I have yet to come across a Christian who finds prayer and Bible reading easy. Regular, daily devotion is a difficult discipline to keep, and there are many who find praying together with others almost impossibly intimidating. Even those who could talk the hind legs off a donkey in ordinary conversation are suddenly as quiet as lambs if there is an opportunity to pray together! And yet prayer and Bible reading is part of the pathway of discipleship...
Here you will find biblical reflections that follow our sermon series each month. Feel free to use these as a way to prepare for coming to worship, to inspire further reflection upon a sermon throughout the week, or as a spark to your own reflections if you are unable to join us on a Sunday.
If you would like to take things further by getting involved with a small Bible study and prayer group, then please do get in touch with Monika, our minister.
This is the end of our whistle-stop tour of Scripture - isn't it wonderful! But maybe now were beginning to realise that it takes some very careful handling if we are to use it responsibly and be nourished by it wholesomely. Contemplate 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as you prepare for our time together this week.
This year we think about the concept of reconciliation. There can be no lasting peace unless warring factions and nations can come to a reconciliation - a means by which differences can be addressed, pasts forgiven and a safe and secure future built. But reconciliation is also at the heart of Christian faith, as we recognise the state of 'war' that essentially exists between sinful humanity and holy God. These two ways of living cannot co-exist, and as holiness cannot be defeated, we must allow ourselves to be freed from the thrall of sin so that we can be reconciled to God - our creator, the one who loves us, the only one in whom we have sense and purpose. And so Jesus was sacrificed that this reconciliation could take place - the model for all reconciliations, so crucial for peace that can last.
This weekend sees the commemoration of All Souls - a reminder if one were needed, that we all share the same fate. Some people find it too awful a prospect to contemplate, let alone talk about. But Christians have some very powerful truths to hold onto, and to share with others - the context of eternal life is incredible back-drop both to this life, and to our departing from this life. In preparation for this week, read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 and Mark 14:1-16:8 and ponder the Christian attitude to death.
Read John 3:16-19 Judgement is one of those things we don't like to think about nowadays. Used for centuries as a means of scaring people into faith, we would always hope that there are far more winsome reasons why people would want to be reconciled to God. But understanding the seriousness of sin in our world, and the necessity of dealing with it within the justice, mercy and love of God is all part of coming to a sober and realistic understanding of judgment. Of course, there are two outcomes when judgment is passed - acquittal and eternal life in the glorious presence of God, or condemnation in eternal separation and awful absence of God. In reality, the outcome of any just trial is decided long before by the choices and actions of the accused.
November
30th - The Coming of Christ
As we begin our Advent preparations for Christmas, we remember how Jesus
is the antidote to death, the first-born of the resurrection, the one
whose judgment brings eternal life, and whose coming again will bring
the fulfilment of abundant life we currently seek to experience.
The ministry team offers you the opportunity to access an archive of past Bible Notes (in pdf format)...
Also available are notes from a series of five sermons on Church of Scotland membership vows:
In order to view these files you will need Acrobat Reader - get a copy for free...
