CALL THE NEXT WITNESS

In John's Gospel there is a strong emphasis on witness. The writer is keen to make sure we know that those who testify about Jesus are reliable.

He also reminds us that the job of the apostolic church is to continue to witness to Jesus. The power to do this comes from the Spirit.

'Cafe Church' provides a safe space for us to practice witnessing to each other. We share food and drink, sit at table together, and have conversation with each other about the gospel and how it relates to our lives.

This is the blurb on the church flier for the latest series for the evening service at Pudsey Parish Church, in Pudsey, West Yorkshire. Cafe church is a fascinating beast. It is steadily becoming more defined, although it is a shame so few people come. The worship tends to be more intimate and prolonged. There is food provided at 6pm to give plenty of time to eat and drink before the service starts properly at 6.30pm, although tea, coffee, etc are available throughout. Here are the dates/themes/readings for this latest series:

29/08/10
Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of John
Isaiah 33.13-22
John 3.22-36

05/09/10
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of the Father
Isaiah 43.14 - 44.5
John 5.30-47

12/09/10
Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of the Bread
Isaiah 60
John 6.51-69

19/09/10
Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of Moses
Ezra 1
John 7.14-36

26/09/10
Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of Abraham
Nehemiah 2
John 8.31-38,48-59

03/10/10
Eighteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of a Healed Man
Nehemiah 5.1-13
John 9

10/10/10
Nineteenth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of Apostles
Nehemiah 6.1-16
John 15.12-27

17/10/10
Twentieth Sunday after Trinity
The Witness of the Counsellor
Nehemiah 8.9-18
John 16.1-11

Call the next witness - 1.The Witness of John (29/8/10)

The Witness of John

Sunday 29 August 2010

The first part of the ‘Call the next witness’ series at Cafe Church.

John 3:22-36

Paul Ayers preached on two points:

1. Who John the Baptist is not
John explicitly states he is NOT the messiah (Jn 3:28)
Application: All people should point away from themselves to Jesus. Do I, by my actions, try and claim the glory for myself, failing to give Jesus the honour due him?

2. Who Jesus is
John points to Jesus as the bridegroom of his people. Three great claims:

a. Universal REVELATION (v. 34)
“The one whom God has sent [Jesus] speaks the words of God”
There is a fullness to the revelation of Jesus, both his words and life. There is no one else on earth we might turn to; it’s not ‘Jesus +’. The key word: UNDERSTANDING
Application: As revelation we can learn new things about Jesus and from Jesus, in his word. We should also be deepening our understanding of his thing. Are we receiving fresh revelations? Are we deepening our understanding?

b. Universal AUTHORITY (v.35)
“The Father…has placed everything in his hands”
(cf. Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:1-3)
Jesus has been given authority in creation, in judgement, but also in everything between. God in Jesus is at work in events now. The key word: PROVIDENCE.
We show our belief in God’s activity by a) Thanking Him, and b) praying to Him.
Application: Do we act in full belief that Jesus is in control of every circumstance, situation and crisis. Or do we act as though we are unwittingly tossed about by the storms of life waiting for heaven?

c. Universal SALVATION (v.36)
“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life”
Having eternal life is not a transaction. I turn up to heaven with a card proving that I believe Jesus and am therefore saved. I do not get saved because I had faith in Jesus. The act of believing in Jesus is the act of salvation, for it is by grace we are given the faith to trust Jesus. Key word: RELATIONSHIP.
Therefore, to have a relationship with Jesus is to be saved.
Application: Do I see my salvation as a by-product of my beliefs, or do I seek to cultivate a relationship with Jesus?

In conclusion, it is important that we are reminded that the words quoted above are John the Baptist’s. It is as though he is stood before us saying: “The one whom God has sent [Jesus] speaks the words of God. The Father…has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life”. We are called to respond to this witness.

Journaling

I have been keeping a journal for many years, since I was about 14 years old. It has formed an invaluable place to record events in my life, record my feelings, and reflect on where I'm at. One thing I'm mindful of at present, is the general lack of spiritual content.

At the same time, I have received very little actual advice on how to journal.

To that end I've searched a little online and found a good rubric - SOAP - which has immediately helped me recognise how I should journal as a Christian. In part it is about recording what God has been saying to me, specifically in scripture, but I wonder also the degree to which I should be attentive to the changes in behaviour. Like observational scientists, sometimes it is true that a person who doesn't see themself and especially those 'sin triggers', they are more likely to repeat.

As I step forward with my journaling, I also recognise that there is an inevitable time commitment to recording more than just facts!

Prayer:
Father, I ask that you would help me learn to journal with more of an eye for what you are syaing, what you are doing, and what I am being called to do in service of you and others. I ask that as I journal you would stir me to action, walking each day with a deeper sense of my discipleship. Let me in all things attend to your voice, and may my childlike devotion be pleasing to You, my Lord, My Father, My God. Amen.