The Bethel - Old Trafford Christadelphian Church

Andrew encouraged us not to trip over or miss out Jesus in our outreach efforts. As we seek to be socially responsible and culturally relevant, we must make sure we are clear about and communicate well the motivations for our actions individually and corporately.

The saving work of Christ was the hope that kept him going. His mission was to change people, to turn us round, to have an ongoing, multiplying effect like the ripples in a pond. Also Jesus was driven by knowing what his disciples would become, that hope strengthened Him, and to that end, he gave them hope in the symbols of the bread and the wine.

In part 2, Graham discusses the 'now but not yet' element of our hope, how we are to live with Christ's power at work within us and how our mission is to join Christ in his redemptive work in this world now. Graham encouraged us to take our place in advancing the Kingdom of God, in engaging in this world and inspire other people towards this hope too.

Graham takes a look at what the 'Hope' is and how it is 'breathing life into this distressed world', 'bringing heaven to earth', 'redeeming our bodies', 'being God's children', 'being with God forever', and 'freedom' from many things.

Martyn explored the muti-level symbolism within a loaf of bread and paralleled that with our spiritual lives within our community. We were left encouraged that Jesus is the fundamental, basic nutritional foodstuff for us spiritually, and that his model is vitally important; a community, with him at the head.

How can our Joy be complete as is asserted by Jesus in John 15:11? We were encourraged to think of God continuing his daily work in us, developing a people for himself, and that as Jesus sees that, his desire is to join in. This process gives Joy to both Jesus and God. And hopefully, as we realise that God and Christ have great joy in us - joy enough to make them sing over us, we will be inspired to share that Joy with other people, bring that joy into other people's lives.

John 15 also talks about pruning and trimming which is part of the process to stimulate growth and more joy.

The Question "Where does Prayer Begin?" inspired three answers from Malcolm. 'I Can't, God Cares, God Can' was the response. Our humble, feeble, desperate, troubled prayers begin with a yearning for good to come into our world and they are received, not because of the power of the request, but because of the kindness of the recipient. Malcolm reminded us that there is no secret to prayer, but that we offer what we have, we pray with what we've got and God does the rest.

"Resurrection is not routine!" Was the cry as Andy encouraged us to be amazed and surprised once again and loose the apathy that we often develop, having heard the Easter story many times.

Using 'Desert Song' by Brooke Fraser, David walks us through how a common thread of prayer anchors and links four seasons of our lives with God - the only thing we can truly rely on.

Rob shows us the awesomeness of God through examples of characters in the Bible who had visions of his power and glory revealed to them.