John Dickson recently tweeted through the book of Romans. He explained each section in less than 144 characters. It took 83 tweets. Lots of people seemed to be follow along for the journey. Here are all of the tweets on one page.
Video Bible Reading
Check out the following two vids from my mate Matt Sparks and MBM Youth. They’ve started producing video Bible readings. The public reading of scripture ought to be central to our Christian gatherings. Some might argue differently, but I think that the videos actually help to show the significance of the Bible. What do you think?
Facing Persecution With Unrelenting Joy!
Next week is International Day of Prayer (IDOP). It’s more than just one day of prayer but a week (6th – 13th November 2011) of Christians around the world committing to praying for Persecuted Christians. You can find out more on the IDOP website or on Thirteen Three’s website. We’ve got a report form Open Doors at church this Sunday night and I’m planning on having a spot on Friday night at Soulies for thoughtful prayer and reflection. We’ll also have a blog series on Soulies.net for the week. If you haven’t already, have a think about how you can commit to praying this week at home and in Christian gatherings.
One of the things I’m surprised by as I read of the first persecuted Christians in the Bible and then read of contemporary persecuted Christians (through books like Radical and the VOM newsletter) is that so often persecution is faced with unrelenting joy!
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 5:40-42)
The Apostles keep getting told to shut up about Jesus, they don’t. They get beaten up and told to stop, they don’t! Instead they rejoice that they were considered worthy to suffer for Jesus and then keep telling people about Jesus!!
I recently read of Pastor Wong (in the latest Voice of the Martyrs newsletter). He’s from China. Check out this quote:
How To Be A Spirit-Filled Church – Sermon
Our new teaching series at St Faith’s is called The Powerful, The Poisonous & The Personal. In it we’re looking at some potentially controversial teachings within the church. This past weekend I spoke on the book of Ephesians and what it means to be a Spirit-Filled church.
Here is the MP3 from the sermon:
HOW TO BE A SPIRIT-FILLED CHURCH – EPHESIANS – Dave Miers
[right click etc to download]
Feel free to leave any questions or comment. Peaceout.
Be Filled With The Spirit – John Stott
The following quote is from the end of John Stott’s commentary on Ephesians 5:18-21 (I think it’s also in his book Baptism and Fullness). Most of it is on the cutting room floor for my sermon on “Filled with the Holy Spirit”. Still worth a read.
We need now to return to the imperative on which these four participles depend, that is, to the Christian duty and privilege from which these four Christian attitudes result. It is the command Be filled with the Spirit. The exact form of the verb pl?rousthe is suggestive.
First, it is in the imperative mood. ‘Be filled’ is not a tentative proposal, but an authoritative command. We have no more liberty to avoid this responsibility than the many others which surround it in Ephesians. To be filled with the Spirit is obligatory, not optional.
Continue reading “Be Filled With The Spirit – John Stott”
Trinitarian Formulas and Expressions in Ephesians
The Briefing Online for Free
Not only have Matthias Media put the full back catalogue of Kategoria online, but they have all of the content from The Briefing now online. I think this is a good move. Check out their archives and keep up with all the fresh content. The new bi-monthly print edition is also worth checking out.
“WHAT’S IN THE BRIEFING? 1) Articles to help every Christian in their walk with God. 2) Ideas and thoughts to encourage all to be getting on with ‘everyday’ service and witnessing. 3) A Christian perspective on the actions and events of the world around us. 4) Resources for pastors and lay leaders that provide encouragement and ideas for ministers of God’s Word.”