Hi everyone and welcome to Friday’s Podcast here at STC – the weekend approaches!

In this week’s reflections we have been asking the question ‘Is it possible to change?’ On Monday we saw clearly the answer is yes – Jesus Christ is THE change agent in our lives and in our society. Tuesday, that all change starts with me but doesn’t end with me, it is passed on as we asked the question ‘Will you receive Christ this day?’ Wednesday, the fruit of Godly change is thankfulness. Yesterday, a God changed life is a better life. Today, lasting change comes from healthy growth.

REFLECTION

Today’s Bible passage is Colossians 2:13-19 from The Message, and our focus verse is v19: “we can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us.”

Paul ends the week as he began it, by saying it’s all about Jesus – it’s Jesus plus nothing else. Jesus has done it all. You don’t need to add anything, says Paul. ‘So don’t put up with anyone pressuring you in details of diet, worship services or holy days’ (v.16, MSG). He goes on to say all you need is Christ … ‘He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us’ (v.19 MSG).

We change through God’s nourishment. The word ‘nourish’ means to provide resources that allow health and growth. How does God nourish/feed us so we might be spiritually healthy and grow in body, mind and spirit? Here are six marks of healthy growth for us as disciples; Bible, prayer (STC Podcast is a great resource!), Sunday worship, midweek community, financial giving to your church, serving in the world.

Can this Godly change go beyond just me? I live in the city of Sheffield, one of the largest cities in the UK. I was born in this city, as was Tricia my wife. Our children were born here, as were three of our four grandchildren. We love this city! Over the years Sheffield has changed as its industrial base has changed – it’s seen tough times. However, in the same way Jesus had a plan for Colossae all those years ago, I believe he has a plan for Sheffield! The city is being redeveloped in so many ways; it is still a world leader in specialised steels, two world class universities, research and teaching hospitals, new centres for creative arts, music, IT etc. The real key to this change are people investing in the city – and particularly, I believe, people like you and me, followers of Jesus keeping spiritually healthy and living out his life every day in serving our city.

Sounds like the kind of thing that church leaders like me say to busy people like you! Mick, how can I help change Sheffield when I have all on trying to change my socks! Every day I have all on just dealing with stuff. If that’s you, here’s a word from the prophet Boris Johnson: “My friends, as I have discovered myself, there are no disasters only opportunities. And indeed, opportunities for fresh disasters!”

The good news is that it’s in the disasters of life that God moves powerfully – it’s in the challenges that we find God inspired solutions; Jesus says ‘without me you can do nothing’. So we need more of him every day, we receive him afresh every day. As we do this we slowly grow healthy in body, mind and spirit. ‘We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us’ .

I have a dream – that Jesus wants to raise up tens of thousands of followers in Sheffield who by living their everyday, ordinary, Jesus inspired lives became part of his Godly transformation for our city. Not just praying for Sheffield but doing something about it! Prayer is vital but not enough on its own; Jesus is calling us to put our faith into action in all kinds of ways ranging from simple acts of kindness each day to those around us to playing our part in the Godly renewal of the social, political, educational and financial fabric of our city.

Thank you for journeying through this week with me as we have ask...

Hi everyone and welcome to Thursday’s Podcast here at STC. This week we are asking the question ‘Is it possible to change?’ with reflections on Paul’s letter to the Colossians. Today we reflect on another great Bible truth: ‘a God changed life is a better life’ because Jesus is my Lord’ – our reading is Col 2:8-15 and our focus verse is v10. “When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

REFLECTION

This verse comes at the end of a warning Paul gives this growing Colossian church; he says beware of false teachers who try to dazzle you with their ‘big words and intellectual double talk’ (v.8, MSG). ‘You don’t need a telescope, a microscope or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything’ (vv.9–10, MSG).

He is referring to a specific issue which was causing disturbance; some were saying that men still needed to be circumcised to be a follower of Jesus. For us today this sounds very obscure, even silly, but this was a real issue for Paul’s listeners. He makes it very clear again, as he did earlier, that to be a Christian all you need is Christ in your life – it’s not Christ plus something else.

The sign of belonging to Jesus is baptism. He says this going under the water was a burial of your old life; coming up out of it was a resurrection, God raising you from the dead as he did Christ. … baptism is an outward sign of this God-received better life – it says ‘I am a Christian – I am for Jesus – I am his disciple’. Baptisms at STC are very powerful times; I love to see adults tell their God story of how Jesus has changed then before they go under the water. Literally thousands of adults have been in our tank over the past forty years or so – amazing! However, I also love to see children being brought to baptism by parents who are trusting in Jesus for the life and spiritual growth of their child – these really are powerful moments in the life of STC.

And then the gift Jesus gives to us as we say yes to him: ‘His power extends over you’ (v10). These few words release the power of heaven into our lives! Four verses earlier in v6 Paul says this: ‘just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him.‘ We have seen throughout this week that real Godly and good change comes through Jesus Christ – when I say yes to him he becomes ‘Lord’ of my life.

It’s not a term we use frequently today – we get a picture of older people in Westminster dressed in fine robes in the ‘House of Lords’ but we’re not quite sure who they are or what they do. In Paul’s time the word ‘Lord’ was a powerful term because your Lord gave you protection and provision and allowed you to live in peace because his power extended over you and your family – mess with me, you mess with my Lord!

Paul is saying, then and now, this is what Jesus brings to us as we say yes to him and change our lives – he will provide for our needs and protect us because his power extends over us. Read the Lord’s Prayer again, it’s all there: ‘give us today our daily bread (provide) and deliver us from the evil one (protect). Because he provides and protects we can know his peace every day – we can be free from crushing anxiety and worry because Jesus is our peace! When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything!

PRAYER

Jesus Christ, I proclaim you Lord of my life this day. Thank you for your provision, your protection and your peace this day. Whatever this day brings, I know your power extends over me and those I love. Thank you Lord. Amen.

READING: COLOSSIANS 2:8-15 (The Message)

Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and ...

Hi everyone and welcome to Wednesday’s Podcast here at STC.

This week we are asking ‘Is it possible to change?’ On Monday we saw clearly the answer is yes – Jesus Christ is THE change agent in our lives and in our society. Yesterday, we reflected on the truth that all change starts with me, but doesn’t end with me, as we asked the question ‘Will you receive Christ this day?’ Today, the fruit of Godly change is thankfulness. Our reading is Col 2:1-7 and our focus verse is v7b ‘rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. …’

REFLECTION

We sometimes overcomplicate the Christian faith. We give the impression that there are lots of add-ons to being a Christian – certain extra things you need to understand or do. In today’s reading Paul challenges this kind of false teaching completely. He keeps reminding his readers then, and us today, that all you need is Jesus. It is not a matter of adding anything else to Jesus, but rather of putting into practice what you already have received from him: ‘My counsel for you is simple and straightforward: just go ahead with what you’ve been given. You received Christ Jesus, the Master; now live him. You’re deeply rooted in him. You’re well constructed upon him. You know your way around the faith. Now do what you’ve been taught’ (vv.6–7a, MSG).

Then comes this wonderful phrase in v7b overflowing with thankfulness. … or as the Message says, let your living spill over into thanksgiving. Two words here to reflect upon; firstly, thanksgiving – gratitude to God for his unmerited love in our lives. It’s called ‘grace’ and it’s what James spoke about in last week’s Podcast.

This letter was written in Greek and the word used here is ‘eucharist’ – thank you God for Jesus and his love for us. That’s what we do when we take bread and wine in church, we remember Jesus and say a big thank you to him as we offer our worship and praise. Sadly, communion services in some churches are more like a funeral dirge than a celebration. I love the Eucharist at STC – thanksgiving just oozes from this celebration gathering!

The second word is ‘overflow’ – the word here means ‘above and beyond the normal’ or ‘exceeding the ordinary’. Paul says that as Christians we are to spill over with thanksgiving – I just love that! How do you know when a glass is really full of water? When it overflows and the table gets soaked! How do you know when a Christian is full of thank yous? When the people around them get soaked in God’s goodness, kindness and generosity! It’s so good to be around people like that – thankfulness is contagious: once you start, it affects other people.

Is it possible to change? Yes, it is with Jesus. How do I know I’ve changed? Here’s the test – the fruit of Godly change is thankfulness. After nearly forty years of following Jesus I’m still learning this great truth; to constantly give thanks every day for all he has given me in my life: my wife, my family, my home, friends, work, the list goes on … and then to get out of the way and through these thanksgivings let Jesus drench those around me with his love. I know it sounds crazy but it actually works!  Let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you that my life is safe with you – rooted and grounded in your love. Thank you for giving my life meaning and purpose. Thank you for all the many blessings in my life. Thank you. Help me to live a life of thanksgiving and overflow with you this day and every day. Amen.

READING: COLOSSIANS 2:1-7

I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding,

Hi everyone and welcome to Tuesday’s Podcast here at STC.

This week we ask ‘Is it possible to change?’ Things need to change; we so need good and Godly change – not just in me but in us, in our society. Yesterday we reflected that real change only comes through Jesus; change is personal, it begins with me. Today’s question – will you receive Christ this day?

REFLECTION

Here at STC we often ask the question ‘How is life’ on a scale 1 – 10?

Life is not always easy. John Lennon said: ‘Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.’ What are we looking for in life? Most people are looking for more than more stuff! Perhaps best described by the word ‘hope’? Our reading today is Col 1:24 – 29 and the focus verse is v27 ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’.

Christianity is Christ – The meaning of life is found in Jesus Christ. Hope is found in Jesus Christ. The former Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, Graham Kentfield, once said, ‘I am clear that the meaning of life can only be properly understood in the context of our relationship with God.’ How we see Jesus Christ is so crucial because Christianity is Christ.

Many years ago, when I was exploring Christianity, friends took Tricia and myself to their church. I heard the preacher say this in his sermon: ‘There is a Christ shaped hole within us; there will always be an emptiness in your life until it is filled by Christ living within you – will you receive Christ this day?’. That was the invitation always given after he’d preached by the great evangelist Billy Graham, who died this week: ‘Will you receive Christ this day?’ The truth experienced by millions over the years is that as you put your faith in Jesus, he comes to live within you by his Spirit; he fills that hole in the soul and brings you hope and peace. In that moment you receive ‘the glorious riches of this mystery’ and you have ‘the hope of glory’ (v.27).

Paul is in prison writing this letter (1:24). He has a clear calling, to speak of the mystery that was kept hidden but is now revealed (v.26). God has ‘chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory’ (v.27).

This passage highlights how Paul’s entire life, thinking and preaching are focussed on Jesus Christ and making him known. Is it possible to change? We change when we personally receive Jesus Christ into our lives – in that moment, life transformation begins.

‘Will you receive Christ this day’? I answered that preacher’s call all those years ago and became a Christian; however, I answer that call every day of my life – every day I receive Jesus Christ afresh. I was saved in that moment I first received him into my life – I am becoming more like him as every day I receive him afresh.

So, how is life today 1 – 10? Life is not easy – each day has its challenges. ‘Smile at everyone you meet as you don’t know what burdens they are carrying’. Personally, some days I feel ill equipped to face these challenges, but then God reminds me ‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’ and I know the truth that I face the challenges with ‘all his energy, which so powerfully works in me’. (v29).

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for you invitation to live your life every day. Thank you that it is possible because you live in me. I receive you into my life this day. Whatever this day brings I know I face it with you. Amen

READING: COLOSSIANS 1:24-29

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.

Hi everyone and welcome to Monday’s Podcast – my name is Mick Woodhead and with my wife Tricia, we lead this amazing church at STC Sheffield. As a church, we consider every year the vision or focus God is calling us to – this year we are inviting people to ‘Join Us in Building Community’ – committed people who can bring Godly change to our society.

These podcasts are part of that vision – they offer an opportunity to draw close to Jesus through a Bible based thought for the day from one of our STC team, followed by a prayer, a worship song and a reading of the day’s Bible passage. You can also read the whole Bible passage for the day on the Podcast link on our website. STC Podcasts really are a great discipleship resource, why not pass it on to a friend so they can be blessed by Jesus?

REFLECTION

My colleague James began our reflections from Paul’s letter to the Colossians last week – I hope they encouraged you as much as they did me. Jame’s theme for the week was ‘grace’, God’s unmerited love; this week’s reflections pose this question: ‘Is it possible to change?’ Our Bible reading today is Colossians 1:21-23 from the MSG translation – hear it at the end. Our focus verse is v22: “Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together.”

As we begin this week’s reflections it’s helpful to consider this place Colossae – in its day it had been one of the leading cities in Asia Minor (now Turkey) but was now just a small market town as other surrounding cities had grown in prominence – it had changed and declined dramatically. Not unlike many of our cities in the UK which have also changed and declined as industries and business have moved elsewhere. But Jesus had other plans for Colossae! Paul’s friend Epaphras started a new church; people joined him and together they began ‘Building a Community’ that would have a profound effect on the region, the world and even us today as were still talking about it!

Is it possible to change?

The key to change is how we view Jesus Christ. Many people today of faith and no faith, would recognise that Jesus was a great figure in history, although alongside other historical religious leaders. However, is Jesus the Son of God – the universal Saviour of the world? This is an issue today in our increasingly secular society and it was just such an issue in 1st century Colossae. In this small church, other ideologies and powers were being put on an equal footing with Jesus. In this letter, Paul, with wonderful gentleness but firmness says ‘no’ – he states that Jesus is the only Saviour of the world.

We were all far away from God but are now brought close to God. Jesus has reconciled us to God (v.22aNIV) through his death on the cross and we are now holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation (v.22bNIV). Is it possible to change? – the Bible says yes! It is through Jesus alone that we and our world can see good and Godly change. How? “Christ brought you over to God’s side and put your lives together.”

We live in a world overflowing with beauty and blessing but also so much brokenness – just watch the news. Every area of life seems touched but one aspect constantly cries out to me for change – children suffering in Syria; teenagers shot down at school in the US and dying through knife crime in the UK. We have such a responsibility towards our young people; that’s why at STC we have helped pioneer a schools initiative called SHINE which looks to bring real gospel hope to teenagers of a better future through contact with Christian artists and speakers – it’s so exciting!

Is it possible to change? The Bible clearly says yes it is – Jesus is THE change agent! Each day this week we will consider different aspects of how Jesus brings about change – as we begin our week here’s ano...

Hello and welcome to Friday’s Foundations Podcast. Today is one of those days that even though the passage is only 6 verses long, they are some of the most discussed in the New Testament. There are hundreds of years of discussion about almost every word in every line… So please forgive me that we can’t cover everything. But I hope to cover one big idea well… and I guess that is the purpose of this podcast, to give us a good thought from the Bible to help us draw close to God today. And I love that we are doing this as a church through Lent.

REFLECTION

So, the Colossians didn’t always know about Jesus… and about God. Just like you and I. A co-worker of Paul’s, called Epapharas, who we came across on Wednesday, had started the church and had told Paul about the how well they were doing but also the moments of pressure to turn away from Jesus.

A bit of looking into Colossae showed me that the Colossians had grown up worshipping different Greek and Roman gods that governed different parts of human life. For example: Aphrodite, the Goddess of beauty and love; Nike, the goddess of victory (I didn’t realise that’s the back story to their brand name) etc. So into that way of doing life and faith, many of those who had started to believe had been including Jesus as another God to worship. They had become “Jesus plus something else” people.

For many of us at STC, we have heard that idea discussed before on Sundays. That the true gospel is that salvation comes from faith in Jesus alone… not Jesus and good causes… not Jesus and fruitfulness… not Jesus and generosity… even though activity, fruitfulness and generosity are part of what we have been saved for, but not the starting place of God’s grace working in our lives.

And so, to this group of believers, whom Paul had never met but he had heard so much about their strengths and temptations, he says this:

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

In other words, Jesus is before all your other images and gods. You do not need to fear or feel obligated to them. He came before them, all things have been made through him and for him.

Today and especially this week as we have been thinking about grace… what is God saying to us about our faith in Jesus? Are there any moments of pressure where we feel we have got to earn God’s love? and so we – like the Colossians in this letter – are tempted to make the gospel “Jesus plus something else”?

On the other hand, does the top spot in our heart feel a little crowded today? It does in mine some days. The things that ask for our worship might not look like Greek statues or gods, but sometimes the things like career, family, or how I am doing compared to others have a way of shaping my mood… or who I think I am…

The good news is that Jesus is bigger than any of our moments of pressure.

Let’s pray and ask God to speak to us about our faith in Jesus.

PRAYER

God, thank you that if we want to know what you are like we just have to look at Jesus. Thank you for drawing us close and giving us peace and simplicity, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

READING: COLOSSIANS 1:15-20

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dea...

Hello and welcome to Thursday’s Foundations Podcast. Today’s reading is Colossians 1:9-14 – It’s a hope filled prayer for the church Paul is writing to in Colossae – I am so glad we have started reading out the whole Bible passage at the end of the podcast – This one is absolutely jam packed full of incredible statements of faith… it will be a fantastic way to end this thought so you have that to look forward to.

REFLECTION

We can’t cover everything so to keep this one focussed on verses 10 and 11.

Let me read them out for us now.

This is what Paul says he has been praying for the Church in Colosse… [We had been praying for you…] … so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,

Something that we talked about yesterday has appeared again today… this idea of bearing fruit in every good work… How do we feel about the blessing of God over our lives is to be fruitful? Jesus said it himself in John 15… “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” – John 15v16. Fruitfulness is not an accidental, or just for the “good” Christians (whoever they are)… If we are to take these words seriously, it sounds like they are Gods plan for our life. God has made us for fruitfulness. We may never know why God chose any of us, that remains the mystery of grace & the gospel, but we know the purpose why he chose us. That seems to come out in the words with have in the Bible passage today: To live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.

Before it gets to bearing fruit what we read first is that we are to live life worthy of the Lord – what does that mean & what does that look wherever we are joining in listening to this podcast? We can hear this phrase and sometimes count ourselves out before the game has started. I’m not a smart enough student, I have not been asked or don’t feel like I can lead a Cluster, I cant make an impact, I’m not in the right job to that. But the primary intention behind these words is not about things we are doing or the cards that we have been dealt. They are about who we are becoming like. If we ask ourselves, what does “living a life worthy of the Lord” look like in an ordinary human life? It is Jesus, to become more like Jesus.The primary intention about living a life for God is not: artist, doctor, mother/father, Cluster Leader, vicar etc… the primary intention is to be more like Jesus.

Learning to be like who it is that he is.

Well what do we need to do that? Paul helpfully prays for some tools that might help us get started?

Again reading v10 – “strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience”

The help of the Holy Spirit is required. Strengthening by the power of God. But its odd that he prays for endurance and patience. We are to get the hint that this is a process, this one might not be a I’ll take it in a cup-to-go I’m busy kind of deal. There is no 10 step program or gap year that can make this happen. This is life long discipleship. And when you think about it – it does make sense… becoming like Jesus takes time… Just like how love for someone deepens over time…. Growth in character doesn’t come over night… faith doesn’t just appear… its sown like a seed that grows that anchors itself and the shoots start to appear and bear fruit. Its like a seed planted in a field… its like yeast that is workings its way through dough… with the Holy Spirit at work and with endurance and patience… we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus.

Hello, my name is James, and welcome to Wednesday’s Foundations Podcast. Today we are starting the book of Colossians as we continue through Paul’s letters. You can find the whole reading in the description but we’ll be focusing on v2 and v6 through this podcast as we continue to consider God’s grace.

REFLECTION

Over the last two days we have heard that grace, in some way, leads us to focus on God first.

God’s choice to love me came before any opportunity I had to earn it… which can mean two things:

1) it unpicks any striving mindset we might have to earn it, and

2) it sets us free today from any fear of losing Gods blessing.

If you have your Bible out in front of you, you will notice that over the next few chapters Paul has some specific instructions to discuss with the church in Colosse. We’ll get into the detail in the next few days… today it is important we don’t miss Paul’s opening words. They are more than a formatted letter head, they are a reminder of God’s amazing grace.

“To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and peace to you from God our Father.”

This blessing “Grace and Peace” sets the tone for what is to come. Before any advice or feedback is given, Paul wants to speak about what God has done first. From what I can tell, being a blessing, affirming the thing God is doing in someone else, does not happen by accident. Paul chooses to start his letter this way. I know when people have blessed me, put words to the very  thing God is doing in my life, it has encouraged me.

How do we release the blessing of God wherever we go?

How can we be people who can articulate the things God is doing in the lives of others?

Blessing like this is not just a one off in the book of Colossians. It’s been God’s heart to bless people right from the very beginning. We are told in Genesis when God is giving Adam and Eve their job description we are told (Genesis 1v28) “God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.”

Blessing leads to fruitfulness and we get a glimpse of that in v6 of our reading today.

“In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.”

This Bible verse is as true today as it was when it was first written. Andy Hawthorne, the leader of the Message Trust, when he spoke at our church early in February, reminded us that more people are becoming Christians today than ever before. The gospel is still bearing fruit throughout the whole world today. And we are told the secret in this verse… it starts with disciples, men and women like you and me, getting to grips with God’s grace.

Let’s take a moment at the end of this Foundations Podcast to pause and ask ourselves: what do I understand about grace? What is the difference that Jesus has made in my life?

PRAYER

God, thank you for your amazing grace. Help us to put words to the fruitfulness around us. To be thankful for what you are doing. Help us to understand more fully what you are doing in us. In Jesus name. Amen.

READING: COLOSSIANS 1:1-8

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,

To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father.

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way,

Hello, my name is James and welcome to Tuesday’s Foundations podcast. Thank you for listening in today – I know for some families its day two of the school half-term time – I hope this short thought, worship song and Bible passage is a MASSIVE blessing to you guys especially as you are out and about or at home finding 7 or so minutes to listen. This week and today as we finish the book of Philippians we will be looking again at God’s amazing grace.

REFLECTION

God’s love and justice at his own expense.

Exactly what we need and not what we deserve.

Impossible to earn and yet freely given.

For the record, when it comes to gifts, I am not the greatest gift giver. My wife, Lucy, will back me up. When it comes to gifts for her I try really hard to think of something special. She loves my effort but we both know I don’t do very well, and remembering other close friends or family birthdays… thank you God for notifications in my diary and Facebook reminders! She, on the other hand, rarely forgets. She especially loves to send a thank you card. A sure sign of someone “adulting” well.

I have a lot to learn from Mrs Brown about thinking of others in advance, and generosity.

In these closing words in the book of Philippians, Paul, like my wife, is penning a thank you card to the end of his letter. He is thanking the Philippian church as a community that has supported him as an apostle. They have been sending him generous financial gifts. Their thoughtful gift has “amply supplied” what he needed. More than employers, or one off gift givers, they are partners in his work of seeing the gospel bear fruit and grow all over the world. We are told in v14 they care not just about the work but their partnership runs deeper as they look to not only share in the good news but in his troubles too.

How good is it to see a group of believers clearly overflowing with faith. A community looking beyond their own material needs and looking for opportunities to invest their time/energy/money/relationships in seeing something eternally flourish. This is where Paul lands the letter today in v19: “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” In other words, wherever we have said ‘no’ to something to save up and say ‘yes’ to this kind of offering… wherever you have used the investments we make for spiritual return… Paul writes that God will not be out-given… needs will be met… The Message version puts this verse like this… no matter the size of the gift “Gods generosity will exceed ours… in the glory that pours out of Jesus”… we can’t out-give a God who gave us the gift of his love…

We get a glimpse here of a community impacted by God’s amazing grace and beginning to overflow with generosity, love and partnership.

Today we can finish this thought by asking for faith like Paul. Faith that God can meet any needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Or perhaps we could pray for opportunity to partner with someone today… not just in their headlines but in their troubles too. Is there someone who comes to mind who needs lifting up today? A kind word or a gift? How can we begin to live in response to God’s amazing grace?

How is God speaking to us today through these closing words in Philippians?

PRAYER

God, thank you for these believers. Even though we’re centuries apart there is so much to learn. We thank you that the same God that saved them is drawing us close too. Would you be speaking to us through this Lent period, strengthening our faith and teaching us your ways. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.

READING: PHILIPPIANS 4:14-23

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia,

Hello my name is James and welcome to Monday’s Foundations podcast. A huge thank you to my colleague Dave Saxton who did a fantastic job last week sharing a thought each day. As a church family we are intentionally using these recordings to draw close to God through Lent. So well done for getting into this new week.

REFLECTION

A theme or topic that will appear from time-to-time over the next few days will be God’s grace: what it is and what it means. Especially today and tomorrow as we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians. It has been said that Grace is the core message of the Bible. It is certainly one of the most unique and important ideas of the Christian faith. Many of us have different snappy phrases to help us understand what it means. You might have heard the acronym: God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. Or that Grace is the unmerited favour of God. I heard a new one recently: grace is the opposite of karma, which is all about getting what you deserve. Grace is getting what you don’t deserve, and not getting what you do deserve. As we heard from the wonderful Nikky Sentance at the Ash Wednesday service last week (which you can listen to again through our website!)… looking at John 3:16… it is because he loves us… God sent his son… even while we were still sinners… to rescue us… not condemn us… That is what is so special about grace.

God’s love and justice at his own expense. Sometimes hard to receive but exactly what we need and not what we deserve.

Recently, my wife and I had a baby, Joshua. We are loving getting to know him. Our mid-week community and extras at STC Sheffield showed us amazing kindness when he was born. They prepared a meal-rota for us that we might not have to think about preparing meals and have a bit more space to adjust to the change in our household. It was above and beyond kindness. Not only did people load us up with carb heavy mains for those late nights but some individuals even had the heart to hand make us a dessert. All we had to do was clean a pot or two… glorious. Until the second week and to be honest, I started feeling a little guilty. We had begun to find our feet and spent most of our day sleeping and pressing on with our box sets. And then there would be a knock at our door around 6 and another friend would bring a meal in, lovingly made a night before, often after a busy day at work… I’m talking a GP, teachers, charity workers… I know the deadlines and expectations these people have in their different jobs… There was an element of embarrassment on my behalf receiving this food but to them it was a chance to show grace to us. We didn’t deserve the gift. But our friends got a chance to show us love and kindness.

In the verses today Philippians 4 ends by saying “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” It strikes me how amazing God’s grace is. I’m aware often we fall into the temptation to think of our relationship with God based on what we deserve… Where these words remind us today, that there’s something of grace that makes God the priority. There is something about grace that focuses on God first. His choice to love me came before any opportunity to earn it… which sets us free today from any opportunity to lose it. It’s some part of the bigger picture of the secret to a content life Paul talks about in verse 12: that grace is about what God is doing in me, not what I am doing for God. There is an assurance… a freedom… a peace… when this truth begins to take hold of our life.

Over the next few days we’ll hear more about grace… what it tells us about God, ourselves and how we live in response to grace. In a moment we will pray together… responding in thankfulness fo...