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Prospects for Revival

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The Prospect Stated

One of the most striking things arising from a perusal of the literature on revival is the very prevalent hope which is sustained concerning a latter-day outpouring of the Holy Spirit in revival. The following extracts are typical:-

The Scriptures are so far from encouraging us to plead for a diminution of divine influence in these last day of the gospel that on the contrary, we are encouraged to expect, hope, long, and pray for larger and more extensive showers of divine influence than any former age hath ever yet experienced.…

Work

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Arthur Holmes writes lucidly on work within a Christian world view.  Here’s a precis:-

The technological revolution has affected the world of work in many ways: computerised accounting, sophisticated management techniques, systems analysis, advertising, and distribution networks all employ technology.  But technology is amoral, and an amoral mentality can take over, with utilitarian considerations predominating.  Profit, productivity, efficiency, or corporate growth can become not just important factors but over-riding goals.

This kind of mentality marred the industrial revolution. …

Ruth 4 – Ruth, Naomi and Boaz – sermon notes

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The story of Ruth has been told as a drama in four Acts. In Act 1 we meet some of the principle characters on the Highway, the road that leads from the country of Moab on the east of the Dead Sea to the town of Bethlehem in Judea. Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons had fled Bethlehem during a famine, and had settled in Moab. There the two sons married Moabite women. But before long Elimelech and the two sons died, leaving Naomi and her two daughters-in-law Orpah and Ruth.…

Thoughts on money

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Ask any person – rich or poor – how much money they would need in order to make them happy, and the answer will always be the same: ‘A little more’.

Money will buy a bed but not sleep, books but not brains, food but not appetite, fine clothes but not beauty, medicine but not health, luxury but not culture, amusement but not happiness, a crucifix but not a saviour, a temple but not heaven. Naismith, 1200 Notes, Quotes and Anecdotes)

Martin Luther astutely observed, “There are three conversions necessary: the conversion of the heart, mind and the purse.”…

Praying with Paul

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General characteristics of Paul’s prayers:-

1. They begin with thanksgiving

1 Cor 1:4 ‘I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.’

2. They appeal to the character of God

2 Cor 1:3  ‘Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.’

When Paul would pray for the peace of the church at Thessalonica, he says: ” Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.”…

Gen 8:20-9:17 – Rainbow promise – sermon notes

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I wonder if you have ever experienced a state of emergency?  I certainly hope that no-one here has experienced anything on the scale of the terrible Tsunami disaster.  A few of you, however, may have lived through a time of war.  More will have had lives disrupted by serious illness, family breakup, financial crisis.  Most of us will have experienced at least a power cut or a burst water pipe.

A rather comical emergency occurred recently on board a luxury cruise liner. …

Jer 28 – Contempt of court – sermon notes

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For over a century, the kingdoms of Israel and Judah had been part of the mighty Assyrian empire, forced to pay homage and an annual tribute on pain of brutal punishment upon default.  The northern kingdom of Israel had rebelled against this regime, and, by way of punishment her inhabitants were deported and her capital city vanquished.  The southern kingdom of Judah herself teetered on the brink of ruin, its kings and people devoted to all kinds of immorality and idolatry, including the terrible practice of human sacrifice. …

Dispute between Paul and Barnabas – sermon notes

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Text: Acts 15:36-41

There are all kinds of jobs to be done.  How are Christian leaders to decide who is to serve, especially if there are doubts about an individual’s suitability or reliability?

Mark is a friend and helper of Barnabas and Paul.  He had started out with them on their first missionary journey. However, when they reached what we now call southern Turkey, Mark had deserted his companions, and went back home to Jerusalem.  Now Paul & Barnabas are planning another missionary journey. …

Confirmation

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Confirmation can be traced back to Tertullian, AD 198, and Hippolytus, AD 215, both of whom refer to a post-baptismal ceremony carried out by a bishop.

Originally, no distinction was made between infants and adults in the use of this ceremony. Moreover, it only became separated from baptism itself when the Roman and African churches insisted that the anointing and imposition of hands in confirmation must be carried out by a bishop. This separation came to be regarded as normal practice, so that it became assumed that baptism was for infants and confirmation was for those who were somewhat older.…

Application in preaching

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J.I. Packer sets out the different types of application with his customary insight and lucidity:-

The activity of application has an unvarying logic, which we can state thus: if this principle is truth from God, what difference should it make to our thinking, our resolves, our emotional attitudes, our motivation, and our view of our own spiritual state at this moment?  More fully: if this principle is truth that God teaches and guarantees, then the following questions arise:

1. …