The boys grew up, and Esau became a skilful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. (Genesis 25:27-28, NIV)
As Advent and Christmas approach, we're going to spend Sunday mornings looking at the life of Jacob, and how God used his flawed faith to bring about his plans. No-one is too flawed for God - not Jacob and not us.
‘When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.’ (Luke 2:9, NIV)
It’s easy to look at what’s going on the world around us, and be frightened by what we see: wars, conflict and distress. Jesus points us to a time where there will be an end to all these things. You would be very welcome to join us at 10:50am in St Thomas, Northaw, or at 8:30am in St Thomas, Northaw, this Sunday, as we look at the the promised end to conflict.
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” Jesus asked. (Mark 3:33, NIV)
At the end of our look at Paul’s letter to the Colossians, we were reminded that Christians are part of a bigger church family than just those we meet with each week. One day we will be with countless thousands from every tribe and tongue and nation. This Sunday morning, we will be thinking about the wider church family and praying for them together.
Remember that the clocks go back at 2am on Sunday morning
Devote yourselves to prayer, ... Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2,5-6, NIV)
As Paul brings his letter to the Colossians to a close, he highlights two areas. First, that we should be devoted to prayer, that we are pray to the God who created us, and who is able to do all things. Second, that we should make the best use of every opportunity to talk about Jesus, the one who saves us. What might that look like for us? How can we take every opportunity to talk about Jesus?
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4, NIV)
What should our lives look like as Christians? Should there be any difference? As Paul writes to the Colossians, and us, he certainly thinks so. As we have died with Christ and live in Christ, so has our behaviour. Christians are to live as God’s chosen people, holy and loved by God. What might that look like for us?