“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
New Testament fulfilment Matthew 2 v4-6
amazing that God doesn’t always use the people or things that we deem to be the best. But His choices sometimes surprise us. But for each of us God has a plan and a purpose and Bethlehem was the place God chose to reveal his son.
The Servant of the LORD
“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.”
New Testament fulfilment Matthew 12 v15-21.
the coming of Jesus the Messiah wasn’t going to be the riotous revolution that we would understand today. There’d be no riot in the street to usher in the Kingdom of God that some of the Jews in that day under Roman occupation, were hoping the Messiah would do just that. Isaiah tell us God delights in his servant and has placed His own Spirit within Him. The tender words say a bruised reed He will not break and a smouldering wick He will not snuff out! This coming King was different!
13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every¬ language worshipped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.”
New Testament fulfilment Luke 1 v31-33
what a fabulous picture Daniel sees of Jesus! These words cheer the soul! His Kingdom will last forever! He has been given authority and sovereign power! Never doubt the power of our Saviour. You and I are part of a Kingdom that will last forever! Hallelujah!
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel
New Testament fulfilment Luke 1 v34-35
the Old Testament prophets had little glimpses of the coming messiah. One of the names given to Jesus here is Immanuel, which means God with us! Simply put God Almighty himself chooses to dwell with us!
9 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honour Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan—
2 The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness
a light has dawned.
Jesus is the light of the world! We no longer walk in darkness but in His light! The light has come!
We have a number of events happening over August, come and join us!
Young Adults – Thursday 8th August 7pm – Come and join us at Bearsted Green for a game or two of Volleyball and Rounders! Free parking around the green, Pimms and Picnic will also be happening on the green so it may be an idea to carpool.
We’re having a Pimms & Picnic on Thursday 8th August, Bearsted Green 6:30-8:30pm. BYO picnic, pimms, games & blankets. An evening to just hang out together!
The wonderful Neil Pattison will be taking a tour around The British Museum, Monday 12th August for ages 8 and up! Please contact the office at office@cotnjubilee.co.uk so we know who to expect on the day, and to send further details on when the group will meet.
Beach day! Sunday 18th August – please don’t turn up at Treetops! We’ll be catching some rays and paddling around at Joss Bay from 11am. Bring your family and friends for some summer fun!
For those who love to walk and have a good chin wag, Thursday 22nd August we’ll be taking a stroll together, meeting at Linton Church car park (free parking available there) and walking to Boughton Church and Back.
Walking The Way will be launching at the historic site of St Augustine’s Cross in Ramsgate. We’ll be gathering with Dave, the team and Acts Life Cluster Churches Saturday 24th August 10am for Celebration and prayer as the team departs! Please park considerately further up Cottington Road, and you’ll be able to walk back to the cross using the grass verge. We’ll see you there!
An article from ‘Church IS family’ Sunday Series
How can we be more Christian in 2019?
1 Corinthians 2:1-2 “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” (NAS)
Sometimes we hear politicians or national figures refer to the UK as a Christian country. Are we a Christian Nation? Have we ever been? The Cambridge Dictionary definition of Christian states: “of or belonging to the religion based on the teachings of Jesus Christ”, or “used to describe a person or action that is good, kind, helpful, etc.” I believe that neither of these definitions reflect the heart and power of the world-changing adjective or noun that is ‘Christian’.
Christian is an important term when we are considering how to live Christian lives, or how to operate businesses, schools and organisations on Christian principles or with a Christian ethos. It is much more than just ‘following the teachings of’, or ‘good kind, helpful, moral’ – the foundation of ‘Christian’ needs to include the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I suggest that ‘Christian’ means ‘transformed, informed motivated and empowered by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.’
An article in The Spectator (28 May 2016) commented,
“A landmark in national life has just been passed. For the first time in recorded history, those declaring themselves to have no religion have exceeded the number of Christians in Britain. Some 44 per cent of us regard ourselves as Christian, 8 per cent follow another religion and 48 per cent follow none. The decline of Christianity is perhaps the biggest single change in Britain over the past century. For some time, it has been a stretch to describe Britain as a Christian country. We can more accurately be described now as a secular nation with fading Christian institutions.”
A report called Europe’s Young Adults and Religion, a collaboration between St Mary’s University in London and the Catholic University of Paris, found that 70% of young adults in the UK identify with no religion.
Although sobering, it is important that we are realistic about the state of the UK and cry out to the Lord for change. We should also acknowledge this brings opportunities for the gospel.
Yinka Oyekan and “The Turning” movement (visit theturning.eu) are demonstrating the opportunities this faith vacuum has created, seeing thousands of people turn to Christ on the streets of the UK and Europe. I am excited about 2019. So far I have spent 33 years as part of Jesus’ church and count it a privilege and a blessing. Let’s build on what Jesus has taught us over the last few years – it will mean taking risks, walking in faith and stepping out of our comfort zones. Are you ready to come on an adventure?
The heart of Christianity is your heart.
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
The message of Christianity is bad news and good news; bad news if we want to do it ourselves – if we are full of pride and want to work things out our way; good news if we realise that, as people, we are morally and spiritually bankrupt and have no ability to save ourselves. The message of the cross and the heart of the term ‘Christian’ declares: it all depends on Him, not on us. Understanding this is the key to becoming ‘more Christian’ in 2019. Do you want to be more of a Christian father, a Christian mother, Christian doctor, a Christian teacher, a Christian midwife, a Christian student, a Christian business man/woman, or a Christian neighbour in your community? This means, whatever vocation we follow, being transformed, informed, motivated and empowered by Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. In practice:
Galatians 6:14 “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
So, let us start 2019 living more Christian lives, with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ being the heart of all we do.
Ask yourself: do I just do a job? Why am I studying these subjects? What is my part in my community or neighbourhood? Am I just going through the motions in my life? And the key question: How is my life going to be more Christian in 2019?
I look forward to our Christian adventures together in the coming year.
Lots of love Neil
Photo by Jessie Andrew on Unsplash
Our first series of 2019 starts this Sunday! Come along and hear a refreshing message on how “Church IS family”.
See you there!
