"Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently." (Galatians 6:1a)

As Christians we want to challenge one another to become more Christ like, but if we try to push someone to change too quickly or too aggressively, then they may not be able to cope and just leave the church or give up on faith. That is why the verse above says, that when someone is caught in a sin, we need to go about restoring them gently. 

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands." (Deuteronomy 7:9)

This Sunday we return to our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, this week focussing on the characteristic of faithfulness.

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19)

The above verse is often seen as Jesus’ mission statement. What are we meant to be trying to achieve as the church? Jesus says, make disciples!

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (1 Corinthians 12:7)

This Sunday is Pentecost. It is the day we remember God sending his Holy Spirit onto the church. The events of the day itself were spectacular and memorable with the sound of a rushing wind, flames of fire settling on the disciple’s heads, the apostles praising God in different languages that visitors to Jerusalem could understand and, perhaps most amazingly, 3,000 people becoming Christians and being baptised!

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

This Thursday was Ascension Day. It is the day when we remember that Jesus, after proving that he had bodily resurrected from the dead, went to the Father in heaven to take his place at God’s right hand to rule in power. So, we remember the power and authority of Jesus not just over the Kingdom of Israel, but the whole world.

His return to one place, his throne in heaven, meant that his power could operate in every place. From there he could send out the Holy Spirit on all Christians, so that His power would be operative through them, wherever they might be. Now his body is the church, spread throughout the globe, living and proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection and inviting people to receive forgiveness of sins, a relationship with God and the hope of eternal life.

We can do that, even though people may challenge our right to invite people from different cultures to become Christians, because Jesus as the one sitting at the right hand of God, is ruler over all cultures and ethnicities. As he says, at the end of Matthew’s gospel, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:18-19a)

Finally, because Jesus is in heaven and ruling in power, we can have greater confidence to pray. This was the initial response of the disciples immediately after Jesus’ ascension as they awaited the coming of the Holy Spirit. It should be our first instinct too. Why not use this time to recommit to prayer in your life and with others.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

The Christian message is that evil has been overcome by good. On the cross, Jesus defeated Satan and bore the the sin of the world whilst remaining perfectly obedient to God. Even though, he was treated unjustly and abused in the lead up to his brutal crucifixion, he did not retaliate, but bore it all to bring about our salvation. Jesus overcame evil with good.

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Colossians 3:12)

This week in our Fruits of the Spirit series we are considering kindness. Kindness is about helping and caring for others in a generous way. Kindness does make a difference to the world. Blaise Pascal said, “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” Kindness works in our most intimate relationships, but also with strangers. Showing kindness to your spouse is one of the best ways to improve your marriage, whilst a kind welcome to a stranger opens the possibility of a lasting and fruitful friendship. Let’s pray for more kindness.

"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." (Ephesians 4:2)

This week we are returning to our 10 part series on the Fruit of the Spirit. We started by looking at the list of characteristics as a whole as Paul gives it in Galatians 5, then we looked in turn at the first three of the nine traits that make up the fruit of the Spirit, the godly character that the Spirit works to form in us. Those first three were: love, joy and peace. Over the next few weeks we will be considering the next three in the list, starting this week with patience.

"Then Jesus said to Thomas: ""Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.""" (John 20:29)

This week we continue the Easter resurrection theme and look at the part Thomas played.

"Go quickly and tell his disciples: "He has risen from the dead..." (Matthew 28:7)

The Easter Story is an emotional rollercoaster. It takes us from the depths of human cruelty and agony to the highs of the most incredible and hope-giving miracle and for many, this story is the most important moment in history. Why not join us this Easter and discover afresh what it means and why it matters so much?