Knowing the Gospel
What is the basic purpose of any church? As part of our mission plan, we put it like this:
The Parish of Northaw and Cuffley exists to glorify God, to grow disciples, and to share the good news of the gospel in word and action.
Over the next four weeks we're going to be picking this up in four titles: Knowing the Gospel, Growing in the Gospel, Showing the Gospel, and Going with the Gospel. As we do so, we'll be looking through Paul's second letter to Timothy.
He has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (2 Timothy 1:9-10)
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad. Miles Kington
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
What does true wisdom look like? Where does it come from? James tells us that true wisdom is shown by humility and good deeds. How do we get it? It comes from God, and when we ask him for it.
You would be very welcome to join us at our 10:30am morning worship in St Andrew, Cuffley, or at 8:30am for a service of Holy Communion in St Thomas, Northaw, this Sunday, as we look at this part of James’ letter together.
Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (James 3:4-5)
Words are powerful weapons: “The pen is mightier than the sword”. We face choices every day about what we say, and how we say it. As we do that, we reveal our thoughts and our feelings - sometimes good and sometimes bad - to those around us. In his letter, James describes the tongue as like the rudder that controls a vast ship, or a spark that can burn down a whole forest. How should we speak? How should we use our words?
You would be very welcome to join us at our 10:30am morning worship in St Andrew, Cuffley, or at 8:30am for a service of Holy Communion in St Thomas, Northaw, this Sunday, as we look at this part of James’ letter together.
You would be very welcome to join us at our 10:30am service of Holy Communion in St Andrew, Cuffley, or at 8:30am for a service of Holy Communion in St Thomas, Northaw, this Sunday. We welcome the Rev'd Tim Ward to our services this morning.
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. (Psalm 32:1, NIV)
What do we do with inner turmoil and unease? What if the difficulties we face are not hardships from outside, but from inside us? Where do we go then? What is the answer? Psalm 32 promises us freedom - the freedom of a soul set free from sin, guilt and death. A soul set free to delight in obeying God.
You would be very welcome to join us at our 10:30am service in St Andrew, Cuffley, or at 8:30am for a service of Holy Communion in St Thomas, Northaw, this Sunday, as we look at Psalm 32 together.