July
Re: A revival I can pray for!
Better to just share the gospel of repentance and faith and see God supernaturally change people from the inside out by a work of the Holy Spirit. That's the revival I'm praying for.
Alan Tom Taylor (via Facebook)
Some helpful thoughts, but as has been said anything which does not focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ is falling short. Yes there are many sins abroad in this world, as Scripture reminds us, from the time of the fall onwards. This will continue until Christ returns.
That is not to say that we should be unconcerned with justice - of course the God of the Bible cares about injustice. However, the only true answer to all of the world’s sin and problems is found in Jesus Christ alone. No amount of other movements or initiatives can have anything like the same impact.
Instead let us focus on proclaiming the true Gospel of Jesus Christ, that salvation from our sins is by faith alone, in Christ alone, through grace alone, to the glory of God alone. Anything else is another ‘gospel’ which Paul describes as no gospel at all in Galatians 1:6-9.
Fred Rich (via Facebook)
I find it hard to agree with the correspondents who claim that Michael isn't talking about the Gospel. For did not Jesus himself announce his own mission by quoting the words of Isaiah: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free".
Of course our articulation of the Gospel must include the preaching of the crucified and risen Christ and a call to discipleship - I'm sure Michael wouldn't disagree. But the Good News of Christ is so much more than just that! There is no place for a "flash in the pan" revival which may engage our emotions for a moment but which doesn't challenge us to follow Jesus and do the costly work of realising his Kingdom in our unjust and pain-filled world.
Andrew Kleissner, Christchurch United Church, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff
Brilliant article.
Glen Graham (via Facebook)
Re: Caring for your pastors through COVID19
If church-goers and especially those in churches’ leadership teams want to do the best to care for and support their minister I recommend they read “The Glass of Water: how far would you go to refresh your leader?” by Portsmouth area pastor Andy Elmes. The leadership team at Seaford Baptist Church read it 4 years ago and found it valuable.
Peter White, Seaford Baptist, Seaford, Sussex
Re: Have you written your eulogy yet?
Of course, newspapers and broadcasters have obituary articles and programmes for famous people "on file", ready to be used should one of those people die suddenly. I believe they are updated regularly. So there are precedents to Darren's helpful idea!
Andrew Kleissner, Christchurch United Church, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff