Paul Black, Sunday 16th July 2023

https://youtu.be/pYhg7HPDwes

https://youtu.be/zjSKazER_NM

Notes:

Hebrews 13:1-21 Things we should never forget

Introduction

Why Hebrews was written

Main theme: BETTER. For example read 12:18-24. More later

Now, in the final chapter, the writer wants to emphasise things that Christians should never

forget. Vv. 2, 3, 7, 16.

A DON’T FORGET WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU

V12 Jesus has died for us (as a sin offering v 11), to make us holy, fit for heaven

V9 This is by his grace, not by religious ceremony. What we have is BETTER. We

have:

A better sacrifice (9:23), a better covenant (8:6), better promises (8:6), a

better hope (7:19), a better country (11:16), and better and lasting

possessions (10:34).

B WHAT GOD EXPECTS OF YOU

VV 15-16 To offer sacrifices of praise, confessing his name, doing good (to strangers

[2], to sufferers [3], to spouses [4])

Vv 7+17-19 To remember your leaders – imitate them (7), obey them (17), pray for

them (18-19)

V5 To be content with what you have

C WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED YOU

V 5 He will never leave you

V6 He will help you

V 14 Your heavenly home is waiting for you

D WHO JESUS IS

V 8 The same – his love, his compassion etc.

V 20 He is the risen Christ

He is the great shepherd

Our equipper

Worthy of glory for ever and ever

https://youtu.be/XRItDu1WQP4

25-Jun-2023

Ephesians 2:20-22

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

I have been spending some time looking at the re-built temple in the Old Testament; how the returning exiles from Babylon had to rebuild a derelict temple. I have reminded us of the New Testament imagery of the temple as depicting both Christian individuals (1 Corinthians 6:19 – your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit) and the church:

1 Corinthians 3:16-17

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

Back in the Old Testament, the temple was a sacred and holy place. People came from miles around to worship, to bring their sacrifices, to celebrate amazing festivals, and to seek God’s presence. Here in the New Testament we see that we as God’s temple are still just as sacred! 1 Cor 3:17 says that this temple is so sacred that if anyone destroys it, God will destroy that person.

My daily readings have this week taken me to 1 Kings 6 which tells us all about the building of the original temple, built by Solomon.

As I read the details of the building of this spectacular building, constructed to give glory to God and symbolise the place of his presence, one verse stood out to me. Let’s read a portion of that chapter and I bet you can’t guess which verse it is!

1 Kings 6

14 So Solomon built the temple and completed it. 15 He lined its interior walls with cedar boards, panelling them from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and covered the floor of the temple with planks of juniper. 16 He partitioned off twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. 17 The main hall in front of this room was forty cubits long. 18 The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; no stone was to be seen.

19 He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the Lord there. 20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty wide and twenty high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. 21 Solomon covered the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. 22 So he overlaid the whole interior with gold. He also overlaid with gold the altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.

The verse that stood out to me was this:

18 The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; no stone was to be seen.

I said you wouldn’t guess it!

The reason? First we see that the temple was made of ‘dressed stone’, meaning each stone was shaped and finished, rather than rough and raw from the quarry. This means it didn’t need to be covered up, plastered over or concealed with render as such. It was presentable as it was. If you go into some of our most ornate and beautiful ancient buildings today you will often see exposed stone. It’s a beautiful thing!

And then I remembered that although the Bible refers to Jesus as the cornerstone of our spiritual temple, we as Christians are also like ‘living stones.’

We have been dressed like stone when Christ pulled us out of the quarry, washed our sins away and made us holy in his sight. Now as far as he is concerned, we are saints!

https://youtu.be/RWiQsPMHEOo

SERMON NOTES

RECAP FROM 21ST MAY 2023 SERMON - WE ALL NEED OUR OWN PERSONAL CALL AND ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

I highlighted some of the hindrances to that happening – Our Fears; Not listening to God; and the way we can come with ‘Confirmation Bias’, only wanting to hear what we have decided we want to hear.  

Last time I briefly spoke about NEAGATIVE THINKING - Most of us have used the phrase ‘what is the worst that can happen’ in relation to something we might be trying for the first time. Verity mentioned a few weeks ago at one of our Leadership Meetings, ‘what’s the best that can happen’.

I mentioned the game of bowls?  Where the Bowling Ball – is not a perfect sphere – and has an inbuilt bias, which always turns away – like our thoughts seem to turn to worry and negativity. THE BIBLE’S ANSWER IS TO HAVE A POSITIVITY

Philippians 4:8 shows us the antidote to Negative Thinking  – which FOCUSSES ON THE POSITIVE. -  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

WE HAVE TO REALISE THAT OUR THINKING  - POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE - AFFECTS OUR ACTIONS AND THE WAY WE BEHAVE.

We looked at the account of Peter Walking on the Water because Jesus told him to come. - Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on Water – After the feeding of the 5,000 –

PETER WALKED ON WATER – THE CALL OF JESUS ‘PERSUADED HIM TO HAVE THE FAITH (BE PERSUADED TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT) – WHEN HE WAS NEAR TO JESUS BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT CAUSED HIM TO DOUBT.

(Matt 14:31) – SG1365 - distazo: (dis-tad'-zo) to waver, doubt; to hesitate (Verb) -  -

1365 distázō (from 1364 /dís, "two, double" and 4714 /stásis, "stance, standing") – properly, going two ways, shifting between positions; choosing "a double-stance" and so vacillate (waver) – fluctuate in opinion or resolution; (fig) uncertainty at a crossroads because refusing to choose one way over the other – to halt between two opinions (views, beliefs).  (There are times when we just over think it)

SO HERE, PETER’S THINKING COMING BACK INTO PLAY – Is he going to continue in the faith imparted to him to get out of the boat in the first place, which has brought him this far, OR is he going to take into account the storm and wind blowing against him.

WHAT DID PETER DO – THE ONLY SENSIBLE THING HE COULD DO – HE CRIES OUT, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter.

WHY DID YOU DOUBT JESUS ASKED – IT WAS THE DOUBT WHICH CAUSED HIM TO BEGIN TO SINK (even “beginning to sink was a miracle” OF Jesus Grace)

SO PETER WALKED ON THE WATER BECAUSE JESUS CALLED HIM TO DO IT - FAITH WAS IMPARTED TO HIM SO HE BELIEVED HE COULD – NOTICE NO OTHER DISCIPLE GOT OUT OF THE BOAT.

Watching a documentary on King Charles last Saturday  - Coronation Day - 7th May 2023 – Charles, was I believe in Westminster Abbey, listening to the Choristers Singing.  Music has very important place in his life and he said this:-

WE DO NOT THINK MUSIC; WE RESONATE WITH IT AND FEEL IT - IT SOMEHOW HARMONISES WITH OUR OWN HUMAN NATURE, SO WE FEEL SOMETHING IS MEANT BY IT.

I WAS MOVED BY THESE WORDS. THE THOUGHT CAME TO ME THAT THEY COULD BE DESCRIBING “FAITH”. – “WE DO NOT THINK FAITH; WE RESONATE WITH IT AND FEEL IT - IT SOMEHOW HARMONISES WITH OUR OWN SPIRIT”.

Do you know how a micro-wave oven works? Something called a magnetron inside it emits a very high frequency signal, which cause the water molecules in food to vibrate, resonate, which produces heat - that cooks the food. 

Isaiah 64:2 (NIV) - As when fire sets twigs ablaze and causes water to boil, come down to make your name known to your enemi...

https://youtu.be/xJ15pEqaaA8

Weak is the new strong

I’ve heard a few phrases with ‘is the new’ inserted into them. It’s used to say something is the new fashion or has replaced something else.

Fish is the new meat, hair is the new hat, brown is the new black, in this office, jeans and a t-shirt are the new business suit. Age 50 is the new 40. Paul McCartney said that meat-free is the new rock n roll! I prefer the old!

When I started working four days a week at school instead of five, I loved Thursdays. Thursday was the new Friday.

Today we will learn that for the Christian, weak is the new strong. But first, let’s lead into this from the context of some previous talks.

Returning and rebuilding

We have been looking at the first 6 chapters of Ezra which depict a returning remnant from Babylon rebuilding the altar and the temple under the governance of a man called Zerubbabel. We have seen that there has been opposition to the build.

I have drawn parallels between the Old Testament temple and our New Testament understanding that our bodies, and the body of Christ are temples that are to be built up.

Equally, there is an enemy at work to infiltrate, discourage and destroy the building of God’s kingdom.

Thankfully Jesus keeps his promises, and one of those promises states clearly that I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18. We are simply his co-labourers.

Today I want us to focus in on one well-known line in the book of Zechariah which was delivered while the temple was still under construction:

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

As the temple was being rebuilt, God had to remind his people that it was not by their own might, power or strength that the temple would be built, but by his Spirit. This might seem odd, as it was only a building project. Just bricks and mortar. But it was a spiritual building because it was God-ordained. And that meant that there would be an enemy.

Opposition to the build

The devil does not hinder the work of those who wish to build temples to their own gods, things in their own name, business built just to serve the money-god Mammon.

But when we begin to build something that he has ordained, Satan is up in arms.

Thus, when we build our own temple – our personal spiritual edification and growth, or the growth of the wider body – Satan will surely come against it. We know that there is a spiritual realm and that there are invisible forces at work.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesian 6:12

Precious Dust

In the light of this we may feel pretty weak. And despite our victory in Christ and the fact that we are seated in heavenly places where God has put all things under his feet (Ephesians 1:22-23), in the natural we are pretty weak.

After all, look where we came from:

Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

The Hebrew for man is Adam but that word itself sounds like the word for ‘ground’. Man is but dust!

Listen to these words from the Psalms:

13 As a father has compassion on his children,    so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;14 for he knows how we are formed,    he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14

These are interesting ideas because I have not so long ago preached on poor self-esteem and the importance of seeing ourselves as God sees us. But the truth is, without him we are nothing.

We are weak, he is strong. But we don’t have poor self-esteem. We may be weak but we are treasured, pursued, loved and cherished by a heroic heavenly father.

https://youtu.be/tL5s0KXXLiI

Sermon notes:

Should have gone to Specsavers!

Reading: 2 Kings 6 v 8-17

Text: Eph 6 v 12

Intro: We are at war! We have transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light Col1v13

How-ever are we bystanders or in the front line? Link to Jon’s sermons on Ezra.

Power of God: Demonstrations- words of knowledge

He knows everything spoken. We need to see gifts in operation in our lives and in the life of the church.

Engaging: They are surrounded but different reactions

Elisha is cool as a cucumber the servant is not. You can’t live off someone else’s experiences. You need your own!

Perspective: Open his eyes. The need for God’s perspective on situations- My Chicago air flight experience. Soar above – see through the mist and fog as he sees them!

Invisible kingdom: Col1v16 There is a kingdom or realm that we cannot see. Here is where the war takes place

The evil forces operate in the heavenly realms Eph6v12

Mention Frank Peretti books and ideas.

The armour of God consists of the following:

1 The belt of truth – Holds everything together, the importance of integrity. Absolute truth!

2 Breastplate of righteousness- protects the vital organs particularly the heart. Out of the heart a man speaks. Core of your life.

3 Feet with readiness to promote the gospel of peace-

You should exude a calmness in difficult situations, being at peace speaks volumes.

4 Shield of faith- repels the enemies attacks. Without faith its impossible to please God. Just a little goes a long way (Mustard seed).

5 The helmet of salvation- Head protection. The battle in the mind reminding us on daily renewing. Our salvation is the basis. Children of the king!

6 The sword of the spirit- The word of God. Learn it, memorise it and meditate on it. Jesus used it and so must you!

Conculsion: Do you need to put on your spiritual glasses? Like it or not you are in a battle – what’s your role? Active or passive? Turn your back and you have no defence!! Use his word and make a difference.

https://youtu.be/Mbo4t5qo5pw

EZRA 6 – A DECREE AND A DEDICATION – Part 2

In Ezra 5 we found the Jews attempting to build the temple again after the building had stopped by the powers of Babylon. The resumption of the build of course gained attention from the enemy. But we then saw what happens when a king or government recognises something of the power and greatness of God – there was a new freedom to build! – and we drew parallels with the temple the Jews built back then and the temple God is building today – his church. We prayed for our government to recognise the power of the Church to heal and help in society today.

Now we will complete this chapter and discover what it looks like when God is on the move.

6 HALLMARKS OF A MOVE OF GOD in EZRA 6

You may be familiar with the quotation in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,

“They say Aslan is on the move.”

It was a cold and depressing time in Narnia. But Mr Beaver, who had never even seen Aslan in his life, was full of hope and expectation. The very mention of Aslan’s name seemed to have a marked effect on those present.

Today I want to talk about what it would looks like when God is on the move.

Ezra 6:13-22

The Temple’s Dedication

13 Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and Shethar-bozenai and their colleagues complied at once with the command of King Darius. 14 So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia. 15 The Temple was completed on March 12, during the sixth year of King Darius’s reign.

16 The Temple of God was then dedicated with great joy by the people of Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the rest of the people who had returned from exile. 17 During the dedication ceremony for the Temple of God, 100 young bulls, 200 rams, and 400 male lambs were sacrificed. And 12 male goats were presented as a sin offering for the twelve tribes of Israel. 18 Then the priests and Levites were divided into their various divisions to serve at the Temple of God in Jerusalem, as prescribed in the Book of Moses.

Celebration of Passover

19 On April 21 the returned exiles celebrated Passover. 20 The priests and Levites had purified themselves and were ceremonially clean. So they slaughtered the Passover lamb for all the returned exiles, for their fellow priests, and for themselves. 21 The Passover meal was eaten by the people of Israel who had returned from exile and by the others in the land who had turned from their corrupt practices to worship the Lord, the God of Israel. 22 Then they celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There was great joy throughout the land because the Lord had caused the king of Assyria to be favorable to them, so that he helped them to rebuild the Temple of God, the God of Israel.

HALLMARKS OF A MOVE OF GOD

Everything falls into place

In verse 13 The king’s governors ‘complied at once’ with everything to do with the rebuild of the temple. There was suddenly great provision and compliance to enable the temple to be built. Those who had opposed the build were now helping out!

Sometimes things just fall into place. I was speaking to a friend recently who was sensing that after some time in another role, God was calling him back to school teaching. He then got a message from a past pupil who was now at Oxford as a postgraduate and had credited him in her dissertation because of the help and influence he had had on her life. Days later he was offered a teaching job in a local school with no need to apply. “We know who you are and the job is yours if you want it.”

Sometimes things just fall into place and the enemy does not stand a chance. That’s how Andrea and I met, it’s how we were directed to move to Brixham,

https://youtu.be/I_kB66ehvEI

Sermon notes:

WE ALL NEED OUR OWN PERSONAL CALL AND ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS.

21ST MAY 2023

The last few times I have spoken about the need for each one of us to be,

“Transformed by the renewing of our minds”. Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

I highlighted some of the hindrances to that happening – Our Fears; Not listening to God; and the way we can come with ‘Confirmation Bias’, only wanting to hear what we have decided we want to hear.  

I would like to look briefly, at what I think can be another problem area, and that is:-   NEAGATIVE THINKING

Most of us have used the phrase ‘what is the worst that can happen’ in relation to something we might be trying for the first time. Verity mentioned a few weeks ago at one of our Leadership Meetings, ‘what’s the best that can happen’.

I remember growing up after the war in Manchester - Going to church on a Sunday morning - seeing groups of men gathered on bombed sites where houses had stood.

They were stood in a circle all flipping coins in the air – gambling – heads or tails.

Imagine a coin; on one side it reads, ‘what is the worst that can happen’ and on the other side, ‘what is the best that can happen’ Why does it always seem to come down on the, ‘what is the worst that can happen’ side. (The coin seems biased that way. Maybe that is reflective of our ‘natural thinking’.

WHAT IS THE WORST THAT CAN HAPPEN – WHAT IS THE BEST THAT CAN HAPPEN

Has anyone ever played bowls? Bowling Ball – not a perfect sphere - has an inbuilt bias, which always turns away – our thoughts seem to turn to worry and negativity.

A well known Christian leader who had seen an amazing move of the Holy Spirit in his life and in the church did one of these ‘negative thinking tests’ and found that 80% of his thinking was negative.

I believe Negative Thinking is as much a part of renewing our minds as dealing with fear is.  WHAT WE FEED GROWS – that is why Philippians 4:8 shows us the antidote to Negative Thinking.   –  POSITIVE THINKING – OR FOCUSSING ON THE POSITIVE. -  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.

HOW OFTEN OUR THINKING  - POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE AFFECT OUR ACTIONS AND BEHAVIOUR.

Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on Water – After the feeding of the 5,000 –(Mark 6:45–52; John 6:16–21) 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24but the boat was already fara from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25During the fourth watch of the night, (3am to 6am) Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. 27But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” 29“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.  30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

PETER WALKED ON WATER – THE CALL OF JESUS ‘PERSUADED HIM TO HAVE THE FAITH (BE PERSUADED TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT) – WHY DID YOU DOUBT – WHICH CAU...

https://www.youtube.com/embed/sokayVrTJtM

Sermon notes:

Ezra 1-5 Recap

Ezra 1 God is sovereign, so let God be God!

            If God promised it, it will happen – “in order to fulfil prophecy”

            God is the king of kings – “the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus”

The riches of the world are at God’s disposal – “the peoples are to provide them with silver and gold”

Ezra 3 Start at the altar

            Sacrifice and celebration

            Orderly and messy

            Not always the place of presence but it was the gateway to glory (holy of holies)

Ezra 4 Building up the temple

            The NT temple – Jesus, the Church, the Christian – the place of his presence

            Opposition 1 – Infiltration – disrupt from within

            Opposition 2 – Discouragement and fear

            Opposition 3 – Bring in the big dogs

                        We are rebels

                        The enemy is threatened by our presence

Ezra 5 (& Haggai 1) Building up the temple, again

            Why did the building stop?

                        Opposition

                        Lack of opposition

            The consequences of not building

1: God is not happy

2: We are not happy

Our response (Does this even apply to me?)

1: Partner with the Holy Spirit and keep building

2: Resist the devil and he will flee from you

Ezra 6 – a decree and a dedication

In Ezra 5 we find the Jews attempting to build the temple again, which of course gains attention from the enemy. The local officials ask what they are doing and the Jewish builders claim that the previous king of Babylon authorised the build. So a letter is sent from these enemy onlookers reporting this and asking the king to find out if such a decree ever existed. I suspect they imagined no such building authorisation would be found, in which case they would have had every right to stop the building once again.

But here we will circle back to the theme of chapter 1 where we see God’s absolute sovereignty. These opponents to the build are in for a surprise!

Darius Approves the Rebuilding

6 So King Darius issued orders that a search be made in the Babylonian archives, which were stored in the treasury. 2 But it was at the fortress at Ecbatana in the province of Media that a scroll was found. This is what it said:

“Memorandum:

3 “In the first year of King Cyrus’s reign, a decree was sent out concerning the Temple of God at Jerusalem.

“Let the Temple be rebuilt on the site where Jews used to offer their sacrifices, using the original foundations. Its height will be ninety feet, and its width will be ninety feet.[a]

4 Every three layers of specially prepared stones will be topped by a layer of timber. All expenses will be paid by the royal treasury. 5 Furthermore, the gold and silver cups, which were taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar from the Temple of God in Jerusalem, must be returned to Jerusalem and put back where they belong. Let them be taken back to the Temple of God.”

6 So King Darius sent this message:

“Now therefore, Tattenai, governor of the province west of the Euphrates River,[b] and Shethar-bozenai, and your colleagues and other officials west of the Euphrates River—stay away from there! 7 Do not disturb the construction of the Temple of God. Let it be rebuilt on its original site, and do not hinder the governor of Judah and the elders of the Jews in their work.

8 “Moreover, I hereby decree that you are to help these elders of the Jews as they rebuild this Temple of God. You must pay the full construction costs, without delay, from my taxes collected in the province west of the Euphrates River so that the work will not be interrupted.

9 “Give the priests in Jerusalem whatever is needed in the way of young bulls, rams, and male lambs for the burnt offerings presented to the God of heaven. And without fail, provide them with as much wheat, salt, wine,