Author Archives: admin

‘Many Britons think that religion is harmful’

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Last autumn, The Times reported on the results of a poll that found that 42% of Britons think that religion has a harmful effect.  Read the article here.  Broadcaster and writer John Humphys, who commissioned the poll, suggests that ‘one reason might be the publicity attracted by a handful of mad mullahs and their hate-filled rhetoric.’  Two caveats are therefore in order.

First, the fact that many people think that religion is harmful does not mean that is necessarily is.…

Dr Jim Packer defended over suspension threat

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Dr Packer’s church, St John’s Shaughnessy recently voted in February to leave the Diocese of New Westminster and continue instead under the oversight of another bishop after the New Westminster Diocese voted in favour of giving same-sex blessings.  As a consequence, Dr Packer and others have been threatened with suspension.  For the views of the Chairman of Reform, Rod Thomas, see here.…

John Wesley on ‘a catholic spirit’

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Here’s a fine comment from John Wesley on Christian unity.  By ‘catholic spirit’, Wesley meant what we today would call an ‘inclusive’ attitude towards Christians of other ‘traditions’.  By ‘speculative latitudinarianism’, he meant doctrinal indifference.  So to the quote:-

‘A catholic spirit is not speculative latitudinarianism.  It is not an indifference to all opinions: this is the spawn of hell, not the offspring of heaven.  This unsettledness of thought, this being “driven to and fro, and tossed about with every wind of doctrine,” is a great curse, not a blessing; an irreconcilable enemy, not a friend, to true catholicism. 

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‘Goodbye married couples, hello alternative family arrangements’

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A recent article in the Guardian reports that ‘Britain has become a significantly more tolerant nation over the last 20 years, with increasingly liberal views on marriage, relationships and same-sex partnerships, according to research showing that the heterosexual married couple is no longer at the centre of UK life.’  Read the rest of the article here.…

Lk 10:38-42 – Martha – sermon notes

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I’d like you to imagine that you are visiting Bethany in the latter part of the 1st century AD.  Hoping to find some lodging for the night, you find a house with a little sign outside: “Visitors always welcome.”  You knock on the door.  An elderly but sprightly lady appears.  “Come in, come in!” she urges with a welcoming smile.  “You look very hot and tired – would you like to visit the bathroom to freshen up? …

Baptism

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Baptism is one of those areas of Christian doctrine and practice where sincere believers can differ.  Baptists will not agree with everything that follows, but I hope we won’t fall out about it.

1.  Meaning

One of two sacraments: an outward sign of inward grace (Augustine).  The outward sign of baptism speaks especially of the inward work of the Holy Spirit.

(a) A symbol of the Gospel.  Baptism with water is a symbolic washing, or cleansing. …

Acts 2:41-47 – The marks of a Spirit-filled church – sermon notes

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What a tragedy that precious truths of God are trampled over by the muddy boots of controversy!  What it means to be a Spirit-filled church is just such a truth.  But here we see:-

1.  The church’s inward life

(a) ‘They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine.’

The Spirit-filled church is a well-instructed church.

Mt 28:20 ‘…teaching them to observe all things whatsover I have commanded you.’

Jn 8:31 ‘If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.’…

Christ’s ascension – the Lamb upon his throne

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We are too apt to move straight from an assertion of Christ’s resurrection to an invitation to a present encounter with the living Saviour.  But we shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that ‘from the moment Jesus left the tomb, he was heading for the heavenly throne.’

‘The third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.’  The resurrection began, and the ascension completed, his return to glory, his journey home.…