Led by Rev. Frances Eccleston
Readings from 1 Corinthians 1 v:21-25 and Matthew 16 v:21ff
Frances challenged us to ‘take up our cross’. Whilst the wooden cross may appear large and heavy we will find that when its placed on our shoulder it is light and comfortable. This is the cross that saves and essential for followers of Jesus Christ
Given by Mike Spick
Sheffield – Salesman to the World
Mike provided yet another excellent, informative talk on the numerous businesses that through their products have promoted the city of Sheffield worldwide starting with special steels.
This is the second session with Edwin Ashforth to discuss David’s wives. Today it is Abigail.
A very interesting story. 1 Samuel 25. David is in the desert and sends a deputation to Nabal (a wealthy farmer) to ask for food etc. for his men, but this is refused which makes David vengeful. Nabal (meaning fool) is wealthy but he is also “surly and mean in his dealings”. Abigail, his wife, on the other hand is “intelligent and beautiful” and as soon as she hears of the refusal she sets out with food etc., for David, and prostrates herself before him. She was very clever in doing this… she had gone against her husband so risked his wrath and possible death. She also persuaded David that God had kept him from shedding blood, thus keeping her household safe.
By doing this she kept her own life also. When she told her husband what she had done “his heart failed him” (did he have a stroke??) and he died. The bible tells us “The lord struck him”
Immediately David sends for Abigail and they are married.
This story leaves a lot to be considered -
was David’s intention to be rid of Nabal and take over his property, thus gaining men and wealth??
Did Abigail see joining David as a way to be rid of an unpleasant husband and still keep her status?
Did God really kill Nabal or are the scribes being protective of David/Abigail?
Plenty of things here for thought and discussion.
We look forward to the next session 8th October when we will talk about Bathsheba.
Leader: Edwin Ashforth
Readings: Luke 7 1-10 Jesus heals the Roman Officer’s servant
Matthew 11 20 Unbelieving towns
Jesus’ love was unconditional
He was as willing to help a Roman officer as he was a leper.
In His time children and women had no status – and in some cases still do not have today.
Jesus called Capernium His town – it was on the main route, on the sea and a busy fishing place, where millstones were made and consequently a very important place – it was here that he called some of his disciples to follow him.
But now Capernium is a pile of stones. For all its importance it has not survived.
Jesus sat a child on his knee and said “The Kingdom of God belongs to those who become as little children” he did this to teach the value of loving someone of no status more than gaining importance.
Are we like Capernium – an important person who could be reduced to nothing or are we like a child – innocent and the gateway to the Kingdom of God??
Keep a relationship with God
status should not prevent unconditional love. Do not let it.
The Induction of Rev. Suzanne Nockels to the Joint Pastorate of Tapton Hill and Hillsboro Tabernacle Congregational Churches.
This joint service was held at Hillsboro Tabernacle with people from both churches taking part.
It was an inspiring service with interesting speakers and rousing hymns. Followed by a sumptuous tea.
Led by Mike Warren
Readings: Philippians 2 v:6-11 & John3 v:13-17
Mike related the story of Saul persecuting Christians until his ‘lightbulb’ moment on the Road to Damascus and his conversion following a visit by Ananias, someone who needed encouragement to overcome his fear of Saul, later to be known as Paul. Life was not easy for Paul as his old friends hated what he’d become and he could not make new friends due to distrust caused by his previous actions, until accepted by Barnabas
‘God did not send his Son to condemn the world but to save it’
What would the CV of someone applying to be a Saviour look like? What qualifications are required? Even the most accomplished person will fall well short as no human can solve all the world’s problems.
Great challenges remain elusive – E.g. How do we end sin? Prisons are bulging, the news stories are awful with society having lost faith in many of the authorities. Surely God must respond – Abraham Lincoln said “Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends”. God so loved the world he sent us his son that we may have everlasting life. In Paul’s letter to Philippi Jesus Christ in the form of God was humble, a slave and obedient to death on the cross which was seen as both physical and spiritual death.
God loves us so much he gave his son – our gospel and we as his church need to share the message by both word and deed sowing the seed. Christ sacrificed changed human nature not to live under fear of sin/death. Christ is a way of life, he was sent to save not condemn and this is the ongoing task of the church.
Led by Edwin Ashforth
First in a series of four sessions considering three wives of King David. This week we looked at Michal daughter of King Saul. How she loved and protected David her hero whilst defying her father. Is she used as a pawn by her father and David as the narrator changes reference to her between Saul’s daughter and David’s wife. The next session will consider Abigail – all welcome
Led by our own Rev Suzanne Nockels
It was great to finally welcome Suzanne as our Minister to lead the worship.
Hear O Lord: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and will all your strength.
Readings
Deuteronomy 6:4-9, Matthew 6:19-24, 1 John 5:18-21
Sermon Summary: The problem with love
Hate is easy. It is our loves that get us into real trouble. Love is great but sometimes we love things in the wrong proportion. The Shema (Deut 6:4-9) begins with the ‘Lord is one’ which is better translated as ‘the Lord is your God alone’. What do we make into gods or idols? These things fail us because they cannot ultimately be God for us. They cannot love us like God can. What does our love of God look like? It is more than a feeling. It is a loyalty and a commitment to God.
Challenge for This Week
Write a list of the things you really love. Give thanks to God for them. Enjoy them! But ask the question ‘are any of them out of proportion?’ In what way is God over them or are you looking for that thing to be God for you? What small thing/big thing could you do that would restore God’s rightful place?
Lord, You are God alone. Be God over this love of mine. Change it if it needs changing or restore it to a healthy place in my life. Help me put You first because then I can see, reject or enjoy all things for what they truly are.