The Message

 Sunday 26th August 2007

Sunday's services were conducted by the Pastor who, in the morning, interviewed the two young men who had been members of a mission team in Ayr.  Following this Pastor spoke about "The Imperatives for a Caring Church" from Galatians 5:25 to 6:10.  He stressed that a fellowship of believers is a family and that nothing is better than being brothers and sisters together in a local church when it is going well and functioning properly.  Four essential ingredients necessary for maintaining a good fellowship are to lovingly restore those who have fallen out of step with God;  to sympathetically carry each others burdens;  to test one's own ministry, and have it tested against the standard of perfection of Jesus; and finally to share with others, submitting to each other and having openess in our relationships.

The evening message, from John 18: 28-40 and entitled "The King and His Kingdom", was about the supremacy of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, demonstrated at His trial before Roman governor Pilate and in His death and His ressurrection.  This Jesus who had said, "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No-one comes to the Father except through me" was now in front of Pilate, representative of Caesar the supreme ruler of a mighty Roman Empire, and saying "My kingdom is not of this world...my kingdom is from another place."  Christ's Kingdom is entirely to do with Jesus, creator and supreme ruler of more than the Universe.  His is a Kingdom that depended on the King dying; in fact this King must die!  He said, "I lay it (my life) down and I have power to take it up again."  People die with a whisper; He died with a great shout of triumph, "It is finished!" a strong man in complete control of the situation!  Lastly, His Kingdom will bring down all the kingdoms of this Earth.  The Bible says that every knee will bow before God and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord.  Despite all our Pilate-like indecision and seeking false truth, God's word assures us that King Jesus will reign for ever and ever.

Sunday 9th September 2007

On Sunday morning Rev. Brian Roberts’ theme for the service was ‘The Family of God’, with special emphasis on ‘Getting into God’s Family’.  Like entry into our birth-family unit, the institution that is considered to be the chief building-block of our society, entry into God’s family will only happen when we go through the process of  being ‘born again’.  Jesus has declared, “I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  Entry into God’s family/kingdom is a possible for everyone because of what Christ has accomplished through his death and resurrection.  God’s kingdom is also called ‘The Kingdom of Heaven’ and Pastor Roberts warned the congregation that ‘Unless you come into God’s family by the new-birth process you will not go to Heaven’; so entry is essential for both our present and our future security.  Entry into God’s family requires change, and change is evidence of our successful re-birthing.  “Christian, have you changed in any way since you took Christ’s name?’ was asked.  The old must go so that the new can come and we must be seen to be clothed in Christ’s righteousness, showing clear evidence of the reality of our coming to the Cross where we must have said, “I want change!”  Finally, entry into God’s family is for eternity.  Children have their parents’ genes, a fact that cannot be changed, and as real Christians we have God’s Holy Spirit living in us.  As Galatians 4 v. 6 says, “Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, ‘Abba’, (Aramaic for) Father.”  Our personal friend the Holy Spirit actually lives in us, assuring us that we are members of God’s family and of his Kingdom of Heaven; it’s a relationship that will remain for all eternity. 

Several young people have become a regular part of the Fellowship’s congregation, and our evening meeting is usually directed to helping them find answers to the many practical needs and questions that young folk have. One such problem is how to break the addiction to drink and smoking.  Our Bible tells us that, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery.” “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”  Getting free from the slavery of an addiction is usually very hard, but with God’s help it is possible. 

Prayer about such problems is a considerable benefit and so it is a great encouragement to hear youngsters praying for themselves and each other, praying that they will experience the freedom that is theirs as a right, because they have now become members of God’s family.     

(New Living Translation)

(New Living Translation)

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Wednesday 12 September 2007