Found this helpful illustration from Francis Schaeffer HERE:

Dr. Francis Schaeffer quoted a portion of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans: “Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others? You have no excuse at all, whoever you are. For when you judge others, but do the same things that they do, you condemn yourself. We know that God is right when He judges the people who do such things as these. But you, my friend, do these very things yourself for which you pass judgment on others! Do you think you will escape God’s judgment?“ 

Schaeffer then explained the passage with the following illustration: Imagine that each baby is born into the world with an invisible tape recorder hung around his neck. Imagine further that these are very special recorders that record only when moral judgments are made. Aesthetic judgments such as “This is beautiful” are not recorded. But whenever a person makes such a statement as “She’s such a gossip,” or “He’s so lazy,” the recorder turns on, records the statement and turns off. Many times each day the recorder operates, as the person makes moral judgments about those around him, recording dozens of judgments each week, hundreds every year and thousands in a lifetime.

Then the scene shifts, and we suddenly see all the people of the world standing before God at the end of time. “God, it’s not fair for You to judge me,” say some. “I didn’t know about Christ. “No one taught me the Ten Commandments, and I never read the Sermon on the Mount.”

Then God speaks. “Very well. Since you claim not to know My laws, I will set aside My perfect standard of righteousness. Instead I will judge you on this.” And as He pushes the button on the recorder, the person listens with growing horror as his own voice pours forth a stream of condemnation toward those around him…”She shouldn’t be doing this.” “He was wrong in that”-thousands upon thousands of moral judgments.

When the tape ends, God says, “This will be the basis of My judgment: how well have you kept the moral standards you proved that you understood by constantly applying them to those around you. Here you accused someone of lying, yet have you ever stretched the truth? You were angry at that fellow for being selfish, yet have you ever put your own interests above someone else’s needs?” And every person will be silent. For no one has consistently lived up to the standard he demands of others.

Took the youth group to Laser Quest tonight.  Look at how I got on!

Here’s an idea for a kids talk on 1 Samuel 1:1-20…

[Visual Aid HERE plus pictures (to buy) for the story HERE] 

*** 

It’s really horrible when people are made fun of because who they are, what they look like, what they can or can’t do, what they have or haven’t got.  I want you to think about which people are the ones that usually are made fun of: 

• People with a big nose or those with normal size noses?
• People who are good at sport or those who aren’t that great at sport?
• People who are ugly or people who are pretty?
• People who are fat or people who are thin?
• People who are smart or people who aren’t smart?
• People who are Christians or people who are not Christians? 

I want to tell you about someone who also was made fun of.  Here’s a clue that might help you to guess why she was made fun of. [Picture of baby stuff].  She was made fun of because she didn’t have any children.  

There was a man named Elkanah and he had two wives.  One named Peninnah and the other named Hannah.  Peninnah had children but Hannah wasn’t able to have children because the Lord had closed her womb. 

Can you think of any other women in the Bible who were unable to have children? [Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel, Elizabeth]. 

Because Hannah was unable to have children, Peninnah was constantly making fun of her until Hannah was so upset that she would stop eating. 

What do you think Hannah should do?  What should you do when people are making fun of you? 

Pray.  Talk to God.  We can talk to God at anytime and about anything.  And that’s what Hannah did, she went to the tabernacle and prayed to God trusting that He would hear her prayer and answer it in the way that is best. 

She prayed: “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.” (1 Samuel 1:11) 

Eli the priest was nearby and saw Hannah praying but thought she was drunk because her lips were moving but she wasn’t making a sound.  But Hannah explained that she was crying out to God because she had no children. 

When Eli heard this he said “I’m sure God will answer your prayer.”  And do you know what, He did.  Hannah got pregnant and had a son who she named Samuel. 

God heard Hannah’s prayer and He answered it, doing something that seemed impossible.  

Isn’t it great that we can talk to God anytime and about anything?  We can talk to Him when things aren’t going so well and when things are going great.  We can talk to Him about things we would like Him to do.  We can talk to Him about how thankful we are for all things He gives us and does for us.  The most important thing we need to talk to God about is how sorry we are for our sins, how we are thankful that He sent Jesus to die for our sins, and then asking Him to forgive us.  Have you done that?  

The good news is that if we trust in God He will always answer our prayers.  Sometimes it won’t be in the way we expect Him to, other times it will be.  But one thing’s for sure, we can trust Him to answer our prayers in the way that is best!

A great new series of evangelistic books is the Exploring Christianity series edited by Jonathan Carswell.  These books have been “written for people who are perhaps just starting to look at what Christianity is all about” although I think they have a use for new Christians as well. 

They are perfect to give away especially if you want something a bit more than a gospel tract.  Each book in the series takes between one and two hours to read and are a bargain at £2 each (with great deals on bulk purchases).  

Before looking at each of the four books in the series so far, one think I want to add is that the covers of the books are great – I particularly like the photo of the tug of war team competing against a tree! 

Now onto the books… 

Missing the Point? 

‘Missing the Point?’ by Vaughan Roberts is a much shorter version of his ‘Turning Points’ book.  The focus of this book is the history of the world as it is presented in the Bible which will help the reader understand what life is all about. 

It is a great little book for understanding the big story of the Bible.  About how God made a perfect world and people to live in this world in relationship with Him.  About how man sinned by deciding to go it alone in God’s world which resulted in the mess this world is in.  It explains how God in His love makes it possible for people to be friends with God again which involved sending a rescuer, the Lord Jesus, who died to take the punishment so that all our sin can be forgiven.  It tells how history will end with Jesus return to earth to judge everyone and then a great divide will happen with some people going to heaven and some people going to hell. 

The book finishes by challenging people to think about where they fit in this history and how by trusting in Jesus now “we need not fear hell but instead can have a certain hope of heaven”. 

My mate’s gone mad! 

‘My mate’s gone mad!’ by Graham Daniels explains the good news about Jesus in a different way.  Instead of looking at how it affects our place in the history of the world, it looks at how people can overcome three barriers to Christianity they may have – namely that it’s weird, irrelevant and untrue – using John 1:43-51 and how Philip helped Nathaniel overcome these barriers. 

This book helpfully shows that Christianity isn’t weird (you probably know a Christian who isn’t weird or at least wasn’t made weird by Christianity), it is relevant to our daily lives, and most importantly how it is based on the truth about this world which is that God made us yet we are rebels and therefore under His judgment and how eternal life comes through trusting in the rescue Jesus won by dying on the cross. 

24 hours that changed the world 

‘24 hours that changed the world’ takes the format of the best show on TV, 24, and uses it to tell the events of the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life in a fresh and powerful way.  Written by Nick Howard, this book is great is helping the reader get a grip on the events leading up to Jesus’ death. 

But it doesn’t just tell us about the events.  The final pages clearly explain the meaning behind his death: “Jesus willingly offered Himself on the cross to soak up God’s anger against human sin.  He died as a substitute: the wrongdoing of other people was laid upon Him, and He took God’s punishment in their place, that they might go free forever.”  So trusting in Jesus is the only way to gain forgiveness. 

How to Save a Life 

‘24 hours that changed the world’ looks at the events of the final 24 hours of Jesus’ life.  One of these events was a conversation between Jesus and a thief who was crucified next to Him.  It’s that conversation which Krish and Miriam Kandiah write about in ‘How to Save a Life’ which explains how someone becomes a Christian. 

As they look at this conversation between Jesus and the thief they show how nobody is too good to be saved especially when they compare themselves to Jesus, and nobody is too bad to be saved (the story of the thief should give hope for everyone no matter what they’ve done).  Likewise it’s not too late to be saved, while the thief was hanging on the cross alive he had a chance to ask Jesus to forgive Him.  But it’s also not too soon to trust in Jesus because the changes becoming a Christian bring don’t just happen when we die, they happen now! 

The big story of the Bible, the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life, a life saved moments from death, and overcoming barriers to Christianity.  I really like the variety of approaches to sharing the good news about Jesus that this series provides, and the good news is that there are more books planned in this series including one by Dai Hankey based on his A Beautiful Day sermon. 

All the books in the Exploring Christianity Series are available to buy from 10ofthose.com. 

• Missing the Point? by Vaughan Roberts HERE
• My mate’s gone mad! by Graham Daniels HERE
• 24 hours that changed the world by Nick Howard HERE
• How to save a life by Krish and Miriam Kandiah HERE

Having finished posting all my notes (now available as a single pdf HERE), here are a few other EMA related things. 

For alternative notes and views on EMA check out:

• Mike Kendall’s posts HERE and HERE and HERE
• Adrian Reynolds posts HERE and HERE and HERE
• Marc Lloyd’s posts HERE and HERE  

Free books given out at EMA:

• Wednesday: Missing the Point? by Vaughan Roberts
• Thursday: Our Father by Richard Coekin (available from 17^th July)
• Friday: Listen Up! by Christopher Ash 

Want to hear more from the speakers (click on speakers name):

• David Jackman
• Don Carson
• Richard Coekin
• John Dickson
• Vaughan Roberts

Here are the links to all my notes from this year’s Evangelical Ministry Assembly that took place last week.

David Jackman – Preaching and praying from the Psalms

1) Psalm 44

2) Psalm 86

3) Psalm 108

Don Carson – Prayer and Mission

1) Prayer changes things or does it?

2) Five prayer polarities

3) Improving our praying

Richard Coekin – Engaged in God’s mission

1) Preaching from Jonah (1)

2) Preaching from Jonah (2)

John Dickson – Strategy for Mission

1) Three dimensions of promoting the gospel

2) Three dimensions of proclaiming the gospel

Vaughan Roberts – Annual EMA Address

Strategic thinking for strategic times

My notes from Vaughan Robert’s talk in the final session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Strategic thinking for strategic times (reflecting on the life and ministry of Charles Simeon) 

Charles Simeon was born 250 years ago.  What he said was so contemporary. 

What would he say to us now?  

1. Let the Bible speak 

He had a pocket Bible which he took everywhere which had Jeremiah 20:9 highlighted.  From conversion all he wanted to do was proclaim God’s Word.  His task was not to impose on Scripture but let the Bible speak – the father of expository preaching. 

“My endeavour is to bring out of Scripture what is there.” 

 Assumed that every part of the Bible is from God to say something.  How we need the voice of God to be heard.  How many pulpits are full of the musings of men?  When the Bible is taught God’s voice is heard.  Vital importance of learning what God is saying in the passage. 

2. Make sure you get the message across 

He was committed to training young men.  Teaching them how to preach.  Simeon thought it was possible to be very faithful and very dull.  

Three things he thought about this that were important: 

• Unity in design – one main idea, what the thrust of the passage is.
• Perspicuity in arrangement – workout what the headings might be, divide it up.
• Simplicity in diction – speak to be understood, lots in Simeon’s writings about how to speak. 

One person who had head 100s of his sermons said that Simeon could not be dull.  He passionately believed what he saying and communicated that passion. 

3. Expect opposition 

The congregation at Holy Trinity was not impressed with Simeon’s appointment.  Had 30 years of opposition.  Said “I’d gladly bear the cross for Thy sake”. 

4. Think strategically 

From the beginning of his ministry he had an enormous vision – evangelisation of this country.  Never limited to the parish.  To reach England he knew they needed many gospel ministers.  

Simeon focused on recruiting, training and deploying.  He recruited from Cambridge University, he also gave money to send men from backwater places to Cambridge to be trained by him.  He trained men, he spent hours with individuals (12-15 a year for conversation classes).  Many of Simeon’s men could not get jobs so Simeon set up his trust to buy the rights to appoint men. 

5. Have a global vision 

Sent out early chaplains to India (including Henry Martyn).  He was passionate about reaching the Jews.  Have a global vision. 

6. Be Bible Christians 

Big divide in Simeon’s day was Calvinist and Arminians.  Simeon didn’t get too involved in a party He was a moderate Calvinist but refused to be a system Christian.  He said be a Bible Christian. 

7. Stick at it 

Charles Simeon prayed for those he had trained.  Wrote to them.  Organised house parties for them.  Encouraged them to stick at it.  In his last hours said “Jesus Christ is my all in all.”

My notes from Richard Coekin’s talk in the eleventh session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

God is the Evangelist (Jonah 3-4) 

Put sovereignty and mercy together and you get an evangelist.  God is the evangelist and employ a preacher in the supreme mercy ministry of evangelism. 

God and his nations is what Jonah is about.  It shows how wonderful our Lord God is.  God patiently uses Jonah to bring the greatest revival in the Bible.  Jonah’s sermon is motivation to pray and preach. 

1. God called Nineveh to his mercy – through his gospel of wrath! (chapter 3) 

How did God do this?  Three stages of God’s mercy ministry to the lost: 

a) The messenger of wrath (v1-4) 

Wonderful to read of the Lord coming to Jonah a second time – second chance for us to obey the great commission. 

From the first day Jonah announces this message of destruction.  Seriousness of impending judgment.  Only when God’s judgment revealed is His mercy welcomed.  Gospel we’ve been given contains message of judgment.  Resurrection to rule means Jesus will return to judge.  Paul speaks plainly of this in Romans 2:16. 

Does the gospel we declare contain Jesus returning to judge?  Wrath of God is coming and hell is appalling.  

Jonathan Edwards: “…consider what it is to suffer extreme torment forever and ever: to suffer it day and night from one year to another, from one age to another, and from one thousand ages to another (and so adding age to age, and thousands to thousands), in pain, in wailing and lamenting, groaning and shrieking, and gnashing your teeth – with your souls full of dreadful grief and amazement, [and] with your bodies and every member full of racking torture; without any possibility of getting ease; without any possibility of moving God to pity by your cries; without any possibility of hiding yourselves from him; without any possibility of diverting your thoughts from your pain; without any possibility of obtaining any manner of mitigation, or help, or change for the better.” 

We’ve got to tell unbelievers about wrath to come at some point.  How we do this? 

• Audience must feel that when we talk about judgment we are motivated by love.
• We must explain sin in Gentile relational terms.
• Hell must be explained as a legitimate consequence.
• Talk about ‘we’ not ‘you’. 

b) The repentance of faith (v5-9) 

Like the Thessalonians later the Ninevites heard message from Jonah but heard God speaking.  God spoke to them.  Expression of their faith is repentance.  Faith and repentance are two sides of the same goal.  As you turn from sin and you turn to God.  Every time you hear the Bible you are called to repentance and faith.  

Real repentance is humbling self, recognition of your wickedness, and deserving of wrath.  Recognising that I am helpless and hopeless.  Grace to the humble is a theme in Scripture.  Humble condition of someone God is willing to save. 

Real repentance is turning.  Behavioural aspect.  Giving up sinful behaviour.  Can’t promise perfection but we can promise to try; genuinely attempting to live way God wants us to.  Genuine commitment to try to stop sinning. 

Real repentance is pleading.  Mercy comes to those who call on the Lord in prayer.  God is not obliged to forgive although He wonderfully does through Christ.  

These three things are personal.  Directed to God as person.  Sin is relational therefore salvation is relational. 

c) The mercy of God (v10) 

Isn’t this good news?  All hinges on God’s response.  When God saw their will extend to actions He relents in His mercy.  He could this because His Son bled to death on the cross.  That’s how people will be saved. 

Are we willing to go to the nations with this message?  To call for repentance.  To plead for God’s mercy. 

How can we do this?  Personally as a missionary to another country.   As a church we could run an international cafe, employ someone from a different country.  We can partner with those abroad, with mission agencies in prayer and financial support. 

2. God taught Jonah to care – about people of all nations! (chapter 4) 

Why did God bother?  Conversation between Jonah and the Lord reveals the clash of perspective. 

a) God’s character was offensive to Jonah (v1-4) 

Covenant privileges of Israel were being extended to Gentiles and this displeased Jonah who empties the poison of his soul to God.  By doing so reveals why God is the evangelist. 

God is the evangelist because: 

• He’s gracious.
• He’s merciful.
• He’s slow to anger.
• He’s abounding in steadfast love – never ending torrent of God’s loyal love faithful to His promises.
• He relents. 

Verses are a challenge to our prejudices and envy.  Reminder of the older son resentful that the younger son found mercy.  God looks at crowds, like the ones at Glastonbury and thinks will anyone go to them.  We at them as crowds of wickedness (people doing drugs etc). 

b) God’s priority was saving people (v5-11) 

Jonah was concerned about his shelter.  Pastors concerned about raising funds for the building project rather than reaching the lost. 

God’s concern is people (v11).  He’s care for them every day of their life and still passionately  cares for them.  The book ends with God’s great compassion for people – wonderful message.  

Are we willing to learn to do the work of the evangelist?  For pastors, only need for someone to ask about our job.  We can grow into the gift of being an evangelist.  Make every effort as a church to reach those not being reached. 

Jesus is the sign of Jonah – He is the light to the Gentiles, prophet to the nations.  As we proclaim His message He reaches the nations. 

God is the evangelist – reason why God will save people.

My notes from Don Carson’s talk in the tenth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Improving our Prayer 

How can we best improve our praying? 

One way is by carefully listening to the best models.  We can learn much by listening to the prayers of others.  Helpful resource is the Valley of Vision book by Arthur Bennett.  We also improve our praying by practice.  It is easier to read books about praying than actually praying.  

But if we are to improve our praying at all, we need to learn how to pray from God. 

Improving along four axis: 

1. Prayer steeped in the Word of God 

Look at the language used in Nehemiah 9.  Look at the themes covered: Creation, Abraham, Exodus, Law, Wilderness years, Golden Calf, Manna, time of the Judges.  Part of the prayer is a survey of redemptive history. 

Chapter also enmeshed in biblical language.  Scarcely a line not taken from biblical literature.  Memorable parts drawn from prayers of earlier believers.  

This prayer is steeped in Scripture. 

Prayers will be enriched as we read and reread Scripture.  But this prayer doesn’t feel artificial in quoting all this Scripture.  This prayer comes out of a lifetime of learning to pray Scripture. 

2. Prayer steeped in Biblical Theology 

We see this in Nehemiah 9, but also found in many other passages, for example Exodus 32, 33, and 34. 

Thematically turns on 5 points:

• It comes at the end of this divine revelation about how the tabernacle is to be made.
• Very powerful in narrative there is play on glory and goodness.
• You come across abounding in love and faithfulness or grace and truth.
• Clearly time of giving of the law.
• Dramatic clause – no-one has ever seen God. 

All five of this themes occur in John 1:14-18.  Impossible to believe this is a providential accident.  John reflecting on this passage. 

• Word became flesh and tabernacles among us (v14).
• Glory and goodness (v14).
• Full of grace and truth (v15) – grace and truth came par excellence in Jesus Christ.
• Law was grace given (v16) – now we have grace and truth par excellence, grace that surpasses it, exceeds it.
• No-one has ever seen God (v18).  Do you want to see God?  Study Jesus.  Moses sees the trailing edge, we see Jesus. 

These are biblical theology themes.  Prayers Moses utters have to be upgraded, covenantally renewed.  These four prayers in Exodus 32-34 need to be developed and unpacked and prayed again in New Covenant form. 

Pray for the important things which are established by biblical theology. 

3. Prayer steeped in the Priorities of Scripture 

a) Examples of Scripture 

Pray Ephesians 3:14-21.  Pull out and make lists of Scripture and incorporate them in our prayers.  This will include prayer the Lord’s Prayer.  

b) Eschatological vision of Scripture 

In Ephesians, Paul delights in reflecting in Sovereignty and grace of God Almighty in calling out a people of both Jews and Gentiles which He saves by grace for a life of service.  This constitutes a new humanity, new people who He reconciled to God through the cross and now God dwells by His Spirit.  When Paul prays in Ephesians 3:14 it’s for this reason, because this is God’s purpose.  The prayer has to do with asking that God’s Will will be done. 

Heart beat of what we pray for ought to be in line with God’s redemptive purpose in the gospel. 

c) The ultimate goal of Scripture 

We pray to bring maximal glory to God (Ephesians 3:21). 

4. Prayer that acknowledges its frank ignorance of the mind of God 

First three points show numerous ways our prayers can be enriched by knowing the mind of God.  

Romans 8 reminds us of our weakness and need for the Spirit to intercede for us when we do not know mind and will of God.  Spirit intercedes for God’s people according to the Will of God. 

Application 

“We’ve reformed our preaching, let’s reform our prayers.” 

• Take time to copy out prayers of Scripture.
• Set time aside for praying.
• Pray in line with mind of God for your people, nation, and advance of the kingdom of God.

My notes from David Jackman’s talk in the ninth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Preaching and praying from the Psalms (3) 

We’ve been learning about our answering speech in response to life’s pressures.  The Psalms is the prayer book of Israel, how God’s people learned to pray, response speech to God.  More we study the Psalms, the more we are instructed in answering speech in all the changes of life. 

Psalm 108 

Verses 1-5 is the second half of Psalm 57.  Verses 6-13 is the second half of Psalm 60.  But it’s not a cut and paste job.  The two Psalms are seamlessly joined to give a new creation to give us hope and focus.  It’s a new challenge to appropriate the old realities of David’s day.  Psalm 108 is a Psalm for new initiatives and ventures of faith. 

The context of the confidence behind Psalm 108: it was not written when everything is going well.  Psalm 57 was written by David when he was being hunted as a fugitive.  Psalm 60 when he was being defeated as a leader.  As God’s people run to God in the midst of trouble it shows dependence and faith in Him.  That brings about victory – it’s inconceivable that God won’t be the deliverer. 

“We are never stronger than when we are most dependent on God.” 

Verses 1-5 is the context for the earthly challenge.  Seeing the challenge on earth in the light of heaven and eternal glory the psalmist prays.  David’s confidence based on God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.  Whether in heaven or on earth God is to be praised.  This is the perspective you and I need as we face the immense challenge of evangelising our generation.  The Psalm reassures us that God is committed to accomplishing His purposes. 

Verse 6 is an urgent appeal with Psalm 60 in the background asking God to do what covenant loyalty would mean He would do. 

Verses 7-9 reminds us that God is control of history and geography.  He gives land to His people.  God guarantees the protection of the land.  What about their enemies?  Look at how God views these enemies in verse 9.  As the church faces battles, yes the enemy is active and strong.  But the cross and empty tomb tells us he’s defeated. 

When we feel hunted we know how to respond to God:

• Remind yourself of God’s promises.
• Believe their fulfilment.
• Ask for care. 

Verses 10-13 is how we go out to the next challenge with faith.  New ventures of faith.  If Eden defeated, someone must lead the king to conquest.  It’s beyond David’s capability, only God can win that city.  But God appears not to go out with us.  God defeated enemies in the past.  Now have you not rejected us?  

Is the New Atheism/Internet generation beyond God’s power and reach?  Go back to the promises of God and exercise faith in His Word.  Prayer is evidence of that faith.  If we believe the promises, claim fulfilment in our prayers.  When we pray grant us hope there will be change.  Live verse 13, He empowers His people.  He treads down enemies by His presence with and empowerment of His people who are dependent on Him.  As captives set free it is seen to be entirely the work of God’s grace.

More links to check out…

• The Justification Debate: A Primer
• Carson Sermon Series on Temptation
• No Cross, No Christianity
• Free Mp3 Audio Bible Stories For Kids
• Is Preaching Killing Your Church Plant?
• 100 Recommended Reads
• Confession
• Why I Don’t Have a Television and Rarely Go to Movies
• What do you have to believe about creation in order to be an elder at Bethlehem?
• Growing Kids in Grace (Pat Aldridge)
• I Like What the Bible Teaches
• Prayer for Wives of Pastors
• Spiritual Gifts: Encouragement

My notes from John Dickson’s talk in the eighth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Three Dimensions of Proclaiming the Gospel 

How and when does the Lord expect us to speak up for him?  Three answers to the question.  Without all three operating our evangelism will be a little flat. 

A) ‘Some to be evangelists’ 

1. ‘Evangelist’ means ‘gospeler’ (Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5; Acts 21:8). 

People with special task to announce good news. 

2. Local and district evangelists (2 Corinthians 8:18; Philippians 4:2-4; Colossians 1:7, 4:12-13; Acts 21:8). 

Some think of evangelists as travelling preachers.  But think locally, train people to specialise in evangelism. 

3. Only some Christians are evangelists (Ephesians 4:8-12). 

4. Tips for identifying evangelists. 

Evangelists will have a keen desire to tell the gospel to others – common sense.  Unusually keen in sharing the gospel. 

Evangelists will relate well to unbelievers – common sense.  No different to way we pick youth leaders. 

Evangelists will be able to explain the gospel clearly – main predictor. 

Evangelists will be intelligent – wild speculation.  Average unbeliever is sophisticated, larger group of weapons against the gospel that need to be disarmed. 

B) All to ‘declare His praises’ 

1. Praise as proclamation in biblical Judaism (Psalm 57:9, 96:3-8, 105:1, 117:1). 

Gathered praise of God’s people had a secondary function of announcing to unbelievers the glory of God.  Gathered public worship of God had evangelistic orientation (not a Jewish seeker service though). 

2. Peter’s call to evangelistic ‘praise’ (1 Peter 2:9). 

Heartfelt praise more compelling than they realised. 

Tim Keller on ‘doxological evangelism’: “Calvin’s refusal to chose between the glory of God and edification lays the groundwork for what Edmund Clowney calls ‘doxological evangelism’…Israel was called to make God known to unbelieving nations by singing his praises…God is to be praised before all nations, and as he is praised by his people, the nations are summoned and called to join in song.  This pattern does not essentially change in the New Testament, where Peter tells a Gentile church to ‘declare the praises’ of him who called us out of darkness.  The term cannot merely refer to preaching but must also refer to gathered worship…Despite these biblical exhortations, preachers and other leaders typically lead in congregational worship as if no non-Christians are present.” 

3. Paul and the ‘visitor’ in church (1 Corinthians 14:23-26). 

Paul expects non-Christians to be present.  Regular speaking in church can have evangelistic effects.  Most significant factor in whether or not you’ll have visitors is the quality of the service which means the degree to which believers revel in the Sunday experience.  The number of our visitors will be proportionate to the level of enthusiasm felt by our regulars.  Get the church service right – gospel focussed, heartfelt and intelligible. 

C) Each to ‘give an answer’ 

Each believer to step up to plate and give an answer whenever the opportunity arises (1 Peter 3:13-16; Colossians 4:2-6). 

1. All believers share in the privilege of speaking for Jesus. 

What bold proclamation is to the apostle can be daily conversations to the believer. 

Dick Lucas: “Just as there is an ‘ought’ about the apostle’s speaking, so there is an ‘ought’ about theirs…We may describe this difference by saying that while the apostle looks for many opportunities for direct evangelism and teaching, the typical Christian in Colossae is to look for many opportunities for responsive evangelism.  If this distinction is a correct one, it immediately commends itself by its sanity and realism.” 

2. Allegiance to Jesus is the basis of speaking. 

First part of 1 Peter 3:15.  Telling them in sermon to evangelise may not work.  Instead woo them to the Lordship of Christ because that is the motivation.  Out of heart they will give an answer.  The antidote to Christian coyness (worry about association with nutty evangelicals or shy or with doubts) is setting apart Jesus Christ as Lord.  Reminding yourself who owns the room you are in. 

3. The manner of speaking is as important as the content. 

Not much is said in these passages about what to say.  Emphasis is on how to say it – gracious speech.  The manner of speaking is critical.  The preacher is the model on how to do this.  You are the model your people pick up. 

Even the little things our people do to step up for Christ can have a powerful effect, and can be a big think because God is the evangelist. 

More on this topic can be found in John Dickson’s book ‘Promoting the Gospel’ (chapters 8-10).  Available to buy HERE.

My notes from Don Carson’s talk in the sixth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Five prayer polarities 

Patterns of praying in Scripture that are different. 

1. Sustained prayer and brief prayer 

Nehemiah 1:5f is a prayer Nehemiah prayed day and night for four months.  Sustained intercessory focussed prayer.  

Characteristics of God in this prayer presupposed by Nehemiah in this prayer:

• God is sovereign (v5).
• God keeps His covenant (v5).
• God expects repentance where there is sin (v6-7).
• God punishes and restores His people (v8-9).
• God knows His own people and watches over them (v10).
• God guards His own name (v11). 

In Nehemiah 2 we then have a bullet prayer.  Sustained prayer followed by bullet prayer.  Later out of the former. 

2. Desperate prayer and steady prayer 

In Moses’ prayer in Exodus 32:31-32, Moses could wish himself accursed for his people.  Ultimate depiction of the judgment in Exodus 32 is hell.  New Testament equivalent of Moses’ prayer is Paul’s in Romans 9. 

Some prayers are so intense that you don’t analyse it with strict logic.  Not formulaic but reflects where your heart is.  Says something about our prayers for others that we wish ourselves dead for others to be saved.  All praying is not at this desperation. 

Others measured, steady, full of joy of the Lord.  Psalm 8 is not a prayer of desperation.  There is a place for steady acknowledgment of God, Christ, Gospel, names of God, His revelation etc in prayer.  

Prayer is not always in desperation.  Some intercessory matters (such as asking the Lord of the harvest for more workers) we should be praying constant. 

3. Private prayer and public prayer 

In Exodus 33 Moses goes to the tent of meeting and prays to God privately for His presence.  On the other hand lots of public prayers.  Solomon in 1 Kings 8 offers a prayer to God that people needed to hear and learn from.  A favourite of Don Carson’s is Jesus’ in John 11:41-42. 

When we pray in public there is a pedagogical function.  As pastors, when we pray in public, how is this prayer rightly addressing God but also how is this prayer instructing the people. 

4. Prayer of corporate covenantal renewal and prayer of special request 

In Exodus 34:9 Moses is begging for God’s presence amongst the covenant people of God whether in blessing or in judgment.  It’s a prayer of corporate covenantal renewal that is unsentimentalised.  Asking for God first before revival.  God’s presence in all God is.  We want God. 

Wrong to think all prayer is of this sort.  Earlier on the other hand Moses asks for meat.  It’s not wrong to pray for individual needs.  1 Peter tells us to cast all our cares on the Lord.  

5. Unacceptable prayer and acceptable prayer 

Unacceptable prayers are prayers that sustain self-righteousness.  Acceptable prayers are prayers that are characterised by contrition and brokenness (Luke 18:9-14). 

Unacceptable prayers overlook the absence of righteousness and acceptable prayers pursue righteousness.   

Unacceptable prayer is coming to God thinking that He is happy to pour out blessing while we keep our idols.  Acceptable prayer involves examining ourselves. 

Unacceptable prayer is asking with the wrong motives (James 4:3). 

Unacceptable prayers overlook Christ’s righteousness.  Acceptable prayers recognise Christ’s righteousness is the only basis for certainty in access to God. 

Much praying is not done because do not plan to pray.  ‘We need to think these theological things through, but we need to plan to pray’.

My notes from David Jackman’s talk in the fifth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Preaching and praying from the Psalms (2) 

Setbacks and defeat, suffering and persecution are not just evils; they are the context of Christ’s overwhelming victory which we share.  We suffer because Jesus suffers.  If we share in Christ’s suffering we will share in Christ’s glory. 

Psalm 86 

An individual prayer, a lament of David, when the servant of God is under pressure from opposition.  It’s obviously a prayer under pressure.  The opposition here threatens the existence of David (v14). 

The key to Psalm 86 is verse 11 ‘unite my heart to fear your name’. 

Nothing like pressure to show our divided heart.  We see adverse conditions and turn on God rather than seeing God’s hand in it.  Ultimately circumstances don’t determine what kind of people we are but what we do in these circumstances. 

Psalms are ‘a word from God to provide us with words to come to God with’. 

Verses 1-7: A Cry for Help 

Verses 1-4 are focused and insistent (incline, preserve, be gracious, gladden).  Each request has a reason (I am poor and needy, I am godly, I cry all the day).  

Three aspects of David’s relationship: 

1. Godly covenant loyalty.
2. Servants devotion to master.
3. Trust in God’s promise. 

David is not saying I deserve to be answered because he is trusting.  But is sure he will be answered because God is to be trusted and he trusts Him.  If our hearts is rested in God it is impossible that God will not be faithful to His covenant promises.  

Verse 5 is the ground for the plea in verse 6.  Because God answers, David calls to Him.  God will preserve, protect, pour out grace and mercy, so we can pray for this.  New Covenant right to claim that joy when we pray.  It’s right to say ‘Give me joy Lord in the midst of pressure’ because you do provide.  Birth right to rejoice in the Lord always.  

Verses 8-13: A Celebration of Faith 

Great affirmation of His sovereignty and care.  God not the circumstances dominates the Psalms.  Prayer focuses on God’s immeasurable greatness.  Nowhere else to go to deal with life’s difficulties because God is unique in His majestic power and greatness.  No alternative deity that can command universal worship.  The whole earth will bow to His sovereignty.  

Because of the Lord’s unique sovereign authority that my heart needs to be united to fear His name.  Only God can inform His mind by revealed truth and only God can unite His heart.  Through opposition God is knocking away the things David might rely on so His heart is united and he depends on God alone.  Fear of the Lord is learning that He alone is Lord and living it out.  

In verses 12-13 David moves through pressures to His ultimate deliverance.  Even on the brink of death he knows that the Lord has saved him.  If God’s steadfast love has covered our ultimate needs of salvation from death and hell we can rejoice. 

Verses 14-17: Application of the Remedy 

Bit of a shock is verse 14.  Terrifying problem.  Vulnerable man against gang of ruthless enemies.  God hears instantly, but answer of deliverance might not be because God is working His purposes through it.  

Difference prayer makes as David casts himself on God’s mercy.  God could not be more committed to me so makes strong requests in verses 16-17.  Not wrong to ask for sign of favour, its so enemies will see God’s glory in grace and favour.  Special token as a forerunner to the full answer of His prayer.  

Whatever opposition is plotting or whatever disappointed feelings you have, make David’s prayer your prayer.  Ask God through the pressure to unite your heart so dependent on Him, and trust God’s purposes are being worked out in your life.  Often trials come so that we let go of self-trust and trust in God and look to Him for deliverance.

My notes from John Dickson’s talk in the fourth session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Three Dimensions of Promoting the Gospel 

There is a self-consciousness about evangelism.  A lot of this comes from the need to explain the whole gospel every time.  The best kept secret of gospel mission is that it is a spectrum of activities although this doesn’t mean we downplay speaking the gospel. 

Three other ways of promoting the gospel: 

A) Praying for the Gospel 

The most regularly urged gospel promoting activity is prayer.  Prayer for mission was already there in the Old Testament. 

1. King Solomon’s plea for Gentiles (1 Kings 8:41-43) 

Solomon prays that Gentiles will know God the same way Israel does. 

2. The compassion of Jesus and his call to prayer (Matthew 9:35-10:5) 

Jesus was moved deeply.  He was compassionate towards those who were harassed and helpless, compassionate towards those who don’t know the shepherd.  Response is to call the disciples to pray for gospel workers. 

Are your churches compassionate?  Are they moved with the compassion of Jesus to ask, pray for gospel workers? 

3. Paul’s plea on behalf of unbelievers (Romans 10:1; Acts 26:28-29) 

4. Exhortations to churches (Ephesians 6:19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3:1; Colossians 4:2-4) 

We frequently see Paul praying for congregations to get involved in mission. 

Dick Lucas: “It is of great interest that the first duty of the Christians in Colossae was to open their mouths in prayer for the preachers of the gospel whom God had evidently called to this work.  It was not, by inference, their first duty themselves to preach.  The fresh and necessary awakening of the churches today to the concept of ‘every-member ministry’, and the mobilization of all Christians to take the gospel to all the world, should not be allowed to tone down this truth.” 

In prayer we lift the work of the gospel into the hands of the Almighty.  “Does your church see prayer as a basic mission duty?” 

B) Giving to the Gospel  

The New Testament gives a lot of air time to financial giving to the gospel. 

1. Jesus’ command concerning the Twelve and the Seventy-Two (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:14) 

2. The exhortations to ‘send out with provisions’ (Romans 15:24; 1 Corinthians 16:6; Titus 3:13) 

Charles Cranfield: “Propempo was used to denote the fulfilment of various services which might be required by a departing traveller, such as the provision of rations, money, means of transport, letters of introduction, and escort for some part of the way.” (Charles Cranfield, Romans) 

3. The ‘partnership’ of the Philippians (Philippians 1:3-5; 4:14-18) 

Partnership – financial contributions by Philippians to Paul’s gospel work.  

Ponder the language of partnership that Paul uses for giving money to gospel work.  When talking about money in churches it is not unspiritual, it is partnership in gospel work.  Not spectators on the sidelines but players on the pitch.  They are furthering the gospel.  “Do your congregations believe that about reaching in their pockets?” 

C) Living for the Gospel 

1. Being the ‘light of the world’ (Matthew 5:14-16; Isaiah 49:6) 

Light shines before men by good deeds.  The good deeds refer to the things talked about in the Sermon on the Mount. 

2. Conversion ‘without a word’ (1 Peter 3:1-2) 

Does not mean someone can be brought to Christ without words.  Godly life can be the thing that brings them to believe the Word. 

3. Beautifying the gospel (Titus 2:9-10) 

Gospel is beautiful enough on its own.  Paul says godly lives can beautify this message.  This has never been more important.  Criticism from New Atheist that Christianity has raped and pillaged people.  Things we can say in reply to this.  The thing that will win the argument is embodying the gospel. 

“Are we known in our areas for the kind of deeds one would expect when they hear our gospel?” 

Conclusion: Broadening our view of the work of the gospel 

When people pray, give, live, they are players on the pitch.  One way to dispel congregation self-consciousness is by explaining the breadth of mission.  They are furthering the gospel in praying, giving and living.

More on this topic can be found in John Dickson’s book ‘Promoting the Gospel’ (chapters 4-7).  Available to buy HERE.

My notes from Richard Coekin’s talk in the third session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

God is the Evangelist (Jonah 1-2) 

Good news from Jonah.  Preachers committed to obeying the great commission need to know that God is the evangelist. 

God is the Sovereign Evangelist.  This book is not about Jonah and the whale but God and the nations because God is the evangelist to the nations.  Dip into Jonah and you’ll see God’s missionary heart. 

The book climaxes with the question ‘Should I not pity Nineveh?’ and the truth that God desires all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).  It’s a book of cycles, in chapters 1 and 2 we read about the salvation of Jonah and in chapters 3 and 4 we read about the salvation of Nineveh.  The centre of the book is 2:9 where the truths that God is Sovereign (1:9) and God is merciful (4:2) come together.  If God is Sovereign and merciful then God is the evangelist we need. 

Jonah the prophet (1:1) emerges as the rebellious and resentful man with disgust at Syrian idolatry.  Modern equivalent would be us not travelling to Tehran to proclaim the wrath of God.  But Jonah is a work in progress who is learning to share God’s passion for the lost. 

Nineveh the city (1:2) is evil.  Both moral wickedness (crimes) and social distress (fear caused by this).  God had not gone soft on sin by sending Jonah to Nineveh, every evil city must repent or be destroyed.  Evil is great, but the city is important to God because it’s full of spiritually clueless people that He cares about.  Kindest thing God can do for a city is offer salvation.  Babylon may be the city where we are living, but Nineveh is the city of condemned unbelievers we go to with the gospel.  God is the Sovereign evangelist who can do it through us. 

1. God is sovereign in JUDGING the nations! (1:2) 

The wickedness of Nineveh causes God to send an evangelist not an air strike because He wants the city to repent.  God does not forget His hatred of sin while we do mission.  Wrath is loving wrath that wants to save sinners.  

Some think our mission doesn’t need to anything about God hating sin.  But when you do this you no longer have a gospel of salvation from sin but inclusion in sin.  God calls people to repent from sin.  God expresses sovereign judgment by sending an evangelist. 

2. God is sovereign in TRAINING the prophet! (1:3-10) 

Jonah is the only Old Testament prophet who tried to flee from the presence of the Lord.  Jonah must have known Psalm 139.  Jonah should have run to God but He has to learn the Lord’s way.  On the boat and in the storm the captain waits for Jonah to tell them how to be saved but Jonah remains silent (v6). 

The Lord persists with Jonah.  Reaching all the nations is something we all need to do.  Times of hardship is where we grow the most. 

3. God is sovereign in SAVING the lost! (1:11-16) 

Don’t you love the fact that as Jonah runs away from evangelism, God gives it.  The wrath of the storm is removed by the substitutionary sacrifice of Jonah that prefigures the sacrifice of Jesus to come.  

If our God uses a rebellious prophet to bring pagan sailors to faith in God, He can use you and me.  No-one gets saved according to our plan but God’s.  God is reminding us that it’s His mission.  If we don’t believe in the sovereignty of God we won’t do mission because we won’t believe that God can save.  God will use all kinds of random events to save people. 

4. God is sovereign in PROVIDING the saviour! (1:17) 

God’s sovereign provision of a big fish.  Jonah is somewhere in the Mediterranean Sea, can you get more lost than that?  God arranges a saviour.  Fish is perfect for God’s purpose of humbling Jonah.  No more surprising than using a man on the cross to save people.  We need to feel how utterly lost and helpless we are, to rediscover the miracle of being saved.  

“Do you ever think to yourself “I should be in hell”?” 

The Joy of Jonah (2:1-10) 

Jonah launches into praise from the belly of the fish.  Jonah pours out his heart in praise to God. 

God had heard his prayers (v1, 7).  He was moments from drowning.

God had saved his life (v2-4).  Recognised that he deserved God’s judgment. 

God had exposed idolatry (v8).  Perhaps a note of self righteousness.  More important realisation is the steadfast love of God that saved Jonah that the pagans need to know.  There is some compassion and pity here. 

Salvation belongs to the Lord! (v9)  Critical declaration from the book.  It is uniquely from the Lord, it is only the Lord who can raise the dead to life.  It is completely from the Lord.  Nothing Jonah could do from the belly of the fish.  It is available from the Lord.  Nothing can stop the Lord from saving. 

The Sign of Jonah (Matthew 12) 

Jesus saw Himself as the sign for sinners prefigured by Jonah.  Jesus is greater than Jonah because He survived death not just a dunking in the sea.  Great news is that God is the evangelist who sent Jonah to Nineveh and Jesus to the world.  God is reaching every nation through Jesus.  He’s the sign to convince sceptical pagan, He survived the grave.

My notes from Don Carson’s talk in the second session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Prayer changes things or does it?

If prayer changes things, how exactly are we to trust God’s sovereignty?  If prayer doesn’t change things, why are we supposed to pray? 

We hear in intercessory prayer in Scripture the raw edge of desperation.  On first look at Scripture we could make a case for both prayer change things or does it change things.  Prayer changes things it seems in case of Elijah praying for drought and then rain, or Moses interceding in Exodus 32.  Does prayer change things? It seems it doesn’t in the case of Jesus praying your will be done in garden of Gethsemane. 

Exodus 32:1-14 

One of about 40 passages in Scripture we are told that God relents, normally in response to intercessory prayer.  On the face of it prayer seems to change things.  But God knows He has Moses to intercede, knows Moses will intercede, and knows that He will relent. 

Three controlling theological reflections: 

1. God is utterly, unqualifiedly Sovereign 

We must not duck that truth.  Can’t take Ephesians  1 seriously and duck that truth.  To not believe this you have to resort to creative exegesis or take the scissors to Romans 8:28.  A bird flies into a window and breaks its neck but never apart from God’s sanction.  There is no movement of a galaxy or the tiniest particle apart from Christ’s sanction.  Don’t lose this truth. 

2. God is personal 

Presuppose that person thinks, has emotions, speaks, interacts with other persons, imagines, maintains relationships.  In eternity God was a complex One who was never isolated.  

God interacts personally with His image bearers.  Person to person interaction when God first speaks to human beings.  God uses speech to address a person even though He knows the answer to the question when He calls ‘Where are you?’ to Adam.  God knows what Adam and Eve has done but still asks the question.  He interacts personally. 

God responds.  Turn to me and be saved.  Hosea portrays Him as a betrayed lover.  He’s the God of relationships, He’s angry, jealous, loves, feels compassion.  As soon as we say these things we run into difficulty of use of language for persons which we use of all persons who are finite.  But God is infinite and transcends space and time.  What does personhood look like in God? 

3. God is never less than all He is 

Not sometimes sovereign and sometimes personal.  Not sometimes holy and sometimes loving.  Not sometimes sovereign and sometimes good.  He is never less than all He is. 

Two things follow: 

a) There is admitted mysteriousness in this.  Mysteriousness about God and attributes above our capacity to perceive.  

All our relationships occur in time, and response is sequential.  But God inhabits eternity.  What does it mean for God of eternity to interact with His image bearers in space and time? 

God stands behind everything.  How can it be that God stands behind Hitler, tsunamis, death of His Son?  Surely this threatens God’s goodness.  But you must never think God’s sovereignty diminishes His goodness.  Limits how far we can push.  

In mystery of God’s counsel, He discloses that fall will show the fullness of God’s glory.  You can’t turn off God’s attributes.  This leads us to mystery and we bow our head and worship. 

b) We must allow each biblically revealed attribute of God to function with respect to our prayer life only as it functions in Scripture. 

Not draw inferences from one attribute of God than diminishes another.  

Philippians 2:12-13: God’s sovereignty causes you to will and act is used as an incentive to work hard – not fatalism.  We work out because God is working in us. 

Fact God cares about the sparrows is used to encourage us to trust God’s sovereignty not prayerlessness. 

Never forget the first part of Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane.  Jesus knows His purpose on earth, but prays if possible take this cup.  Although He knew the Father’s will He begs take this cup from me.  Indicates that there are personal relationship in the mystery of God that must not be swept away by God’s sovereignty. 

“Never appeal to God’s sovereignty to diminish your zeal for prayer.” 

God will save people, but who knows if God has raised you up for a time like this.

My notes from David Jackman’s talk in the first session at EMA (Evangelical Ministry Assembly)…

Preaching and praying from the Psalms (1) 

Three benefits of focussing on the Psalms: 

1. Teach, correct, rebuke, and train us in righteousness – so focus on God. 
2. Model and teach us about how to pray and lead to praying. 
3. Help us open up this genre of teaching in our preaching. 

What is the special value of preaching the Psalms? 

Athanasius: “…the Psalms have a unique place in the Bible because most of the Scripture speaks to us, while the Psalms speak for us.”  

Eugene Peterson: “prayer is not something we think up – prayer is answering speech.” 

From Genesis 1 the first word is always God’s.  How do we take up the conversation?  The major biblical instruction for answering God is the Psalms.  The Psalms teach us what to say and also why and how given the circumstances. 

Our situation is that churches are not characterised by vigorous prayer, they are on the back foot under pressure of culture and looking in on themselves. 

How do we approach God when on the back foot? 

Psalm 44 

This is clearly a poem.  An answering end of a conversation with God.  Poetry has the intensity and ability to communicate in a deeper way than prose.  These affective ingredient of Psalms generates emotions in us and we join the psalmist as they pour out themselves in all circumstances of life.  Poems have a clear direction of thought.  The challenge is to identify the central theme this poem revolves around.  

See the flow: Lord you have always helped us and we need you to keep doing that but you are not doing that.  Why is that not happening?  If not punishment, why defeat.  We need your help.  The mood of the Psalm is perplexity and confusion that can easily lead to discouragement.  

Psalm 44 is set in a time of sudden defeat after many victories.  Why is it like this?  Why are apparent innocent people suffering? 

Verses 1-8: Look back to the past.  To what God has done (v1-3).  Prayer has a statement of trust and confidence in the Lord (v4-8).  Every deliverance is 100% due to the Lord. 

Verses 9-16: Present shocking accusation.  God is responsible for their defeat and with defeat comes shame (v13-16).  Many Christians today are demoralised and it seems that God no longer goes out with them. 

Verses 17-21: Why?  Taking rejection to covenant curses of God.  But it can’t be due to covenant curses because present situation is faithfulness, so it’s attributed to God.  This is a prayer of faith.  God would have discovered treachery and idolatry.  It’s not hidden sin here. 

Verse 22: Turning point.  Experience of defeat is because we belong to God.  It’s the cross God calls us to take up to follow Him.  Conflicts are painful and injure people, suffering may be a battle scar rather than a punishment.  It’s the price of loyalty in a world that is opposed to God.  It’s a mark of fellowship with a crucified God. 

Paul in Romans 8:36 quotes Psalm 44:22.  God’s love for us makes New Testament church crucified to the world so through this we may be partakers of His glory.  Wear battle scars with pride, it is for His sake.  Recognise His sovereign hand and trust that He will vindicate His purposes. 

Verses 23-26: How we are to respond.  Deep faith.  Urgent faithful visionary prayer sharing deep faith in God.  The last word – steadfast love – is the ground of all our praying and certainty of God’s answer.  Recognise the cosmic battle and pray with renewed confidence. 

“When the Son of Man comes will He find faith?”

I’ll start posting my EMA notes on Saturday, lots of cracking sessions.  But while you wait I posted yesterday some links to help with preaching.  Today are some links to help with leading. 

Check out this cracking 6 part series on leading well from the blog of Adrian Reynolds:

1. Leading well…..practical preparation
2. Leading well….spiritual preparation
3. Leading well…..unity
4. Leading well….serving others
5. Leading well….reading the Bible
6. Leading well….public praying