Christian Witness in the shadow of #BREXIT

It’s incredibly concerning to see that across social media, and within our state broadcaster and other media, there is an appalling lack of wisdom in words uttered and views shared when it comes to the outcome of the referendum last week. What is even more shocking is the lack of grace, wisdom and love being shown across the Christian Church:

Democracy is an amazing thing…

…and the democratic process last week is proof of that. There will be those who are delighted that their view prevailed and others sad that theirs didn’t…

…but complaints against democracy are a very dangerous 

I have no doubt that just under half of the readers of this will be sore at the outcome, and just over half will be delighted, but what is required now is for people of all political views, of both the in and the out voters to stop battling and start getting on with the all important job of moving ahead positively; to avoid either vitriol or triumphalism and take a measured positive step, followed by another and another.

however we exercised our democratic right on June 23rd 2016, Britain can an will be great, but only if we so choose…

Christians are at risk of being appalling witnesses by showing a severe lack of compassion and wisdom in this!

Let’s not let this political vacuum intensify the spiritual vacuum – Let’s show the love of Christ as we navigate through the minefield of politics ahead, and let us stand firmly on His Word: continuing to be salt and light to a fallen world, and facing the future with His hope, be steadfast in sharing that hope with the world around us.

Ps 133:1: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!

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Study Questions for Hosea 7&8

Some questions set by Gordon to accompany his sermon: Reaping a whirlwind! 

  1. The people of Israel were compared to a half baked pancake, fit for nothing. 3 reasons are listed in vs 8-10. Failure to remain separated, failure to remain vigilant and failure to seek God. Discuss how this compares to us a individuals, as God’s people and as a nation;
  2. One of the saddest comments in this passage is that the people were unaware of their desperate state. Discuss how easy it can be for Satan to slowly undermine the foundations of the church, and so severely weaken it’s witness;
  3. Half-heartedness and compromise can have devastating effects. In chapter 8 vs 7-10, Hosea pictures this as “sowing the wind and reaping the whirlwind”. Discuss what wrong seeds might be sown in our  relationship with God, family, work colleagues or in our use of time and money? 
  4. It would appear from Hosea, that although Israel talked of acknowledging God, they were not prepared to make the changes necessary to rebuild their relationship with Him. If you feel it is appropriate, discuss areas where God’s people today are reluctant to be obedient to his word as it might entail changes they are not prepared to make.

 

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A study on Hosea 4-6

You’ll be helped in this study by taking time to pick up on the accompanying sermon Learn what this means!

  1. We took an overview of three chapters this week and reading the whole of the text before divining in to study might be a challenge. Instead after seeking the Lord in prayer, take the approach we took in the service and read through a section then ponder on and discuss:
    1. what was going on;
    2. what was the Lord saying to the original hearers and why;
    3. where is the application for us today.
  2. Read Matthew 9: 9-13 discuss verse 13 – why is it important for us to do what Jesus commands there?
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Up against it!

If you’ve not picked up the sermon on this passage yet, you can find it here – UP AGAINST IT!

We’re looking at Acts 4: 1-22.

  1. When did this account happen? As a group sketch out a rough timeline between ‘Good Friday’ and this account.
  2. What do we know about the characters mentioned in this description.
  3. Can we learn anything about how the authorities were dealing with the resurrection of Jesus, and how they were explaining it?
  4. Discuss healing. Does God always heal, never heal or sometimes heal today, and why does He do it, or not…?
  5. There were a lot of brief points thrown out in the sermon, which were considered helps for us today. Can you recall any? Or list a number of your own as a group?
  6. After discussion, spend some time in prayer focussing on the persecuted church, and our own situation as people called to be “Salt & Light”
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