Tag Archive for: love

How to disagree well

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On Sunday, 19 February, we will be thinking about Jesus’ difficult teaching on loving our enemies (Matthew 5.43-48).

Disagreeing well is getting harder in the age of social media. Here are some helpful principles:

  • Talk face to face as full human beings whenever possible. Try to build a relationship
  • Acknowledge differences. Stand up for what you believe but treat the other person’s view with respect.
  • You may win an argument but lose a friend! Be willing to say, “I don’t know the answer.” Our confidence is in the love of Jesus, not our perfect arguments.
  • Learn to listen well. Make sure you understand the other person’s viewpoint.
  • Jesus didn’t say “Go and sock it to them!” but “Love your enemies”. Remember that God loves this person and that Jesus died for them.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

This post is based on a conversation between Justin Brierley and Cris Rogers. You can watch it here:

 

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

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Sunday 26 June: Friendship

Sunday 3 July: Parents

Sunday 10 July: Marriage

Sunday 17 July: Singleness

Sunday 24 July: Grandparents, Godparents, Mentors

Sunday 31 July: The Greatest Love

 

Catch up on all parts of this new series on our YouTube channel…

Sunday Service 19 Sep: The courage to let God love me

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Today we are starting a new series of talks in our 10.30am service “Dare like Jesus”. Our theme for today is “The Courage to let God love me”. Join us online:

Remembrance Sunday Service on 8 November, 10.30am

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“We will remember them.” Our Remembrance Sunday Service has many contributions from our community. We have another poppy craft and a special poppy prayer for families. If you have a poppy at home, do bring it along before you settle down to join us. This service includes a two-minute silence at 11am.

Audio Service for Remembrance Sunday (8 November)

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Preacher: Christoph Lindner
Leader: Ian Jennings
Reading: John Way

A Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound Mind

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Ian Jennings writes:

In the current climate we need a balance between wisdom and trust – doing what we need to do to keep safe and to keep others safe and trusting the constant care of a loving God who does not give us a spirit of fear!

Sermon: Healthy Family – The Aims of Discipleship

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Talk by Christoph Lindner at our 10.30am service on Sunday, 9th February 2020.

This sermon is based on Matthew 3. 1-6, 4.12-17

Here are the notes from the front page of our news sheet:

Healthy Family: The Aims of Discipleship

“If you aim at nothing, you are bound to hit it!”

 “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven has come near.” (Jesus)

What are the aims of Christian Discipleship?

  • Participating in the Kingdom mission of Jesus. “Your kingdom come … on earth as it is in heaven.” “The Kingdom of God … is the reign of God over all the forces of death, the triumph of love over all the forces of hatred, the triumph of peace over all the forces of violence and warfare.” (Professor John Hull)
  • Transformation: personally (conversion and discipleship) and of our society and world (social justice). This larger transformation happens one person at a time as we become more like Jesus. “What can you do to promote world peace? Go home and love your family.” (Mother Teresa). We can only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit and because through all our failures, God forgives us and gives us another chance (and another!).
  • Disciples in the whole of our lives. “Our primary calling is to make a difference where we find ourselves most of the time.” (The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC) – licc.org.uk)
  • A vibrant, full life. Not just ‘whole-life disciples’, but ‘full-life disciples. “I have come that they may have abundant life.” (Jesus in John 10.10). No one is attracted to Jesus by a dull and joyless Christian!
  • Gathering people into community. Community with Jesus and one another, that will model heaven on earth, “resident aliens” (Stanley Hauerwas). The more communities of disciples there are, the more transformation we will see!
  • A heavenly calling. “We may be confident that the crowning wonder of our experience will be in the heavenly realm with endless exploration of that unutterable beauty, majesty, love, holiness, power, joy and grace which is God himself.” (Bruce Milne)

SERMON: Unmasking the idols – Love

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3rd March 2019- Ian Jennings, 10.30am