Week commencing 18th July 2021

Devotional Materials. Week Commencing Sunday 18^th July 2021

Call to worship

Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians refers to the Father’s ‘incomparable great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at the right hand in the heavenly realms.’ (Ephesians 1:19, 20).

We have on previous occasions looked at the ‘Accuracy of the Bible’ (10/1/21, 17/1/21), and the ‘Inspiration of the Bible’ (21/3/21, 28/3/21). Today and next Sunday we will explore the ‘Power of the Bible’.

Of course the Bible is only powerful because God Himself is all powerful and has chosen to speak to us through His written Word the Bible. Through this service we will meditate on God’s power.

Opening Hymn

2 Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might,
thy justice like mountains high soaring above
thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

3 To all, life thou givest, to both great and small.
In all life thou livest, the true life of all.
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4 Great God of all glory, great God of all light,
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight.
All praise we would render; O help us to see
‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zd0FyrzVUCM

Opening Prayer

Lord God we come before you in awe and reverence. We worship you this morning and acknowledge your great lordship and power. You are creator- our creator and we thank and praise you for the life you have given us and every good gift we enjoy from your hand.

You are the eternal one, our God; the rock of our life and the shield of our salvation. You are He who exists through all ages. We therefore again give you thanks and commit our lives into your hands, entrusting ourselves into your goodness and strength.

We would confess before you our weakness this morning. We confess those times when our spirit has been willing, but our flesh has been weak. We confess those times when we have lost self-control and spoken and acted without love towards others. Where we have been weak. Please forgive us our sins. We praise you that you are gracious and merciful and these never fail. Thank you that if we ‘confess our sins you are faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:9).

Although you are powerful You still show compassion and kindness. We praise you that although we are weak, you have chosen to display Your power in us- for Your power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Please lead us this morning by Your Holy Spirit who is powerfully at work in us to draw us to you and to conform us into Your image (Romans 8:29, 30). Amen.

Reading. Ezekiel 37:1-14

37 The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. ² He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. ³ He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones live?”

I said, “Sovereign Lord, you alone know.”

⁴ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath^[a] enter you, and you will come to life. ⁶ I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

⁹ Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’” ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.

¹¹ Then he said to me: “Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.’ ¹² Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: My people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. ¹³ Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. ¹⁴ I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.’”

(Phil Keaggy, Christian singer/songwriter, known for his guitar playing, has written a song about this passage entitled ‘Ezekiel’ from his album ‘All at Once’. Here is the link for your interest https://philkeaggy.bandcamp.com/album/all-at-once. Keaggy is my favourite singer/songwriter and this recent album is one of his best in my opinion).

Hymn (Guitar)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm-zb-AH8Xc

Sermon. ‘The Bible Is Powerful’. Part 1.

In AD 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian issued an edict to stop Christians from worshiping and to try to destroy their Scriptures. An imperial letter was sent out, ordering the razing of Churches to the ground and the burning of Bibles. Christians who held high positions in society would lose their civil rights, those believers who lived in households who continued to profess Christ would lose their freedom. Diocletian viciously persecuted the Church. He was so confident he had succeeded that he built a monument to mark the extinction of the Church. He had a medal produced commemorating the destruction of the Scriptures. However, just 25 years after Diocletian’s edict the Roman emperor Constantine issued an edict ordering that 50 copies of the Scriptures should be prepared at the government’s expense!

In the days of the Renaissance the Bible was attacked by philosophers and academics and intellectuals who tried to disprove the Scriptures. Voltaire the noted French atheist who died in 1778, said that in one hundred years from his time Christianity would be swept from existence and passed into history. Fifty years after Voltaire’s death the Geneva Bible Society used his press and house to produce stacks of Bibles!!

The Bible is a powerful book! It has withstood vicious attacks by its enemies. Many have tried to burn it, ban it, and outlaw it from the days of the Roman emperors to present-day Communist-dominated countries.

Not only has the Bible endured through persecution. The Bible’s circulation has increased. Voltaire has passed into history, but the circulation of the Bible continues to increase in almost all parts of the World. It is more loved and cherished and read today than ever before. Through the combined ministries of the Bible Societies and Bible translation agencies, 94% of the world’s population has access to a New Testament in their own language.

It’s not unusual to hear about books that have hit the bestseller list, selling a few hundred thousand copies. It’s much rarer to come across books that have sold more than a million copies, rarer still to find books that have passed the 10 million mark in sales. It is staggering then to discover that the number of Bibles sold reaches into the billions! Billions! More copies have been produced of its entirety as well as selected portions than any other book in history. The Cambridge History of the Bible states, “No other book has known anything approaching this constant circulation”

An article in the New Statesman from April last year (27/4/20) was headed ‘How coronavirus is leading to a religious revival.’ It began ‘As Covid-19 reminds us of life’s fragility, an increasing number of people are turning to faith and spirituality’. The writer went on to say ‘The fact that Bible app downloads shot up in March globally is one indication of this. The top English-language Bible on Google Play and App Store was installed almost two million times, the highest amount ever recorded for March, according to Appfigures. Similarly, one of the UK’s largest online Christian bookstores, Eden, has seen physical Bible sales rise by 55 per cent in April, while Google searches for “prayer” and “Christianity” have skyrocketed.’

The Bible’s enemies come and go but the Bible remains. Not only does it endure persecution but it enjoys unparalleled and ever widening circulation worldwide- and that was the case before coronavirus. These factors testify to the power of this book.

But the power of the Bible lies in the fact that the Bible is God’s Word. We have in previous sermons/devotional materials thought about the Bible’s accuracy (10/1/21, 17/1/21), and the Bible’s inspiration (21/3/21, 28/3/21).

We saw on those occasions there are good reasons for believing the Bible to be accurate and that it is the inspired Word of God.

So when it comes to the Bible’s inspiration 2 Timothy 3:16 is one of other references that reveals the Bible’s own claim to its Divine inspiration “All Scripture is God breathed”. Scripture comes from God’s mouth. It is God’s direct revelation to mankind. And we thought then about good reasons that show this claim to be true namely; the unity of the Bible, the Holy Spirit’s witness in our experience that the Bible is inspired, predictive prophesy-other books claim divine inspiration-but none contain predictive prophesy that has come true as the Bible does, and Jesus own attitude towards Scripture as the Word of God. (If you did not hear these messages I would encourage you to look at these written devotional materials on our website.)

Now since the Bible is God’s inspired word we would expect it be powerful in its effect: Jesus said “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Mark 13:31). God has ensured that the Scriptures will not pass away. The reason the Bible endures attack and increases in circulation in unprecedented ways is because it is God’s Word.

H. L. Hastings writes: “Infidels, with all their assaults, make about as much impression on this book as a man with a tack hammer would on the pyramids of Egypt. When the French monarch proposed the persecution of Christians in his domain, an old statesman and warrior said to him, “Sire, the Church of God is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.” So the hammers of infidels have been pecking away at this book for ages, but the hammers are worn out, and the anvil still endures. If this book had not been the book of God, men would have destroyed it long ago. Emperors and popes, kings and priests, princes and rulers have all tried their hand at it; they die and the book still lives.” (‘New Evidence that Demands a Verdict’ p11 Josh McDowell).

The Scriptures attest to their own power:

There is warning in the Bible’s pages. God’s Word is compared to fire and a hammer in Jeremiah 23:29; “Is not my word like fire?” declares the Lord, and like a rock that breaks a hammer in pieces?”

There is rebuke and correction. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 19 “The statutes of the law are trustworthy making wise the simple” (verse 7). You don’t have to learn the hard way through experimentation with life. You can imbibe God’s Word now, from very young, and so avoid many minefields- temptations and traps in life. Conversely you can enjoy much that is right and good because you build your life on God’s Word as God intended you to.

Even today if you have avoided God and His Word for some years, it is not too late to repent and believe and learn afresh from Him. The Bible teaches us that our God is a redeeming God, such is His love and grace.

This is Mike’s story from the ‘Christianity Explored’ website. The latter is a course for attendees to find out more about the Christian Faith (similar to The Alpha Course). Mike came to faith later in his life, it’s clear he discovered the answers to his questions from the Bible:

“My wife asked me to go on the Christianity Explored course. She’d been on it two years ago. But I was rather reluctant to go on the course. However, by going to church I’d spoken to people - Christians at church - who’d said it was a good course. And I’d also noticed how happy and contented Christians seem to be. So I thought perhaps there might be something in it that was worthwhile for me to go and see. So I rather reluctantly agreed with Maureen yes I’d go along.

I found the Christianity Explored course very interesting. It was informative, it was well structured and well organised, but most importantly it answered many questions that I had. The two major questions that I had was whether I could believe the Bible - that it was an actual factual representation of what happened. And the second one was whether I could believe in the resurrection.

And the minister and the Christian leaders who were on the course were always able to go to the Bible to give me the answers, and the Bible always provided the answers to me which I found pretty conclusive.

The second part was whether I could believe the resurrection, and I was given other references to read which helped me to understand the proof behind the resurrection. The course opened my eyes to who Jesus was, why he came to earth, and he came to save us. And that was the most important question that was answered for me.
I’m not sure that I was a Christian when I finished the Christianity Explored course but I’d certainly learned enough from the course for it to make me want to know more about becoming a Christian. So I met up with the minister on a one-to-one basis for a few sessions where we discussed the questions and also talked the doubts that I had. And I explored with him the fact that I wasn’t perfect and I didn’t think that I was cut out to be a Christian. But it became more and more obvious that Christians know that they’re not perfect and that it wasn’t something that I should worry about, because Jesus had come to earth to save us from the fact that we’re all sinners and that we’re not perfect. God understood that – that’s why he sent Jesus who was there to save us from that sin.

And so I realised, with help from the minster that I had become a Christian because I believed in Jesus.

Since I became a Christian I’ve become more content. I’m certainly more tolerant of people, and I feel that I’m now leading a better life. I was the only non-Christian in my family, but now I feel that my wife and my son and myself are more of a family now – we’re part of God’s family - and that we can enjoy our life living the way that Jesus wanted us, needs us, to lead our life. And we’re very happy to do that.” (https://www.christianityexplored.org/Articles/469364/CE_ORG/Real_Life_Stories/Transcripts/Mikes_story.aspx ).

God’s Word is a life giving force. Ezekiel the Prophet was led by the Spirit into a valley full of dry bones. He was commanded to prophesy to the old bones and say to them “Dry bones hear the word of the Lord. This is what the sovereign Lord says to these bones; I will make breath enter you and you will live…” Ezekiel 37: 7 says “So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone”. We can combine that prophesy with the powerful effect of God’s saving word in the New Testament. Paul in Romans 1:16 states “I am not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.”

In the New Testament we see people spiritually dead, dry bones, coming to life through receiving the gospel message. They hear God’s Word and like seed sown on good ground they receive it and bear much fruit (See ‘Parable of the Sower 1/11/20, 8/11/20). Now free from the tyranny of sin in their lives and the compulsion to justify it, they freely admit to it and renounce it. So, for example, the new believers who formed the nucleus of the early Church in Ephesus openly confessed their evil deeds. Those who practised sorcery brought their scrolls and burned them. (Acts 19:20). Instead of displaying the evil deeds of the sinful nature, they produce fruit in keeping with their new nature in Christ. We look at the early church communities in Acts and see a new found love for God because these believers know their sins forgiven on account of Christ’s sacrifice for them. They know themselves adopted into God’s family and God’s own presence- by His Spirit living within them. So they have a new love for their brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as a servant’s heart towards all they come into contact with. They now work out their love of God in service of others, as God’s Word directs, and as God by His Spirit enables.

God’s Word has the power of an offensive weapon; “sharper than any double edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). When you read the Scriptures God uses them to go directly to your heart. He challenges you about sins in your life that you need to confess and turn from as well as the good he wants you to do instead. He makes you aware of the sins and the possibilities for service you were blind to previously. And by His penetrating Word He also encourages and reassures you when you are receptive to Him and actively obeying Him but are inwardly discouraged because of opposition, doubts and fears. At such times when you hear or read His Word, it comforts you and gives you courage to go on.

Martin Luther King in his book “Strength to Love” has a chapter called “Antidotes for fear”. There he cites 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love”. King wrote of this verse “The kind of love which led Christ to the cross and kept Paul unembittered amid the angry torrents of persecution is not soft, anaemic, and sentimental. Such love confronts evil without flinching…Such love overcomes the world even from a roughhewn cross against the skyline”. Biblical reflections like that kept King focussed on his mission to see people of all colours free of the damage done by racism. God’s Word strengthened him and encouraged him to continue despite threatening phone calls. Through God’s Word and through prayer King experienced the power needed to go on. On one such occasion he wrote “It seemed as though I could hear the quiet voice of an inner assurance saying, “Stand up for righteousness, stand up for truth; and God will be at your side forever” Almost at once my fears began to go. My uncertainty disappeared. I was ready to face anything”.

As the early church grew Acts 19:20 makes this observation ‘So the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily.’ (ESV). The Bible is powerful.

Next Sunday we will look at further examples that show the power of God’s Word for good in people’s lives and communities.

…………………………………………………

God’s Word is a life giving force bringing personal salvation, renewing the church and even whole communities. Let’s meditate on this truth and pray for it as we reflect on the words of Graham Kendrick’s hymn ‘O Lord the clouds are gathering…’

‘O Lord, let love reclaim the lives that sin would sweep away and let your kingdom come…’

Hymn

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xfv9OI59_7o

Prayers

We ask Lord you would bring deep conviction of sin, spiritual brokenness, a holy fear of God and genuine repentance among your people. There will be no revival without these elements and only you can produce them in His people. We cannot program or “work up” genuine brokenness and repentance. (2 Corinthians 7:10)

We pray you would bestow spiritual hunger in your people and draw them to fervent prayer. Grant people the genuine faith and the fervent desire for prayer. We ask for forgiveness for failing to seek justice for those who are oppressed and overlooked. We cry out to you to bring justice to those who are oppressed and to use us as a voice for the voiceless, marginalized, and overlooked. (Philippians 2:13)

Lord please bring loving unity in our churches and a deep harmony between our churches. We pray for healing among members and that we would partner in advancing the Kingdom of God together, rather than seeking their own “kingdoms” individually. (John 13:35)

Lord fill His people with a passion to see people come to faith in Jesus. We understand we should intensely pray for the lost and boldly speak the gospel to others otherwise revival will tarry. Pray for individuals by name privately. (Romans 9:1-3)

Lord give your people a passion for everyday mission (in the neighbourhoods and the Nations) and in starting churches. We recognise great revivals produce an explosion of new ways to engage on mission through missional communities, new ministries, new church plants, and by sending people to other countries. Only God can grant a genuine passion for mission. (Matthew 28:19)

We pray that by your power you would raise men and women up to serve both the Church and the community with their God given gifts. Many churches are dying for lack committed, covenanted men and women who are ready to serve, rather than to be served. (Matthew 9:37).

Lord pour out Your Spirit like a mighty purifying flood. Purify our motives as we pray for revival, renewal, and refreshing. We pray that you would be glorified and we pray for the increase of your kingdom. (James 4:2)

We pray for a mighty move of conviction and salvation upon communities of cultural influence. For business owners, government officials, educators, teachers, and college professors, news and media people, talk shows hosts, comedians, the music industry. (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

We pray Lord You would pour out Your Spirit in a fashion even greater than you did in America in 1858 and Wales in 1904. We ask you for a modern day Pentecost. (Mark 11:22- 24; John 14:13-14.)

Communion Hymn

In Christ alone! – who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save:
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied –
For every sin on Him was laid;
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain:
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me,
For I am His and He is mine –
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life’s first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand:
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWiFYJMGas0

Communion

Hymn

2 O tell of his might and sing of his grace,
whose robe is the light, whose canopy space.
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
and dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

3 Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

4 Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
in you do we trust, nor find you to fail.
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend!

5 O measureless Might, unchangeable Love,
whom angels delight to worship above!
Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze,
in true adoration shall sing to your praise!