The Pastor's Pen http://www.newlifechurch.ae Thoughts from Pastor Gareth Franks Tue, 19 Mar 2024 06:19:56 -0400 http://churchplantmedia.com/ Why a Sermon Series on Ephesians? http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-on-ephesians http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-on-ephesians#comments Thu, 11 Jan 2024 04:00:00 -0500 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-on-ephesians This book was written by the apostle Paul and is only 6 chapters long. Reading this book from beginning to end (if you are an average reader like me) will take you approximately 20 minutes.

Samuel Coleridge, the English poet said that Ephesians is “the divinest composition of man.” Another writer refers to it as, “the Grand Canyon of Scripture,” because “it is breathtakingly beautiful and apparently inexhaustible to the one who wants to take it in”. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls Ephesians “the sublimest and the most majestic expression” of the gospel. Reformation preacher John Calvin is not alone among Christians in prizing Ephesians as his favourite letter in the New Testament.

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul shows how the grace of God in Christ empowers the church to live victoriously in a broken world. The subtitle for our sermon series in Ephesians is ‘Gospel Truths Lead to Gospel Living’. The first three chapters are saturated with the gospel while the last three chapters give you plenty of opportunities to apply it to your life. Paul’s profound expositions of God’s glorious grace will lead us to the practical implications of that gospel living.

In his letter to the Ephesian Church, Paul celebrates and explains God’s mission of reconciliation in Ephesians 1, applies it to individuals in Ephesians 2:1–10 and the Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians 2:11–22, and exhorts the church to live it out in their relationships with one another in Ephesians 4–6. The beautiful thing about Ephesians is that it encourages us to see how our individual testimonies accompany corporate implications. This epistle will transform your understanding of God’s work in and through the church.

We were dead not only to God, but to the people of God. However, Christ’s cross has obliterated the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile. By God’s grace we are united to God and to one another. Therefore, no matter our ethnicity, our social status, or our moral backgrounds, we as Christians are now fellow citizens, members of the same family, and strategic stones in the temple of God.

As we study Ephesians, we will also see how the grace of God transforms our relationship with the broken world. Paul teaches that we are in a spiritual war and that we must put on the necessary armour so that we may fight against the demonic realm. As members of Christ’s visible church, we must remember that we are fighting in an invisible (spiritual) war that has already been won by Christ, whose victory is displayed through his church.

Every week we stand together with brothers and sisters in Christ who have battled all week. Many are exhausted, possibly feel defeated, and don’t know if they even want to keep on fighting. Ephesians will encourage us in this spiritual fight and offer us hope that faithfulness and victory are possible in Christ. This letter calls believers to walk in hope, love, holiness, and wisdom within our local church congregation and in the world. 

For these reasons and more, Ephesians is a powerhouse letter. It has gospel. It has mission. It has clear instructions for the Christian life. It has hope. As we study this book verse by verse for the next few months, pray with me as the apostle Paul prayed in (1:17-19),

… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you[us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

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This book was written by the apostle Paul and is only 6 chapters long. Reading this book from beginning to end (if you are an average reader like me) will take you approximately 20 minutes.

Samuel Coleridge, the English poet said that Ephesians is “the divinest composition of man.” Another writer refers to it as, “the Grand Canyon of Scripture,” because “it is breathtakingly beautiful and apparently inexhaustible to the one who wants to take it in”. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls Ephesians “the sublimest and the most majestic expression” of the gospel. Reformation preacher John Calvin is not alone among Christians in prizing Ephesians as his favourite letter in the New Testament.

In the book of Ephesians, the Apostle Paul shows how the grace of God in Christ empowers the church to live victoriously in a broken world. The subtitle for our sermon series in Ephesians is ‘Gospel Truths Lead to Gospel Living’. The first three chapters are saturated with the gospel while the last three chapters give you plenty of opportunities to apply it to your life. Paul’s profound expositions of God’s glorious grace will lead us to the practical implications of that gospel living.

In his letter to the Ephesian Church, Paul celebrates and explains God’s mission of reconciliation in Ephesians 1, applies it to individuals in Ephesians 2:1–10 and the Jews and Gentiles in Ephesians 2:11–22, and exhorts the church to live it out in their relationships with one another in Ephesians 4–6. The beautiful thing about Ephesians is that it encourages us to see how our individual testimonies accompany corporate implications. This epistle will transform your understanding of God’s work in and through the church.

We were dead not only to God, but to the people of God. However, Christ’s cross has obliterated the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile. By God’s grace we are united to God and to one another. Therefore, no matter our ethnicity, our social status, or our moral backgrounds, we as Christians are now fellow citizens, members of the same family, and strategic stones in the temple of God.

As we study Ephesians, we will also see how the grace of God transforms our relationship with the broken world. Paul teaches that we are in a spiritual war and that we must put on the necessary armour so that we may fight against the demonic realm. As members of Christ’s visible church, we must remember that we are fighting in an invisible (spiritual) war that has already been won by Christ, whose victory is displayed through his church.

Every week we stand together with brothers and sisters in Christ who have battled all week. Many are exhausted, possibly feel defeated, and don’t know if they even want to keep on fighting. Ephesians will encourage us in this spiritual fight and offer us hope that faithfulness and victory are possible in Christ. This letter calls believers to walk in hope, love, holiness, and wisdom within our local church congregation and in the world. 

For these reasons and more, Ephesians is a powerhouse letter. It has gospel. It has mission. It has clear instructions for the Christian life. It has hope. As we study this book verse by verse for the next few months, pray with me as the apostle Paul prayed in (1:17-19),

… that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you[us] a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe.

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Let's Make Sundays Great Again http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/lets-make-sunday-great-again http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/lets-make-sunday-great-again#comments Sun, 07 Jan 2024 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/lets-make-sunday-great-again On 7th January 2024, New Life Church will be meeting on Sunday afternoons at 4.30pm, in Abu Dhabi at The Evangelical Church Centre in Upper Chapel 1 on the first floor.

This time change is 1,5 hours later than when we met in 2023. For some this change may be an inconvenience, for others this may be a blessing. I have written this article to help convince you that this change will be a blessing and as the apostle James reminds us, to count it all joy.

     1. Gathering is essential for the life of the church.

The Bible is clear that gathering is essential for the life of the church. In Matthew 18:17-20, in the context of Jesus speaking about the church, he makes his beloved promise: “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Paul admonishes Christians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper when they have come together (1 Cor. 11:33). The author of Hebrews tells us to not neglect meeting together (Heb.10:25). 

A local church is an assembly. If a church never meets, it is no church at all.

We easily take this truth for granted. The time of the worship meeting is often the first piece of information a church provides on its marquee or website. “Join us this Sunday at 4:30pm! All are welcome!”

Meeting, however, isn’t just something churches do. A meeting is, in part, what a church is. God has saved us as individuals to be a corporate assembly. The word in the Greek translation of the Old Testament for “assembly,” ekklesia, is the same word the New Testament writers use to refer to the local church. It’s simply the term for a gathering. But when applied to the church, it carries the rich Old Testament connotations of standing together as God’s chosen people.

We need to remind ourselves that the Bible’s command to gather is not burdensome (see Heb. 10:25; 1 John 5:3). It’s for our good, our faith, our love, and our joy.

      2. Gathering on a Sunday commemorates Jesus Resurrection.

With the new local laws taking effect this new year, there are many churches who are no longer able to meet on Sundays. With the TEC only able to accommodate so many churches on a Sunday, there are bound to be congregations who would have to adjust their day of worship.

We need to remind ourselves of the blessing of being able to gather on a Sunday. The biblical position to keep a specific day rather than just the principle of one in seven is a much more effective witness to the unbelieving world. The early church met on the Lord’s Day to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection. All four gospels emphasize Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week. Both the historical and biblical record reveal the Lord’s Day was the chosen gathering day for distinctly Christian worship because it was the day Jesus rose from the dead.

Every Sunday the church gathers and remembers and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. When we, the church body, gather together on the Lord’s Day, we await Jesus’ return to consummate the promised kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. Even though we don’t’ get to meet on Sunday mornings, but rather at 4.30pm, we can remind ourselves of the blessing of meeting on a Sunday.

    3. Gathering on a Sunday reminds us of what God has done.

I love how Nancy Guthrie says in her book ‘Even Better than Eden’; “Sabbath keeping would set God’s people apart as being so well taken care of by their God that they could take a day of rest. It would set them apart as a people who had something to look forward to: unending, all-encompassing rest in the presence of the one true God.” (p.99)

Originally, the Sabbath was a day of rest, and that purpose was retained in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 16:23–2931:14–1635:2–3Deuteronomy 5:12–15Nehemiah 13:15–22Jeremiah 17:21–27).

The Israelites who had come from Slavery in Egypt had probably worked 7days a week for their slave master. The Sabbath rest rule from God and for God (Holy to the Lord) must have been seen as a gracious gift to the newly freed Israelites.  Their children, servants and even livestock would get to enjoy this gift of rest.

The Sabbath command also served as a Sign of the Covenant (Exodus 31:12-17). This seventh day is a sign of their covenant with God. A continual reminder for themselves and the nations of what God has done for them.

Guthrie goes on to say, “God has given us the gift of a day- one day different from all the other days in our week-to push away from the table of the world that fills us up with its amusements and technology and weighs us down with its expectations and commitments. This gift invites us, instead, to pull up a chair at the table where God himself wants to fill us up with himself and to take on himself all things that are weighing on us.” (p.94)

Let’s remind ourselves of what God has set before us. Let’s remind ourselves that coming to church on a Sunday afternoon is gift and not a restriction. Let’s remind ourselves that Sundays are something we look forward to as we get to enjoy the all-encompassing rest in the presence of the one true God.

      4. Gathering on a Sunday is for our good, our faith, our love, and our joy.

The writer of Hebrews wrote to the early church, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” (Heb. 4:9-11)

The writer of Hebrews looks back to Genesis when God rested after completing His work. He then restates the promise that has been at the heart of observing the Sabbath throughout the centuries: the reality of a greater rest to which this day is just a pointer, a reminder, an opportunity for reorientation.

Let’s make Sundays great again. I think for many of us living in Abu Dhabi, we have fallen into the trap of thinking that Sunday is a day of leisure, and that going to church can often be an inconvenience that just gets in the way.  The Lord’s day isn’t given to us as a sports day. It isn’t given to us so we can finish our studies. It isn’t merely a family day. It’s God’s day. It’s a day for works of necessity and works of mercy and works of piety that flow out of our desire to set apart the day for him.

So, the question remains, how then can we make Sundays great again? How do we reorient our Sundays so we can honour the Lord of the Sabbath?

Let me offer a few suggestions:

Read a Christian book on your own or with a friend. With extra time given to us during the mornings and afternoons, we could read a book on our own or with a family member(s) or with a friend and then discuss the book together.

Spend time in pray. Wouldn’t God’s day be a great day to set time aside to talk to God, around the lunch table? Invite someone for breakfast or lunch and spend time praying for them at lunch time. You could even make time to come early to church on the first Sunday of the month to pray with your faith family during our corporate prayer meeting.

Meet someone for coffee and spend intentional time discipling someone in the church. Wouldn’t God’s day be a great day meditating on truths from scripture and helping someone apply them to their own lives? You could even join your faith family after the main service for the family bible hour to learn more of God’s word.

Wouldn’t Gods day be great if we used it to visit someone in need or lonely in our church that we have been too busy to serve on the other six days of the week? Wouldn’t Gods day be great if we used it to serve, in the Care Team, Music Team, Communications Team, Children’s Ministry or other ministries at NLC. Come to church early, stay a little later…now that we have a time slot for 3 hours we can! The Lord’s day is not just 90 minutes!

Let’s remind ourselves that God has given us a gift in the Sabbath. We need to be thankful that we have a place to meet even though it is on a Sunday afternoon. We do not know what the future holds for all of the churches in the UAE. Maybe we have taken the Lord’s day for granted. We may have even forgotten this lesson we should have learned during Covid. Maybe we have pushed the pause button and have been in limbo waiting for our venue to change. I think it’s time to make Sundays great again. Let’s remind ourselves that Sunday is not our day, but the Lord’s and it’s for our good, our faith, our love, and our joy.

Counting it all joy with you, in the pursuit of the greater Sabbath rest.

Your pastor, Gareth

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On 7th January 2024, New Life Church will be meeting on Sunday afternoons at 4.30pm, in Abu Dhabi at The Evangelical Church Centre in Upper Chapel 1 on the first floor.

This time change is 1,5 hours later than when we met in 2023. For some this change may be an inconvenience, for others this may be a blessing. I have written this article to help convince you that this change will be a blessing and as the apostle James reminds us, to count it all joy.

     1. Gathering is essential for the life of the church.

The Bible is clear that gathering is essential for the life of the church. In Matthew 18:17-20, in the context of Jesus speaking about the church, he makes his beloved promise: “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Paul admonishes Christians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper when they have come together (1 Cor. 11:33). The author of Hebrews tells us to not neglect meeting together (Heb.10:25). 

A local church is an assembly. If a church never meets, it is no church at all.

We easily take this truth for granted. The time of the worship meeting is often the first piece of information a church provides on its marquee or website. “Join us this Sunday at 4:30pm! All are welcome!”

Meeting, however, isn’t just something churches do. A meeting is, in part, what a church is. God has saved us as individuals to be a corporate assembly. The word in the Greek translation of the Old Testament for “assembly,” ekklesia, is the same word the New Testament writers use to refer to the local church. It’s simply the term for a gathering. But when applied to the church, it carries the rich Old Testament connotations of standing together as God’s chosen people.

We need to remind ourselves that the Bible’s command to gather is not burdensome (see Heb. 10:25; 1 John 5:3). It’s for our good, our faith, our love, and our joy.

      2. Gathering on a Sunday commemorates Jesus Resurrection.

With the new local laws taking effect this new year, there are many churches who are no longer able to meet on Sundays. With the TEC only able to accommodate so many churches on a Sunday, there are bound to be congregations who would have to adjust their day of worship.

We need to remind ourselves of the blessing of being able to gather on a Sunday. The biblical position to keep a specific day rather than just the principle of one in seven is a much more effective witness to the unbelieving world. The early church met on the Lord’s Day to commemorate Jesus’ resurrection. All four gospels emphasize Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week. Both the historical and biblical record reveal the Lord’s Day was the chosen gathering day for distinctly Christian worship because it was the day Jesus rose from the dead.

Every Sunday the church gathers and remembers and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. When we, the church body, gather together on the Lord’s Day, we await Jesus’ return to consummate the promised kingdom of righteousness, justice, and peace. Even though we don’t’ get to meet on Sunday mornings, but rather at 4.30pm, we can remind ourselves of the blessing of meeting on a Sunday.

    3. Gathering on a Sunday reminds us of what God has done.

I love how Nancy Guthrie says in her book ‘Even Better than Eden’; “Sabbath keeping would set God’s people apart as being so well taken care of by their God that they could take a day of rest. It would set them apart as a people who had something to look forward to: unending, all-encompassing rest in the presence of the one true God.” (p.99)

Originally, the Sabbath was a day of rest, and that purpose was retained in the Mosaic Law (Exodus 16:23–2931:14–1635:2–3Deuteronomy 5:12–15Nehemiah 13:15–22Jeremiah 17:21–27).

The Israelites who had come from Slavery in Egypt had probably worked 7days a week for their slave master. The Sabbath rest rule from God and for God (Holy to the Lord) must have been seen as a gracious gift to the newly freed Israelites.  Their children, servants and even livestock would get to enjoy this gift of rest.

The Sabbath command also served as a Sign of the Covenant (Exodus 31:12-17). This seventh day is a sign of their covenant with God. A continual reminder for themselves and the nations of what God has done for them.

Guthrie goes on to say, “God has given us the gift of a day- one day different from all the other days in our week-to push away from the table of the world that fills us up with its amusements and technology and weighs us down with its expectations and commitments. This gift invites us, instead, to pull up a chair at the table where God himself wants to fill us up with himself and to take on himself all things that are weighing on us.” (p.94)

Let’s remind ourselves of what God has set before us. Let’s remind ourselves that coming to church on a Sunday afternoon is gift and not a restriction. Let’s remind ourselves that Sundays are something we look forward to as we get to enjoy the all-encompassing rest in the presence of the one true God.

      4. Gathering on a Sunday is for our good, our faith, our love, and our joy.

The writer of Hebrews wrote to the early church, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.” (Heb. 4:9-11)

The writer of Hebrews looks back to Genesis when God rested after completing His work. He then restates the promise that has been at the heart of observing the Sabbath throughout the centuries: the reality of a greater rest to which this day is just a pointer, a reminder, an opportunity for reorientation.

Let’s make Sundays great again. I think for many of us living in Abu Dhabi, we have fallen into the trap of thinking that Sunday is a day of leisure, and that going to church can often be an inconvenience that just gets in the way.  The Lord’s day isn’t given to us as a sports day. It isn’t given to us so we can finish our studies. It isn’t merely a family day. It’s God’s day. It’s a day for works of necessity and works of mercy and works of piety that flow out of our desire to set apart the day for him.

So, the question remains, how then can we make Sundays great again? How do we reorient our Sundays so we can honour the Lord of the Sabbath?

Let me offer a few suggestions:

Read a Christian book on your own or with a friend. With extra time given to us during the mornings and afternoons, we could read a book on our own or with a family member(s) or with a friend and then discuss the book together.

Spend time in pray. Wouldn’t God’s day be a great day to set time aside to talk to God, around the lunch table? Invite someone for breakfast or lunch and spend time praying for them at lunch time. You could even make time to come early to church on the first Sunday of the month to pray with your faith family during our corporate prayer meeting.

Meet someone for coffee and spend intentional time discipling someone in the church. Wouldn’t God’s day be a great day meditating on truths from scripture and helping someone apply them to their own lives? You could even join your faith family after the main service for the family bible hour to learn more of God’s word.

Wouldn’t Gods day be great if we used it to visit someone in need or lonely in our church that we have been too busy to serve on the other six days of the week? Wouldn’t Gods day be great if we used it to serve, in the Care Team, Music Team, Communications Team, Children’s Ministry or other ministries at NLC. Come to church early, stay a little later…now that we have a time slot for 3 hours we can! The Lord’s day is not just 90 minutes!

Let’s remind ourselves that God has given us a gift in the Sabbath. We need to be thankful that we have a place to meet even though it is on a Sunday afternoon. We do not know what the future holds for all of the churches in the UAE. Maybe we have taken the Lord’s day for granted. We may have even forgotten this lesson we should have learned during Covid. Maybe we have pushed the pause button and have been in limbo waiting for our venue to change. I think it’s time to make Sundays great again. Let’s remind ourselves that Sunday is not our day, but the Lord’s and it’s for our good, our faith, our love, and our joy.

Counting it all joy with you, in the pursuit of the greater Sabbath rest.

Your pastor, Gareth

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Why a Sermon Series on the Five Solas? http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-on-the-five-solas http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-on-the-five-solas#comments Fri, 22 Sep 2023 05:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-on-the-five-solas On October 31, many people will be focused on candy and things that go bump in the night. Protestants, however, have something far more significant to celebrate on October 31. It's Reformation day, which commemorates what was perhaps the greatest move of God's Spirit since the days of the Apostles.

This year, 2023, marks the 506th anniversary of the Reformation, if you mark Martin Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenburg as the start of the Reformation.

Five hundred and six years ago seems like a long time ago and irrelavant and inconsequential to our lives and culture, some may say! One of the main reasons for this sermon series is so that we will not forget our roots as a church. 

The church exists in a world of rapidly changing technology, a world in which almost everyone has been assimilated into the incessant chatter of social media and real-time updates on everything from world politics to what your friend had for breakfast this morning. If we are to be relevant, or so we think, we too must be a people of the new and the now.

The consequences of such ideas in the church are not good, and there for all to see. The people of Israel forgot the past with disastrous consequences. The medieval church forgot the past with disastrous consequences. But what do you do when you realize you’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere along your journey? You go back and seek to find the correct path. We should not view the past as something that is gone and therefore useless. We should look at the past more like the way someone on the second floor of a building looks at the foundation. The foundation was built before the remaining structure. It was built in the past. But the foundation is not something that can be discarded without catastrophic results.

This sermon series on 5 Solas of the Reformation, will remind us of the foundation of the evangelical faith. These five slogans capture well the points of emphasis of the Reformers preaching and teaching. It was a teaching that rocked the world and brought consequences far beyond what they could have imagined. Most importantly, it was a recovery of the gospel.  

This five week sermon series will highlight these solas both historically, theologically and in the context of the Protestant Reformation. Pray with me that through this series we will be equipped to be knowledgeable proclaimers and defenders of biblical truth. Pray that we will be eager to preach the gospel of God to the world and thereby spark a new reformation of church and culture.

 

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On October 31, many people will be focused on candy and things that go bump in the night. Protestants, however, have something far more significant to celebrate on October 31. It's Reformation day, which commemorates what was perhaps the greatest move of God's Spirit since the days of the Apostles.

This year, 2023, marks the 506th anniversary of the Reformation, if you mark Martin Luther’s nailing of his Ninety-Five Theses to the church door in Wittenburg as the start of the Reformation.

Five hundred and six years ago seems like a long time ago and irrelavant and inconsequential to our lives and culture, some may say! One of the main reasons for this sermon series is so that we will not forget our roots as a church. 

The church exists in a world of rapidly changing technology, a world in which almost everyone has been assimilated into the incessant chatter of social media and real-time updates on everything from world politics to what your friend had for breakfast this morning. If we are to be relevant, or so we think, we too must be a people of the new and the now.

The consequences of such ideas in the church are not good, and there for all to see. The people of Israel forgot the past with disastrous consequences. The medieval church forgot the past with disastrous consequences. But what do you do when you realize you’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere along your journey? You go back and seek to find the correct path. We should not view the past as something that is gone and therefore useless. We should look at the past more like the way someone on the second floor of a building looks at the foundation. The foundation was built before the remaining structure. It was built in the past. But the foundation is not something that can be discarded without catastrophic results.

This sermon series on 5 Solas of the Reformation, will remind us of the foundation of the evangelical faith. These five slogans capture well the points of emphasis of the Reformers preaching and teaching. It was a teaching that rocked the world and brought consequences far beyond what they could have imagined. Most importantly, it was a recovery of the gospel.  

This five week sermon series will highlight these solas both historically, theologically and in the context of the Protestant Reformation. Pray with me that through this series we will be equipped to be knowledgeable proclaimers and defenders of biblical truth. Pray that we will be eager to preach the gospel of God to the world and thereby spark a new reformation of church and culture.

 

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Consider One Another http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/consider-one-another http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/consider-one-another#comments Fri, 07 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/consider-one-another As the summer holidays start here in the UAE, I wanted to write this article to remind us all to be intentional during this summer break. During this summer break, we have an opportunity to put into practice what we have been learning from the book of Philippians, to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)  

Summer here in the UAE can be hostile, trying and sometimes depressing. This is the season, when we have to say our goodbyes to friends who are moving back oversees, which we have spent several years getting to know and love. It is never easy saying goodbye to brothers and sister in Christ, who have become closer than many of our blood relatives.

Some get to go away on holiday and spend quality time with family and friends, while others are left behind in the blistering heat. For me as a pastor, to see the numbers in our congregation drop because of the holidays is very discouraging. This is a season, we need to ‘consider each other’, encourage and be encouraged! 

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.(Hebrews 10:24–25).

These words were written during a time of great upheaval. Jewish Christians were facing increasing hostility from the surrounding culture. Further, within a couple of years, Jerusalem would become the centre of Israel’s most devastating war. If ever there was a time when people might be tempted to consider themselves, even to the point of isolating themselves, perhaps this would be it. But our writer counter intuitively admonishes them to consider others, and to do so together.

The word translated “consider” means “to observe fully,” or to “fix one’s eyes or mind upon” something. It is not an exhortation to merely give a passing glance to one another; rather, it is a strong admonition to pay careful attention to one another, to look out for one another. It is an exhortation to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of each other. This is clear from what follows: “in order to stir up love and good works.” That is, we are to so closely observe one another that we notice when love lags and good works languish. Our concern is to translate into effort to encourage one another in the love of God and to motivate them to keep on keeping on. “Provoking to perseverance” is a good way to put it. But again, this requires that we give thought to each other. We are to set our minds on practically caring for each other.

Paul had something similar in mind when he wrote to the Philippians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves”(2:3). To “count” is to think of another—to think, “What is best for him/her?”

Great encouragement can arise from a simple message: “I just wanted you to know that you have been on my heart lately.” To be considered by another is to be encouraged that you matter. And that matters; it matters a lot.

In each of these cases, our considering one another is practically carried out by assembling with one another. The writer in Hebrews, was not just concerned with the congregation gathering on Sunday. No, he was concerned that God’s beleaguered people gather whenever and wherever they could. 

Its always sad to hear that people in our own congregation feel left out. For some reason they weren't considered when the guest list was being prepared. God forbid that anyone should have the impression that, at the end of the day, no one considers them. We are commanded to correct this. We are commanded to be considerate. Consideration goes a long way towards ministering the love of Christ. Let me make some specific practical suggestions.

Hospitality. As Christians, we are to open our lives and our homes, not only to those with whom we have the most in common, but to those who might be considered “strangers.” “Hospitable” in the New Testament means “a lover of strangers.” This is an expectation for every Christian (1 Peter 4:9), and a requirement for those serving as elders (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). To whom do we open our homes? Only those with whom we feel the most comfortable? Yet, if we consider one another, we will not forsake assembling with a wider circle of people. To use an important word, we will be more inclusive with our invitations. When planning that Sunday lunch, consider those who are different demographically from you. If you are single, consider those who are married, and vice-versa. If you are from one nationality, consider a person from a different nationality. If you are young, consider those who are not so young. If you are boring, consider someone who is not boring!

While most of our Home groups take a break during summer, use this time to go and have coffee with someone you don’t know very well, or invite some new folks over for a games evening or go pray with a brother or sister you never had the time to before. Why not read an encouraging Christian book together with a few friends?

The writer of Hebrews adds that as believers we are to encourage each other in the Lord, “to stir up one another to love and good works”. During this summer season here in Abu Dhabi, we can be tempted to isolate ourselves. The heat can be a very reasonable excuse. But let’s not! Let us rather be intentional and active in gathering together, as we are commanded to do.

God’s commandments are not designed to make us gloomy or bored or sad. They are meant to do the opposite. So be encouraged and be involved in the ministry of encouraging this summer season, so that God will get the glory and we, His people will receive the joy as we grow together in both love and in good works!

 May this be the best summer ever!

]]>
As the summer holidays start here in the UAE, I wanted to write this article to remind us all to be intentional during this summer break. During this summer break, we have an opportunity to put into practice what we have been learning from the book of Philippians, to "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4)  

Summer here in the UAE can be hostile, trying and sometimes depressing. This is the season, when we have to say our goodbyes to friends who are moving back oversees, which we have spent several years getting to know and love. It is never easy saying goodbye to brothers and sister in Christ, who have become closer than many of our blood relatives.

Some get to go away on holiday and spend quality time with family and friends, while others are left behind in the blistering heat. For me as a pastor, to see the numbers in our congregation drop because of the holidays is very discouraging. This is a season, we need to ‘consider each other’, encourage and be encouraged! 

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.(Hebrews 10:24–25).

These words were written during a time of great upheaval. Jewish Christians were facing increasing hostility from the surrounding culture. Further, within a couple of years, Jerusalem would become the centre of Israel’s most devastating war. If ever there was a time when people might be tempted to consider themselves, even to the point of isolating themselves, perhaps this would be it. But our writer counter intuitively admonishes them to consider others, and to do so together.

The word translated “consider” means “to observe fully,” or to “fix one’s eyes or mind upon” something. It is not an exhortation to merely give a passing glance to one another; rather, it is a strong admonition to pay careful attention to one another, to look out for one another. It is an exhortation to take responsibility for the spiritual welfare of each other. This is clear from what follows: “in order to stir up love and good works.” That is, we are to so closely observe one another that we notice when love lags and good works languish. Our concern is to translate into effort to encourage one another in the love of God and to motivate them to keep on keeping on. “Provoking to perseverance” is a good way to put it. But again, this requires that we give thought to each other. We are to set our minds on practically caring for each other.

Paul had something similar in mind when he wrote to the Philippians, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves”(2:3). To “count” is to think of another—to think, “What is best for him/her?”

Great encouragement can arise from a simple message: “I just wanted you to know that you have been on my heart lately.” To be considered by another is to be encouraged that you matter. And that matters; it matters a lot.

In each of these cases, our considering one another is practically carried out by assembling with one another. The writer in Hebrews, was not just concerned with the congregation gathering on Sunday. No, he was concerned that God’s beleaguered people gather whenever and wherever they could. 

Its always sad to hear that people in our own congregation feel left out. For some reason they weren't considered when the guest list was being prepared. God forbid that anyone should have the impression that, at the end of the day, no one considers them. We are commanded to correct this. We are commanded to be considerate. Consideration goes a long way towards ministering the love of Christ. Let me make some specific practical suggestions.

Hospitality. As Christians, we are to open our lives and our homes, not only to those with whom we have the most in common, but to those who might be considered “strangers.” “Hospitable” in the New Testament means “a lover of strangers.” This is an expectation for every Christian (1 Peter 4:9), and a requirement for those serving as elders (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). To whom do we open our homes? Only those with whom we feel the most comfortable? Yet, if we consider one another, we will not forsake assembling with a wider circle of people. To use an important word, we will be more inclusive with our invitations. When planning that Sunday lunch, consider those who are different demographically from you. If you are single, consider those who are married, and vice-versa. If you are from one nationality, consider a person from a different nationality. If you are young, consider those who are not so young. If you are boring, consider someone who is not boring!

While most of our Home groups take a break during summer, use this time to go and have coffee with someone you don’t know very well, or invite some new folks over for a games evening or go pray with a brother or sister you never had the time to before. Why not read an encouraging Christian book together with a few friends?

The writer of Hebrews adds that as believers we are to encourage each other in the Lord, “to stir up one another to love and good works”. During this summer season here in Abu Dhabi, we can be tempted to isolate ourselves. The heat can be a very reasonable excuse. But let’s not! Let us rather be intentional and active in gathering together, as we are commanded to do.

God’s commandments are not designed to make us gloomy or bored or sad. They are meant to do the opposite. So be encouraged and be involved in the ministry of encouraging this summer season, so that God will get the glory and we, His people will receive the joy as we grow together in both love and in good works!

 May this be the best summer ever!

]]>
A Tribute to my Aunt. http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/a-tribute- http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/a-tribute-#comments Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/a-tribute- On Friday 23 June, I watched the memorial service of my aunty Barbara over zoom. My aunt Barbs was the last surviving sibling of my moms. She was born on 16th February 1944 and died on 17 June 2023.

I wrote a tribute to her that they read at the memorial service, that I have posted below for your edification. I was grateful for the study we did in Philippians that helped me write this eulogy for her. Like Paul, my aunt who was a missionsary most of her life, had counted everything else as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil.3:7), and had invested her entire life in the goal of knowing and serving Christ. The person who can truly say, “For me, to live is Christ,” can also confidently say, “to die is gain.” 

                            ...............................................................

 

Dear Uncle Jim, Kyle, Claire, Paige, other extended family and friends, we send our deepest condolences to you all with the loss of aunty Barbs.

We regret that we could not be with you all mourning her loss but also celebrating with you today her life. We send much love to you all from the Middle east.

This last Sunday, I preached from Philippians 1, where Paul says to the church at Philippi in verse 21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Aunty Barbs was on my mind the whole week as I prepared this sermon, thinking about her life and her death.

Barbs was the one who first shared the gospel with my mom when she was going through her divorce. Barbs was also the one who took my mom to Brackenhurst Baptist Church where she continued to hear the gospel and see the gospel displayed in the lives of believers there.

Barbs was also the one who first shared the gospel with me and encouraged Michelle and I to go to Sunday School at BBC. Visiting Barbs and Jimmy on the mission field in Gazankulu was my first exposure to missions and missionaries. I loved being with Barbs and Jim. I loved visiting them, whether it was time spent with them playing "Marco Polo" in their swimming pool in Soetdoring street or going away caravanning with them, or driving around in their bakkie on dirt roads in Belfast (Mpumalanga), I loved every minute of it. Barbs taught me how to make my first kite. She also taught me how to make potjiekos. I loved how intentional she was, making every moment count. I loved the peace they enjoyed. I loved the happiness and joy that they had. I loved the way they loved and served others. I loved seeing the sacrifices they made for others.

For Barbs to live was Christ!

Barbs was unashamedly a Christian, who loved Christ and lived for Him. Even in her old age, Barbs wasn’t going to waste any of her life on pursuing things that did not matter to Christ. She faithfully served her Saviour right to the very end.

Paul then says in the same verse, that “to die is gain”. We think of death as a terrible loss, not a gain. Not being able to visit and fellowship with Barbs is a terrible loss for me and everyone else here today no doubt. But still that word “gain” is used. That is not a word that we would typically associate with the word “death”. But for the Christian, to die is gain. Paul, who could confidently say, “For me, to live is Christ,” was also able to confidently say, “to die is gain.”

Barbs who lived the Christian life properly, understood the Christian perspective on death. Barbs has lived her life well for God’s glory and I believe with all my heart that she has died bearing witness to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The bible teaches that to be absent from the body is “to be at home with the Lord.” I rejoice with you today uncle Jim…that Barbs is at home with the Lord. I know your home without Barbs there at Mbanga is going to be a much quieter place. But her home-going is a reminder to us all, that heaven is real! I know you know this already uncle Jim, but we always need to be reminded that as Christians, our best lives are not on this earth. Our lives here, no matter how good, or bad they may have been, is nothing compared to the life that awaits us in heaven.

Barbs gain is our loss, but how can we hold that against her? 

My prayers are with you Uncle Jim as you mourn Barbs loss, but my prayers are also for your comfort in this wonderful truth, that one day you will see Barbs again, and both of you will enjoy your heavenly inheritance together.

Thank you, Uncle Jim and aunty Barbs, for showing me and my family Christ, for showing us that Jesus is far more precious than anything that this world has to offer.


All our love

Gareth, Keri, Ezra, Eden and Gabriel.

]]>
On Friday 23 June, I watched the memorial service of my aunty Barbara over zoom. My aunt Barbs was the last surviving sibling of my moms. She was born on 16th February 1944 and died on 17 June 2023.

I wrote a tribute to her that they read at the memorial service, that I have posted below for your edification. I was grateful for the study we did in Philippians that helped me write this eulogy for her. Like Paul, my aunt who was a missionsary most of her life, had counted everything else as loss for the sake of Christ (Phil.3:7), and had invested her entire life in the goal of knowing and serving Christ. The person who can truly say, “For me, to live is Christ,” can also confidently say, “to die is gain.” 

                            ...............................................................

 

Dear Uncle Jim, Kyle, Claire, Paige, other extended family and friends, we send our deepest condolences to you all with the loss of aunty Barbs.

We regret that we could not be with you all mourning her loss but also celebrating with you today her life. We send much love to you all from the Middle east.

This last Sunday, I preached from Philippians 1, where Paul says to the church at Philippi in verse 21, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Aunty Barbs was on my mind the whole week as I prepared this sermon, thinking about her life and her death.

Barbs was the one who first shared the gospel with my mom when she was going through her divorce. Barbs was also the one who took my mom to Brackenhurst Baptist Church where she continued to hear the gospel and see the gospel displayed in the lives of believers there.

Barbs was also the one who first shared the gospel with me and encouraged Michelle and I to go to Sunday School at BBC. Visiting Barbs and Jimmy on the mission field in Gazankulu was my first exposure to missions and missionaries. I loved being with Barbs and Jim. I loved visiting them, whether it was time spent with them playing "Marco Polo" in their swimming pool in Soetdoring street or going away caravanning with them, or driving around in their bakkie on dirt roads in Belfast (Mpumalanga), I loved every minute of it. Barbs taught me how to make my first kite. She also taught me how to make potjiekos. I loved how intentional she was, making every moment count. I loved the peace they enjoyed. I loved the happiness and joy that they had. I loved the way they loved and served others. I loved seeing the sacrifices they made for others.

For Barbs to live was Christ!

Barbs was unashamedly a Christian, who loved Christ and lived for Him. Even in her old age, Barbs wasn’t going to waste any of her life on pursuing things that did not matter to Christ. She faithfully served her Saviour right to the very end.

Paul then says in the same verse, that “to die is gain”. We think of death as a terrible loss, not a gain. Not being able to visit and fellowship with Barbs is a terrible loss for me and everyone else here today no doubt. But still that word “gain” is used. That is not a word that we would typically associate with the word “death”. But for the Christian, to die is gain. Paul, who could confidently say, “For me, to live is Christ,” was also able to confidently say, “to die is gain.”

Barbs who lived the Christian life properly, understood the Christian perspective on death. Barbs has lived her life well for God’s glory and I believe with all my heart that she has died bearing witness to the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The bible teaches that to be absent from the body is “to be at home with the Lord.” I rejoice with you today uncle Jim…that Barbs is at home with the Lord. I know your home without Barbs there at Mbanga is going to be a much quieter place. But her home-going is a reminder to us all, that heaven is real! I know you know this already uncle Jim, but we always need to be reminded that as Christians, our best lives are not on this earth. Our lives here, no matter how good, or bad they may have been, is nothing compared to the life that awaits us in heaven.

Barbs gain is our loss, but how can we hold that against her? 

My prayers are with you Uncle Jim as you mourn Barbs loss, but my prayers are also for your comfort in this wonderful truth, that one day you will see Barbs again, and both of you will enjoy your heavenly inheritance together.

Thank you, Uncle Jim and aunty Barbs, for showing me and my family Christ, for showing us that Jesus is far more precious than anything that this world has to offer.


All our love

Gareth, Keri, Ezra, Eden and Gabriel.

]]>
Why a Sermon Series in Philippians? http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-in-philippians http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-in-philippians#comments Tue, 20 Jun 2023 03:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-in-philippians While I was going through my old bible looking at the notes I made in Philippians, I was reminded of the acronym that really helps summarize the book of Philippians – JOY (JESUS, OTHERS, YOU).

In our last sermon series at the end of Habakkuk, in chapter 3:18, Habakkuk says “yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Philippians tells us how we can do that in Christ!

People all around us are looking for happiness. Everyone wants happiness, but most people seek it in the wrong way or the wrong place. Our modern culture says, “Follow your heart,” “You do you,” “Live your authentic life,” and so on. Such platitudes imply the key to happiness is found within. Or they assume that happiness comes through good circumstances, so they set out to improve their circumstances only to realize that ‘happiness’ is short lived.

As Christians we have the answer that people are looking for, we have the only genuine hope and joy that people need. Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church around 1960 years ago, but because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, we need to learn the same lessons that the Christians at Philippi learnt; that genuine happiness is found in Christ and living for him, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.

The book is about Christ in our life, Christ in our mind, Christ as our goal, Christ as our strength, and joy through suffering. Paul is sold out on Jesus and he wants the Philippian saints to be too. He is filled with joy and he wants them to be too, and even though Jesus Christ is the main theme of his letter, joy is another theme running throughout. Joy flows from knowing Christ. Repeatedly, Paul makes this point (1:18; 2:17; 3:1; 4:4, 10). Knowing Christ, however, is not merely a positional change that takes place at conversion (3:8–9). It’s dynamic, a progressive movement toward a goal that won’t be attained until we see Christ in all of his glory (3:10–11). This compels us to work out our own salvation, while knowing it is ultimately God who sanctifies us (2:12–13); this compels us to fill our minds with truth and to discipline ourselves in prayer (4:4–9).

Philippians is not just a letter of thanks and updates. Paul also writes to encourage the faith and growth of the saints in Philippi during his imprisonment in Rome, about thirty years after Christ’s ascension and about ten years after Paul first preached at Philippi. It’s easy to see why Paul loved this church so dearly as he writes to them to thank God for them and to thank them for their kind but very generous gift whilst he was in prison.

Even though Philippians is a deeply doctrinal letter, it is also an amazingly practical letter—sort of a “101” on Christian living. This letter has been recorded to encourage all Christians to joyfully live out their lives as citizens of a heavenly colony, evidenced by a growing commitment to fruitful service to God and to one another.

Pray with me that New Life Church will be encouraged in our faith, unified in our spirits and more Christlike in our conduct, through the teaching of this epistle. Pray that we would be equipped Christians, excited for the advance of the gospel.

Click on the link for the sermon series in Philippians: https://www.newlifechurch.ae/sermons/series/philippians-journey-of-a-joyful-life

]]>
While I was going through my old bible looking at the notes I made in Philippians, I was reminded of the acronym that really helps summarize the book of Philippians – JOY (JESUS, OTHERS, YOU).

In our last sermon series at the end of Habakkuk, in chapter 3:18, Habakkuk says “yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” Philippians tells us how we can do that in Christ!

People all around us are looking for happiness. Everyone wants happiness, but most people seek it in the wrong way or the wrong place. Our modern culture says, “Follow your heart,” “You do you,” “Live your authentic life,” and so on. Such platitudes imply the key to happiness is found within. Or they assume that happiness comes through good circumstances, so they set out to improve their circumstances only to realize that ‘happiness’ is short lived.

As Christians we have the answer that people are looking for, we have the only genuine hope and joy that people need. Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church around 1960 years ago, but because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit, we need to learn the same lessons that the Christians at Philippi learnt; that genuine happiness is found in Christ and living for him, in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.

The book is about Christ in our life, Christ in our mind, Christ as our goal, Christ as our strength, and joy through suffering. Paul is sold out on Jesus and he wants the Philippian saints to be too. He is filled with joy and he wants them to be too, and even though Jesus Christ is the main theme of his letter, joy is another theme running throughout. Joy flows from knowing Christ. Repeatedly, Paul makes this point (1:18; 2:17; 3:1; 4:4, 10). Knowing Christ, however, is not merely a positional change that takes place at conversion (3:8–9). It’s dynamic, a progressive movement toward a goal that won’t be attained until we see Christ in all of his glory (3:10–11). This compels us to work out our own salvation, while knowing it is ultimately God who sanctifies us (2:12–13); this compels us to fill our minds with truth and to discipline ourselves in prayer (4:4–9).

Philippians is not just a letter of thanks and updates. Paul also writes to encourage the faith and growth of the saints in Philippi during his imprisonment in Rome, about thirty years after Christ’s ascension and about ten years after Paul first preached at Philippi. It’s easy to see why Paul loved this church so dearly as he writes to them to thank God for them and to thank them for their kind but very generous gift whilst he was in prison.

Even though Philippians is a deeply doctrinal letter, it is also an amazingly practical letter—sort of a “101” on Christian living. This letter has been recorded to encourage all Christians to joyfully live out their lives as citizens of a heavenly colony, evidenced by a growing commitment to fruitful service to God and to one another.

Pray with me that New Life Church will be encouraged in our faith, unified in our spirits and more Christlike in our conduct, through the teaching of this epistle. Pray that we would be equipped Christians, excited for the advance of the gospel.

Click on the link for the sermon series in Philippians: https://www.newlifechurch.ae/sermons/series/philippians-journey-of-a-joyful-life

]]>
Why a Sermon Series in Habakkuk? http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-in-habakkuk http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-in-habakkuk#comments Tue, 13 Jun 2023 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/why-a-sermon-series-in-habakkuk The book of Habakkuk is a conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and the Lord. In this book, Habakkuk issues his complaint before the Lord about the utter destruction happening in Judah. Habakkuk wrestles with the Lord throughout the entire book asking the question, “God, are you good?”

We all go through seasons of victories and valleys. Often our victories are the easiest times to worship God, when his goodness is evident and his blessings abound. However, the valleys are where it proves harder to do that. We lose a loved one, get fired from a job, or have trouble finding a marriage partner. Whatever the valley, it is hard to trust in the goodness of God when all seems hopeless.

Habakkuk learned to trust in God’s faithfulness even while in the deepest valley. The nation of Judah was in economic and spiritual despair. All seemed hopeless. The valley was deep and the end was no-where in sight. In fact, Habakkuk knew that their terrible situation was about to get even worse. We can learn from Habakkuk’s dark valley about how to draw near to God in our loss, anxiety, and fear.

The Book of Habakkuk was likely written between 610 and 605 BC. The prophet Habakkuk decries the sins of Judah but grapples with the fact that God’s chosen people will suffer at the hands of enemies even more wicked than they. God answers Habakkuk’s questions, resulting in continuing faith in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and salvation.

The Book of Habakkuk begins with Habakkuk crying out to God for an answer to why God’s chosen people are allowed to suffer in their captivity (Habakkuk 1:1–4). The Lord gives His answer to Habakkuk, essentially stating, “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you” (Habakkuk 1:5–11). Habakkuk then follows up by saying, “OK, you are God, but, still, tell me more about why this is happening” (Habakkuk 1:17—2:1). God then answers him again and gives him more information, then tells the earth to be silent before Him (Habakkuk 2:2–20). Then Habakkuk writes a prayer expressing his strong faith in God even through these trials (Habakkuk 3:1–19).

We can trust the God that has proven himself faithful through all of creation. Habakkuk could not see what God was doing. Sometimes it is not evident to us what is going on, especially if we are thrown into suffering for a time or if it seems our enemies are prospering while we are just barely getting by. 

The Book of Habakkuk affirms that God is sovereign and omnipotent, and He has all things under control. Ultimately the rise of the Chaldeans was used for the expansion of the Gospel throughout the world. God is who He says He is and does keep His promises. He will punish the wicked. Even when we cannot see evidence of His dominion, God is still on the throne of the universe. You can be confident that He is working all things for the good of the Church and his glory. We just need to be still and know He is at work.

No matter your circumstances – loss, anxiety, or fear - the Creator and Sustainer of life cares for you. In your hurt and in your waiting, He wants your heart. Habakkuk did not choose bitterness, instead he chose to run to our faithful God. We need to stay focused on this: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19).

Here are links to the seven sermons preached in Habakkuk:

1. Wrestling with God (Habakkuk 1:1-4)

2. God at Work (Habakkuk 1:5-11)

3. When God Doesn't Make Sense (Habakkuk 1:12-17)

4. The Righteous Live by Faith (Habakkuk 2:1-5)

5. As the Waters Cover the Sea (Habakkuk 2:4-20)

6. From Fear to Faith (Habakkuk 3:1-15)

7. From Trembling to Triumph (Habakkuk 3:16-19)

]]>
The book of Habakkuk is a conversation between the prophet Habakkuk and the Lord. In this book, Habakkuk issues his complaint before the Lord about the utter destruction happening in Judah. Habakkuk wrestles with the Lord throughout the entire book asking the question, “God, are you good?”

We all go through seasons of victories and valleys. Often our victories are the easiest times to worship God, when his goodness is evident and his blessings abound. However, the valleys are where it proves harder to do that. We lose a loved one, get fired from a job, or have trouble finding a marriage partner. Whatever the valley, it is hard to trust in the goodness of God when all seems hopeless.

Habakkuk learned to trust in God’s faithfulness even while in the deepest valley. The nation of Judah was in economic and spiritual despair. All seemed hopeless. The valley was deep and the end was no-where in sight. In fact, Habakkuk knew that their terrible situation was about to get even worse. We can learn from Habakkuk’s dark valley about how to draw near to God in our loss, anxiety, and fear.

The Book of Habakkuk was likely written between 610 and 605 BC. The prophet Habakkuk decries the sins of Judah but grapples with the fact that God’s chosen people will suffer at the hands of enemies even more wicked than they. God answers Habakkuk’s questions, resulting in continuing faith in God’s wisdom, sovereignty, and salvation.

The Book of Habakkuk begins with Habakkuk crying out to God for an answer to why God’s chosen people are allowed to suffer in their captivity (Habakkuk 1:1–4). The Lord gives His answer to Habakkuk, essentially stating, “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you” (Habakkuk 1:5–11). Habakkuk then follows up by saying, “OK, you are God, but, still, tell me more about why this is happening” (Habakkuk 1:17—2:1). God then answers him again and gives him more information, then tells the earth to be silent before Him (Habakkuk 2:2–20). Then Habakkuk writes a prayer expressing his strong faith in God even through these trials (Habakkuk 3:1–19).

We can trust the God that has proven himself faithful through all of creation. Habakkuk could not see what God was doing. Sometimes it is not evident to us what is going on, especially if we are thrown into suffering for a time or if it seems our enemies are prospering while we are just barely getting by. 

The Book of Habakkuk affirms that God is sovereign and omnipotent, and He has all things under control. Ultimately the rise of the Chaldeans was used for the expansion of the Gospel throughout the world. God is who He says He is and does keep His promises. He will punish the wicked. Even when we cannot see evidence of His dominion, God is still on the throne of the universe. You can be confident that He is working all things for the good of the Church and his glory. We just need to be still and know He is at work.

No matter your circumstances – loss, anxiety, or fear - the Creator and Sustainer of life cares for you. In your hurt and in your waiting, He wants your heart. Habakkuk did not choose bitterness, instead he chose to run to our faithful God. We need to stay focused on this: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights” (Habakkuk 3:19).

Here are links to the seven sermons preached in Habakkuk:

1. Wrestling with God (Habakkuk 1:1-4)

2. God at Work (Habakkuk 1:5-11)

3. When God Doesn't Make Sense (Habakkuk 1:12-17)

4. The Righteous Live by Faith (Habakkuk 2:1-5)

5. As the Waters Cover the Sea (Habakkuk 2:4-20)

6. From Fear to Faith (Habakkuk 3:1-15)

7. From Trembling to Triumph (Habakkuk 3:16-19)

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Relocating to the Zoo. http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/relocating-to-the-zoo http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/relocating-to-the-zoo#comments Thu, 25 May 2023 04:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/relocating-to-the-zoo In March 2020, New Life Church was told that we can no longer meet at the Heritage Hall in the Emirates Park Zoo, our regular place of worship.

Because of the Covid pandemic our corporate worship was not going to be the same for the next 3,5 years. That same month, we launched our first livestreamed service. These were unique circumstances, and it seemed a great blessing that people could worship from their homes.

What we as a church have learned from the Covid pandemic is that worshiping as a church is an embodied experience, in both its individual and communal dimensions.

Four months after the lockdown, we received official confirmation that NLC could enter Phase 1 of the re-opening process. The main provisor was that we had to meet at The Evangelical Church Centre (TEC), on-island in Al Mushrif. For the next 3 years we would be guests at the same compound where our church was started from.

We knew this was going to be a temporary solution till we were able to move back to our normal, usual geographical meeting place at the Emirates Park Zoo, where our church was planted to reach the growing number of people that had moved into the outlying communities off of the primary Abu Dhabi Island. 

One of my prayers from the very beginning of this pandemic was that the Lord would help us come out of our lock-down with a greater appreciation for the church and the blessing of gathering with one another as a corporate body.

The Bible is clear that gathering is essential for the life of the church. In Matthew 18:17-20, in the context of Jesus speaking about the church, he makes his beloved promise: “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Paul admonishes Christians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper when they have come together (1 Cor. 11:33). The author of Hebrews tells us to not neglect meeting together (Heb. 10:25).

We are not simply minds that passively take in the prayers, teaching, and worship of a worship service. Rather, as those created body and mind after the image of God, we must experience what is sung, prayed, taught, and tasted in worshiping God with our whole selves.

Gathering is essential for the life of the church.

Moving back to the Emirates Park Zoo, we believe is a step in helping our church gather again more effectively. After being away from the Zoo premise for 3,5 years, we have seen a significant decline in our numbers and we believe a key factor related to this is because we have been meeting at the TEC, so far away from where most of our congregation lives. Matthew 18:18-20 tells us that local churches are kingdom embassies. Hebrews 10:24-24 tells us that local churches are communities of disciples, and Matthew 28:18-10 tells us we are to be hubs of missional activity. It is for all these reasons that the elders believe it is better for our church to gather near where most of our people live.

We are trusting and praying that this shift back to the Zoo, closer to where most of us live, will help us as a church work together in serving and evangelizing our neighbours, and to prioritize church relationships as we grow closer together not just physically but spiritually as well.

To use old-fashioned Baptist language, the church building is the meetinghouse. Wherever the people are, there the church is. On the Lord’s Day, and perhaps other times, we’re the church gathered. When we leave the meetinghouse and head out into the world as individual disciples, we’re the church scattered.

For most of us, it’s easier to be a meaningful part of the church gathered—and to partner with the rest of the church scattered—when we live in the same community where our church’s gathering place is located.

Must a Christian live close to the church or move close to other members of his or her church? No, the Bible doesn’t command this. We’re free in Christ to live wherever we want. But this is one concrete way to love the church — to consider others better than yourself and to look to their interests.

Did the Son of God submit Himself geographically for the church’s good? He left heaven. Let’s put on the same attitude our Saviour put on for us.

The elders are aware that in the 3 years we have been gathering on-island the Lord has added to our membership individuals and families that live in the city and have never even been to our old gathering place at the Emirates Park Zoo. We will do everything we can to help with this transition. Please do let us know if you are needing help with transport to the Zoo premise. We want to do everything we can to serve you and help you still be a part of our church gathering. We know there will be a sacrifice on your part in the beginning, but we ask you to please give this a chance (the on-island Homegroup will still be meeting there during the week).

We will be needing to call on all the members to help serve once again in various capacities so we can meet and minister as we used too. We no longer will have the help of the TEC staff with the set-up and the instruments and sound & lighting. We will also be needing people to help us run our children’s ministry again in the Zoo. But with challenges come opportunities. Please be praying about how you can help us with this transition.

I thank God for the Evangelical Church Compound—it was worth the drive! But I’m grateful to now be meeting again soon – on the 2nd July at the Emirates Park Zoo. It is also worth the drive—though fortunately, the commute is much shorter (much better parking) and the church’s primary mission field is around us all the time.

]]>
In March 2020, New Life Church was told that we can no longer meet at the Heritage Hall in the Emirates Park Zoo, our regular place of worship.

Because of the Covid pandemic our corporate worship was not going to be the same for the next 3,5 years. That same month, we launched our first livestreamed service. These were unique circumstances, and it seemed a great blessing that people could worship from their homes.

What we as a church have learned from the Covid pandemic is that worshiping as a church is an embodied experience, in both its individual and communal dimensions.

Four months after the lockdown, we received official confirmation that NLC could enter Phase 1 of the re-opening process. The main provisor was that we had to meet at The Evangelical Church Centre (TEC), on-island in Al Mushrif. For the next 3 years we would be guests at the same compound where our church was started from.

We knew this was going to be a temporary solution till we were able to move back to our normal, usual geographical meeting place at the Emirates Park Zoo, where our church was planted to reach the growing number of people that had moved into the outlying communities off of the primary Abu Dhabi Island. 

One of my prayers from the very beginning of this pandemic was that the Lord would help us come out of our lock-down with a greater appreciation for the church and the blessing of gathering with one another as a corporate body.

The Bible is clear that gathering is essential for the life of the church. In Matthew 18:17-20, in the context of Jesus speaking about the church, he makes his beloved promise: “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Paul admonishes Christians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper when they have come together (1 Cor. 11:33). The author of Hebrews tells us to not neglect meeting together (Heb. 10:25).

We are not simply minds that passively take in the prayers, teaching, and worship of a worship service. Rather, as those created body and mind after the image of God, we must experience what is sung, prayed, taught, and tasted in worshiping God with our whole selves.

Gathering is essential for the life of the church.

Moving back to the Emirates Park Zoo, we believe is a step in helping our church gather again more effectively. After being away from the Zoo premise for 3,5 years, we have seen a significant decline in our numbers and we believe a key factor related to this is because we have been meeting at the TEC, so far away from where most of our congregation lives. Matthew 18:18-20 tells us that local churches are kingdom embassies. Hebrews 10:24-24 tells us that local churches are communities of disciples, and Matthew 28:18-10 tells us we are to be hubs of missional activity. It is for all these reasons that the elders believe it is better for our church to gather near where most of our people live.

We are trusting and praying that this shift back to the Zoo, closer to where most of us live, will help us as a church work together in serving and evangelizing our neighbours, and to prioritize church relationships as we grow closer together not just physically but spiritually as well.

To use old-fashioned Baptist language, the church building is the meetinghouse. Wherever the people are, there the church is. On the Lord’s Day, and perhaps other times, we’re the church gathered. When we leave the meetinghouse and head out into the world as individual disciples, we’re the church scattered.

For most of us, it’s easier to be a meaningful part of the church gathered—and to partner with the rest of the church scattered—when we live in the same community where our church’s gathering place is located.

Must a Christian live close to the church or move close to other members of his or her church? No, the Bible doesn’t command this. We’re free in Christ to live wherever we want. But this is one concrete way to love the church — to consider others better than yourself and to look to their interests.

Did the Son of God submit Himself geographically for the church’s good? He left heaven. Let’s put on the same attitude our Saviour put on for us.

The elders are aware that in the 3 years we have been gathering on-island the Lord has added to our membership individuals and families that live in the city and have never even been to our old gathering place at the Emirates Park Zoo. We will do everything we can to help with this transition. Please do let us know if you are needing help with transport to the Zoo premise. We want to do everything we can to serve you and help you still be a part of our church gathering. We know there will be a sacrifice on your part in the beginning, but we ask you to please give this a chance (the on-island Homegroup will still be meeting there during the week).

We will be needing to call on all the members to help serve once again in various capacities so we can meet and minister as we used too. We no longer will have the help of the TEC staff with the set-up and the instruments and sound & lighting. We will also be needing people to help us run our children’s ministry again in the Zoo. But with challenges come opportunities. Please be praying about how you can help us with this transition.

I thank God for the Evangelical Church Compound—it was worth the drive! But I’m grateful to now be meeting again soon – on the 2nd July at the Emirates Park Zoo. It is also worth the drive—though fortunately, the commute is much shorter (much better parking) and the church’s primary mission field is around us all the time.

]]>
Come to Church Early! http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/come-to-church-early http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/come-to-church-early#comments Tue, 14 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0400 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/come-to-church-early You may have recently noticed a series of social media posts that have been sent out encouraging church attendance. If you haven’t seen them, please look at our Facebook page or Instagram page. Maybe you have asked why? These posts have been intentional because of a concern we as the elders are having about the low attendance over the last couple of months, as well as the trend of many late comers to our worship service.

In this post I would like to encourage you to make our worship gatherings a priority and to help you see how beneficial they are to your own soul, and how important your attendance is in encouraging other believers in their faith.

Church attendance is not just a “good suggestion”; it is God’s will for believers. Hebrews 10:25 says we should “not [be] giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Even in the early church, some were falling into the bad habit of not meeting with other believers. The author of Hebrews says that’s not the way to go. We need the encouragement that church attendance affords. And the approach of the end times should prompt us to be even more devoted to going to church.

Coming to church on time will go a long way to help us prioritise our church attendance. Do you arrive at church with the expectation of experiencing community and in anticipation of worshiping God? Is church something you’re trying to squeeze into a busy schedule? Or is church merely an obligation to fulfil? The time you arrive at church will be a good indicator to help you answer these questions.

Here are three 3 reasons why it is important to get to church early.

  1. To meet new people

For the last few weeks during our Family Bible Hour (which starts at 9am), we have had a few visitors who I’d never seen before. Unfortunately, there were very few regular churchgoers at church at that point (apart from the music team), and so there was no one there talking to them. What a missed opportunity. 

Let’s face it – new people are usually the ones who get to church early. And if you get to church even five minutes before the service starts, you can welcome them before the first song even begins. 

Our churches need to be welcoming new people, whether they’re Christians visiting from another church, Christians who might be looking at coming to the church, or people who are yet to know Christ just coming along to see what it’s all about. It’s good to meet new people after the service as well. But welcoming them – and having a good conversation with them – before the service even begins is going to make them feel so much more at home. It could be the difference that makes them want to come back next week!

  1. To encourage the encouragers

I could be a bit biased here, but I think it’s true – getting to church early shows those serving at the service that you appreciate what they do. If you’re there when the service begins, and sing heartily along to the music, listen when the bible is read and listen to announcements, you are showing that you appreciate the work, effort, practice and study, those on the stage are putting in to encourage the church. 

Contrast this with regularly turning up fifteen or even twenty minutes into the service. Looking around at the start of a service and seeing many empty seats at the start of the service, I get the message that you don’t think what goes on at the start of the service is that important. You don’t value the way the music team has rehearsed and are using their efforts to lead the congregation in praise to God. And you don’t value the work that the leaders and the bible readers and the person praying have put into helping the congregation grow in and be encouraged in their faith. You just come to church to hear the sermon! 

Of course, the people serving up the front shouldn’t be doing it to impress people – they should be doing it for God. But as fellow brothers and sisters, we should be encouraging them as they encourage us, and appreciate what they do. 

  1. Because it shows and sets your priorities 

Regularly turning up to church late might not seem that big a deal for you. But I think if we’re really honest, it’s just a symptom of the real problem – we don’t see church as important as it should be. 

What is it that makes us late for church? 

  1. Maybe we were asleep and just wanted a few more minutes in bed. 
  2. Maybe we were halfway through a movie and wanted to finish it off.
  3. Maybe we were hanging out with friends and didn’t want the conversations to end.
  4. Maybe we wanted to stop off at Starbucks on the way to church, or… 
  5. Maybe we were finishing off an assignment that we really should have done earlier.

See, when we do this regularly, we’re putting sleep, entertainment, friends, food and schoolwork before church.

For a church body to function properly, all of its “body parts” need to be present and working (1 Corinthians 12:14–20). It’s not enough to just attend a church; we should be involved in some type of ministry to others, using the spiritual gifts God has given us (Ephesians 4:11–13). A believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without having that outlet for his gifts, and we all need the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21–26).

Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church (1 Peter 2:6), and we are “like living stones . . . being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). As the building materials of God’s “spiritual house,” we naturally have a connection with one another, and that connection is evident every time the Church “goes to church.”

Please for the sake of your brother and sisters’ soul, and for your own edification, make your church attendance a priority, and to add to that, come early, for God’s glory and for the joy of His people!

]]>
You may have recently noticed a series of social media posts that have been sent out encouraging church attendance. If you haven’t seen them, please look at our Facebook page or Instagram page. Maybe you have asked why? These posts have been intentional because of a concern we as the elders are having about the low attendance over the last couple of months, as well as the trend of many late comers to our worship service.

In this post I would like to encourage you to make our worship gatherings a priority and to help you see how beneficial they are to your own soul, and how important your attendance is in encouraging other believers in their faith.

Church attendance is not just a “good suggestion”; it is God’s will for believers. Hebrews 10:25 says we should “not [be] giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Even in the early church, some were falling into the bad habit of not meeting with other believers. The author of Hebrews says that’s not the way to go. We need the encouragement that church attendance affords. And the approach of the end times should prompt us to be even more devoted to going to church.

Coming to church on time will go a long way to help us prioritise our church attendance. Do you arrive at church with the expectation of experiencing community and in anticipation of worshiping God? Is church something you’re trying to squeeze into a busy schedule? Or is church merely an obligation to fulfil? The time you arrive at church will be a good indicator to help you answer these questions.

Here are three 3 reasons why it is important to get to church early.

  1. To meet new people

For the last few weeks during our Family Bible Hour (which starts at 9am), we have had a few visitors who I’d never seen before. Unfortunately, there were very few regular churchgoers at church at that point (apart from the music team), and so there was no one there talking to them. What a missed opportunity. 

Let’s face it – new people are usually the ones who get to church early. And if you get to church even five minutes before the service starts, you can welcome them before the first song even begins. 

Our churches need to be welcoming new people, whether they’re Christians visiting from another church, Christians who might be looking at coming to the church, or people who are yet to know Christ just coming along to see what it’s all about. It’s good to meet new people after the service as well. But welcoming them – and having a good conversation with them – before the service even begins is going to make them feel so much more at home. It could be the difference that makes them want to come back next week!

  1. To encourage the encouragers

I could be a bit biased here, but I think it’s true – getting to church early shows those serving at the service that you appreciate what they do. If you’re there when the service begins, and sing heartily along to the music, listen when the bible is read and listen to announcements, you are showing that you appreciate the work, effort, practice and study, those on the stage are putting in to encourage the church. 

Contrast this with regularly turning up fifteen or even twenty minutes into the service. Looking around at the start of a service and seeing many empty seats at the start of the service, I get the message that you don’t think what goes on at the start of the service is that important. You don’t value the way the music team has rehearsed and are using their efforts to lead the congregation in praise to God. And you don’t value the work that the leaders and the bible readers and the person praying have put into helping the congregation grow in and be encouraged in their faith. You just come to church to hear the sermon! 

Of course, the people serving up the front shouldn’t be doing it to impress people – they should be doing it for God. But as fellow brothers and sisters, we should be encouraging them as they encourage us, and appreciate what they do. 

  1. Because it shows and sets your priorities 

Regularly turning up to church late might not seem that big a deal for you. But I think if we’re really honest, it’s just a symptom of the real problem – we don’t see church as important as it should be. 

What is it that makes us late for church? 

  1. Maybe we were asleep and just wanted a few more minutes in bed. 
  2. Maybe we were halfway through a movie and wanted to finish it off.
  3. Maybe we were hanging out with friends and didn’t want the conversations to end.
  4. Maybe we wanted to stop off at Starbucks on the way to church, or… 
  5. Maybe we were finishing off an assignment that we really should have done earlier.

See, when we do this regularly, we’re putting sleep, entertainment, friends, food and schoolwork before church.

For a church body to function properly, all of its “body parts” need to be present and working (1 Corinthians 12:14–20). It’s not enough to just attend a church; we should be involved in some type of ministry to others, using the spiritual gifts God has given us (Ephesians 4:11–13). A believer will never reach full spiritual maturity without having that outlet for his gifts, and we all need the assistance and encouragement of other believers (1 Corinthians 12:21–26).

Jesus is the Cornerstone of the Church (1 Peter 2:6), and we are “like living stones . . . being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). As the building materials of God’s “spiritual house,” we naturally have a connection with one another, and that connection is evident every time the Church “goes to church.”

Please for the sake of your brother and sisters’ soul, and for your own edification, make your church attendance a priority, and to add to that, come early, for God’s glory and for the joy of His people!

]]>
The Heart of Hospitality http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/the-attitude-of-hospitality http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/the-attitude-of-hospitality#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2023 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.newlifechurch.ae/the-pastors-pen/post/the-attitude-of-hospitality Hospitality might sound unexciting, intimidating or even confusing for some. But when the Bible speaks of hospitality, it is a commendation as well as a command. Hospitality can be defined as “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” I’d say it means to give loving welcome to those outside your normal circle of friends. It’s opening your life and your house to those who believe differently than you do.

Why is the Bible so serious about hospitality? If think it is because God has been hospitable to us. Even when we were living as his enemies, God came and saved us. He opened the door and invited us into his presence. We demonstrate that we truly appreciate the divine hospitality we have received as we extend our own hospitality to those around us.

In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “hospitality” literally means “love of strangers.” Yoa (2004) explains that eating and sharing of a meal not only has the potential to “satisfy one’s nutritional requirements” (Yoa 2004:53) but that it also plays a vital role in social and religious circles. The author highlights that there is a much deeper level to just sharing a meal in a group, that it can highlight and help overcome many differences in society made up of different people.

Early in the Old Testament, we see the example of Abraham welcoming strangers to rest after their long journey (Genesis 18:2-8). Also, we see this form of hospitality commanded in the act of tithing food (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). From the prophet Isaiah, we even see hospitality as clothing the naked (Isaiah 58:7).

Luke, the author of Acts demonstrated how the early Jewish Christian community overcame social and ethnic boundaries through table fellowship (Acts 2:42-47). In the context of Acts, the Roman Empire ruled the world and there was much oppression and persecution of the early Christians (Mtshiselwa 2015:2). The Jewish community were also opposed to the Gentiles as they considered them to be “godless, idolatrous and unclean” (Yoa 2004:54). Despite this oppression and persecution, once the outpouring of the Holy Spirt happened at Pentecost and the address by Peter (Acts 2) the church grew numerically as the believers, “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship of breaking of bread and the prayer” (Acts 2:42, ESV). As the early church regularly gathered together around a meal to fellowship, they grew together spiritually. It was beautiful picture of “oneness” (Yao 2004:56) as it included people from all walks of life: sinners, tax collectors and the marginalized.

Why is hospitality so hard? Most of us can recall a time when we tried to extend friendship and were met with rejection. If you’re like me, Satan can use that rejection as a roadblock to prevent you from obeying God on future occasions. If we are to cultivate a heart of biblical hospitality, we must refuse to rely on our achievements or to dwell on our failures. And we must lay aside past rejections and grudges. Instead, we must be courageous and trust God for the results.

Every week at NLC we have Homegroups where we get a chance to practice hospitality. We also have frequent Potluck Fellowships. These gatherings are a blessing to all who attend. But I am not talking just about the shawarmas, pizzas or other food items we get to share and enjoy with each other. Romans 12:13b says we are to practice hospitality—literally, to “pursue the love of strangers” (Heb. 13:2)—not simply to hang out with our best friends and have food. At our Homegroups and Potluck Fellowships we get opportunities to invite and meet new visitors and to develop stronger and intentional bonds with our fellow congregants.

Hospitality is so much more than just food, its welcoming and fellowshipping with believers and non-believers out of truth and love for Jesus Christ so that they may see Christ more clearly. Hospitality is both an attitude of the heart and also a practice of the hand. It seeks to turn strangers into friends through acts of welcome and generosity. When we befriend others, we invite them to consider the gospel by loving them. And we can do this just as much with our colleagues at work as we can around a dinner table or Potluck fellowship.

Let us pray together this year that we will be more hospitable, using all the opportunities the Lord gives us to turn strangers into friends for God’s glory and our joy.

]]>
Hospitality might sound unexciting, intimidating or even confusing for some. But when the Bible speaks of hospitality, it is a commendation as well as a command. Hospitality can be defined as “the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.” I’d say it means to give loving welcome to those outside your normal circle of friends. It’s opening your life and your house to those who believe differently than you do.

Why is the Bible so serious about hospitality? If think it is because God has been hospitable to us. Even when we were living as his enemies, God came and saved us. He opened the door and invited us into his presence. We demonstrate that we truly appreciate the divine hospitality we have received as we extend our own hospitality to those around us.

In the New Testament, the Greek word translated “hospitality” literally means “love of strangers.” Yoa (2004) explains that eating and sharing of a meal not only has the potential to “satisfy one’s nutritional requirements” (Yoa 2004:53) but that it also plays a vital role in social and religious circles. The author highlights that there is a much deeper level to just sharing a meal in a group, that it can highlight and help overcome many differences in society made up of different people.

Early in the Old Testament, we see the example of Abraham welcoming strangers to rest after their long journey (Genesis 18:2-8). Also, we see this form of hospitality commanded in the act of tithing food (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). From the prophet Isaiah, we even see hospitality as clothing the naked (Isaiah 58:7).

Luke, the author of Acts demonstrated how the early Jewish Christian community overcame social and ethnic boundaries through table fellowship (Acts 2:42-47). In the context of Acts, the Roman Empire ruled the world and there was much oppression and persecution of the early Christians (Mtshiselwa 2015:2). The Jewish community were also opposed to the Gentiles as they considered them to be “godless, idolatrous and unclean” (Yoa 2004:54). Despite this oppression and persecution, once the outpouring of the Holy Spirt happened at Pentecost and the address by Peter (Acts 2) the church grew numerically as the believers, “devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship of breaking of bread and the prayer” (Acts 2:42, ESV). As the early church regularly gathered together around a meal to fellowship, they grew together spiritually. It was beautiful picture of “oneness” (Yao 2004:56) as it included people from all walks of life: sinners, tax collectors and the marginalized.

Why is hospitality so hard? Most of us can recall a time when we tried to extend friendship and were met with rejection. If you’re like me, Satan can use that rejection as a roadblock to prevent you from obeying God on future occasions. If we are to cultivate a heart of biblical hospitality, we must refuse to rely on our achievements or to dwell on our failures. And we must lay aside past rejections and grudges. Instead, we must be courageous and trust God for the results.

Every week at NLC we have Homegroups where we get a chance to practice hospitality. We also have frequent Potluck Fellowships. These gatherings are a blessing to all who attend. But I am not talking just about the shawarmas, pizzas or other food items we get to share and enjoy with each other. Romans 12:13b says we are to practice hospitality—literally, to “pursue the love of strangers” (Heb. 13:2)—not simply to hang out with our best friends and have food. At our Homegroups and Potluck Fellowships we get opportunities to invite and meet new visitors and to develop stronger and intentional bonds with our fellow congregants.

Hospitality is so much more than just food, its welcoming and fellowshipping with believers and non-believers out of truth and love for Jesus Christ so that they may see Christ more clearly. Hospitality is both an attitude of the heart and also a practice of the hand. It seeks to turn strangers into friends through acts of welcome and generosity. When we befriend others, we invite them to consider the gospel by loving them. And we can do this just as much with our colleagues at work as we can around a dinner table or Potluck fellowship.

Let us pray together this year that we will be more hospitable, using all the opportunities the Lord gives us to turn strangers into friends for God’s glory and our joy.

]]>