IT IS GOOD TO BE GOING BACK!

SUNDAY MAY 9th at 10:45 am we return to Philip Street Chapel in Bedminster. 

Not that we have been idle in the past year for like many churches we have been meeting on the internet via ZOOM. 

We shall continue to use ZOOM for those who cannot attend the morning services in person.

The evening services for the time being will continue on ZOOM at 7:00 pm.

You will find details on this web site on how you can join with us. 

I look forward to seeing you.

Pastor Roger Page

 

RIOT IN THE CITY

Sunday Evening we shall be looking at the riot in Ephesus from Acts 19v21-41. Over the centuries there have been several riots in Bristol. The worst seems to have been in 1831. Follow the link to read an interesting short booklet about this.

http://www.bris.ac.uk/Depts/History/bristolrecordsociety/publications/bha034.pdf

Or for a briefer version:

https://thebristolcable.org/2017/10/bristol-reform-riots-1831/

This riot was about who can vote. But why does Christianity sometimes result in riots? Is the message we preach something that should concern you? Hope to see you on Sunday evening at 6:30pm. Stay afterwards and talk further with us about this over coffee or tea.  

HOME GROUPS - THE PLEASURES OF GOD

Owing to the disruption due to the current building works we have decided to have a series of midweek Home Groups over the next few weeks. 

The book we shall be using is:

'THE PLEASURES OF GOD - Meditations on God's Delight in Being God' - 2013 revised edition by JOHN PIPER published by Christian Focus under the MENTOR label.

We shall be ordering on the 11th November. Please add your name to the list at church or contact me directly. 

Desiring God make available free copies as a pdf file of a Leaders Guide and a Student Workbook. These can be found at:

https://bcsmn.edu/profile/the-pleasures-of-god/

You can also listen to the original sermons on which the book is based at:

https://www.desiringgod.org/series/the-pleasures-of-god

WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?

AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN OUR FAMILY HISTORY

Who do you think you are? In his retirement my Dad research his own family history. Maybe you or a relative has looked into yours. What do you know about OUR family history - the Christian family history - God's family history? 

The Bible recounts our family history from Adam through to near the end of the fist Century. What an exciting story it is. Read the book of Esther and see how nearly it all came to a premature end. What do you know after the book of Revelation? 

Ligonier Ministries founded by the late R C Sproul is currently showing a video series by Robert Godfrey on the first 500 years of Church History. Each one lasts for around 24 minutes. A new episode comes out every Saturday and is repeated on Sundays. (There are others shown by different speakers on different topics on the other days of the week.) The first episode came out on the 1st June 2019.  They seem to keep the last four months episodes available. Click where it says playing and a list of episodes drops down.

They are highly recommended. A great way to learn our family history.

Here is a link to the first one:   https://www.ligonier.org/learn/daily-video/2019/06/01/introduction/

PRAYING THE PSALMS

Martin Luther's Barber once asked him how to pray. Luther responded by writing a short work that today fills only 11 A4 pages. It is well worth a look and may give you some ideas on praying. It can be found by clicking on this link.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58a73709414fb5ac487511d0/t/599e66ece3df2831f0e97eb3/1503553260932/Luther%2C+Martin.+A+Simple+Way+to+Pray.+Plain.pdf

JANUARY HOME GROUPS CORE CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER TEN

CORE CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER TEN

1. Can you give any examples of how your view of other people has changed since you became a Christian?

2. What would you do if you knew that Jesus was going to return tomorrow?

3. Can you think of any ways in which your life became more complicated when you became a Christian?

4. In what ways have non-believers been a blessing to you in the past year?

5. Discuss his teaching on finding God's will for your life on pages 166/167. What aspects do you find helpful? Are there any that you think differently about to him?

6. Which chapter in the book have you enjoyed the most and which have you learned the most from?

NOVEMBER HOME GROUPS CORE CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER NINE

CORE CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER NINE

1. Why do we find it difficult to talk about death and to prepare for death?

2. What can we say to someone who tells you about a person who died and went to heaven and then came back?

3. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passing through." Is this right or wrong? Explain your answer.

4. Are things getting better or worse as we approach the end of the age?

5. Are you looking forward to the return of the Lord? What might hinder a Christian from praying, "Come Lord Jesus"? What do you expect to happen when he does return?

OCTOBER HOME GROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER 8

JESUS IS LORD

1. Is the UK racist? What about Bristol? Philip Street Chapel? Are YOU racist? Could we be so in a measure but not be aware of it? 

2. 'Jesus is Lord' - in what ways does the subject of this chapter help us address racism? 

3. "Jesus is not a supporting actor in our life movie." (Page 134) How do you keep yourself from living as though he is?

4. "The blessings of God's redemption will surpass the effects of the curse and the destructive power of human sins." (Page 138) In what ways will this be so?

5. "Yet Christ is building his kingdom, and he isn't utilizing the means that the world uses to build." (Page 139) The Reformation was ahead of the world in using the latest technology of the printing press. George Whitefield placed advertisements in American Newspapers telling them that he was coming to preach. Mike Horton has a radio programme. What are the means we should not use? What means may we not be using that we can do so?

SEPTEMBERS HOME GROUP 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER SEVEN

JOY TO THE WORLD

1. Christmas is coming! What gives you joy at Christmas? What do you understand by 'a profound kind of pleasure that the world can imitate but never reproduce' (Page 117)

2. Read Revelation 12. what impact does this have on the way you see the Christmas story?

3. 'Jesus is the last Adam, the true Israel, the finally faithful son of David.' (Page 123) How can these titles help us explain the gospel?

4. What does Union with Christ mean? How do you come into Union with Christ? What is the importance of being in Union with Christ?

5. Justification means 'just-as-if-I'd-never-sinned' - why is this only half the story? What difference does knowing the 'second-half' make to you?

JUNE HOME GROUPS CORE CHRISTIANITY CHAPTER 6

GOD MADE A PROMISE

1. What are some of the difficulties we encounter as we read the Old Testament?

2. What has encouraged you to read the Old Testament and what has helped you to do so?

3. What are some of the great promises God has made in the Old Testament?

4. What are the main differences between the Abrahamic Covenant and the Sinai Covenant?

5. David sinned greatly in committing adultery and murder. Why did the Davidic Covenant still stand?

6. What is 'new' about the New Covenant?

MAY HOME GROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER FIVE

GOD MADE THE WORLD BUT WE'VE MADE A MESS OF IT.

Question 1: Has anyone ever said to you that they do not believe in God because of the way the world is, the terrible things that happen?

Question 2: In your own words say what a covenant is and what is meant by Eschatology?

Question 3: Were Adam and Eve real people? Were they the first people or was there a pre-Adamic race? 

Question 4: On page 85 Mike says that Adam and Eve should have driven God's enemy (the serpent) from God's garden. Is he right? Did they sin before they eat the fruit in not driving the serpent out?

Question 5: What is evil?

Question 6: What is original sin? 

Question 7: What do you understand by 'Total Depravity'? 

APRIL HOME GROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER FOUR

GOD SPEAKS

1. Why did God give us the Bible?

2. Has God spoken to you or someone you know?

3. What is preaching? 

4."The gospel....is of earth-shaking and life-changing significance" (Horton). Share two references with the group that show this is so. 

5."The main thing is to hear God address us regularly through the ministry of fellow believers who are called by God to study and proclaim his Word"(Horton). What ways do you find helpful in hearing God speak through his word?

6. What makes the Bible a founding and ruling constitution for the church?

7. For what reasons do Christians assert that the Bible is inspired by God? (Sinclair Ferguson's book "From the Mouth of God" is helpful on this). 

8. How should Christians deal with differences when interpreting the Bible?

IF YOU DO NOT LIKE HISTORY THEN THIS IS THE HISTORY SERIES FOR YOU!

REFORMATION 500 - It all begun in 1517.

Not everyone finds history to be compelling reading. For some the idea of reading a whole book on the Reformation seems more like a slow form of torture than a joyful experience. Well here is a way of learning about the Reformation and the Puritans who followed that may surprise you by how much you like it and leave you wanting more.

The Christian Institute are showing a series of 12 lectures, each is around 24 minutes long, by Michael Reeeves. (Co-author of 'Why the Reformation Still Matters'.) This week is the 3rd one in the series. You can catch up here:

 http://www.christian.org.uk/resources/series/the-english-reformation-and-the-puritans/

Happy watching and listening! 

CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING

"Counseling Through the Lens of Scripture" is the aim of the 'CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING & EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION' or as it is known 'CCEF'.

Their web site is a great resource giving help on many different issues. Whilst they charge for many of their resources there is also some that is free. you can find it on:

https://www.ccef.org/

After a four year break they have just resumed their podcasts. These are all free. A recent one is on Transgender Issues.

MARCH HOMEGROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' CHAPTER 3

GOD IS GREAT AND GOOD

1. What is your favourite hymn or song that speaks about some of God's attributes?

2. Name one thing about God from the chapter that excites you and say why it does.

3. How may knowing about God's aseity, unity, immutability and eternity affect our Christian life?

4. What are some things God cannot do?

5. Discuss some reasons why people may feel that God is not great or good.

6. If God is great and good, how can there be so much evil in the world?

7. How are. the cross and resurrection central to showing God's greatness and goodness?

Remember to watch the 'Core Christianity' lesson on the web site.  

My thanks to Janet Proud for good suggestions for some of the questions.

FEBRUARY HOMEGROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY' - CHAPTER TWO

GOD IN THREE PERSONS

1. Does the doctrine of the Trinity matter? If so why?

2. In what ways are our understanding of the doctrine influenced?

3. What analogies of the Trinity have you heard? What is helpful about each one and what may be misleading?

4. What does each member of the Trinity do for our Salvation? What is their role?

5. Why do we pray to the Father in Jesus' name? 

6. Read 1 John 5:14-15. How should we pray in Jesus' name according to these verses? Why should Christians be confident when we pray in Jesus' name?

7. Why do people struggle to understand the Trinity?

Questions 4-7 are from the 'Core Christianity' course. Why not take a look at it and hear Michael Horton teach on the Trinity. It is a good way of reinforcing what you have read.

www.corechristianity.com

TRANSGENDER ISSUES

The topic for our Tuesday evening Bible Study on 31st January will be TRANSGENDER. 

The Cambridge Institute have issued a helpful paper on this. You can read it by following this link:

http://www.jubilee-centre.org/gender-next-christopher-townsend/

A useful, very short book (only 75 small pages), by Vaughan Roberts, has been produced by the good book company. 

An article by Sharon James in Affinity, 'Are we all "omnigender" now' is also helpful.

http://www.affinity.org.uk/downloads/The%20Bulletin/issue-32---july-2016a.pdf

See also a paper in the Christian Medical Fellowship File 59 2016 Gender Dysphoria.

https://www.cmf.org.uk/resources/publications/content/?context=article&id=26419

JANUARY HOMEGROUPS 'CORE CHRISTIANITY - GETTING STARTED AND CHAPTER ONE

1. Why does Doctrine matter? Which doctrines, if any, would you be prepared to go to prison for, and which would you die for? (If we remember we will revisit this question at the end of the year to see if our answer has changed.)

2. In what ways does doctrine impact on our worship?

3. Why do these claims to divinity make it impossible for Jesus to be only a wise guru like Buddha or Muhammad?

4. How does Jesus have the characteristic of God?

5. There have been other people who performed miracles in the Bible, but Jesus had characteristics that only God could possess. So how do his particular powers and authority described in these verses prove Jesus' divinity?

6. How was Jesus worshipped as God?

7. Look up Matthew 16:16-17 and John 20:28-29. If Jesus was simply a wise guru or teacher, how should he have responded when people worshipped him on earth? Consider Christ's response to Peter in Matthew 16:17 and Thomas in John 20;29 as you answer.

Please note: questions 3-7 are taken from the 'Core Christianity' website. A link to this is found in the previous post. 

HOME GROUPS 2017

CORE CHRISTIANITY by Michael Horton.

You can read about it here:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Core-Christianity-Michael-Horton/dp/0310525063/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

There is a web site by the same name that enables people to go through the book in groups – see:

https://corechristianity.com/

We could sign up as many of our group as wish to do this.

In addition as 2017 is the 500^th Anniversary of the reformation we shall use the book ‘Why the Reformation Still Matters’ for some Tuesday evenings. It covers roughly the same area as Core Christianity from the view point of the Reformation.

 See here –

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1783594071/ref=olp_product_details?_encoding=UTF8&me=

MORE ON FASTING

If you would like to look more into the question of fasting then I would recommend the book by John Piper, 'A HUNGER FOR GOD'. 

This can be download for free as a pdf file from the DESIRING GOD website section on Books, or try using the following link:

http://document.desiringgod.org/a-hunger-for-god-en.pdf?1446646561

Two extracts: 

"In other words, in this age there is an ache inside every Christian that Jesus is not here as fully and intimately and as powerfully and as gloriously as we want him to be. We hunger for so much more. That is why we fast." 

"We have tasted the powers of the age to come, and our fasting is not because we are hungry for something we have not experienced, but because the new wine of Christ’s presence is so real and so satisfying. We must have all that it is possible to have. The newness of our fasting is this: its intensity comes not because we have never tasted the wine of Christ’s presence, but because we have tasted it so wonderfully by his Spirit, and cannot now be satisfied until the consummation of joy arrives. The new fasting, the Christian fasting, is a hunger for all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:19), aroused by the aroma of Jesus’ love and by the taste of God’s goodness in the gospel of Christ (1 Peter 2:2–3)."