Romans 8:3-4 The real explanation of the trouble in most Christian lives is the fact that believers start thinking about salvation in terms of themselves rather than of God, the Holy Trinity and what God has planned and purposes before time. They start by looking into themselves, and they spend their lives doing so. If they looked at Him, looked out and saw it all there, then they would humble themselves and be filled with praise to God for ever having brought them into relationship with His great and glorious plan. That is the way to look at salvation.
That is why every teaching about justification or sanctification which puts its emphasis upon man or his "decision" or his "abiding" at any point is a denial of the Apostle's teaching. We are not saved because we decide to go in for salvation, either justification or sanctification; it is God that justifies or sanctifies; it is His purpose, it is His power, it is His working - this is His great and eternal plan.
Tuesday, 27 December 2011
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Preston Christmas letter
The year started in a shaky way. Marian was rushed into hospital in February with pneumonia. On her return home we needed to have our last and elderly cat be put down. From that low point, things got better!
Last year at this time, we had just completed
a massive renovation to our house. This year, we have largely been builder-free; although we have had suffered some scaffolding temporarily, just to fix a leaking roof problem. We are enjoying the benefits of a much "greener" house, with utility bills almost halved!
Here's our family news in brief ... the kids, all grown-up, have had a good year. Michael (27yrs just before Christmas) has moved jobs to a local engineering firm that specialises in car engine innovation - everything from more fuel-efficient engines to super-powered Formula 1. A dream job for most men! In addition the firm is just 5 minutes from home.
Ruth (25yrs) has passed all her financial administration exams that she has taken, but has elected to go part time to pursue her passion in theology and apologetics debate. It's possible that she may turn her attention to an offered Masters place at King's College, London to study Comparative Religion in October 2012.
Dan (22yrs) is completing his Masters in Maths at Exeter University and has multiple job applications submitted to many of the well-known FTSE listed companies. Perhaps Dan's biggest feat this year was a charity bike ride round Europe, 7 countries, 1200 miles in 25 days.
Marian (21+yrs) continues as a director in a small local indexing firm. Against all economic odds they have had a most profitable year. Alan (21+yrs) has had a most enjoyable and profitable year continuing to work for the church (www.cck.org.uk) - will give you a flavour of all that we get up to the Brighton area. The church is in another growth spurt and will soon be over a 1000 members with a further 500 who attend our services on a regular basis. Together we continue our hobby of bird-watching most weeks when time allows. This year we had a first - a Merlin (bird of prey!) fly over the garden, thus extending our all-time garden bird list to over 30 species. We also have had two very different and thoroughly enjoyable holidays, Cyprus in May and Cornwall in September.
To be honest, as 2011 draws to a close, we are so grateful to the Lord for a good year! It leaves us, to wish you, and all that are dear to you, a very blessed Christmas
Much love, Alan & Marian (Michael, Ruth & Dan)
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
The motivation of grace is much stronger ...
Far stronger than the motivation of law ... let me put it this way.
The difference between an unbeliever sinning and a Christian sinning is the difference between a man transgressing one of the laws of the UK, say, and a member of the family doing something displeasing to another member of the family.
In one case, a man commits an offence against the State, in the other, say, a wife has done something that she should not do in her relationship with her husband. She may not be breaking the law, but she is breaking the husband's heart. That's the difference!
It is no longer a legal matter, it is a matter of personal relationship and that, a relationship of love. The man and woman do not cease to be marriage partners. Law dies not come into to it at all, it lies outside that realm. In a sense it is now much worse than a legal condemnation.
I would rather offend against the law of the land than hurt the Love of my life. That motivation is much stronger!
The difference between an unbeliever sinning and a Christian sinning is the difference between a man transgressing one of the laws of the UK, say, and a member of the family doing something displeasing to another member of the family.
In one case, a man commits an offence against the State, in the other, say, a wife has done something that she should not do in her relationship with her husband. She may not be breaking the law, but she is breaking the husband's heart. That's the difference!
It is no longer a legal matter, it is a matter of personal relationship and that, a relationship of love. The man and woman do not cease to be marriage partners. Law dies not come into to it at all, it lies outside that realm. In a sense it is now much worse than a legal condemnation.
I would rather offend against the law of the land than hurt the Love of my life. That motivation is much stronger!
Monday, 5 December 2011
It's sometimes too good to believe ...
And that's exactly our problem - our faith sometimes does not stretch to comprehend the fullness of what Christ has done!
Romans 8:1 states so clearly that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You do not cease to be a Christian when you sin, you are not cast out of Christ when you sin. No, you remain in Christ, and there is still no condemnation. You have sinned, of course, but sinned against love not Law. You may and you should feel ashamed, but you should not feel condemnation, because to do so is to put yourself 'back under law'. If we are in this position, "in Christ", we are there for ever; there is no condemnation, past, present or future!
Romans 8:1 states so clearly that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You do not cease to be a Christian when you sin, you are not cast out of Christ when you sin. No, you remain in Christ, and there is still no condemnation. You have sinned, of course, but sinned against love not Law. You may and you should feel ashamed, but you should not feel condemnation, because to do so is to put yourself 'back under law'. If we are in this position, "in Christ", we are there for ever; there is no condemnation, past, present or future!
Monday, 7 November 2011
Sometimes you just get it wrong!
Steven Goss for Freedom in Christ contacted me with these comments following my blog "Why we stopped using Freedom in Christ"
Reading your comments though, I'm pretty sure that what you have stopped using is not the Freedom In Christ Discipleship Course but one element of it, The Steps To Freedom In Christ (?)Checking our database, I can't see any record of CCK ever registering as a user of the whole course or buying it from us, (though it's entirely possible you ordered it from somewhere else).
I'm guessing that you may never have actually seen the FIC Discipleship Course which is a 13-session DVD-based resource. If you did take a look at it, I think you'd like where it's coming from, which seems to be exactly the same place you are. Session 5 in particular ("Our Daily Choice") is all about how Christians already have victory over sin and need to make a choice to walk in that. The main emphasis of the whole course is what we already have and who we are in Christ and how we need to choose to act on these things
The Steps To Freedom In Christ is just one element of the whole course (one session out of 14) and we are keen to recommend to churches that they don't use it standalone but always in conjunction with the rest of the teaching.
Sorry Steven, you're correct ... we've not been using the full Discipleship Course, just the book "Steps to Freedom in Christ" Ouch!
Reading your comments though, I'm pretty sure that what you have stopped using is not the Freedom In Christ Discipleship Course but one element of it, The Steps To Freedom In Christ (?)Checking our database, I can't see any record of CCK ever registering as a user of the whole course or buying it from us, (though it's entirely possible you ordered it from somewhere else).
I'm guessing that you may never have actually seen the FIC Discipleship Course which is a 13-session DVD-based resource. If you did take a look at it, I think you'd like where it's coming from, which seems to be exactly the same place you are. Session 5 in particular ("Our Daily Choice") is all about how Christians already have victory over sin and need to make a choice to walk in that. The main emphasis of the whole course is what we already have and who we are in Christ and how we need to choose to act on these things
The Steps To Freedom In Christ is just one element of the whole course (one session out of 14) and we are keen to recommend to churches that they don't use it standalone but always in conjunction with the rest of the teaching.
Sorry Steven, you're correct ... we've not been using the full Discipleship Course, just the book "Steps to Freedom in Christ" Ouch!
Thursday, 3 November 2011
What makes a good Zone meeting?
This is an internal communication to Central Brighton Zone Leaders, posted on this blog, because it may be of interest to others too. For those outside CCK, our Zone meetings are gatherings of around 30-40 people usually from 3-4 small groups in a specific geographic area.
Last month we tried to answer the above question - here are some of the answers and comments.
1. We were not self-critical enough of our own performance. Everyone's self feedback was "amazing". The only perfect Zone meeting is the future one in heaven!
2. It is vitally important regardless of personality, for every Zone leader (and wife) to individually greet every attendee (total 100% without fail), but especially the guest!
3. Every Zone meeting should have a WOW factor! It's not the same old, same old. There needs to be the surprise element - a birthday cake, a special thank you, a video clip, surprising testimony, something!!
4. We gather to the presence of God in the presence of the Spirit, we should be disappointed if there is not some manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
5. We need to have boundaries on both the length and content of the Zone talk. I would suggest that a maximum of 15mins should be observed, to assist retention and attention after a busy day at work. The content nearly always needs to be specific to developing a missional community.
Last month we tried to answer the above question - here are some of the answers and comments.
1. We were not self-critical enough of our own performance. Everyone's self feedback was "amazing". The only perfect Zone meeting is the future one in heaven!
2. It is vitally important regardless of personality, for every Zone leader (and wife) to individually greet every attendee (total 100% without fail), but especially the guest!
3. Every Zone meeting should have a WOW factor! It's not the same old, same old. There needs to be the surprise element - a birthday cake, a special thank you, a video clip, surprising testimony, something!!
4. We gather to the presence of God in the presence of the Spirit, we should be disappointed if there is not some manifestation of the Holy Spirit.
5. We need to have boundaries on both the length and content of the Zone talk. I would suggest that a maximum of 15mins should be observed, to assist retention and attention after a busy day at work. The content nearly always needs to be specific to developing a missional community.
Ten personal questions - yes or no?
Can you answer these with a firm "yes"?
1. Is your earthly father "there for you"?
2. Have you forgiven everybody who hurt you and should have known better?
3. Is it true that you've never done the ouija board or followed your star sign?
4. Do you sleep well without nightmares?
5. Are you free from any repetitive behaviour - mental, physical or emotional
6. Are you free from depression?
7. Are you growing as a Christian?
8. Are you free in the Holy Spirit and worship?
9. Are you freely exercising the gifts of the Spirit?
10. Are you free from any hindering relationships?
Please be honest with yourself ... if your answer is "yes" to all these 10 questions ... you don't need to be on Gospel Living this coming Saturday (12noon at the Clarendon Centre)
God bless you!
1. Is your earthly father "there for you"?
2. Have you forgiven everybody who hurt you and should have known better?
3. Is it true that you've never done the ouija board or followed your star sign?
4. Do you sleep well without nightmares?
5. Are you free from any repetitive behaviour - mental, physical or emotional
6. Are you free from depression?
7. Are you growing as a Christian?
8. Are you free in the Holy Spirit and worship?
9. Are you freely exercising the gifts of the Spirit?
10. Are you free from any hindering relationships?
Please be honest with yourself ... if your answer is "yes" to all these 10 questions ... you don't need to be on Gospel Living this coming Saturday (12noon at the Clarendon Centre)
God bless you!
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Why (almost) every CCK student needs to join me at the Centre 12noon this Saturday
Gospel Living is a free afternoon course to get you started and founded well in your Christian life. We are meeting in the Whitefield Room at the Clarendon Centre.
It is particularly tailored to those who really want to grow as a Christian and get rid of "every weight that hinders" Heb 12:1 in an atmosphere of being ministered to by the Holy Spirit.
Some great times of worship and gifts of the Holy Spirit flow.
So let me ask you some private questions:
1. Is your earthly father "there for you"?
2. Have you forgiven everybody who hurt you and should have known better?
3. Is it true that you've never done the ouija board or followed your star sign?
4. Do you sleep well without nightmares?
5. Are you free from any repetitive behaviour - mental, physical or emotional
6. Are you free from depression?
7. Are you growing as a Christian?
8. Are you free in the Holy Spirit and worship?
9. Are you freely exercising the gifts of the Spirit?
10. Are you free from any hindering relationships?
Please be honest with yourself ... if your answer is "yes" to all these 10 questions ... you don't need to be on Gospel Living! God bless you!
It is particularly tailored to those who really want to grow as a Christian and get rid of "every weight that hinders" Heb 12:1 in an atmosphere of being ministered to by the Holy Spirit.
Some great times of worship and gifts of the Holy Spirit flow.
So let me ask you some private questions:
1. Is your earthly father "there for you"?
2. Have you forgiven everybody who hurt you and should have known better?
3. Is it true that you've never done the ouija board or followed your star sign?
4. Do you sleep well without nightmares?
5. Are you free from any repetitive behaviour - mental, physical or emotional
6. Are you free from depression?
7. Are you growing as a Christian?
8. Are you free in the Holy Spirit and worship?
9. Are you freely exercising the gifts of the Spirit?
10. Are you free from any hindering relationships?
Please be honest with yourself ... if your answer is "yes" to all these 10 questions ... you don't need to be on Gospel Living! God bless you!
Why we've stopped Freedom In Christ at CCK Brighton
Freedom in Christ is an excellent course and booklet originally written by Dr. Neil Anderson. We no longer run his course at CCK
Why have we stopped? What are we doing to replace it?
Our concern with the thoroughness of the Freedom in Christ was the material in the eyes of the reader became very sin focussed with its long list of tick boxes.
Romans 6 teaches us that at new birth we are delivered from the reign and tryanny of sin. Even to the newest believer, sin although a real issue that needs to be addressed daily, it is only ever now an annoyance, hindrance, distraction or diversion. It is never now our slave master. We are marvellously redeemed, once off at conversion, and are never ever dragged back into that slavery again. Any slavery that is experienced for the Christian is voluntary through ignorance.
It is something of this revolutionary, life-enhancing, joy-filling teaching of Romans 6 that we wanted to underline to a greater extent.
Enter Gospel Living - a new afternoon course at CCK that's free to all.
Gospel Living has a 3G approach, similar material but much more God, grace and gospel focussed than before.
We are running Gospel Living, this Saturday 12 noon (5 Nov) in the Clarendon Centre. See you there!
Why have we stopped? What are we doing to replace it?
Our concern with the thoroughness of the Freedom in Christ was the material in the eyes of the reader became very sin focussed with its long list of tick boxes.
Romans 6 teaches us that at new birth we are delivered from the reign and tryanny of sin. Even to the newest believer, sin although a real issue that needs to be addressed daily, it is only ever now an annoyance, hindrance, distraction or diversion. It is never now our slave master. We are marvellously redeemed, once off at conversion, and are never ever dragged back into that slavery again. Any slavery that is experienced for the Christian is voluntary through ignorance.
It is something of this revolutionary, life-enhancing, joy-filling teaching of Romans 6 that we wanted to underline to a greater extent.
Enter Gospel Living - a new afternoon course at CCK that's free to all.
Gospel Living has a 3G approach, similar material but much more God, grace and gospel focussed than before.
We are running Gospel Living, this Saturday 12 noon (5 Nov) in the Clarendon Centre. See you there!
Sunday, 30 October 2011
The shocking reality of sin
1. It deceives us into misusing the Law of God. It persuades us that if we have not actually performed an act of sin, then we have not sinned!
2. It points out our failure and therefore depresses us. We feel hopeless. In our feelings of failure and hopelessness we easily sin the second, third etc time. We quickly become enslaved.
3. The more we sin, the more grace abounds and we repeat the mantra of "being under grace" and we twist the doctrine of grace to mean that our actions no longer matter. To quote another ... "we can kick the old lady across the road!" Rubbish!
4. Sin deceives us by making us feel that God is against us "has God said?" is the question asked of Eve.
5. It makes us feel that the Law is unreasonable and is prohibitive and cramping our style!
6. Sin makes us think more highly of ourselves. "why should we be deprived of what is desirable?" that is the nub of the temptation in the Garden. We are owed better! We were meant for freedom!
7. Sin tells us that certain drives and instincts are natural and need full expression. Repression will be bad for us! We should never have a feeling of guilt!
8. Sin deceives us about its actual nature. It appears so attractive and makes the righteous life look so drab and lacking in colour!
9. It deceives about the consequences of sin by belittling the outcomes. "You shall surely die?" is the question asked in the Garden. It talks much about the love of God - anything to divert our attention from consequences.
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