benediction
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21
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