Michael Buble & Ariana Grande "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town"

Words for the Wise, A Sure & Certain Salvation 1 Peter 1

1 Peter 1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A Living Hope, and a Sure Salvation

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 2 according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, [a]to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace [b]be yours in the fullest measure.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various [c]trials, 7 so that the [d]proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which [e]is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and [f]full of glory, 9 obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of [g]your souls.

10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 [h]seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories [i]to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to [j]look.

13 Therefore, [k]prepare your minds for action, [l]keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace [m]to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As [n]obedient children, do not [o]be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, 15 but [p]like the Holy One who called you, [q]be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; 16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not [r]redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared [s]in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

22 Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a [t]sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from [u]the heart, 23 for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All flesh is like grass,

And all its glory like the flower of grass.

The grass withers,

And the flower falls off,

25 But the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word which was [v]preached to you.

The Bible Panorama

1 Peter 1

V 1–2: PILGRIMS Peter, the apostle, writes to the Christian pilgrims who have been dispersed throughout what we know as modern Turkey. He wishes them multiplied grace and peace. Although geographically scattered, their position as the elect is focused in God. The Father’s foreknowledge, the Spirit’s sanctifying, and the shed blood of Jesus Christ are all highlighted in the greeting. Sanctification and obedience are to be priorities for them.

 V 3–9: PRECIOUS Starting with God’s mercy and their hope, through the resurrected Christ, Peter reminds them of an incorruptible and undefiled inheritance that awaits them in heaven, and of the preciousness of their faith which is being tried through grievous trials. This will lead to great rejoicing and the certainty of their eternal salvation.

 V 10–12: PRIVILEGE Prophets, and even angels, would love to know what these Christians now know about the sufferings and glory of Christ, made real to them through His gospel. They are privileged people!

 V 13–16: PRIORITY They are to reject former sins and lusts. They are to be holy because God is holy. Holiness is the hallmark of real conversion, and must be the priority of each Christian.

V 17–21: PRAYER Those who call on the Father in prayer should have a consistent conduct that honours Him. The precious blood of Christ, shed in God’s economy before the world was founded, has redeemed them. Their faith and hope are in God, knowing that the once crucified Christ is risen from the dead.

V 22: PURITY The Holy Spirit has given them purity through obeying the truth. Their love for one another is to blend purity with fervency.

V 23–25: PERMANENT Just as God lives forever, so His Word endures forever. They have been born again spiritually through incorruptible and unchangeable seed. Their gospel blessings will also last for ever.

Be Blessed today

Blair Humphreys

Southport

Merseyside

Ten ways to grow your church in 2015

Ten ways to grow your church in 2015

Ten
ways to grow your church in 2015

We’re
all familiar with statistics that decry the declining UK Church, but many local
churches are bucking the trend. Justin Brierley investigates what has made the
difference for those whose churches are bursting at the seams.

Let’s
be clear: there is no miracle formula for growing your church. If the magic
ingredients could be bottled and sold, someone somewhere would be very rich by
now. Nor is numerical growth the only mark of success. Discipleship, local
engagement and longevity of commitment are also important. Megachurches in the
US account for more than half of all church attendance, but critics point out
that such congregations can often be a ‘mile wide and an inch deep’.

Equally,
popular new churches that see ‘transfer growth’ from other local congregations
(aka ‘sheep stealing’) could be accused of simply rearranging the deckchairs while
the Titanic sinks. Planted in ‘hard soil’, some churches may be doing well to
simply maintain their present numbers.

Even
churches growing at a healthy rate have no cause to be complacent.
Congregations that increase to a certain size and then 'plateau', failing to
break a glass ceiling of 200 to 300 attendees, are a frequent phenomenon.

Words for the Wise, Jesus Light of the World.

John 8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

The Adulterous Woman

8 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 Early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people were coming to Him; and He sat down and began to teach them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees *brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court, 4 they *said to Him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women; what then do You say?” 6 They were saying this, testing Him, so that they might have grounds for accusing Him. But Jesus stooped down and with His finger wrote on the ground. 7 But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court. 10 Straightening up, Jesus said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” 11 She said, “No one, [a]Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more.”]

Jesus Is the Light of the World

12 Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” 13 So the Pharisees said to Him, “You are testifying about Yourself; Your testimony is not [b]true.” 14 Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is [c]true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going. 15 You judge [d]according to the flesh; I am not judging anyone. 16 But even if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone in it, but I and the Father who sent Me. 17 Even in your law it has been written that the testimony of two men is [e]true. 18 I am He who testifies about Myself, and the Father who sent Me testifies about Me.” 19 So they were saying to Him, “Where is Your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also.” 20 These words He spoke in the treasury, as He taught in the temple; and no one seized Him, because His hour had not yet come.

21 Then He said again to them, “I go away, and you will seek Me, and will die in your sin; where I am going, you cannot come.” 22 So the Jews were saying, “Surely He will not kill Himself, will He, since He says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” 23 And He was saying to them, “You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. 24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that [f]I am He, you will die in your sins.” 25 So they were saying to Him, “Who are You?” Jesus said to them, “[g]What have I been saying to you from the beginning? 26 I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these I speak to the world.” 27 They did not realize that He had been speaking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that [h]I am He, and I do nothing on My own initiative, but I speak these things as the Father taught Me. 29 And He who sent Me is with Me; He [i]has not left Me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” 30 As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him.

The Truth Will Make You Free

31 So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” 33 They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. 36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s descendants; yet you seek to kill Me, because My word [j]has no place in you. 38 I speak the things which I have seen [k]with My Father; therefore you also do the things which you heard from your father.”

39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus *said to them, “If you are Abraham’s children, do the deeds of Abraham. 40 But as it is, you are seeking to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth, which I heard from God; this Abraham did not do. 41 You are doing the deeds of your father.” They said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father: God.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but [l]He sent Me. 43 Why do you not understand [m]what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks [n]a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of [o]lies. 45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”

48 The Jews answered and said to Him, “Do we not say rightly that You are a Samaritan and have a demon?” 49 Jesus answered, “I do not have a demon; but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. 50 But I do not seek My glory; there is One who seeks and judges. 51 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he will never see death.” 52 The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My word, he will never taste of death.’ 53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?” 54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; 55 and you have not come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced [p]to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” 57 So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham [q]was born, I am.” 59 Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus [r]hid Himself and went out of the temple.

 The Bible Panorama

John 8

V 1–11: HYPOCRISY HIT The scribes and Pharisees bring Jesus a woman caught in the act of adultery and say that she should be stoned. Jesus simply advises that the person without sin should cast the first stone. The crowd melt away. Jesus then tells the woman to stop sinning.

V 12–18: TELLING TESTIMONY Jesus claims to be the Light of the world. Those following Him shall walk in ‘the light of life’. He is told that He cannot testify of Himself. Jesus replies that He knows His origin and destiny and that, as His Father testifies of Him also, His witness is corroborated

 V 19–30: CRUCIAL COMPREHENSION This statement produces various discussions about the relationship between Jesus as God the Son, who is the Son of Man on earth, and the first Person of the Trinity, God the Father. Jesus says He is going away to His Father after He has been killed. The innuendo from the opponents is that Jesus is illegitimate. Jesus says all His teaching comes from the Father, and that the Father is with Him. He always pleases the Father. This causes many to believe in Him.

 V 31–36 SIN’S SLAVERY Jesus teaches that abiding in the truth of His word brings freedom to those who, by so doing, have become His disciples. Freedom does not come from natural descent from Abraham, because sin makes slaves of us all. Only Jesus can liberate from that basic slavery, and clearly He uses His word to achieve that.

V 37–44 FIENDISH FATHER Jesus shows that the desire of those claiming Abraham as their father to kill Him demonstrates that their real father is the devil. That is also why they believe lies. Their fiendish father is a murderer and a liar. If they really had God as their Father they would not infer that Jesus was illegitimate. They would recognise the truth that He is God’s Son and not seek to kill Him.

 V 45–47 TRUTH TEST Those who really belong to God listen to His words, which are the truth. Those who do not belong to God have no desire to hear His words. This is a key test of whether someone knows God.

 V 48–59 ETERNALLY EXISTENT Jesus refutes their false and cynical accusation that He is possessed by a demon. He always follows His Father and seeks His glory. Those who keep His word have eternal life. To show that His eternal existence predated Abraham’s life He says, ‘Before Abraham was, I AM.’ (‘I AM’ is an Old Testament title of God.) Jesus passes through them, unharmed, despite their attempt to stone Him to death for blasphemy. Jesus is not just a prophet but the eternal Son of God.