The Bethel - Old Trafford Christadelphian Church

We have, in the Bible, many stories that touch us and if we let them, can transform us. Stories that illustrate the struggles we all face as humans, stories that we can all connect with and remember. The Jesus story provides the most compelling, connecting story that goes beyond historical fact and reaches into our very core, the truth, passion, excitement and also the pain, the contrast of light and dark, good and bad, sorrow and joy all wrapped up in the greatest demonstration of God's love. It is as if God is shouting out that something really important is happening here. And of course, it was, what are you going to do about it?

Following Jesus is not easy! That was never the promise. Mike explored the difficulties we face with our inner wrestling and how, over time, we can learn to trust God's judgement about what is inside us rather than our own. We were reminded that God's kindness leads us to repentance and that what God wants is for us to want to get close to him.

Based on 1 Corinthians 13 – On Love and Compassion, Paul could not have made his point more strongly or more clearly. Love (Compassion) is an all-important characteristic of followers of our Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians vs 4 to 7 – such a well known passage – lists characteristics we all should aim at if we are true Christians. Jesus’ whole life shows how he always managed to live up to these amazing and challenging standards. John 17 is part of the prayer which Jesus said during his last meeting with his followers before his crucifixion. John 17 vs 9 to 11 shows how close Jesus was to God, his Father, and how he prayed that his disciples might grow close as well. John 17 vs 20 to 23 brings us into the same relationship – an amazingly high standard for us to aim at. Jesus also says twice that our lives should be so full of love and compassion that all people will know that God really did send Jesus, His Son, to provide a way of salvation for those who truly love Him.

In this special service, we welcome Lin into the body of Christ as he chooses to commit his life to Christ in baptism. Charles introduces us to Lin's spiritual journey and Steve gives a few thoughts on what this decision means to Lin and his relationship with God. Pete then leads our thoughts to the bread and wine by exploring the changes that happen to our relationship with God, with Jesus, with the church and with ourselves during our individual spiritual journeys.

David looked at the apostle Paul's treatise on Christian love in 1st Corinthians ch 13, thinking about what love is, and what love is not, concluding that real love is not so much about what you feel, more about what you do

Is the God that we show as a community one that is alive and active today or is He of the past and currently inactive? God's desire is to use us today in the same way he used others like Elijah, James and others. Mark walks us through seven ways that God works with us today, compelling us by his grace and goodness. The goats? You'll have to listen to the whole thing!

Reading the Old Testament can be a challenge, but there are important lessons. The tabernacle table reminded the people that they relied on God to provide. Psalm 78 shows how fervently God sought to be that provider to them. Jesus' words about the yeast of the Pharisees were not about forgetting the bread but about making sure that all our thinking is God and Christ-centred. What is the (self-centred) thinking that works through our view of life, and takes us away from that focus?

David explores the compassion of Jesus for two people in need (the synagogue leader whose daughter had died, and the woman who touched his cloak), and the way he responded to their real demonstrations of their faith in his power to heal.

In an imaginary tour of Jerusalem in Israel, we were taken to some ancient rocks in the base of a wall. If they could speak of all that had passed them by, what wisdom could they speak to us? The Foundations God asks us to build on are Justice, Righteousness and Humility and they are not defined by any outcome that we desire. The cornerstone is Jesus Christ himself and he taught us that seeking justice and fairness is the hallmark of God's people.

At times, everything in our week seems to conspire to get in the way of our relationship with God. There is a constant interference, a crackle and fizz drowning out the words we want to hear from our heavenly father. Trevor challenges us to refocus on the sacrifice of Jesus; What it means to us, How it changes us, How we can live a life in but not of this world and How can we help each other in this.