Swanage United Reformed Church: Recent Episodes
Lex McKee
With over 316 years of witness and worship in Swanage, our United Reformed Church has a heritage to be proud of. Of course, we've changed dramatically over the centuries and now represent one of the most innovative forces for positive transformation in this beautiful seaside town.Subscribe to this podcast to receive regular uplifting content that will equip you to face the challenges of the 21st Century.
It's good to get a balance of Biblical books.
In this 5-A-Day Series we begin with:
- Psalm 1
- Proverbs 14
- Genesis 1
- John 1
- Romans 1
All in the NIV - UK version.
We share "The Road to Emmaus" followed by a direct quote from Tim Keller's work, "What is Gospel-Centred Ministry?"
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/conference_media/gospel-centered-ministry/
- Jesus is the true and better Adam who passed the test in the garden, a much tougher garden, and whose obedience is imputed to us.
- Jesus is the true and better Abel, who, though innocently slain, has blood that cries out, not for our condemnation, but for our acquittal.
- Jesus is the true and better Abraham, who answered the call of God to leave all the comfortable and familiar and go into the void, not knowing whither he went.
- Jesus is the true and better Isaac, who was not just offered up by his father on the mount, but was truly sacrificed for us all. What God said to Abraham, “Now I know you love me because you did not withhold your son–your only son whom you love–from me.” Now we, at the foot of the cross, can say to God, “Now we know that you love me because you did not withhold your Son–your only Son whom you love–from me.”
- Jesus is the true and better Jacob, who wrestled and took the blow of justice we deserve so we, like Jacob, only receive the wounds of grace that wake us up and discipline us.
- Jesus is the true and better Joseph, who sits at the right hand of the King and forgives those who betrayed and sold him and uses his power to save them.
- Jesus is the true and better Moses who stands in the gap between the people in the Lord and who mediates a New Covenant.
- Jesus is the true and better rock of Moses, who when struck with a rod of God’s justice now gives us water in the desert.
- Jesus is the true and better Job, who became a truly innocent suffer and now intercedes for and saves his stupid friends. (Is that a type? That’s not typology; it’s an instinct.)
- Jesus is the true and better David, whose victory becomes his people’s victory, though they never lifted a stone to accomplish it themselves.
- Jesus is the true and better Esther, who didn’t just risk losing an earthly palace but lost the ultimate heavenly one, who didn’t just risk his life but gave his life, who didn’t just say, “If I perish, I perish,” he says, “When I perish, I’ll perish for them to save my people.”
- Jesus is the true and better Jonah, who was cast out into the storm so we could be brought in.
- Jesus is the real Passover lamb.
- Jesus is the true temple, the true prophet, the true priest, the true king, the true sacrifice, the true lamb, the true light, the true bread.
Good friend of Swanage United Reformed Church - Derek - that Dorset Disciple, that Purbeck Poet, expresses his love for Christ in a ministry of poetry.
This is recorded using a very special technique. If you listen using headphones, it will feel like Derek is ministering to you personally.
A powerful message on 'forgiveness' from our Minister, the Revd Martyn Neads. Interesting...
Our minister, Revd Martyn Neads, opens his sermon with those unforgettable lines from Jesus at the Cross, quoting Psalm 22, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
In the introduction earlier in the Service, Martyn asks us what we do when times get tough. Answers included, "make a cup of tea," and, "go for a walk." "Pray," and, "put on some worship," may be more familiar to many of us. My favourite, though, was, "have a good moan!" That's honest to God! (As are all the other responses!) The Psalms are full of lamentations because that's what Life is really like for most of us. Prayer is a conversation with God as you would with a friend Who listens. With a true friend, we can rant and complain and cry and moan knowing that we will be heard and accepted. Prayer is a time to express who we are as much as a means to praise and worship His excellence.
Thus, in this powerful fusion of messages, Martyn encourages us to turn to God in all circumstances - and to be honest with Him.
You are the light of the world!
Here is the reading:
John 8:12-20World English BibleAgain, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.Isaiah 60:1 He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15 I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.
Our theme for World Day of Prayer was, "I Know The Plans I Have For You." The day and the service were planned and printed and prepared for well-before any knowledge of what was to happen in Ukraine. For this reason, I believe it is doubly comforting. God is in the business of restoring people who have been displaced from their homeland.
More than this, He is also committed to their wellbeing during any season of displacement. The passage we had was Jeremiah 29:1-14, some of which I share in the podcast. I do not believe the displacement of the Ukrainian people is anything other than the purpose of Russia (unlike this passage that has a very different political and historical perspective). I share the words because they show God's heart is towards those who are displaced, and His purpose for them is only good - to give them a future and a hope.
We, of course, have a part to play in making certain this is so.
Anne shares a message that shows the connection between Fairtrade and tackling climate change. Two concrete actions arise from this interview:
- to write to our MP (the more letters he gets the better) and
- join us for the Big Brew @ All Saints 10th March (from 10.30am)
Here are some of the key questions and answers highlighted by the interview...
Q. How did FT farmers feel about COP26?
A COP26 was disappointing for them, but some helpful promises were made. Now the FT farmers are encouraging world leaders to fulfil those promises. We could write to our MP, Richard Drax asking him to back their campaign by encouraging our government to stand by their pledges.
Q What difference does it make by choosing to buy Fairtrade?
A When you choose FT rather than most multinational brands the farmers receive a better income so they can acquire more resources to combat the climate crisis, in their country whether it is drought, storms, flooding or higher temperatures. The Fairtrade Foundation provides them with training to reduce their carbon emissions, protect their forests, increase biodiversity and improve soil quality naturally. The foundation encourages farming groups throughout the world to share their knowledge with one another to increase sustainable farming techniques.
Q So the farmers are learning to help themselves?
A Yes. I cant remember who said "Give a man a fish, you feed him for a day, teach but him how to fish and you feed him for his lifetime"., but it's true.
Q How can we find out more?
A Through Fairtrade Foundation website www.fairtrade.org.uk or locally through Swanage Fairtrade. There will be a Big Brew at All Saints church on Thursday 10th March 10.30-12.30 with a Fairtrade stall with information leaflets and lots of interesting FT food and craft for sale.
A special broadcast, here are our Handbell Ringers celebrating Christmas in our Candlelit Church.
If you listen on headphones, it should feel like your 'there' as I used a special recording technique that replicates how we hear.
16 Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men.”
18 Immediately they left their nets, and followed him.
19 Going on a little further from there, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were also in the boat mending the nets. 20 Immediately he called them, and they left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants, and went after him.
21 They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, 24 saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”
25 Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26 The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” 28 The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
29 Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. 31 He came and took her by the hand and raised her up. The fever left her immediately,[d] and she served them.
Genesis 3World English BibleNow the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Yahweh God had made. He said to the woman, “Has God really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?”
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. God has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’”
The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. They heard Yahweh God’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden.
Yahweh God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”
The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”
God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”
The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”
Yahweh God said to the woman, “What have you done?”
The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
Yahweh God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
you are cursed above all livestock,
and above every animal of the field.
You shall go on your belly
and you shall eat dust all the days of your life.
I will put hostility between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring.
He will bruise your head,
and you will bruise his heel.”
To the woman he said,
“I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth.
You will bear children in pain.
Your desire will be for your husband,
and he will rule over you.”
To Adam he said,
“Because you have listened to your wife’s voice,
and have eaten from the tree,
about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’
the ground is cursed for your sake.
You will eat from it with much labor all the days of your life.
It will yield thorns and thistles to you;
and you will eat the herb of the field.
You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground,
for you were taken out of it.
For you are dust,
and you shall return to dust.”
The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living. Yahweh God made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.
Yahweh God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—” Therefore Yahweh God sent him out from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.
World English Bible (WEB)
by Public Dom
Our September Bible Readings begin today with Genesis Chapter 1 to Chapter 2 verse 3 (with Mark in the next video)
[Recorded 'live' in Lesley's Greenhouse during one of our Church Cream Tea events!]
THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
James 3:1-12 Another Sermon in Martyn Peter Neads' series on the Book of James
"If we dedicate our tongues to the language of God, our actions will follow."
Surely this is a great pathway to what James calls, "Perfection."
To take God's Word on our tongues and to speak them confidently from our lips is to wield the Sword of the Spirit and to receive with meekness the implanted Word that is able to save our souls.
CREDITS
Video clips and music courtesy of storyblocks.com under licence to Lex.
In our reading this morning we return to the letter of James, and as we do so we turn to the
first chapter. There are themes within this passage that echo what we spoke about a few
weeks ago, and we will touch on them briefly as we pass by.
But, as we look at our passage from James, we are, firstly, reminded that all good things
come from God. Some translations even speak of “every perfect act of giving” as coming
from above, that is, from God.
And this includes our own existence. Our very lives come from God. We are part of God’s
good creation, and James speaks of us being the ‘first fruits among God’s creatures.’
This is a reference to the Jewish Festival of the First Fruits, which we read about in the
twenty-third chapter of the Old Testament book of Leviticus. At that festival the Israelites
were to bring the first fruits of their produce, and their livestock, to the Lord in offering. It
was a reminder to them that all things are God’s and that, ultimately, they all come from him.
The festival provided the people with the opportunity to thank God for his providence and, in
doing so, the first and the best was offered to God and set apart as holy.
And we are, James says, similar to these first fruits, for we belong to God, and we are set
apart as holy. Therefore, because we are set apart as holy, we should act as if we are holy. At
its heart, this means behaving as God wants us to behave, and not simply behaving in ways
that bring us pleasure. It means behaving as Jesus would. Once again, we are drawn back to
the phrase ‘What Would Jesus Do?’
This phrase became popular in the 1990s, but actually has its origins in the late 1800s, when
it was used in a number of sermons preached by Charles Spurgeon, as well as being the
subtitle to the book, In His Steps, by Charles Sheldon.
Put simply, the phrase has been used by many Christians as a reminder that they should act in
a manner that demonstrates the love of Jesus to others, through their actions. It is a way of
demonstrating the faith that an individual has in their heart and allowing that faith to direct
their actions.
So, how do we demonstrate our faith in our daily lives?
One way is, as James says, by being “quick to hear; slow to speak, and slow to anger.” This is
good advice, for listening and hearing are of prime importance, and this is true of all our
relationships, both those we have with one another and those which we have with God.
It is important to recognise that James is not seeking to banish either speech or anger. Speech
is clearly an important part of how we communicate with one another, and even anger can
have its place and is not simply to be dismissed out of hand; but the clear implication of what
James is saying, is that neither should be entered into carelessly or without forethought.
James then emphasises his encouragement to his readers to be open to “listen to and hear the
word of God.” This is an important message for us all to hear, and it is a reminder that
listening and hearing are not necessarily the same thing...
Full Message here:
https://mcusercontent.com/87a545be1fc...