Stuff Michael Meeks is doing

Up, off into Cambridge to the Rock Baptist church; Ruth McCullock doing a children's talky bit; a blast from the past. Talked to Mr Simmons afterwards who worked in Indonesia, Iraq and Pakistan doing civil engineering amongst muslims, interesting - irrigation in Iraq physicial (and presumably spiritual).
Off to Kate & James' for dinner, a rather pleasant flat-let a little way away. H. in a grumpy mood. A most pleasant meal and afternoon of conversation; good, albeit too short. Came away wishing I had more time to read and study important things instead of hacking.
Dropped K&J back at the Rock for the evening service (and a viewing of Galaxy Quest). Home, tea, watched some of The Two Towers' extra features with J. - H. taking a worrying interest in the flickering pictures on the laptop ( while chewing Dad ).
Listened to a Gordon sermon: A Life Changed - preceeded by the testimony of a Mexican lady on 1 Cor 15:1-11
- The Corinthian's drunk deep of the Greek dichotomy between the body & the soul. Paul refutes this in 12... God loves the universe, and our bodies - had a gospel for the whole person not just the soul; healing the sick - not telling them to ignore their bodies.
- God is also interested in more than your soul, but also your body - the body is not made for immorality. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, you are not your own you are bought at a price, therefore honour your body.
- Park Street committed not only to mission in a spiritual sense, but also to physical bodies; many medics are sent to heal the sick, the international justice mission - using christian criminologists, forensic specialists, lawyers, judges - honouring the God of justice.
- Christ's resurrection the prototype, we will be like him. Paul doesn't just assert that he was resurrected, but that it is knowable. Acts 1 He appeared to the apostles over the period of 40 days
- Paul gives 6 examples of his appearing; not to just some isolated individuals: some believers, others sceptics, etc. appeared to 500 at a time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep - the vocabulary of the first Christian martyr (Stephen) who as he was being stoned prayed do not hold this sin against them - and then he fell asleep. Many of these gave their lives for their testimony.
- You can have misguided religious fanatics who are willing to die for what they believe in; servicemen can similarly. Christian witnesses in contrast were persecuted for their testimony to the resurrection - that hundreds of them would be willing to go to cheerfully to their death for something they knew was false; is strange indeed.
- 3 witnesses mentioned all who didn't want to see the resurrected Jesus - hostile witnesses.
  - Peter - denied Jesus 3 times before he died to servant girls. Hours before he had sworn to die with him rather than deny him. An uncomfortable re-union with Jesus after the resurrection. What turned Peter from a weak kneed quitter to someone who would confess Christ before the Sanhedrin days later ?
  - James - disbelieved in Jesus - his half brother - considered him a mental case. Mark 3:21: no one talks like this who is sane. Yet - he was turned around, after Jesus' death; James was a leader of the Church in Jerusalem, and in AD 62 was stoned and clubbed to death for his faith.
  - Paul - like Osama Bin-Laden, any chance of him becoming a Christian ? exactly the same with Paul. He was self-satisfied, assured and self righteous. He was trying to purify the land from false prophets, not on his way to a prayer meeting in Damascus, but to kill more Christians. Jesus stopped him in his tracks, and turned him around - an example that no-one is beyond saving. What does God think of those who kill people: Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief ... is a trustworthy saying worthy of full acceptance: that Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst 1Tim1 - something we can all echo.
- The ultimate proof of the resurrection is that Jesus is alive and well, and can come into your life and change it right now. By the grace of God I am what I am and his grace to me was not without effect.
- Not making us perfect immediately, but setting us free from being a slave to sin. Christ is alive and well, he wants you because he can do with your life, more than you can do with it.
- Our testimony like that of John Newton, (Amazing Grace), from a dysfunctional home, abandoned by his father, mother died when he was 6. Went to sea, no other way to survive, a life of debauchery. Would enjoy new sailors coming aboard, making fun of their faith, and encouraging them in drunkenness and all the rest. Age 22 he had witnessed, crossing the Atlantic with slaves; with 1/4 of them dying of dysentry and malnutrition - and was untouched by it, so hardned was his heart.
  
  At a point age 22 on a similar voyage, in a great storm, the mast split, half the deck lifted up, the sails gone and all the sailors crying out for their lives. Newton suddenly confronting ultimate reality - had the gall to cry out May the Lord have mercy. As he said it, he began thinking of his whole life of blasphemy, that every ounce of his being was against God; didn't even know how to swim, would surely drown. 27 days later, as they were eating their last provision, drinking their last drops of fresh water, they hit land on the coast of Ireland. Newton got off that boat a new creature in Christ.
  
  He left the slave trade, and spent the rest of his days fighting against slavery. He became a pastor, but instead of wearing robes, always wore his sailors uniform into the pulpit so he would never forget that once I was blind, but now I see

Stuff Michael Meeks is doing

2003-12-07: Sunday