REJOICE THIS CHRISTMAS (AND EVERMORE!)

Many of you will be familiar with the writing and preaching of John Piper. Through the Desiring God Web site he has generously made freely available some of his books as pdf files. I am intending to read one this Christmas and invite you to do the same. The book is 'THE DAWNING OF INDESTRUCTIBLE JOY' Daily Readings for Advent.

It can be found here: http://www.desiringgod.org/books/the-dawning-of-indestructible-joy

May you know what it is to rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory this Christmas.

HOME GROUPS NOVEMBER 2015 'FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD' CHAPTER 11 & APPENDICES A & B

1. In what ways can we promote reading the Bible among Christians in Philip Street?

2. How can we encourage unbelievers to read the Bible?

3. Discuss his comments on studying 'foundational books' on page 178.

4. What are the differences in the approaches of John Murray and John Newton on the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

5. Say one good thing you have learned, or been reminded of, by our study of this book?

QUESTIONS FOR HOME GROUPS OCTOBER 2016 'FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD' CHAPTER TEN

1. What does he mean by 'affections' and 'dispositions' on page 163 line 11? 

2. How can you tell when your heart is not being receptive to God's word? What can you do about this?

3. How should we react when someone tells us that they have become a Christian?

4. What means does God give us to engage in spiritual weed killing?

5. Why does it take so long for a Christian to reach spiritual maturity? Is there anything we can do to speed this up?

 

 

HOME GROUPS - SEPTEMBER 2015

HOME GROUPS - SEPTEMBER 2015

FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD - CHAPTER 9 WHAT'S THE USE?

1. Martin Luther wrote the hymn: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. One translation says:

God’s word and plan, which they pretend
is subject to their pleasure,
will bind their wills to serve God’s end,
which we, who love him, treasure.
Then let them take our lives,
goods, children, husbands, wives,
and carry all away;
theirs is a short-lived day.
Ours is the lasting kingdom.

Is the word of God treasured by you more than those things Luther lists? If so, why? If not, why not? How important is the Bible?

2. If all this chapter says is true why don't we read the Bible more: often, carefully, thoughtfully, closely, enthusiastically, fully (every page), prayerfully, obediently......?

3. Why is it important to believe that the Bible is the word of God, that it is, 'the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth'?

4. In the light of what he says at the bottom of page 157 about standing firm do you think it becomes easier or harder to stand firm as you get older?

5. Jesus was the most 'normal' man who has ever lived - see page 161. Why are so few Christians today very 'normal'? What can we do to make ourselves 'more normal'?

FINISHING LINE

At Keswick this year we heard John Wyatt speak about Assisted Suicide. He was very clear, compassionate, informed, biblical and extremely helpful. Some heard him speak in 2012 on the subject of dying. 

A series of five short talks have been recorded and an accompanying booklet prepared. Although this would be something of a departure from our usual mid-week practice this may be of help to us all as we grapple with this very important and topical subject. What do you think? 

You can see further details by following this link:

http://www.thinkivp.com/9780905195209

NEXT HOME GROUP BOOK - 'INTENDED FOR GOOD'

The next book for our Home Groups will be 'Intended For Good' by Melvin Tinker. It deals with the subject of 'The Providence Of God'. You can read about it by following this link:

http://www.thinkivp.com/9781844745708

Do not be deterred by Don Carson's preface as this is the hardest part of the book! 

If we order 20 copies or more the price is currently £5.39 each. Please sign up on the sheet in the foyer if you would like a copy - even if you are not able to attend the Home Groups.

'HE HAS DONE IT' - PSALM 22:21-31

'HE HAS DONE IT!' - PSALM 22v21-31

21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23 You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob,

glorify him, and stand in awe of him,

all you offspring of Israel!

24 For he has not despised or abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation; my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the LORD!

May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth

shall remember and turn to the LORD,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before you.

28 For kingship belongs to the LORD,

and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship; before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

even the one who could not keep himself alive.

30 Posterity shall serve him;

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness

to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it.

1. GET A FEEL FOR THE POETRY:

[1] Put it in a word processor, pick up features in different colours, rearrange the layout.

[2] Read the NLT and the MESSAGE translations

2. GET A GRASP OF THE MESSAGE

[1] See the flow, the argument, the journey (start, stages and ending).

[2] How does this fit in with the surrounding Psalms?

Psalm 22 The Cross,

Psalm 23 The Crook,

Psalm 24 The Crown

An alternative suggestion:

Psalm 21 The Crown

Psalm 22 The Cross

Psalm 23 The Crook

Psalm 24 The Conquering Hero

How much more of a surprise is Psalm 22 when we see it as following on Psalm 21. How great a surprise the cross was to Jesus' disciples, and to people today.

[3] GET INTO THE DETAILS

By now you will have your own ideas of the possible meaning of the Psalm. If you have any commentaries see what they make of this Psalm. (Do not rush to the commentaries straight away or you will end up just repeating their ideas.)

If you can look at more than one for commentators differ. If you do not have one then one of the older commentaries such as Matthew Henry Commentary or CH Spurgeon's 'A Treasury of David' are freely available on-line and a good place to start. The newer commentaries, such as those from IVP, are not yet free, but are better with the meaning of the Hebrew words and understanding the Hebrew poetry.

After a long period of little new writing on the Psalms there are several major commentaries on the Psalms currently coming out.

It is likely that the Welwyn Garden 2 volume Commentary on the Psalms by Philip Eveson will be the most accessible (I have not read this but his other volumes in the series have been excellent. I should declare that he was my college lecturer and took our wedding - but you can read the reviews for yourself.)

What do we see in the details?

i) There is a complete change of tone. Desertion and desolation give way to Presence and Praise.

God had appeared to abandon the Psalmist, but now he comes to the rescue - v21, 24 & 31 and will save others who call on him - v26.

The Psalmist never ceased to cry out to the Lord even in the darkest moments. This is trust. To believe God when every circumstance, and many people, are telling you that you are mad to do so.

ii) The reference to vows in v25 should be followed up as this is something the law speaks about.

Lev 7:16 But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow offering or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice, and on the next day what remains of it shall be eaten.

Deut 12:17 You may not eat within your towns the tithe of your grain or of your wine or of your oil, or the first-born of your herd or of your flock, or any of your vow offerings that you vow, or your freewill offerings or the contribution that you present, v18 but you shall eat them before the LORD your God in the place that the LORD your God will choose, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, and the Levite who is within your towns. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God in all that you undertake.

This is the picture the Psalmist gives: fulfilling a vow, public testimony, and the family meal afterwards. The suggestion is of a fellowship offering being made.

iii) Here is worship on an international scale - v27. This is only fitting for one who rules the nations to the ends of the earth.

John 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

iv) This is not just for this generation, it is for those as yet unborn. We are not only serving our generation we are serving those who will live after us -v30-31.

v) Once again Psalm 22 is quoted in the NT:

Hebrews 2v11b: That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, v12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” v13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

Psalm 22v22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

Picture Jesus reading this Psalm, knowing that it spoke of him. What do you think he felt?

Hebrews 12v2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

[4] LEAVE WITH APPLICATIONS

i) The Psalmist was determined to praise the Lord - v22. Do we come with that same determination. No matter if no one else will praise him, if all others are 'bored' and 'lethargic' I will praise him.

ii) What is our attitude to the suffering and afflicted? Do we plead v24 for them and long to see them in v26? Or are we too focused on our own suffering?

iii) Do you have a missionary heart? God does - v27.

iv) We shall be asked by the Lord to do things for those who are not yet born - v30-31. Will we do them with the same zeal as those things where we see (some) of the fruits in this life? Maybe we will see the fruits in glory, but maybe not, God does not owe us any explanations as to why he wants us to do certain things. Isn't it enough to know that it is the Lord Christ we are serving?