Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-9 Ministry Motives

I’m sure you know our church’s mission statement. And I’m sure that you could recite it without much trouble. But just in case you’re not sure, you’ll find it at the top of every notice sheet. It’s what St Matthew’s Church exists to do. It’s why we’re here, and what everything we do is driven towards. ‘St Matthew’s is a gospel-centred church reaching out to our community and our world with the love of Christ.’

The question I want to pose this morning is this one - how do we actually do that? What does it look like to reach out to our community? When it comes to the dreaded e word, evangelism, how can we play our part in reaching out with the love of Christ?

In our Bible reading this morning, we discover how Paul and his team did it in Thessalonica. And to help us do that, we’ll see that Paul addresses a misunderstanding; examines motives, and recalls the manner in which they did evangelism. Those three aspects - the misunderstanding, their motives, and their manner - will help us to see that sharing the gospel of God needs courage, conviction and compassion.

This letter that we’re studying was written by Paul to the church of the Thessalonians. Paul and the others had been in Thessalonica for just three weeks, proclaiming that Jesus is the Christ, God’s promised king, before Paul was chased out of town. Some Jews and Gentiles had become Christians, had formed a church, but you can imagine how they were feeling now that Paul had gone.

Had they been taken in by him? Were they fools to have listened to him? Could they really continue to follow Paul’s teaching if he wasn’t going to come back to see them? And maybe as time goes on, they think, maybe it was all a big mistake. A misunderstanding. Perhaps Paul’s visit had been a failure, a damp squib.

But that’s exactly what Paul addresses in verse 1. He’s appealing to them to remember what happened: ‘You know, brothers, that our visit to you was not a failure.’ The very fact that he’s calling them brothers (and sisters - the Greek word means siblings) shows that he hadn’t failed. They had become brothers and sisters in the Christian family. They had become children of God the Father. His visit had been successful.

But in addressing this misunderstanding, of whether his visit was a failure or not, Paul shows us that sharing the gospel of God needs courage. You see, Acts 17 is the story of Paul in Thessalonica, and before 17 comes 16. Acts 16 is the story of Paul in Philippi, where they had been beaten and imprisoned for bringing freedom to a slave girl and proclaiming the Lord Jesus.

So if Paul had been through all that - what he refers to here as ‘we had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi’ - you might think that Paul would just stop talking about Jesus. He must have been tempted to be quiet, just to have an easy life. But Paul has the courage to share the good news. ‘But with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition.’ (2)

It was only with God’s help that he would dare to speak up. But when he knew that God was with him, helping him, then he had the courage to speak boldly. So where might you need the courage to speak up? Let’s ask God that we will know his help, and that we will be courageous to speak up and share the gospel.

To share the gospel of God needs courage. But it needs even more than that. It also needs conviction. It may well be that some of the Thessalonians’ friends were questioning Paul’s motives. Why was it he was going from town to town? Was he out to fool people? Was he out for their money? The question of motives is what Paul moves on to from verse 3.

‘For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.’ (3)

Paul makes clear what his motives were not. He wasn’t coming to them in error, because he had got the wrong end of the stick, spreading lies. He wasn’t coming to them with impure motives, for evil purposes. And he wasn’t coming to them to try to trick them, or deceive them, or lead them astray.

So what was motivating him to come to Thessalonica and share the good news with them? ‘On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.’ (4)

Here’s Paul’s motive - he has been approved by God and entrusted with the gospel. Whenever you’re sending a letter, you have a couple of options. You either take it to the person yourself, or you entrust it to someone else to take it. Normally, if the letter is going far away, you’ll entrust it to Royal Mail. Postman Pat has been entrusted with the letter - it’s his job to carry it unchanged to the recipient. It’s not his job to open the letter and change it. He brings it as it is.

And so Paul and the others were entrusted with the gospel. They had to bring the message as it is - unchanged. Their motive is to please the one who has sent them, by delivering the true message. That’s what Paul says in verse 4. ‘We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts.’

It would be so tempting to try to please people, to say what they want to hear; to play down or ignore the fact that God is a holy God, that he cannot abide our sin, that we can’t just do what we like and expect to enter heaven. If Paul had been out to please the people of Thessalonica, his message would have been entirely different. But Paul isn’t a people-pleaser. His motive is to please God, to do what God wants him to do, and to say what God wants him to say.

And there’s a challenge there for us. who are we trying to please with our words (or our absence of words)? What’s the motive behind your words?

Sharing the gospel needs courage in opposition and conviction to share the good news faithfully. But these two together could lead to arrogance - that we have the truth. Some Christians may come across in that way, their manner suggests some sort of superiority. Paul was accused of flattery, of greed, and of seeking praise for himself. But Paul says he just wasn’t like that.

So what was the manner in which he shared the gospel? From verse 5 he says what he didn’t do: ‘You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed - God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from men, not from you or anyone else.’ That’s what he was not. And then we see what he did do: ‘As apostles of Christ we could have been a burden to you, but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.’

Paul takes the image of the nursing mother, gently caring for her little children. This is how we’re to do mission - loving the people we’re talking to, caring for them. And caring about them so much that we don’t just shout the gospel at them from a distance.

‘We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.’ (8)

Now, for some, that might be the hardest step - to share ourselves; to grow closer together. But it comes from that compassion - caring for people leads to sharing with people. Take some time this week to think about three people you care for, who you would like to see come to faith in the Lord Jesus. Pray for them. Care for them, and then look for opportunities to share with them the good news about Jesus.

Paul mentions his toil and hardship - how they worked night and day in order to not be a burden on the Thessalonians. And the principle seems to be that people who aren’t believers shouldn’t have to pay to hear the good news. We should do all that we can to make it as easy for them to hear the gospel - out of our compassion for them.

This is why we support mission agencies, so that missionaries are provided to people and places where the gospel is not known, so that they can hear it for free. It’s why our parish organisations exist - indeed, it’s why this parish exists. Your contributions enable this church family to live out and share the good news here in this village and beyond. So your giving to church and mission is a sign of your compassion for the village, so that everyone will hear the good news of Jesus.

Our mission statement might look well on the top of the service sheet. And it might sound nice. But if it only ever stays there, then it’s ultimately worthless. We need to take it, and live it out, as we - you and me together - as we reach out to our community and our world with the love of Christ. And how will we do that?

Sharing the gospel of God needs courage in the face of opposition; it needs conviction to speak rightly and please God who has entrusted us with his gospel; and it needs compassion, as we share our lives and show that we care.

Are you up for the challenge? Let’s do it together.

This sermon was preached in St Matthew's Church, Richhill on Sunday morning 23rd September 2018.

Sermon: John 1: 35-51 Come and See

First impressions can have a lasting impact. Whether you’re going for an interview, or meeting a blind date, or being introduced to a friend of a friend, those first moments will long stick in the memory. For some of you, the first time you met your husband or wife stays with you - seeing them across the room at a dance, or the night you were introduced by mutual friends. You remember exactly where you were, what you were doing, what they were wearing. First impressions have a lasting impact.

As John sits down to write his gospel, he tells us about the first time he met Jesus. He remembers it so clearly. He knows where he was, and what happened. He writes it down, not to boast, not to say, look how great I was that it happened to me. He tells us, so that we can meet Jesus as well. If you were with us last week, you’ll remember that John gives us the ‘key’ to his gospel right at the end - evidence about Jesus leads to belief in Jesus leads to life through Jesus.

In our reading this morning, we see how these things fit together as John and others meet Jesus for the first time. It happens over two days, and there’s a bit of a pattern in how it all works out - as followers bring other people to meet Jesus, and as they discover just who Jesus is for themselves. But let’s launch in at verse 35.

It’s early days in Jesus’ ministry. He has just appeared on the scene. At this moment, he has no disciples, no followers. But John the Baptist does. He’s standing with two of his disciples, when Jesus walks past. [The way I imagine this is thinking about my dad. Every morning, him and a group of men gather on a summer seat in the square. They chat about all sorts of things. They maybe chat about people walking past.] Jesus walks past, and John says: ‘Behold, the Lamb of God!’ Look - he is the Lamb of God.

Suddenly, John’s two disciples walk off. They leave John and start following Jesus. How do you think John felt? Annoyed? Angry? It’d be like if two of dad’s friends saw someone going by and went for a chat with him, leaving dad behind. Or is it? Already in the gospel (1:7), we’ve been told that John the Baptist came to be a witness, to bear witness about the light. That’s what he’s done. He has told people about Jesus. He has done what he was made to do - tell people about Jesus.

The sight of two men walking along, following you, might be a scary thing. After all, stalking is a crime these days. Jesus turns around and, in my Norn Irish version says: What do you want? Verse 38: ‘What are you seeking?’ Why are you following me? So they say that they want to know where he is staying. Are they nosy about his house? I think it’s more than that. They want to find out about this Lamb of God, to get to know him. So Jesus says that’s ok - ‘Come and you will see.’

Come and see. It’s an open invitation to see him, get to know him, offered to people who are curious, people who are searching, people who have heard something about Jesus but want to see for themselves. That offer was for John and Andrew that day, but through John’s gospel, Jesus is still saying to you, ‘Come and see.’ If you’re searching, come and see.

So they came, and they saw, but it was Jesus who conquered. Look at verse 40. Andrew was one of the two, and he went to get his own brother Simon. And what does he say: ‘We have found the Messiah’ - the Christ, the anointed promised King. So he brought Simon to Jesus - Simon who we know better as Peter, rocky, the name given to him by Jesus.

John the Baptist bore witness about Jesus the Lamb of God. John and Andrew heard the witness, and believed it, by going and following Jesus. Personal introduction is really important. Friends introducing friends to Jesus. Word of mouth about the Word of God.

And maybe you think to yourself, well, that would be wonderful, but my friends aren’t like that. If I were to mention Jesus to them, they’re not going to like it. Easier to keep quiet, and keep my friendship with them. They don’t want to know. What do I do then? You need to hear about Philip and his friend, Nathanael.

It’s day two in v43. Jesus finds Philip and tells him to ‘follow me.’ Just as Andrew encounters Jesus and then goes and tells a friend (or a brother) who he has found, Philip goes and tells Nathanael. ‘We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ This Jesus is the one the whole Old Testament is pointing to. It’s all about him, this Jesus of Nazareth.

Nazareth? Huh. You can almost hear Nathanael splutter. ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Every place seems to have another local town that they don’t think much of. And in the new supercouncils, those places seem to have been lumped together... Nathanael refuses to believe that anything good would come from Nazareth. He doesn’t want to know. He’s sceptical. He thinks Philip is mad. So how does Philip respond? ‘Come and see.’ The same phrase Jesus used, only this time it’s more, even though you don’t believe, just give it a try. At least come and prove me wrong. Make sure that you’re right.

Somehow, it works, and Nathanael comes along. As Jesus talks to him, and calls him ‘an Israelite in whom there is no deceit’, Nathanael wants to know how Jesus knows him, or anything about him. Jesus’ answer shows his divine power and knowledge: ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ The fact that Jesus knew all about him was enough for him. Look at his response - this sceptic, Nathanael, the one who thought the only thing good in Nazareth was the road out of it - ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’

In his very first minute with Jesus, Nathanael is brought to know who Jesus is - the Christ, the Son of God of 20:31. Already he believes. Already he has been turned around from scepticism to certainty; from doubt decision. Yet Jesus says he will see even greater things than these. Look at verse 31: ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.’

Jesus is pointing back to our first reading, to Genesis 28, where Jacob dreams of a ladder between earth and heaven, the angels ascending and descending. Led Zeppelin might have sung about a lady buying a stairway to heaven, and Neil Sedaka about building a stairway to heaven, but Jesus is saying that he is the only way from earth to heaven. He is the only route to heaven.

When we really get this, when we realise that Jesus is the only way, then we’ll be moved to tell people about Jesus, and introduce them to him. When we know that Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Son of God, the King of Israel, the Messiah, the one the Old Testament is about, we’ll want to get other people to meet him and know him too. So who could you speak to this week? You don’t have to cross the world to tell someone about Jesus - you can cross the street, or cross the room. John the Baptist told his followers, the people he worked with. Andrew told his brother, his family. Philip even told someone who was hostile. It’s not always easy, but it’s the right thing to do. So who could you speak to this week? Take a moment. Think of one person - at work, in the your family, among your friends - and resolve to tell them something about Jesus. You can even mention Christianity Explored to them, and say that you’ll come along with them. It might be scary, it might be costly, but wouldn’t it be worth it to introduce them to Jesus?

But maybe you’re sitting thinking to yourself that you don’t know Jesus. You might have come to church all your life, you know about Jesus, but you don’t know Jesus. You’ve never taken that opportunity to get to know him. You’ve never been introduced. I’d love to do that with you. Come along on Wednesday night to Christianity Explored. Or grab me and ask me for a chat sometime We could go through CE one to one.

Whatever you do after this morning, don’t do nothing. Don’t walk away without resolving to speak about Jesus, or get to know Jesus. First impressions can have a lasting impact. Perhaps even today could be the day you meet with Jesus for the very first time, or introduce sometime to Jesus for the very first time. Whether you’re searching and open, or sceptical and hostile, take those three words in, and follow it up - ‘Come and see’.

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 13th September 2015.

Sermon: 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8 Walking Worthy in Evangelism

Do you remember about a year and a half ago, for a few Sundays in November, we had the Church of Ireland census? On each of the Sundays, every person in church was asked to fill in their age and sex. The figures were added up by parish, diocese, and the whole C of I, to give us some idea of who we are and where we’re at. This week at General Synod, the stand out figure was 15%. On any given Sunday, about 15% are in a Church of Ireland church. But it’s not 15% of the whole population of the island, which wouldn’t be too bad; no, it’s 15% of those who identified themselves as being C of I in the 2011 census. In terms of total population, just 0.97% are worshipping in a Church of Ireland church.

The call to mission was clear, and clearly needed. How can we reach out to the people out there, as well as the 85% of our own non-attenders? As things stand, it sounds really bad. But already, we’re better off than Thessalonica was. Last week, we heard of how there weren’t any Christians at all, but then the apostle Paul and his mission team arrived in town. They shared the good news of Jesus, and a church was formed, made up of people who had turned from idols to serve the living and true God.

But then the Jews got jealous, and Paul had to flee town. When he sits down to write this letter to the church (from Corinth), the people of Thessalonica (outside the church) are casting aspersions on Paul and his team. Oh aye, he was one of those fly boys, he came, wanted your money, and then flew off to exploit the next lot of gullible people in the next town. If he was around today, you’d see him on Watchdog or some of those dodgy cowboy preacher channels...

In chapter 2, Paul is writing to remind them of his work in Thessalonica. In doing so, he’s telling them what they already know, but may have forgotten. And as he does so, he shows us what we need as we seek to share the gospel of God - the good news about Jesus. I know that even as I say those words - share the gospel; or the ‘e’ word (evangelism), that the reasons start flowing - I couldn’t do that; I’m no good at speaking; sure isn’t that why we have a rector? Paul shows us how we can do it. Here’s what we need to share the gospel of God.

Firstly, we need courage. Some were criticising Paul, he ran away, just forget about him, but Paul says that his coming was not in vain. In that short period of time, they had became Christians. The change was evident. But how did it come about? Before Paul arrived with them, he had been in Philippi, where he was beaten and thrown into prison, because he had been talking about Jesus.

He could have been tempted to be quiet. Don’t rock the boat. Don’t stir things up. Anything for a quiet life - especially when the trouble started in Thessalonica as well. But look at verse 2. What helped Paul to open his mouth? ‘we had courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of great opposition.’ They may have feared the trouble, but they found courage in God.

It’s the same courage our brothers and sisters find when they are lined up on a Libyan beach to be executed, and yet still declare the name of Jesus. We too can have courage in God to invite someone to come along to church, or say what Jesus means to you - even when it’s not easy to do it. God is bigger than any enemy. He gives us courage.

But there’s more. Sharing the gospel of God also needs conviction. Again, Paul says what it wasn’t and then how it was (a bit like watching a tennis match back and forth, not this but that...). Paul’s motives were being questioned. Was he out to deceive, to lead people astray? Or had he impure motives? Some trickery? He says no - our appeal doesn’t spring from those things.

Rather, his motive is to please the one who sent him. Look at verse 4. ‘Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the message of the gospel, even so we speak, not to please mortals, but to please God who tests our hearts.’ Paul doesn’t speak to please people. It would be so easy to just say nice things so that people like you. We could have an easy time if we tell people what they want to hear. But Paul was sent by God, entrusted with the gospel.

If you sit down to write a letter and pop it in the postbox, you have entrusted it to Postman Pat (or at least, one of his colleagues). You don’t expect him to open the letter, and change what you have said, then deliver it. You expect him to pass it on as it is. In the same way, Paul is just the deliveryman, passing on the message of the gospel. Knowing that he has been sent by God, Paul is out, not on a people-pleasing mission, but on a God-pleasing mission.
The danger is that as we speak about Jesus, as we talk to our neighbour or friend or family member about God and the gospel, we can sometimes want to please them, so we don’t mention about hell or sin, or the need for repentance. After all, they won’t want to hear about that, we reason. We want to please them. But will that please God, who sends us and entrusts us with his message? Who is it you’re trying to please in your use of words (or absence of words)?

Sharing the gospel needs courage in opposition, and conviction to share the good news faithfully. But those together could lead to arrogance, that we have the truth. Some Christians may come across in that way, their manner suggests some sort of superiority. Paul was accused of flattery, of greed, and of seeking praise for himself. Even though he was an apostle, he wasn’t like that.

Rather, in verse 7 he shows what he was like (as they know and God is witness), and what we also should be like as we share the gospel with others: ‘But we were gentle among you, like a nurse tenderly caring for her own children.’ Paul takes the image of a nurse who cares for patients, and is even more tender and loving and caring for her kids. This is how we’re to do mission - loving the people we’re talking to, caring for them. Paul had this connection with the Christians in Thessalonica, having spent just three weeks with them. In that time he shared the gospel with them, but he shared something else as well. ‘So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.’

Now for some, that might be the hardest step - to share ourselves; to grow closer together. But it comes from that compassion - caring for people leads to sharing with people. Take some time this week to think about three people you care for, who you would like to see come to faith. Pray for them. Care for them, and look for opportunities to share with them the good news about Jesus.

We started with stats, so lets end with a different sort of stat. On Thursday night, the exit poll predicted a Tory majority in the General Election. The commentators thought it was nonsense, the opinion polls said that Labour and the Conservatives were neck and neck. The problem was ‘shy Tories’ who didn’t want to admit they were planning to vote Tory in the opinion polls. So they kept quiet, or pretended to be something else. Let’s not be ‘shy Christians’ who never speak about our faith, who are too shy, or embarrassed, or nervous to say that we believe in Jesus. Sharing the gospel of God needs courage (in our God in the face of opposition), conviction (because we’re sent by God to share his message of good news), and compassion (caring for those we share the good news with). Courage, conviction, and compassion - perhaps there’s one we need to develop, maybe we need to grow in all three. Let’s follow Paul’s example, as we share the gospel, so that our existence as a church family is, as Paul says, ‘not in vain.’

This sermon was preached in Aghavea Parish Church on Sunday 10th May 2015.

The Church of Ireland in the Plantation of Ulster

On Monday I reviewed Jonathan Bardon's book The Plantation of Ulster. The parts of the book that resonated most deeply with me were the repeated concentrations on the role of religion in the colonisation process. So I want to take some time to think about the evidence Bardon presents, and question how we can commit to gospel-centredness over against our traditional role of state enforcer of religion.

The role of the Church of Ireland at that time seemed to be a political one, with it being seen as a tool for the civilising of the crude Irish. The importance of the gospel was lost amidst the political baggage, unfortunately.

Davies and Chichester were also at one in their certainty that the process of anglicisation must include the full introduction of the Protestant religion, ensuring that the established church - the Church of Ireland - was the sole ecclesiastical authority throughout Ireland. (56)

This issues in the proclamation of King James in 1605 aimed at converting the Old English settlers in Ireland from their Catholicism:

Chichester launched a programme of religious persecution on a scale never witnessed before in Ireland. He now rigidly enforced an earlier law which fined ordinary Catholics a shilling for every Sunday they failed to attend a Protestant church... In Drogheda, Chichester personally led the campaign to force Catholics to attend Protestant services. One Catholic gentleman went as far as the church door but would go no further, whereupon Chichester told him, blandly at first, and then savagely, to go in, and... struck him a cruel blow on the head with his stick. Then the macebearer attacked him so savagely that he fell to the ground like a dead man, and the viceroy had him dragged into church, where he lay insensible and gasping all the time of the sermon, and no one dared approach him. (69)

The man died shortly after. It's hardly a seeker sensitive approach, nor even a gospel minded invitation for people to come in. Once the plantation began in earnest, there was some urging of ministers to come to the pagan land:

Art thou a Minister of Gods word? make speede, the harvest is great, but the laborers be fewe: that shalt there see the poore ignorant untaught people worship stones and sticks: thou by carrying millions to heaven, maiest be made an archangell. (144 - from a pamphlet written by Thomas Blennerhasset, an undertaker planting in Lurg and Coolmakernan in County Fermanagh)

Others became Church of Ireland because it was politically convenient to do so:

The turbulent marchlands of England and Scotland [from whence came the Border Rievers] had not been known for their piety. Here families had hardly been touched by the Reformation. Arriving in Ulster in search of land to rent, they quickly found it politic and economically advantageous to be Protestants. Barely aware of Presbyterian or Puritan theology, they conformed to the state-sponsored church. This explains why such a large number of Protestants in Co. Fermanagh became, and remained, members of the Church of Ireland. (148)

While it appears that King James was a gospel man, his advisors were not thus inclined:

In 1604 the English Privy Council informed Adam Loftus, Archbishop of Dublin, that King James believed 'true religion is better planted by the word than the sword', but Loftus and Thomas Jones, the Lord Chancellor (who was to succeed Loftus in that post), responded that they were unable to see 'how, without some moderate course of coactions, they can be reclaimed from their idolatry to come to hear the glad tidings of the truth.' In short, 'coaction' (force) might be required to bring about the conversion of natives to the reformed faith.(198)

No wonder the gospel has singularly failed to take root in this island! The situation was scarcely likely to improve - the newly appointed Bishop of Derry, Raphoe and Clogher was more concerned with his lands and incomes than with the preaching of the gospel. Similarly, Trinity College Dublin, founded to provide reformed clergy, was sending out on average no more than five graduates per year. The Archdeacon of Clogher in 1622 admitted that 'many of his clergy were "scarce endowed with a mediocrity of learning."' (202)

Tensions between settlers and natives militated against any prospect of mass conversions to the reformed religion among the Gaelic Irish. In any case an alien religion whcih vilified their cherished beliefs and traditions would be preached by men speaking an alien tongue, who often regarded them as pagans, savages and barbarians. Further alienation was brought about by the manner in which the established church imposed its exactions on the native population. Resistance to conversion was strengthened by the eagerness of bishops and clergy of the state church to punish and exploit them through the ecclesiastical courts. (203)

There was another element of sadness in the political machinations, and that centred on the driving out of the Presbyterian clergy. For the first thirty years or so, Presbyterian clergy were welcomed within the Church of Ireland, ministering and preaching the gospel. (Crawford Gribben has written more extensively on this feature of the Church of Ireland at the time). As Bardon writes,

Scottish Presbyterian ministers were readily accepted as parish clergy in Ulster without being forced to subscribe to prescribed liturgy and articles of faith. This explains why there was no serious attempt to set up a presbytery in Ulster until 1642. (203)

But come that fateful time, everything would change.

Wentworth, after denying Catholics the right to public office, now turned on Presbyterians who did not toe the line. Until now the Church of Ireland had tolerated a wide range of Protestant beliefs and practices. This suited Scots very well: most of those settling in Ulster were Presbyterians, who, since they did not yet have their own church here, were content to join the Church of Ireland. And all over Ireland, Protestants in this, the established church, tended to be Puritans, favouring plain forms of worship and dress.
Wentworth was determined to change all that. Bishops using the High Church pomp, ceremony, chanting and liturgy favoured by the King [Charles] replaced the ones that the Irish Protestants prefered. Bramhall... was appointed Bishop of Derry in 1634, and from 1636 he led a court of high commission to supervise diocesan courts and enforce state policy, with the power to confiscate and imprison.

The Presbyterians were driven out, with many fleeing to New England on the Eagle Wing. The Black Oath was the final straw, one of the factors leading to the fall of Charles I and the Civil War, as Clotworthy of Antrim appealed to Parliament on behalf of the Puritans and Presbyterians. But the damage was done, the Church of Ireland was rent asunder, the other Protestants driven out, confirmed by the deprivation of any remaining Presbyterian clergy by Bishop Jeremy Taylor of Down, Connor and Dromore.

It appears that tensions between the churches were magnified in the closing years of the 1600s:

Clergy of the Church of Ireland were particularly alarmed by the influx of Scots immigrants. In several parts of Ulster, Presbyterians formed overwhelming majorities - Jonathan Swift was unhappy at Kilroot not only because he was thwarted in love but also because he had almost no Anglicans living in his parish. Ulster Presbyterians threatened the privileges of the established church and made inroads on Anglican congregations too often neglected by worldly or absentee clergy. (307)

It seems to be a bleak century for the progress of the gospel in Ireland, despite the many opportunities that may have been opened through the plantation. Politics reigned supreme, with the cause of Christ relegated to a minor concern or as a tool to be used to beat and break the natives. While lamenting what has gone before, surely we must heed the warnings and seek to ensure that we are a lively gospel witness, not a tool of government or civil society. An island of lost souls still cries out in need, just as Saint Patrick first heard the call and came to preach Christ crucified. Will we play our part in this, our generation?

Sermon: 2 Timothy 3:10 - 4:8 Bible and Crown

I’m sure, like me, you saw some of the Olympics during the summer. It was fantastic to see the British athletes do so well in the cycling and the rowing and the long distance track. However, when it came to one particular event, the British men’s team did it all wrong, and were disqualified. The women didn’t even make it to the Olympics. Now, at the risk of turning into A Question of Sport, which event was it?

The relay race. The 4x100 metres. The final changeover was disastrous, it didn’t happen correctly, and despite finishing second in their heat, the men were disqualified. Many a cold, wet afternoon during PE being taught how it was meant to be done, as the baton is passed to the next runner. It’s so important for the baton to be passed, for the next person to take over and have a chance at a medal.

The apostle Paul is writing his young friend Timothy, giving him instructions as he passes the baton on. Paul has been giving his life to the work of the gospel, travelling around the known world telling people about Jesus, planting churches, and declaring the good news. But now he is in prison. Execution is not too far away. Paul’s race is almost over: ‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.’ (4:7). It’s up to Timothy now to take up the baton and run his race, to continue on Paul’s work of teaching and encouraging.

Yet as Timothy looks to the future, as he sees what lies ahead, it seems that the relay race isn’t being run on the nice new athletics track in the Olympic stadium. What lies before him is more like an army assault course, with obstacles and dangers to face. Paul even spells them out for him. He reminds him of the persecutions and sufferings in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, These were places where Paul had been driven out of town, opposed, and stoned (that is, attacked with stones, not drugged).

More than that, it’s not just Paul who will face problems and difficulties for being a Christian: ‘Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.’ (3:12). Now you might think that it’s silly to mention this at all, especially if you’re here considering the good news and thinking about becoming a Christian, but we have to present the whole truth. The Lord Jesus warns us to count the cost before we decide to follow him.

So the future looks bleak. Is it all just doom and gloom? Why would anyone want to be a Christian faced with such opposition and problems? Wouldn’t it be easier to just continue on in your sinful life and live the way you want?

Paul gives Timothy a glimpse of reality - what his life will look like as he follows Jesus. But it’s not all negative. Rather, he also gives two great big encouragements, as he looks to the future in faith. Two things that we are given by God as we love and serve him.

The first comes at the end of chapter three. Paul has said that evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse. That may be the direction they’re going, ‘But as for you...’ Timothy, don’t follow the crowd. Don’t go the way of the world. As for you, continue in what you have learned... What is it he has learned? What is it that he has firmly believed? It’s the ‘sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.’

The Bible is able to make us wise - to give us the information we need in order to find salvation - salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Despite there being 66 different books from around 40 different authors, written over a period of a couple of thousand years, there is one uniting subject. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is all about Jesus, sharing the good news, showing us his glory.

Now how can this be so, if there are all those different authors? Behind them, and through them, Paul tells us, there is one author: ‘All Scripture is breathed out by God...’ (3:16) Just as my words are coming out of my mouth as I breathe, so the Scriptures are God-breathed. Scripture says what God is saying. When we read the Bible, it’s not just ancient words on a page, but God speaking to us here and now.

I suspect that I’m a typical man, and perhaps wives you’ll recognise this trait in your husbands too. I get a new piece of equipment, some new technology, and straight away, I want to turn it on and get stuck in. I’ll footer about with it, trying to make it work. It’s only when I get stuck that I’ll go back to the box to find the instruction manual. We think: I can sort this out myself. We don’t need any help. Until we realise we do.

Life can be like that. We have some freedom and off we go, making our own mistakes, trying to sort things out ourselves. We live the way we want to, and then wonder why we end up getting things so very wrong. We need the instruction manual. We need to hear from the Maker, who knows how life is meant to work. Paul tells us: ‘All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.’ (3:16-17)

Perhaps this evening you’re wandering, you’re lost. You recognise yourself among the evil people and impostors going from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. The remedy is to be rescued. To turn from error and self-deception, to turn to the living God who has spoken. To become wise in the way of salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. To learn about the saviour and to trust in him. To be taught and corrected from his word so that we can love and serve him.

The other night (or was it morning by then), the world waited to hear the acceptance speech of the President of the United States, as he was elected for his second term. Journalists and political commentators hung on his every word, listening and reporting and analysing. Or think for a moment of Twitter. Lady Gaga has over 31 million followers, Justin Bieber 29 million - all eager to hear from their heroes (even if it’s just what they ate for breakfast!). Yet we have the words of the living God in our homes, often in a box, out of the way on a shelf, gathering dust.

Our banner tonight show the open Bible; another banner design depicts the secret of England’s greatness as the Bible is presented by Queen Victoria to foreign princes. Will you take up your Bible and read and learn, and hear God’s voice to you? It is in this way that we hear and are saved, as we trust in the Lord.

The first thing we’re given is the Bible, the scriptures. This is what Timothy is to give himself to learn and teach and proclaim, in and through the dark days that lay ahead of him. At the end of our passage, Paul tells us about the second thing we’re given, which encourages us to keep going as we love and serve the Lord Jesus. Here’s what he says: ‘For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.’ (4:6-8).

You see, as Paul comes towards the end of his life, as he completes his race, he looks towards the finish line, towards the podium. The reward isn’t a gold medal and a wee posy of flowers. Instead, what awaits is the crown of righteousness.

This crown of righteousness is the sign of being accepted by God, of being in the right with God. It is awarded by the Lord, the righteous judge, who judges with absolute fairness and justice. Remember where Paul is: He’s on remand, sitting in prison, awaiting the death sentence, which the unjust judge, Nero, will pass on him. His earthly life will cease, condemned as a prisoner; but Nero’s judgement doesn’t concern him. Rather, he is looking forward to the only opinion that finally matters - the Lord, the righteous judge, who will award that crown of righteousness.

Now you might be thinking to yourself that of course Paul deserves such a crown - he’s in the Bible, after all, he wrote books of the Bible, he was so very good. You could not be further from the truth. Paul doesn’t deserve this crown of righteousness. Earlier we spoke of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. That is, salvation from our sins - Paul needed rescue, just as we do too. Our rescue is in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, in the great exchange taking away our sins, and giving us his perfect righteousness. It’s by faith that we receive God’s grace. Indeed, as Paul says, ‘I have kept the faith.’

Paul can face the future with confidence. His heavenly reward is certain. His crown is laid up ready for him. Friends, tonight, your future can also be certain. You see, Paul wasn’t boasting, as if to say, well I’m all right, I’ve got a crown waiting for me. He goes on to say that it is ‘not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.’

Jesus is returning, the righteous judge, who died to save us. We too can be sure of receiving the crown of righteousness as we hear God’s word of grace and respond in faith. Jesus has died to win your salvation. Will you hear and heed him tonight? Will you trust in the Lord for your salvation? Will you welcome him on that great Day when he appears as judge? The Bible, God’s breathed out word, points us to the crown, God’s gracious gift, offered freely.

This sermon was preached at the Banner Mission in Enniskillen District Orange Hall, organised by County Fermanagh Grand Lodge, on Thursday 8th November 2012. Each preacher through the week was given a picture from a banner to work with and present the gospel message. My banner was from Garrison district, depicting the Bible and the crown.

Express Evangelism

I've been reading and thinking about 1 Thessalonians this morning. Having made it to Thessalonica on his second missionary journey, Paul proclaims the good news about Jesus in the city before moving on due to the vehement Jewish opposition (Acts 17:10). After some time in Berea (Acts 17:14), Paul arrives in Athens, from where he sends Timothy back to Thessalonica to hear if the new church and the new Christians are continuing in the faith despite such turbulent and troublesome beginnings (1 Thes 3:1-5).

1 Thessalonians is the letter Paul writes back to the city on Timothy's return. Paul is suitably encouraged to hear that they are indeed keeping going in the faith - as the news is spreading of their conversion across the whole region (1 Thes 1:8-9), as well as their 'work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope' (1 Thes 1:3).

What struck me most in reading the letter was just how much they already knew and had learnt from such a short time of instruction. Paul was probably in the city for just three weeks. We're told that 'on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures' in the synagogue, before the Jews got jealous and made sure Paul and his companions were evicted.

So you've got just three weeks to establish a new church, and teach them the basics of the Christian faith. How much is possible? What could they learn in that short time?

- The gospel itself. 'our gospel came to you...' (1:4). 'you received the word of God' (2:13)

- The role of suffering in the Christian faith. 'You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit...' (1:6). 'For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews.' (2:14). 'For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.' (3:4)

- The need for conversion. 'You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God...' (1:9)

- The resurrection of Jesus. '... to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead...' (1:10)

- The return of Jesus. '... to wait for his Son from heaven... Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.' (1:10) 'Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.' (5:1-2)

- The important work of evangelism. 'For you remember, brothers, our labour and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.' (2:9)

- The need to walk rightly as Christians. 'For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.' (2:11-12) 'we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.' (4:1) This is spelled out in terms of abstaining from sexual immorality and self-control, because 'the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we solemnly warned you.' (4:6)

- The centrality of love. 'Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another...' (4:9)

- The sharing of encouragement in God's word. 'Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.' (5:11)

Nevertheless, there are still some things that are lacking. For some, Paul supplies teaching in the epistle (for example, about the fate of believers who have already died: 'But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep...' (4:13)), but for others, he desires to see them face to face 'and supply what is lacking in your faith.' (3:10)

That strikes me as a lot of learning in just three weeks. As we approach the first anniversary of my institution in Aghavea, I'm reflecting on my first year in the parish. What have we been learning together? Are there bits that we've missed out, despite having a lot longer? How can I develop my ministry in this next year and continue to proclaim the whole counsel of God?

The 'diet' of the first year consisted of the Apostles' Creed, Luke 1-2, Ephesians, the Sermon on the Mount, and John 11-21. As we begin the second year we'll begin exploring the Old Testament, kicking off with a series in Genesis 1-11 on Sunday mornings, but what comes after that, only the Lord knows so far! We're also beginning a new midweek Fellowship Group / Bible study, so there'll be more opportunities to share in God's word and work on the application to individual lives and discipleship.

Global Gospel Growth

When you think of the church, what comes to mind? Chances are, if you're not getting caught up in the trappings of stained glass windows, musty hymnbooks and blokes in robes, then you'll think of a local church. That small gathering of Christians you meet with regularly.

It's so easy to focus only on the local church, it's issues and problems, personalities and possibilities, buildings and budgets. It is, after all, how we do church. For many, it may be the only experience of church - local, small, and sometimes challenging.

Imagine that you're a newly converted Christian in the city of Colossae. You've heard the good news about Jesus and responded in faith. You have love for your fellow Christians, and you're enjoying meeting with them and learning more about Jesus. But in terms of the city, you're a small minority. People don't like you coming to faith, there are opponents ranged against you, the possibility of persecution. You're likely to feel small, threatened, and in a difficult position. Was your conversion real after all? Perhaps it's just a phase or a fad you're going through and you'll soon come to your senses.

What Paul says next in his letter to the Colossian Christians will continue to give them encouragement and boldness. Not only that Paul, the great apostle has heard of them, but that they're not alone in their experience. They're not alone in their faith:

the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing - as it also does among you (Col 1:6)

The church is bigger than the fifty or hundred that you're regularly meeting with in your local parish church! You're not the only one to be coming to faith in Jesus! Rather, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing, all across the world.

How aware are we of the growth of the gospel? Do we rejoice at the news of many millions coming to faith all over the world? Do we recognise them as our brothers and sisters, united in the family of God, through the Lord Jesus?

God's gospel is growing globally, so that the vision John saw of a crowd that no one could number from every tribe and language and nation, will be achieved. Let's keep on praying for the mission throughout the world; give and help and support those labouring across the world; and keep doing your bit where you are - wherever you are - to ensure continued gospel growth. To God be the glory!

Book Review: Compelled By Joy

CS Lewis might have been surprised by joy, but Michael Green was compelled by joy, as he relates in this lively review of his ministry and evangelism, recently published by IVP.

In the opening chapter, Green shares his own story of conversion, which is the impetus for the rest of his life and the rest of the book as he reflects on his attempts at getting the good news out to as many people as possible, in as many ways as possible. 'I have found treasure - by no skill of my own - and I want to share it as widely as I can.'

Yet for many, as he says, the Christian message isn't news (they think they know what it's all about), and it doesn't seem like good news. Green has been committed to communicating the good news for what it really is, and the book recalls some of his experiences, as well as reflections on ministry and on who God is and what he is like.

As the chapters progress there are thoughts on evangelism in the local church, university outreach, being careful to speak in ways people will understand, apologetics in evangelism, sin, the cross, making disciples not just decisions, and the way in which our responsibility fits with God's responsibility.

This was one of the books I read in the interim between finishing as Curate and beginning and Rector, and it was a really good refresher for me on the basics of ministry. There are lots of ideas, plenty of illustrations, and buckets of encouragement for the evangelist and pastor, some of which may be worked out as my ministry here develops.

Occasionally there were wee things that I wasn't too enthusiastic about, ways he went about doing things in a more sacramental fashion, or in the words and phrases he uses, but I've found that with Green's books in the past, and would still recommend them for all the good things they contain.

A useful book for those considering evangelism, and those who need some encouragement to keep going in the long haul of Christian ministry.

I Got Soul (But I'm Not A Soldier)

Every so often, The Good Book Company send some resources to be used and reviewed. My most recent review request came for the brand new edition of the Christianity Explored Youth resource CY and Soul. Straight away, let me say that this is a brilliant resource, and well worth getting and using with your church youth group.

CY has been around for a few years, but over the past year, it was revised and rewritten with feedback from youthworkers on the coal face. The result is that CY is an even better resource than before, and looks the better for it.

Within the leaders' handbook, there is a good, well informed and well thought through section on holding a CY course, as well as the information needed to run a CY Nano (11-14s) or CY (15+) course. There are more games, more ideas, and more help for leading the discussion groups following the talks. The sessions, as in the main Christianity Explored course, work through Mark's Gospel, taking a particular theme each week, with the cross at the very heart of the course.

The participant's handbook has also been revised, linking in to the new presentation of the material in a useful and relevant way. However, the most exciting element of the new CY has to be the Soul DVD.

Each of the seven sessions have a 12-14 minute video clip which is well presented, well edited, and will keep the interest of young people, churched or unchurched. Filmed in a variety of locations, the sets are great, helping to illustrate what is being said - not distracting at all. There's even some manga style cartoons in some of the sessions illustrating stories being told.

In each of the sessions (Christianity is Christ, Identity, Mission, Cross, Resurrection, Grace, Call), Nate Morgan Locke presents the theme, with plenty of Bible verses included and shown on screen. The narration is clear, concise and compelling. So good, in fact, I would even be tempted to use the video with adults as well as youth groups!

Even if you've used CY in the past, you really should be getting the new version, and especially the Soul DVD. CY resources can be bought from The Good Book Company website, including a sample pack (£25); Soul DVD (£20); Leader's Guide (£10); and handbooks for CY and CY Nano (£3 each).

Review: Tales of the Unexpected

Recently, I received a review copy of a new outreach course from The Good Book Company, designed particularly for 'non-booky' people. Tales of the Unexpected consists of four short sessions, using some of the parables of Jesus from Luke's Gospel to help people understand the gospel.

The study guide is great, with each session laid out almost like some older Sunday School material, with questions, the Bible text, summaries of the teaching, and interactive sections and quizzes to aid in remembering the stories. With very little work, the study guide could also be used as the basis for a discussion group, with time given for people to follow along and fill in the books as they go along.

As I've said, the course has been designed for non-booky people, and it wouldn't intimidate people, with the great design in the study guide, and everything is at a basic but good level. Ideal for non-Christians, or even new Christians as an introduction to studying the parables, and coming to grips with some of the varied ways that Jesus is portrayed and teaches.

Alongside the study guide, there is also a DVD which contains a short advert to show in church before the course begins, as well as the four sessions. These are presented by Pete Woodcock (who authored the course with his wife, Anne), and Lizzie Smallwood. There's a choice as to which person you watch, as they each present the same material, so depending on the group, you can use whoever is more suitable. However, I'll have to take their word for it, as the DVD didn't want to work at all in our MacBookPro. I've tried it a few times, and each time it has just spat it out again without playing.

Hopefully if the DVD works, the course would be a great one to run, perhaps alongside or prior to a Christianity Explored course, and will make a good complement to the outreach programmes and evangelistic courses in a local congregation's calendar, or home group.

Tales of the Unexpected is available from The Good Book Company, with a starter pack (also see the free download of a leader's guide and how to run a group guide), as well as the individual DVD and study guides.

David Cameron's Deadline

I've just watched David Cameron address a gathering of the Conservative Party faithful following the third and final Prime Ministerial Debate on UK television. He was saying that the workers have a message of change to communicate and take to every corner of the country. There's now less than one week until polling finishes in the General Election, so he's well aware of the deadline and shortness of time. Hence he said:

'Don't waste one minute; don't waste one hour; work to get the message out before the time ends.'

Well, the party workers nodded and clapped and left to get on with the job. If only we as Christians would similarly be motivated by the shortness of the time, and were using every opportunity and every day. Or as the apostle Paul says:

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:5-6)

Sermon Audio: 1 Thessalonians 2: 1-8

Here's the sermon audio mp3 file from Sunday night's sermon on Walking Worthy in Evangelism.

Gospel Cheer on a Frosty Morning

It was -1 Celsius this morning as we ventured out onto the streets of Dundonald to proclaim the gospel. Well wrapped up, we were spreading the warmth of the Lord Jesus in the cold village.

The method was simple, but effective. Another expression of grace as we had a huge tin of sweets for people to enjoy their favourite Quality Street or Miniature Heroes, as well as invitations to our Carol Service (tomorrow afternoon at 4pm) and the other Christmas services, and 'The Real Christmas' gospel booklet from the Christianity Explored resources.

We had three teams out on the streets for almost two hours, some doing door to door work, and others engaging in walk up work, beginning conversations with passersby. Lots of interesting conversations and connections made with people from the community. A gentle reminder that St Elizabeth's isn't an isolated community uninterested in the village, but that we're seeking to make an impact in our local area, to see Christ honoured in Dundonald and Belfast.

Simple acts of grace (or random acts of kindness) can be so shocking - one man couldn't get over the fact that we were giving away something for nothing, even something so simple as a wee chocolate. Others were looking for a new church and may come along. Others were pleased to see us taking an interest, and braving the freezing temperatures for the Lord Jesus. At least my fingers didn't freeze to the metal of the chocolate tin!

Most people we spoke to took away a portion of God's word in The Real Christmas leaflet - our prayer is that (even unknown to us), some may be converted through being exposed to the pure and plain gospel, and they will truly worship the Lord Jesus, the light of the world.

And so to bed before the carol service tomorrow.

Sing Carols

The Marks and Spencer Christmas advert invites celebrities to fill in the blanks: 'Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without...' For me, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without carol singing. A great, traditional, culturally acceptable method of celebrating Christmas, reminding ourselves of the good news, and spreading that good news in the local area.

Yet in previous years, it seems that the carollers from St E's have found some Scrooges in the village. Adults and children alike have heard rude words as they have knocked on doors. Oops.

Which is why this year we're turning things on their head as we go out carol singing. We're not collecting money, we're not asking for anything. Instead, our carol singing is an expression of grace. While our big team is singing Christmas carols, some pairs are going to knock doors, not to get but to give - a little treat, as well as gospel literature and an invitation to our carol service on Sunday.

The routes have been planned, the song sheets are almost ready to be printed, the tracts have been purchased, and the coats and scarves will be put on, ready for 7.30pm, meeting at the Church halls. Want to come along? You're very welcome to join the singing of the birth of our Saviour!

Book Review: The Gospel and Personal Evangelism

Ever feel that you could or should be doing more in the area of evangelism? For most Christians, the 'e' word is probably a scary prospect, as well as a guilt-inducing word. As Mark Dever says early on, 'why is it, when we have the best news in the world, that we are slow to tell it to others?'

Mark Dever's book is a great introduction (or re-introduction) to the Gospel, and as our hearts are warmed by the good news, being stirred to personal evangelism. In a friendly, readable way, Dever explores some of the reasons or excuses why we flunk at evangelism. Perhaps we don't think we can speak to anyone, or that our friends won't want to hear or respond. A popular excuse seems to be that we don't know any non-Christians! It may well be that we're so caught up in church activities that we don't have a night for an 'outside interest' or time spent with non-Christian friends building relationships (not seeing them as gospel projects or conquests to be won).

His advice is first-class - to close our eyes to pray for opportunities, then to open our eyes to see them!

Another challenging section questioned who should be doing evangelism. Is it just for the professionals, or maybe for those with a particular gift of evangelism? We can't get out of it that easy, as Dever (quoting John Stott) points us to the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 'Every Christian is called to be a witness to Christ in the particular environment in which God has placed him (or her!).' He also asks whether we have reduced our evangelism to just inviting people to meetings rather than inviting them directly to Christ. A challenging thought, particularly as our local church is big on issuing invitations (e.g. our new Open House programme begins on Sunday night - Where is God when I need him?) Is inviting people to meetings and events the safe way?

A helpful observation for every-member evangelism is when he discusses the Church's call to love one another - again, quoting John Stott: 'The invisible God, who once made himself visible in Christ, now makes himself visible in Christians, if we love one another. It is a breathtaking claim. The local church cannot evangelise, proclaiming the gospel of love, if it is not itself a community of love.' (Emphasis in original, speaking about 1 John 4:12)

So how then do we evangelise? 'Evangelism is a balance of honesty, urgency, and joy.' Honesty, because we don't want to lessen or blank out the importance of judgement and the penalty for our sins; Urgency, because we do not know the hour or the day - both of the Lord's return and of our friend's death; joy, because it is good news that we are sharing, and there are immense benefits and blessings in the gospel.

Dever takes some time discussing both negative and positive responses, and how we deal with them. The important thing is not to be so pushy as to completely drive someone away, but to maintain a respectful friendship - valuing the relationship we have with the person, not just seeing them as a failed project to be shunned and ignored. Who knows what may happen as they continue to think and see Christians in action?

When someone does make a positive response, as they become a Christian, then it's time for discipleship to kick in. 'The good news is not merely about the commuting of an eternal sentence but about the commencing of an eternal relationship.' It's not about getting your golden ticket and now you're ok to live how you want, but about growing in love and knowledge and service for the Lord.

All in all, this was a very helpful book for me, as we think through a bigger Christmas evangelism project in our church, and make plans for more evangelism next year. The challenge is to move from a culture of events to a culture of evangelism, where it is normal for all our Christians to speak for the Lord to the people they come into contact with. Several copies are now poised on the Church bookstall, and more can be ordered if we run out!

Highly relevant and recommended book, not just for pastors (even with the special pastors appendix), but for all Christians. Turn a duty into a delight!

This book is currently retailing for £5 from The Good Book Company.

The Anonymous Tract

I'm all for evangelism, and reaching out with the gospel. The Lord Jesus requires this, and sent out his disciples to be disciple-makers. Any opportunity to share the good news of God's word about Jesus Christ should be taken. However, I do think there are right and wrong ways off going about it.

On Halloween night, we were out, and I popped home to grab some clothes before staying over at the in-laws. Lying on the mat was a tract, indeed none other than a Chick Publications comic tract. (Not that it's funny, but it is a cartoon comic style production). Someone had put it through the door and gone their merry way. Fair enough- they didn't get us in, us horrible pagan people, so they posted one through the door so that we wouldn't miss out on the message of Chick Publications "First Bite" about how a demon-inspired evil vampire is plotting to have his first bite of virgin flesh on Halloween night, but instead Faith converts him, so that he not only loses his sins but also his fangs!

Not really the best Halloween tract out there* but with some gospel message in it. My problem, though, is that their evangelism isn't really in line with the great commission of Matthew 28. The whole thing about making disciples and teaching them, in my mind, presupposes relationship and contact. Someone may be converted through reading this tract or an isolated Bible verse, but it's surely the exception. My gripe is that the tracting of Dundonald on Halloween night was indiscriminate and anonymous. There were no contact details to be found on the back page (not even in the box specifically for them). There wasn't another leaflet or card to say who had left the tract. Just a quick tract dropped and run. Is this evangelism?

Say I had been convicted and converted through reading the tract. How would I know where to go to find out more? How would the people behind the spreading of Chick tracts ensure that I come under their own brand of teaching and (hopefully) discipleship? That is why I'm not convinced by anonymous tracting, soothing the mission conscience by indiscriminate leaflet dropping.

Over the run-up to Christmas, we're planning a range of evangelism efforts in the parish. I'll be sayig more about these in the coming weeks. But one thing I'm determined to not do is anonymous fearful evangelism. As we go out, we'll be clear that we are from St Elizabeth's Church, and include contact details and leaflets about our fellowship and meetings. But even more important is the personal touch, the ongoing and growing relationships with people as we bump into them at work, in the shops, at the gym, or wherever we find people. We're called to make disciples, not leaflet drop.

*For the best tracts check out The Good Book Company

Θχigeπ

Θχigeπ is the Youth Mission near the end of August each year in Dundonald, in partnership between Dundonald Presbyterian and St Elizabeth's Church, Dundonald. Formerly known as The Passion, it went through a name and image change a few years back, to be called Oxigen, using some Greek letters to make up the name. Whyso? Well, Within Θχigeπ, we have the Trinity - Θ Theta, the first letter of Theos (God); χ Chi, the first letter of Christos (Christ); and π Pi, the first letter of Pneuma (Spirit).

Last night we kicked off for the three night event, with the usual mix of Wii, games, coffee bar, tuck shop, football tournament, table tennis, and talk. Tim spoke last night on 'Live as servants of God' from 1 Peter 2.

Tonight we've got some archery over in the Presby halls, while the normal events will be on as usual in the Burton Hall. I'm speaking later on Buried Treasure (Matthew 13), and hopefully with some multimedia clips from films etc...

Θχigeπ continues tomorrow night, when Mark will be speaking after the BBQ, and we also get to meet and interview the new Youth Leader in St Elizabeth's, Johnny Beare, who will take up his new role at the start of September.

Θχigeπ is open to all 11-18s and runs from 7.30 to 10pm each night. If you're outside the age range, or outside Dundonald, then please be praying for the 40-50 young people we had last night and hopefully will continue to see and impact with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Sermon: Acts 17: 1-15 A Tale of Two Cities

What happens when the Tall Ships come to town? Over this weekend we’ve seen huge crowds of people flock to see the ships, and enjoy the carnival atmosphere. Yet some people haven’t been so encouraging - there’s been some complaining about the traffic chaos, and the public transport (or lack of). There’s a mixed reaction when the Tall Ships come to Belfast.

But what about when the gospel comes to town? Surely with the good news of Jesus, there’ll always be a positive reaction. It’s the best news anyone could hope for. Surely everyone will welcome it and receive it with open arms, and all will be well.

Or what about when you decide to speak for Jesus in your home or workplace, or at school or in university. Why do people not welcome the good news? Why is there a mixed reaction, a divided response? Maybe you think that there’s something wrong with your method, that you just aren’t doing it right. Well, in our reading today, we heard of the apostle Paul arriving in two cities, bringing the gospel for the first time, and as you may have noticed, even he didn’t get a great welcome. As we’ll see, there is one message, two cities, and two responses - and it’s not all black and white, not what we would expect either.

Paul, along with his partners, is on his second missionary journey, having come over to Europe (Macedonia), at Philippi, where he spent some time in prison. The next stop is Thessalonica, and, as he always did, Paul goes to preach in the synagogue, the Jewish meeting house. Verse 2 tells us that he was there for three weeks, on three Sabbaths, and outlines his message: ‘he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”’

The Jews had the Old Testament, but without Jesus, they couldn’t make sense of it. Jesus is the key to understanding what it is all about. So Paul takes the time to highlight the central role of the Christ (Messiah), God’s promised King, and how the Christ would both suffer and be raised from the dead. Having then outlined the categories, the criteria, he then proclaims Jesus - the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, then shows that Jesus fulfils these perfectly. Jesus is the Christ.

It’s all very reasonable, reasoned and logical. Verse 11 shows that Paul’s message was the same in Berea as well - ‘they received the word with all eagerness’. The word is preached and proclaimed. Jesus is honoured, now surely everyone will accept it and believe?

Well, no - as we’ve seen, there are two responses, and not what we would expect. It’s not that one city fully accepts and the other city fully rejects - things don’t normally work out like that. Nor is it that the religious people all accept and the pagans reject - it’s not as simple as that. Yet there are some who believe, and some who reject.

Look at verse 4. This is from Thessalonica. ‘And some of them (that’s the Jews) were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.’ Both Jews and pagans were hearing that Jesus is the Christ and believing the word. It’s a similar response in Berea - here the Jews ‘received the word with all eagerness, examining the scriptures daily to see if these things were so.’ They don’t just accept what Paul says, they go and study for themselves to make sure he is speaking the truth - and then ‘many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.’ (12) Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all of the time - close bible study to ensure the preacher is on course.

Yet not everyone accepts the gospel. Alongside the joy of the good news, there is the threat of trouble and opposition from those who don’t accept it. Look back at verse 5. ‘But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason.’

These are the religious people, the people who should have been expecting the Christ, yet they reject the gospel, reject God’s word, and seek to cause trouble by stirring up a crowd, a rent-a-mob. As they take Jason to the city authorities, it’s clear why they reject Jesus:

They see Paul and Silas as ‘these men who have turned the world upside down.’ It’s a fair description. After all, nothing is the same after Jesus. Instead of going our own way, pleasing ourselves, looking after Number One, thinking we can save ourselves, the gospel message comes saying that we need a Saviour; that we are not the centre of our universe, but that God is.The gospel is revolutionary, because it is not what we naturally expect, or even want.

But even worse, they reject their true king. Verse 7, they’re still addressing the authorities, and they say ‘and they (Paul and Silas) are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.’ There’s one thing - they understood the message and implications of the gospel, but they completely turn their backs on it, and in a terrible irony, side up with Rome, rather than with Jesus.

In rejecting Jesus as king, they are doing what the Jews in Jersualem did that first Good Friday morning: ‘We have no king but Caesar.’ (John 19:15)

With all this going on - is it any surprise that many reject the gospel and then make life difficult for Christians? We may not face open opposition and persecution such as Paul faced - perhaps we’ll be left out of office parties or kept back from promotion because of our identification with Jesus, yet for many Christians in the world today, riots, mobs, prison, even death, are very real possibilities.

Back in March we had Patrick Sookhdeo with us, and his group, the Barnabas Fund, helps Christians facing persecution. Recently, Christians in Pakistan have seen their homes burned to the ground, churches vandalised, and some have even been burnt to death. The opposition to the gospel is real, and is the outworking of Jesus’ words in John 3: ‘the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.’ (John 3:19-20)

As Paul moves on to Berea, and finds a more favourable response, we see just how dedicated the wicked are to their wickedness. So angry are they that someone somewhere is hearing the good news of Jesus, that the Jews from Thessalonica travel about 50 miles to agitate the crowds in Berea. We would hardly walk 50 feet to tell someone about Jesus, yet here the opponents of the gospel walk 50 miles to stop it!

Paul is quickly sent on by ‘the brothers’ - those who have accepted the gospel, and moves on to Athens, where he will proclaim Jesus in the Areopagus.

A tale of two cities - Thessalonica and Berea. One message is proclaimed: That Jesus is the Christ, the King. And as we’ve seen, two very different responses - acceptance and faith on the one hand, and rejection and opposition on the other. What is there here for us? What challenges or comforts does the passage present?

The first, and the most important thing the passage raises is to ask us what our response is? One message and two responses - what will our response be? Do you fall in with those who receive the word eagerly, learning, growing, finding joy in the God of salvation? Have you heard the good news of the gospel and responded with faith?

Or do you find yourself among those who are hostile to the gospel, hostile to the one King Jesus? Maybe not openly, in causing trouble and riots, but more respectably, in working against the advance of the gospel, undermining those taking steps of faith, fighting against the progress of some.

For those of us who are committed to spreading the good news, there is comfort and encouragement here. There is no guarantee that all will be well and easy - there is a cost to discipleship and evangelism, yet the encouragement comes in the labour. We see the God’s word is powerful and effective in calling men and women to repentance - some in Thessalonica and many in Berea believed. So do not lose heart as you maintain your witness, even in times of difficulty and persecution - the letters that Paul later wrote to the Thessalonians are full of encouragement for them to continue: ‘And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit’ (1 Thes 1:6)

What happens when the gospel comes to town? Some respond with faith - praise the Lord! Some obstruct and fight - pray to the Lord! Ours, like Paul, is a call to continue to labour, to continue to proclaim that ‘Jesus is the Christ.’

This sermon was preached in St Elizabeth's Church, Dundonald on Sunday 16th August 2009.

Peter's Gospel Mission

Has revival broken out at the heart of the Northern Ireland Assembly? This evening the BBC were reporting that First Minister Peter Robinson MP MLA had unveiled his new Executive Ministers following a DUP cabinet reshuffle. They also reported that Robinson has called for his colleagues to spread the gospel. Great stuff, you say, but the quote didn't end there. The First Minister, a parishioner of the Whitewell Metropolitan Tabernacle, isn't sending out apostles to preach the Kingdom of God, but rather the Kingdom of Peter and Martin. The new DUP ministers are being sent out to preach the gospel of devolution.

Following the major disappointment of the European Election, where Jim Allister of the TUV took a substantial number of votes from Diane Dodds, the fear is that many unionists are turning their back on the DUP and therefore on the Assembly. Peter is sending out his heralds to declare the good news of the kingdom of devolution, so as to defeat the "wreckers" who are trying to destroy the power-sharing Assembly.

Archbishop Cranmer, when not battling Facebook, is always interested in politico-religious matters and religio-political matters and so my ears pricked up immediately with this news. Indeed, it would be easy to see the religious elements of the First Minister's crusade. At one time this Peter was opposed to any elements of powersharing. It is hard to know when he was converted, but in a Damascus Road moment, Peter and his fellow apostle Ian led their party into the newly formed Executive. Having been converted, in a complete turn around, Peter now wants other unionists to share his vision of political ecumenism and has sent out his devolution evangelists to the ends of the province. The question is, will this word of Peter be as sure and as successful as the Gospel of our Lord Jesus?

One thinks not. But it's interesting to see the use of religious language in the political sphere.

It's Your Move!

I'm not thinking about board games, but rather the excellent new schools resource produced by Scripture Union. The move from Primary School to secondary schools, whether they be High Schools or Grammar Schools, can be a stressful and worrying time for P7 pupils. Scripture Union's material can help the children get ready for what's coming next, as well as helping them to get to know the Lord Jesus for the rest of their life.

The material is designed for SU leaders or members of the local churches to deliver over three sessions of 45 minutes each. This morning was our last session, having visited Dundonald Primary School over the last three weeks, as part of a team from Dundonald Presbyterian and St Elizabeth's. The sessions are interactive and fun, with lots of games which are linked in to the main themes of each class- Creation, Choices and Changes. In brief, because God has made the world, and humans in his image, we are each special. God gives us choices, the most important of which is whether we will follow Jesus. And while changes happen in our life, we can be sure that God goes not change, and that he is with us always.

Sometimes the material needs to be tweaked slightly, to suit the particular situations in classes due to time pressures or the bible inputs, but as a resource, It's Your Move is highly recommended. As well as the leader's book, each pupil receives their own activity book to read and keep, reminding them of the teaching and providing practical tips for their new school experience.